Issues with Barton 2500+ Overclocking

[ROcHE]

I just got my NF7-S Rev2 and a Barton 2500+. I'm using some oem noname PC3200 ram (which should do 400mhz I imagine ? ).

I fired this thing up at stock speed. Works allright. Then I decided to do some o/c.

I can't get pass 185mhz bus speed I'm getting file read errors and lockup past 185.

But I'm currently surfing perfectly stable at 45 degres (stock HSF) @ 13 * 166 = 2158 Mhz.

I would think my memory is holding me back, but it's rated 400mhz.

Any ideas ? It's pretty fast already at 2158Mhz but I'd like to run at 11 * 200 like everybody seems to do.

 

[ROcHE]

Oh yeah I forgot. I'm at stock voltage.

 

[Kharlia]

Hmm; thats strange. *Grumbles* I wonder why; no experience with that problem?...

I'm using NF7-S with Barton 2500, and 1024MB of Generic (Hynix) PC3200; Bumped it to 200*11 (slowly; worked up by 20s fsb). Surprisingly cool (although I have my case open and a small manual fan blowing at it. I'm using my stock HSF (its one of the new ones with copper base facing towards CPU). Uhh.. if you hit 200*11, set RAM ratio to 5:5 for 400mhz, could try to bump down the ram timings; my memory is recommended for Cas 3, I have it at 11-3-3-2.5

 

[jcwagers]

Have you tried bumping your voltage up a bit? Try that and perhaps bump your memory voltage up a tad. Sometimes the memory modules tend to like a bit more juice as you go up. Also, what is the rating on your ram? As was mentioned, maybe relax the timings on your ram. Try a Cas of 2.5 or 3 and see what happens. If it boots up like that and is stable, continue to tweak. It is pretty likely that you may have to raise the voltage on the processor a bit. I'd say as long as you don't go over 1.775(from the default of 1.65) that you should be fine. Others will say that you can go higher. It probably depends on your heatsink/fan setup and your case ventilation. If your temps aren't super high then the voltage probably won't be a problem. Just remember that the more voltage you give, the higher the temps will be. Good luck and keep us posted! You might even make it BEYOND 11x200.

jc

 

[ROcHE]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll run it a 13 x 133 for a while to burn in. Then I'll proceed with voltage and memory tweaking to get 11 x 200. I'll you guys posted.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Don't even bother with "burning in". Try for 200 FSB. To really check if you're memory restricted or not, run it at 10X200, set the memory at 2.7V, default timings (which is 3-4-4-8). That should work fine. Then see if you can set more agressive timings - try 2.5-3-3-7 and keep going for it...

 

[clicknext]

This might be a stupid suggestion, but are you sure your PCI/AGP speed is locked?

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: clicknext
This might be a stupid suggestion, but are you sure your PCI/AGP speed is locked?

I'm pretty sure they default to locked on the NF7-S.

 

[Soulkeeper]

try upping the vcc and vdimm a bit
maybe even put a better cooler on the northbridge

if that don't help then try lowering mem timings starting with something like 2-2-3-7 or something

 

[ROcHE]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll try some your settings when I get back from school. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[ROcHE]

Well. I tried some settings. I just can't get it working at 200mhz fsb. I even tried 8 x 200mhz to make sure and it aint working. Aggressive ram settings or not, ram voltage upped or not.

My ram is "Elixir" brand with these markings : 256 DDR-400Mhz CL3 PC3200U

Should I start thinking they are not 400mhz? Or maybe something is wrong with my mb

 

[ROcHE]

Did some more testing. Anything past 180mhz is unstable.

I'm currently running 12 x 180 = 2160 Mhz at default everything.

It's weird. I'll do some prime95 stressing to check for stability.

 

[ROcHE]

Well. I'm currently at 11 x 200 Mhz stable default everything except I had to put CPU/DRAM ratio to 6/5 making my ram working only at 333mhz. I'm suspecting my ram is not ddr400.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: ROcHE
Well. I'm currently at 11 x 200 Mhz stable default everything except I had to put CPU/DRAM ratio to 6/5 making my ram working only at 333mhz. I'm suspecting my ram is not ddr400.

The problem is that on Nforce2 performance is maximized when you synchronize the FSB and DRAM clocks. So running 11X200 with 6/5 RAM will be slower than, say ~185X12 (using 5/5 or 6/6 or 100% memory).

 

[VisableAssassin]

you may be running into the typical problem with the newer 333fsb chips not doing much over 180fsb problem........the fix for this was to cut the 3rd L3 bridge i think it was which tricks the CPU into thinking its a 266FSB part doing this has let alot of people get 200mhz or above with no problems.
there was a guide to this a few months back i just dont have the link

 

[ROcHE]

Hmm. If you ever find a link letme know.

 

[ROcHE]

The problem is that on Nforce2 performance is maximized when you synchronize the FSB and DRAM clocks. So running 11X200 with 6/5 RAM will be slower than, say ~185X12 (using 5/5 or 6/6 or 100% memory).

You're right, I did some benchmarks and indeed it's slower a 11 x 200 6/5 than 12.5 * 176 at 6/6