I'm about to overclock an X2 3800+

[Smartazz]

Lets say my computer becomes to unstable that it will no longer boot, what can I do? Will it revert to default speeds?

 

[Smoove910]

Reset your CMOS so your BIOS goes back to default settings. You'll have to adjust all your settings again, but at least you'll be able to boot.

Good Luck!

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: Smoove910
Reset your CMOS so your BIOS goes back to default settings. You'll have to adjust all your settings again, but at least you'll be able to boot.

Good Luck!

I believe that's on the motherboard right? I'm just making 100% sure I'm doing this safely.

 

[broly8877]

yes

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: broly8877
yes

Alright thanks.
Anyway I just did my first cpu overclock, I hit 2070MHZ, but I noticed my mouse didn't move for a good 10 seconds while my computer still responded, is this normal?
edit: Also, AI booster keeps fluctating between about 1000 and 3000MHZ, is this just a program glitch, or is my system running at 3000MHZ for short bursts of time?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: broly8877
yes

Alright thanks.
Anyway I just did my first cpu overclock, I hit 2070MHZ, but I noticed my mouse didn't move for a good 10 seconds while my computer still responded, is this normal?

Could be mouse drivers or anything.

 

[Dravic]

many motherboards also support holding down the insert key when booting up to soft reset the bios

 

[BlueWeasel]

Be sure and turn off Cool 'n' Quiet in the BIOS if possible when overclocking.

Also, you might be able reset the BIOS settings without having to fool with the CMOS battery or jumpers. On many newer boards, you can hold down a particular key to reset the BIOS to conservative settings if it won't boot (INSERT on mine).

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Be sure and turn off Cool 'n' Quiet in the BIOS if possible when overclocking.

Also, you might be able reset the BIOS settings without having to fool with the CMOS battery or jumpers. On many newer boards, you can hold down a particular key to reset the BIOS to conservative settings if it won't boot (INSERT on mine).

Could that be the reason it's reporting changing clock frequencies?

 

[myocardia]

Just read this: Zebo's guide to overclocking an Athlon 64

 

[OBCT]

Yes, Cool 'n' Quiet lowers the processor frequency when it doesn't need it. Turn it off for overclocking.

 

[Smartazz]

I discovered something strange, when I set it to 2150MHZ, it won't boot the os, but if I enter the bios then exit the bios, it boots the os. Why is this?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I discovered something strange, when I set it to 2150MHZ, it won't boot the os, but if I enter the bios then exit the bios, it boots the os. Why is this?

Did you check and see if the BIOS set the default mutiplier and HTT?

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I discovered something strange, when I set it to 2150MHZ, it won't boot the os, but if I enter the bios then exit the bios, it boots the os. Why is this?

Did you check and see if the BIOS set the default mutiplier and HTT?

I checked the speed in the bios, and it reported 2150MHZ, if that's what you mean.

 

[imported_inspire]

A couple things - I have the same setup as you and I'm doing the same thing - for the mostr part.

First:
The M2N-E doesn't require you to manually clear the CMOS every time you fail to boot, instead it forces you to go back into the BIOS and change your settings.

Second:
You need to make sure your HT stays below 1000MHz.

HT = ['CPU<->MCP55 HT Speed' (in your Chipset options in your BIOS)'] x ['CPU Frequency']

This means you have to lower the multiplier to 4x when you hit 220 for the CPU Frequency, then 3x for 250, then 2x for 333.

I see you're not there yet for the second one, but keep that in mind. You should also manually lock your CPU volts, your memory volts, your PCIe Bus (IMPORTANT!) and pay attention to memory dividers.

Keep in mind that anything these guys tell you is probably more right than me - this is my first time trying this. The only advantage I have is that my equipment is very similar to yours. Good hunting!

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: inspire
A couple things - I have the same setup as you and I'm doing the same thing - for the mostr part.

First:
The M2N-E doesn't require you to manually clear the CMOS every time you fail to boot, instead it forces you to go back into the BIOS and change your settings.

Second:
You need to make sure your HT stays below 1000MHz.

HT = ['CPU<->MCP55 HT Speed' (in your Chipset options in your BIOS)'] x ['CPU Frequency']

This means you have to lower the multiplier to 4x when you hit 220 for the CPU Frequency, then 3x for 250, then 2x for 333.

