Help Please? Poor oc results with A64 3200 (Clawhammer)+MSI K8 Neo3

[SuinusLatinus]

Hello and greetings.

I have a A64 3200+ (skt754) with a MSI K8 Neo3 and 2x512 OCZ PC3700 EB (466).

I knew that it was possible to oc this machine but never tried it for lack of time/patience. Finally I've tried and only been able to do a 222x10 FSB (4xHT) = 2220MHz, without lowering the memory speed (running at the same speed, 222). After reading posts of people being able to do stable 500+ increases in the processor speed, I was disappointed...

I know the memory is able to do much better. After all is 466 rated and it's only running at 444. My question to all of you is what do you think is stoping a bigger increase in the FSB?

Other thing: Is it better to run at an higher CPU speed but lower memory (166 instead of 200) or to have all at the same speed? I'm asking this because if I lower the memory speed to 166 instead of 200 I'm able to go to 229 with the FSB. But it's such a small increase in FSB that I don't perceive any real diference.

Thank you for any comments.

 

[myocardia]

You've got good RAM. It isn't what's holding you back. What's holding you back is your 4x HTT multiplier. Socket 754 chips don't have a 1000 mhz HTT, they have an 800 Mhz HTT. You're trying to run yours at 888 Mhz. Lower it to 3x, which will be good for up to around a 260 Mhz HTT overclock.

edit: Though don't be surprised if you need to lower it to 2x above 250 Mhz.

 

[SuinusLatinus]

Thank you.

I already tried lowering the HT to 3x and even so the machine became unstable at FSB 230-240. Most times it didn't even booted. As 230x3=690 < 800 I thought the problem couldn't be the HT multiplier...

I will try and run it at HT 2x but isn't too low? Will it not hurt performance? I mean, the CPU could be running at an higher speed but the rest wil be slower...

Maybe I've to try even higher voltages. Right now the CPU is at 1,525 and the RAM at 2,85 (within OCZ specs). The NF4 is at 1,5 wich is the default value. Or the RAM timings...

Thanks

 

[SuinusLatinus]

Suggestions, please?

 

[myocardia]

You're trying to overclock a Clawhammer, with only .025v extra? Haha, think again. Mine, which is a 3700 (2.4 Ghz at stock speed) requires 1.75v to do 2.7 Ghz. Yours would require more. Start off with 1.6 or 1.65 (1.65v is considered safe for your processor), and see how high it will go with a 2x HTT multi. It should do at least 2.5 Ghz, if not higher, with 1.65v. Don't try it, though, unless you've got a good heatsink. Also, watch your cpu temps, because they're going to rise dramatically.

 

[PingSpike]

You want to divide and conquer with overclocking. Set the HTT multiplier to 2x and set the ram to the 100/133mhz setting. Then try stressing the cpu. If it still fails, you know its the CPUs fault. If it doesn't, you'll know to place the blame on the ram or the HTT bus or possibly something else.

 

[SuinusLatinus]

I'll try that, myocardia, thanks for the advice. Later I'll post the results.

PingSpike, I've already tried to stress the CPU but with a 3x mutiplier and it went to 230, tops. But, if myocardia is right, the voltage was to low. Time to go back to the wonderful world of CMOS reset... it's a pain, the soundblaster is right in front of the jumper :disgust:.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: SuinusLatinus
Time to go back to the wonderful world of CMOS reset... it's a pain, the soundblaster is right in front of the jumper :disgust:.

So just pull out the battery. On your motherboard, it's easily acessible, unlike the jumper.

 

[SuinusLatinus]

not really, the X1800 also gets in the way, along with the USB cables... But to be honest, I didn't try. Maybe it's a bit easier.

 

[nyker96]

Clawhammer can;t OC too well on stock voltage.

 

[SuinusLatinus]

I give up. Even with the HT at 2x and the RAM at 100, over 230 it's unstable.

I guess is a combination of not too good CPU for oc and crappy motherboard...

Now, my next step is the X1800XT.

Thank you all for your advices

 

[myocardia]

Were you giving the cpu 1.60-1.65v?

 

[SuinusLatinus]

No. The motherboard only allows 1,50v for the CPU, maximum. That's why I called it crappy .

I had a better board (MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum) but I "downgraded" to this one so that I could use the X1800 without having to buy a new CPU. All the other PCI Express boards were 939 only.

Well, can't have everything.

 

[myocardia]

Why not just sell that 3200 for $40 or so, and buy a Skt. 754 3400? It's 2.4 Ghz, and newegg had the Venices, which have a stock vcore of 1.4v. Oh, and it's $99. That's what I would do, if I were you.

 

[SuinusLatinus]

Yes, it's a good ideia, but, unfortunately, on my side of the ocean, the 754 can't be found anywhere anymore. Even used it's difficult to find. I've been searching but only found 3200 or lower until now.