How to increase my o/c's stability?

[Flyermax2k3]

Ok, this is really starting to bug me... So far the best o/c I've been able to get out of my Barton 2800+ is from 166MHz FSB to 172MHz. I can boot into Windows at much higher FSBs than this, but the heat seems to be causing trouble (programs crashing @ higher FSBs). It already idles in the 50's C and under load gets into the 60's no problems. Here are my system specs:
AXP 2800+ (multi locked)
Asus A7N8X-X (single channel Nforce2 board) :|
Geil PC3500 2x 512MB CAS 2 (2-3-3-6)
BBA Radeon 9600 AIW Pro @ 460/720
WD 160GB 7200 RPM HD
IBM 45GB 7200 RPM HD
Full tower ATX case w/350 W PSU
2 rear exhaust fans, 1 top exhaust fan, 1 side intake fan (blows onto video card)
Thermaltake Volcano 7+ HSF @ max speed w/Antec silver thermal paste

Here's my CPU's code, in case anyone was wondering: AXDA2800KV4D AQ2FA

I'm running Vcore well over stock @ 1.75V, VDimm @ 2.7, VAGP @ 1.6. Do I need more or less voltage to my CPU/memory/video card? What is holding me back here? This is absolutely driving me crazy... I have my AGP bus locked @ 66MHz in the BIOS but I don't see an option to lock the PCI bus :|
I won't be buying any new hardware for this, so please don't suggest that. What I have is all I'll be working with. There's no reason I can think of that the max o/c on this system is only 6MHz! That's just plain ridiculous in fact.

Thanks in advance! If any more info is needed LMK.

Edit: I'm thinking it's either the heat or my hard drive(s) causing my o/c to not be stable above 172MHz FSB... I know the chip is fine, since it boots into Windows @ much higher FSBs than this pathetic 172MHz, and it certainly isn't my PC3500 RAM running @ barely 2700

it's not my vid card since that thing's o/c'd like a mofo and runs like a champ The only other suspect component is my sound card, since I have run into a bit of trouble with that on occasion (ATI tv setup program states sound card clock not w/in +/- 0.2% whenever I change video drivers, which requires me to reload my sound driver which clears up the problem). All this points towards the PCI bus being the culprit IMHO. Is there a different BIOS I can use which will allow me to lock my PCI bus?

Thanks again!

 

[jjmIII]

Is there a different BIOS I can use which will allow me to lock my PCI bus?

Link to bios at Asus. Make a big leap to 200fsb, and the buses will still be at 33/66.....if your chip will do it. I thought the pci/agp bus was locked anyhow?

 

[Duvie]

The only way I see the soundcard or the HDD's being an issue is if in fact the agp/pci frequnecy is not locked....Make sure there is no command for you to lock it...

Also 50c idle and 60c load is a bit high for an Asus mobo with an aftermarket cooler....Would have been about right for a Abit mobo though...

What paste are you using??? AS?? If so you need to check you didn't apply too much, and make sure the cpu is making good contact....A good old test I use to run back in my AMD days was to install the hsf with no paste and place a thin piece of paper between the core and the hsf with a tab of it hanging out the side....If I could pull it out there wasn't good contact...

Seems like case cooling should be fine or better then most though so those temps are suspect....

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: Duvie
The only way I see the soundcard or the HDD's being an issue is if in fact the agp/pci frequnecy is not locked....Make sure there is no command for you to lock it...

Also 50c idle and 60c load is a bit high for an Asus mobo with an aftermarket cooler....Would have been about right for a Abit mobo though...

What paste are you using??? AS?? If so you need to check you didn't apply too much, and make sure the cpu is making good contact....A good old test I use to run back in my AMD days was to install the hsf with no paste and place a thin piece of paper between the core and the hsf with a tab of it hanging out the side....If I could pull it out there wasn't good contact...

Seems like case cooling should be fine or better then most though so those temps are suspect....

I think it's my high CPU voltage. I'm sure that can be backed off... I'm gonna bring it back down to stock and see how things go. Thanks for your help again, Duvie!

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: jjmIII

Is there a different BIOS I can use which will allow me to lock my PCI bus?

Link to bios at Asus. Make a big leap to 200fsb, and the buses will still be at 33/66.....if your chip will do it. I thought the pci/agp bus was locked anyhow?

I'm tempted to try it, but I highly doubt 200FSB will work on a stock 12.5 multiplier (multi locked) 2.5GHz on air is highly unlikely IMHO.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Update: I reset to stock Voltage and temps dropped from 55 C @ idle to 46 C!!! Quite a difference Still P95 and HotCPU stable (so far, ::knock on wood: I'm gonna bump the FSB up a couple notches and see how she likes it.
Edit: oh yeah, MB temp is only reading 21 C @ idle, I don't think my case temps are too high

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Ok, after doing some research, I've discovered that my PCI bus is *not* locked, just as I had suspected so, therefore, this is the only possible cause of my o/cing difficulties. That's the last time I buy a mobo that doesn't have an AGP *AND* PCI bus lock :| I don't get how mobo manufacturers can even get away with this kind of crap... Honestly, how difficult could it be to include a PCI bus lock in the BIOS? Jerks :|