I see you're not there yet for the second one, but keep that in mind. You should also manually lock your CPU volts, your memory volts, your PCIe Bus (IMPORTANT!) and pay attention to memory dividers.

Keep in mind that anything these guys tell you is probably more right than me - this is my first time trying this. The only advantage I have is that my equipment is very similar to yours. Good hunting!

Nice system, ok, now maybe I'll be able to push the cpu to 2.2GHZ with this in mind. The temps seem to be the same overclocked or not, so I think the cooling is sufficient for now.

 

[imported_inspire]

I made a mistake in my math, smartazz - you have to drop the HT Speed multiplier to 4x for ANY overclock. You have to drop to 3x once you pass 250 and 2x once you pass 333. Sorry for the confusion, man.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: inspire
I made a mistake in my math, smartazz - you have to drop the HT Speed multiplier to 4x for ANY overclock. You have to drop to 3x once you pass 250 and 2x once you pass 333. Sorry for the confusion, man.

Alright, I'm in the bios on the other computer, I set the multiplyer to 4x, but how do I lock the volts that you said I should lock?

 

[imported_inspire]

Should be under the jumperfree settings in the advanced tab
look at the options and you should see 'CPU Voltage' - btw, I'll be on for another half hour or so, but I'll be checking this pretty often, let me know if there's anything I can help you with. Make sure to lock your volts somewhere below 1.50 - I'd recommend running Asus Probe II (came on the mobo drivers CD) or something to monitor your temps during the stress tests.

EDIT: Your memory should be in the same place - your memory runs at 1.9v stock, just like mine, but I overvolted to 1.95 - I didn't think it would be a problem.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: inspire
Should be under the jumperfree settings in the advanced tab
look at the options and you should see 'CPU Voltage' - btw, I'll be on for another half hour or so, but I'll be checking this pretty often, let me know if there's anything I can help you with. Make sure to lock your volts somewhere below 1.50 - I'd recommend running Asus Probe II (came on the mobo drivers CD) or something to monitor your temps during the stress tests.

So I set this to manual, then under cpu voltage I set it to 1.5volts? Isn't this an overvolt?

 

[imported_inspire]

Yes - Mine's at 1.5 - it is an overvolt past what Zebo recommends, but other guys here run safe on 1.5 - it's more a question of your cooling than anything else, I think. If you feel uncomfortable with 1.5, Zebo's guide says that you should be safe at or below 1.45v - lock it there if you're unsure.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: inspire
Yes - Mine's at 1.5 - it is an overvolt past what Zebo recommends, but other guys here run safe on 1.5 - it's more a question of your cooling than anything else, I think. If you feel uncomfortable with 1.5, Zebo's guide says that you should be safe at or below 1.45v - lock it there if you're unsure.

The probe program is detecting 1.54volts and around 50C idle, I think I might back it down to 1.45 just to be safe. Then how do I do the PCI express volt lock you're talking about.

 

[imported_inspire]

Nono - not your PCIe volts, but your PCIe bus. It should stay at 100 MHz. It should be in the same place as the CPU Volts and the Memory Volts.

BTW - I'm not breaking 42 C right now in my stress tests running 2 instances of SP2004 on the CPU torture test - what kind of cooling solution are you using? (CPU Fan, Case Fans, Bay Fans, etc..)

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: inspire
Nono - not your PCIe volts, but your PCIe bus. It should stay at 100 MHz. It should be in the same place as the CPU Volts and the Memory Volts.

BTW - I'm not breaking 42 C right now in my stress tests running 2 instances of SP2004 on the CPU torture test - what kind of cooling solution are you using? (CPU Fan, Case Fans, Bay Fans, etc..)

one 90mm bay fan, 120mm exhaust fan, stock cooling on the cpu, I'm running a torture test right now, hitting 53C at 2100MHZ, it's running at 1.48 volts as well. It's possible to overclock in the bios right, not that I plan to.

 

[imported_inspire]

You mean - 'Is it possible to overclock without doing it in the BIOS?' Yes, it is, from what I understand, but I've never done it. Keep your load temps under 55C and you should be fine. Just keep an eye on it - you may run into temp problems as you clock higher. Don't be afraid to back the voltage down if you're pushing the temp envelope. You may find yourself limited by your CPU fan, but see how far you can get.