How far can I push my 2500+??

[Azuth9000]

I just got a new 2500+ today with a AQYFA 0343RPMW stepping and was wondering how far I should be able to overclock it. I'm guessing it's locked, because although I CAN change the multiplier, it doesn't change the actual clockspeed 🙁 Anyway, I have it at 185mHz FSB right now with the stock setting of 11x and Vcore at 1.65, and ASUS PcProbe tells me that it runs at 36 idle, 40 at 100%. Here's my system specs:

Barton 2500+ @ 11x185
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe rev 1.04, BIOS 1006
2x256MB OCZ PC3200 @2-3-3-7 ( haven't fooled around with this a lot yet)
Coolermaster Aero 7+ HSF w/AS 3
Radeon 9700 Pro
Thermaltake PurePower 480W PSU

I'm just wondering how far I should be able to push my FSB since I can't change the multiplier. Also, what is a good program to test stability?? I've just been looping 3dmark2001, but there's probably something better. Thanks 🙂

BTW, if anyone figures out how to unlock the new bartons, please let me know!!!!! 🙂

 

[virtuamike]

Pushed my 2500+ up to 200FSB, runs fine. I usually loop Prime95 and 3dMark2001 with case fans off to torture test my PCs.

 

[phpdog]

Hi ,

I run mine at 218 x 10 @ 2180 and its running at about 35º/37º idle and 40/º45º at load ... 😉

 

[jar5tyle]

Just set the fsb to 200, I'd doubt you'll have any problems, you may or may not have to add some vcore.

Prime95 is a nice stability tester Prime95

 

[high]

Yeah set fsb to 200 and set your ram to 11-3-2-2 for optimal badnwidth with your nforce. I know because I have the same stuff =) and although it's spec'd for 5-3-2-2 I've noticed there's more bandwidth to be had at 11-3-2-2 for some strange reason. You can probably go beyond 200 with this ram as I have been told I can but haven't tried yet. Please report back if you do!

 

[Azuth9000]

Thanks for the input guys 🙂 I set my ram timings to 11-3-2-2, my vcore to 1.75, and I still can't get above 190 🙁 I'm still at 185, and when I try for 190, it reboots or the monitor turns off 🙁 I have my AGP bus locked at 66, so I don't think that's a problem, although I did get a videocard error when trying to run 3dmark2001 once.... It reset my resolution and refresh rate 🙁 Anyway, my temp stays at 36 idle, even with a 200 FSB( note: it only boots into windows, won't run anything), and I haven't seen the temp go over 40 yet while running a 185 FSB. Is there any way to find out why it won't o/c anymore?? Since I cant change the multi, I can't find out if its the ram or not.... Maybe its the motherboard, since it is a rev 1.04. I appreciate any input on this, especially since I was really looking forward to hitting that 200 FSB........

BTW, what would be the highest vcore I should set it at??
Thanks 🙂

PS. Sorry about all the questions... I'm a total noob to overclocking, but I need to learn sometime 🙂

 

[jiffylube1024]

You can push it until it overheats, smokes up and stops working. That's how far you can push it 😉.

Seriously, most people are getting 2.2 Ghz for the average o/c, so I'm going to play it safe and say 2.2 GHz.

My chip would boot at 2.3 Ghz fine but wasn't Prime stable at all. Final rock stable speed: 2.2 Ghz.

 

[bolido2000]

Are you running dual channel DDR?? I couldn't get 200x11 unless I switched it to single channel.

 

[11427]

I am.
2 x 512 of HyperX PC3500 and 2.6v in dual channel
A7N8X Deluxe 2.0
2500+ at 11x200 and 1.75v
Aero 7+
ti4400 running 300/607

Rock solid running 2 instances of prime95, SETI, while playing around with Rise of Nations. With a max temp of 52C.

 

[Azuth9000]

Does dual channel ddr increase performance at all?? I have 2x256 MB in dual channel mode right now......... I'll try switching them to single channel and see what happens.... Is there any way to switch them to single channel other than physically changing slots??

 

[Azuth9000]

I have another question (sorry 🙂 ). Sometimes when I try to overclock above 185 FSB, my computer freezes and my resolution and refresh rates are set back to default. I have the AGP bus set at 66 mhz, so I didn't think the videocard would mess up, which I think it is doing because of the changes. I've had this Radeon 9700 Pro since about March, and the only other problem I've had with it is that almost everytime I restart my computer or exit from the BIOS, my screen is all jumbled up, with blocks and lines everywhere. Could I have a bad videocard and just never noticed it?? I don't think the RAM is maxing out( OCZ PC3200 @2.7v 11-3-2-2), nor do I think the CPU is maxing out, because the CPU is only at 1.65v @ 185 FSB, and even upping to 1.75v will not let me get any higher. Any input as to what could be limiting my computer??

Thanks again 🙂