Help! Barton 2500+ not stable running prime95

[calvinh]

My rig

Antec SLk3700AMB case with Smartpower 350W PSU
ASUS A7N8X-DLX MB rev 2.0
Athlon XP Barton core 2500+
Corsair TWINX512A3200LLPT (2x256 sticks, PC 3200) in slots 1 & 3
ATI AIW8500 128MB
Maxtor Ultra 80G HD
Win2K

I am having problems with stability when I bump the FSB to 200MHz.
I tried 200x10 with VDimm 2.8V, system fails prime95 at first iteration.
Increased Vcore to 1.7 and 1.75V with Vdimm at 2.8V and 200x10 setting, fails prime95 at first iteration.
Tried 200x9.5, no luck.

The RAM is supposed to be PC3200 and says so on it, is it possible that it isnt?
Is 350W too low for overclocking?
Need help and suggestions.
The CPU stepping is AQXEA
Thanks

 

[calvinh]

Forgot to add
The HS/F is SLK900A with Panaflo 92mm fan.
The temps are 38C/27C when idle. I don't know the temps at load. I havent seen it go beyond 44C when playing Halo.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Corsair has excellent quality control so I wouldn't worry there First, set everything to default values and be certain it's p95TT stable, then if it is, try the ram in slots 2-3, run memtest86 on it, if needed try 1 stick at a time in each slot 1&2, set the ram timings manually, use the latest bios. Good luck and post back with an update

 

[DrZone]

Your PSU is fine.

I would suggest running prime95 under some lower settings. Like working from default speeds and work your way up.

 

[joe2004]

Two advices:
1. Try Memtest86 and see if the memory is the problem. Go to Corsair message board and see if this memory of yours is a problem with other users. I really dislike Corsair, I think they are the biggest fakers there are, but that is only my opinion.
2. Remove NB heatsink and check how good the contact between the heatsink and NB chip is. Most of NB heatsinks are good enough, unfortunately no manufacturer are installing them properly, why ... that is a mistery to me.

 

[zephyrprime]

I would try to test memory and cpu clock separately. First, use a low multiplier but high FSB to test memory & fsb probs. You get the idea.

 

[calvinh]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I should mention that when I setup the system, I did test it with prime95 under default 2500+, 166x11 settings with memory on SPD and prime95 ran without problems overnight (~7 hrs) at which point I decided it must be stable since it is at default settings. I will do it again and leave it for longer time and get back with update.

I checked the Northbridge HS, it appears to be making full contact.

Should I try bumping the FSB just a little, to say 175 or so and try prime95, instead of 200?

Also, I ran mem86 test but stopped it after it passed the first batch of tests (took about 26 minutes) without errors.
I will try running all the tests and post the results.

Thanks again.

 

[jiffylube1024]

-Try dropping the RAM timings a bit (I have no idea what you're running them at since you didn't post them).
-Try running at 166 X 12 (memory 1:1) to make sure it's the memory and not the CPU (maybe you got the worst o/cing Barton ever)
-Try a single stick of memory to see if one or the other is defective

-What brand PSU do you have? If it's a no-name one, consider a 350W or 430W brand name one (ie Antec, Enermax...)

Edit: more tips.

-make absolutely certain you installed the CPU HSF properly
-make absolutely certain the CPU's fan is working properly
-if you don't have a couple of case fans (ie 1-2 exhaust and maybe 1 intake) then put in a couple fans.

 

[calvinh]

The RAM timings are 8-3-3-2.5 when i set FSB to 200.

I will try the 166x12 setting with one stick. The sticks are supposed to be TwinX3200LL.

The PSU is Antec SmartPower 350W, came with the SLK3700AMB case.

The PSU has two fans and the case has two 120mm fans, one each for intake and exhaust.

All fans are working properly, the ASUS monitor program says so and when I open the sidepanel I can see them running too.

The HSF and Fan are installed and working properly. When I had the stock HSF and fan that came with the CPU, the temps used to be 43 on idle and 51 when playing Halo or splintercell. Now the temps are 35-38 idle and about 43 when playing the games.

What are the limitations as to background programs when running prime95? Is antivirus prog and zonealarm alright? I closed the antivirus s/w when running prime95 but still no improvement. I am going to try running prime95 on default settings tonight, will update tomorrow.

Thanks a lot

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: calvinh
The RAM timings are 8-3-3-2.5 when i set FSB to 200.

I will try the 166x12 setting with one stick. The sticks are supposed to be TwinX3200LL.

The PSU is Antec SmartPower 350W, came with the SLK3700AMB case.

This should definately be fine (Antec 350W). What are the +12V, +5V and +3.3V rails like? Same for the Vcore - does it fluctuate? Install MBM5 (motherboard monitor 5) and check those things.

The PSU has two fans and the case has two 120mm fans, one each for intake and exhaust.

Definately seems more than adequate.

