Is this a good overclock? I'm sort of frustrated

[BillStuck]

Here is my setup. This is my first overclock ever and I've spent the last 13 hours straight trying to get it perfect.

P4 2.4c
Abit IS7
2x 256 HyperX PC3500

I tried a ton of combinations with the turbo, speedster, F1 on and off and all sorts of FSB combinations.

The highest I can post at is 265cpu/212mhz memory using the 5:4 ratio = 3180mhz cpu, but as soon as I start Prime95 it craps out on the first test. However, my video encoding and everything else seem fine.

The highest I can get so far stable is 251cpu/201mhz memory using the 5:4 ratio = 3012mhz cpu, memtestx86 ran without errors and Prime 95 is only about 30 minutes in, but so far so good. Everything else seems stable

Both of these scenerios are with memory timings of 2-7-3-3.

I'm sort of disappointed because this memory is rated at DDR443 2-7-3-3, but if I run it at anything over DDR401 I get memory errors all over the place and prime95 blows up on the first test.

Isn't this memory supposed to be faster? Anyways since this is my first ever attempt at overclocking I'm wondering if you guys think this is good or if my memory is crappy.

Prime95 will probably crash as soon as I hit the "submit post" button LOL

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

better than I got with my exact same setup (I used 1x512mb of Corsair XMS 3500 though)

I could only get a FSB of 242 with temps being low enough to keep everything stable.

 

[BillStuck]

temps...that's another story. Right now with prime95 running hardware doctor is showing the cpu bouncing between 64 and 68.5. That seems pretty hot doesn't it? I read though that this Abit board show higher then actual tempature readings, but I can't find this confirmed anywhere.

Think I should be worried? I have 2 120mm fans blowing through the case and 2 fans on my Power Supply. Also Retail HSF

 

[dxkj]

For that overclock you might want to get a better HS. 69C is definitely dangerously high. You dont want to be over 55C if you can help it.

 

[BillStuck]

it runs that hot with non overclocked speeds too.

I don't think the board temp reader is trustworthy

Abit Forums Thread on heat issue

 

[bjc112]

I think Abit tends to read 5-10C high...

Are you using the Retail HSF, did you remove the piece of metal foil?

 

[BillStuck]

yea I'm using the retail fan. I didn't see any metal foil? uh oh did I miss something? I looked closely and just saw a dark gray pad

 

[JimMc]

Have you increased your DDR voltage? IS7 will let it go up to 2.8 which should be no problem for that RAM.

 

[BillStuck]

Yup DDR is at 2.8v. This stinks I mean 3ghz is a good overclock, but i really wish I had more FSB speed here.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: bjc112
I think Abit tends to read 5-10C high...

Are you using the Retail HSF, did you remove the piece of metal foil?

actually, tests have shown that the older bios are closer to the actual temps than the temps reported by new bios

 

[Budman]

I think you should leave it at 3ghz & consider yourself lucky,after all you bought a 2.4ghz and anything over that is pure gravy.

 

[AnImuS]

65c-68c is a pretty high temp. lets say its off by 10c 55c-58c is still very high when your OC. Try leaving your case off and see if the temps drops. maybe like to 60c or lower i and then try and up the fsb a little.

 

[BillStuck]

Originally posted by: Budman
I think you should leave it at 3ghz & consider yourself lucky,after all you bought a 2.4ghz and anything over that is pure gravy.

Ok I just did some more testing and found something.

I can get up to 270fsb and prime 95 runs stable with only 1 stick or RAM. I tried both sticks and they are fine, but if I put both of them in (enabling dual channel mode) it won't even post. Is this a RAM issue or the board? Memory works fine in single, but dual channel craps out. I've tried slots 1 &3 as well as 2 & 4

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: BillStuck

Originally posted by: Budman
I think you should leave it at 3ghz & consider yourself lucky,after all you bought a 2.4ghz and anything over that is pure gravy.

Ok I just did some more testing and found something.

I can get up to 270fsb and prime 95 runs stable with only 1 stick or RAM. I tried both sticks and they are fine, but if I put both of them in (enabling dual channel mode) it won't even post. Is this a RAM issue or the board? Memory works fine in single, but dual channel craps out. I've tried slots 1 &3 as well as 2 & 4

Maybe try more relaxed timings, 2.5 4 4 8 see how high that takes you.

 

[BillStuck]

One other thing. If the temp is actually at 68 wouldn't that mean the heatsync is pretty hot? It's just a little warm to the touch, but not much at all.

 

[Budman]

did you attach it securely? all 4 clips then the 2 levers ?

If it's that hot you should consider buying a better heatsink.

 

[BillStuck]

yup it's secured tightly. If you see the thread posted above from the abit forums you'll see the reading from this board aren't accurate. The heatsycn isn't even close to being hot to the touch and the temp moves up and down erratically...unlike any other board I've seen. I"m not so concerned with the temps as much as I'm wondering why I can't get my memory to run at it's rated speed in dual channel mode...only single channel.

 

[infinite012]

I read somewhere that some [revisions?] of the Kingston HyperX 3500 in DC doesn't run too well with the canterwood/springdale chipset (springdale in your case). Contact Kingston and tell them about your problem and they might replace your memory with newer ones that SHOULD work with your board. My cousin has IC7 and HyperX 3500 (2x512MB) and hasn't had a problem. It may be due to the revisions...