The HSF and Fan are installed and working properly. When I had the stock HSF and fan that came with the CPU, the temps used to be 43 on idle and 51 when playing Halo or splintercell. Now the temps are 35-38 idle and about 43 when playing the games.

Seems normal.

What are the limitations as to background programs when running prime95? Is antivirus prog and zonealarm alright? I closed the antivirus s/w when running prime95 but still no improvement. I am going to try running prime95 on default settings tonight, will update tomorrow.

Antivirus and Zonealarm should not be a problem. I do a lot of different stuff with Prime on - surf the net, even some photoshop work, etc. Although now I'm on a P4 2.4C with Hyperthreading, and that helps keep it running smoother with a resource hog like Prime on.
Thanks a lot[/quote]

 

[dunkster]

When bumping FSB in steps, I test memory-stability first, then CPU-stability.

Memtest86 Test#5 seems the most critical test, and several passes of Test#5 doesn't take long. Adjust timings/Vdimm as necessary for error-free with several passes of Test#5.

Then move on to Prime95, adjusting Vcore as necessary for CPU-stability.

Using only Prime95, failure doesn't resolve whether the problem is CPU or memory.

Regarding Corsair, Corsair 2 X 256 TWINX 3200C2 was limited to 207MHz at 2,3,3,7 timings on my 8RDA+. Less expensive BuffaloTech PC3700 runs stably at 222MHz at 2,2,2,7 timings on the same motherboard. That PC3700 performance is repeatable on current NF7Sv2. Corsair makes good memory, but many report disappointing performance of Corsair memory on Nforce motherboards.

Hope this helps!

 

[DoobieOnline]

What bios version are you using? I was using 1007 on my A7N8X Deluxe rev. 1.04 with a Barton 2500+ at 11x200 and I suffered severe artifacts in 3DMark03's cpu tests. I changed the bios to 1006 and everything is totally stable now. A really excellent place to get tips for Asus nForce2 boards is nForcersHQ.com forums here. Scroll down until you see Asus and enter that forum. Good luck!

 

[calvinh]

Surprise Surprise...
The system doesnt run prime95 even on default settings now. 166x11 with memory set to 166 FSB... RAM timings 7-3-3-2, 2.6v on RAM and 1.65v on CPU...
Before when I had the stock HSF on and had everything on default, it ran for about 6 or 7 hrs before I stopped it. The temps were 43 idle/54 prime95.

Now with the SLK900A, the temps are fine, 35-38 idle and 42 on prime95... it ran for about an hour and half, said 10K test finished successfully and then stopped with error after a few iterations! The temp was 42C.

I am running the memtest86 now to check if the ram sticks have errors. and what if they do? I am going to check them one stick at a time too.

The motherboard is (or says) rev 2.0 and is supposed to support 200FSB and dual channel memory feature.

The problems with corsair pc3200 twinx and nforce motherboards is interesting piece of info... when i referred to the asus support page, the corsair memory was listed there as supported?
I will post with updates when the memtest finishes.

Meanwhile, I got a new 1800+ AGOGA stepping... cant wait to mess with this one.

 

[StayPuff]

BUMP -- I'm interested to hear how this turns out....

 

[calvinh]

Update:

Ran memtest86 on the memory for 11 hrs (is that too long or long enough?) on default setting (166x11, dual channel DDR at 333 ). No errors reported.

Settings and Results are as follows:

L1 Cache: 128K 11225MB/sec
L2 cache: Unknown
Memory: 512M 1191MB/s
Testing 96K - 512M 512M

Walltime: 11:10:06
Cached 512M
Resvd Mem: 84K
Mem Map: e820-std
Cache On
Ecc off
Test: Std
Pass 41
Errors 0
Ecc errors 0


At this point, I figured the memory is fine under default settings

Tried running prime95 under default settings again, failed.

So, I removed one of the sticks and tried running prime 95 under 166x11 settings and default.
The system was very sluggish, hardly any speed and the iterations took forever, the CPU usage on the task manager was hardly 4 or 5%, memory almost 60% and up. the temps were 35 -36 idle and 38 on prime95... used to go to 42/43 on running prime95 for 15mins... and after about 8 hrs, it is still running without errors. i can hardly run anything else while the prime95 is running now, only my antivirus prog and zonealarm active, other than normal services. I tried opening a txt file and it took forever to open.

so what is going on? prime95 is running without errors but the system is super slow and cpu usage hardly any, temps not increasing beyond 38C on load? or can i call this load at all?
any explanations/suggestions?

I am going to try and run it with the other memory stick. is it possible the dual channel ddr feature is messed up on the m/b? or should i reinstall prime95 when i remove one stick so it rewrites the settings and ini files? also, the version of prime95 i am using, is 2212. shld i use a more latest version available?

meanwhile, my cable modem busted and so i have no internet connection at home... will try and update as i can.

the board says rev2.0 and the bios version is either 1005 or 1006, i will check again.

thanks to everyone and keep the advice and suggestions coming.


More Update
it has been 19 hrs now since starting prime95 at default settings as mentioned above. now the cpu is at 100% use, all of it prime95, temp at 38C, not much memory usage, system not as sluggish as before... says self-test 14K passed.

running self test 640K now, cpu usage has fallen down to nothing but memory usage is up to max, system slow again...

i guess the system is fine when running with just one memory stick? I am going to try the other stick now. will update.

please throw in your suggestion as to what could be wrong with the dual channel ddr setup.

 

[calvinh]

More update:

I have been running memtest86 with only one memory stick in slot 1... it fails to do even 175FSB!

Test #5, cache always on, use all memory.... comes back with errors after about 10 or 12 passes. 9-3-3-2T with 2.7V and 2.8V.

Again, the RAM sticks say TwinX, XMS3200C2... did i get ripped off? it is cmx256a3200c2pt and has twinx label on it.

any suggestions pls?
The BIOS version is 1005.

CPU at 175x11.

 

[phpdog]

isnt that what Prime95 does ... memory test goes up ... then mem goes down and CPU usage test goes up ... and so on?

Thats the way it runs for me

Just to fit this in ... I have a 2500+ AXDA2500DKV4D
AQZFA 0335WPMW

I run it on a Lan Party NF2 and i cant get it too 200 at all ... the most vCore ive gave it is 1.775 ... but it's still unstable and i dont really want to rip the arse out of it .

btw : Calvinh ; whats your CPU Stepping?


. . : : ; EDIT ; : : . .

I just got my cpu to 10 x 210 @ 2100 MHz thats 3200+ speed i think , but it says 3000+ because i think thats the 10.5 Ratio

vCore @ 1.75v
vDimm @ 2.70v

Temps : 36º/38º idle
48º/51º under Prime95

 

[Rosencrantz]

I dont really trust prime95 as I've heard conflicting reports.. anyway for stability test I just run superpi, cpu-z and 3dmark2001 or 2003 all at once for a couple hours.

My steppings are:
AXDA2500KV4D Z342247240051
AQZFA 0340SPMW

 

[calvinh]

My CPU stepping is

AXDA2500DKV4D 9869768250068
AQXEA0323WPAW

I think I may have to give up and buy a better motherboard and use the 1800+ on this

I have been reading posts on the nforcershq forums and the inreased FSB, dual DDR problem with corsair and other memory seem to be very prominent with this particular board.
Infact, when I ordered my memory, I made sure it was exactly the same model that the ASUS said was supported for dual DDR and 200FSB (CMX256A3200C2, XMS3202V1.01, i have v1.02) and yet, i cant do anything with the FSB and dual DDR doesnt seem to be stable.

I am running BIOS 1005... anybody had better success with a different BIOS version?

 

[DoobieOnline]

I mentioned it earlier, but bios 1006 is solid for me with 2x256mb Corsair Value RAM PC3200 (2.5-3-3-7) @ 2.6V, 11x200 on my Barton 2500+ (1.65V), A7N8X Deluxe v1.04. Give 1006 a try and see if it helps, and if it doesn't then try 1007. 1007 was unstable for me during benchmarks but 1006 is perfect.

 

[calvinh]

doobie, thanks, i updated the bios like you mentioned in your earlier post but i did 1007... u say 1006 is better? i tried running memtest but it failed 200/195/190/185. now i am trying 180 fsb... dont know how it went... will post when i get home and take a look.
i am wondering if i shld buy a different m/b and test the memory with my new 1800+ cpu... at least if the memtest runs smooth on the memory, i know it is the asus motherboard that is faulty.
any suggestions on the best board for this memory and fsb?
thanks again

 

[StayPuff]

I'm done with Asus (used to be a loyal customer) and now have a Gigabyte GA-7NNXP which I absolutely love -- especially that dual-bios feature. My A7N8X deluxe 2.0 wouldn't run at 400 at all (Barton 2500 + 1G PC3200 Buffalo CH-5), but this baby hits it with ease AND I like that chipset fan.

 

[DoobieOnline]

Yeah, 1006 solved the stability problems I was having with 1007 on my rev 1.04. I think I remember seeing something at nforcershq about the rev 2.0 boards not playing well with the Barton 2500+ but I'm not positive. Anyway, 1006 is definitely worth a try.

 

[calvinh]

ok, the best i have been able to go with the a7n8x-dlx and xms256apc3200c2 corsair is 180 FSB... about 22 passes on memtest86, all tests...
this sucks and i am too pissed to try further... this memory is supposed to have been tested on a7n8x and says so on both asus and corsair sites.
i am going to try 1006 and 1004 bios... hope it makes a difference like doobie says.

 

[DoobieOnline]

If you get a memory error during boot after flashing the bios to 1006, shut down and clear cmos with the jumper, restart, load optimized defaults, restart, and then set everything up in bios the way you want it. I got a mem error when I flashed to 1006, but following the above steps solved it. Good luck!