MSI 645 Ultra: To Keep or Not to Keep (need advise)

[pepsimanz]

I recently jumped into the P4 1.6a trend as I hear so much exciting stories about its overclockability. As I was selecting a MB, I went with the MSI 645Ultra over the Asus P4S333 due to a tight budget (It was $30 (or 30%) cheaper). Thinking that the only major handicap the MSI 645Ultra has is its limit in vcore adjustment and no vmem adjustment, so I was hoping that the first can be solved by a wire trick and my crucial pc2100 shouldn't need any extra voltage.

So I recieved the MB+CPU and using the stock heatsink, I started playing with them. It seems stable at 2.13g and 2.3g, but wouldn't boot to windows at 2.4 even with the max voltage of 1.6v, so I performed the wire trick and got it boot and running at 1.7v (1.65v actual).

Have been running 3dMark2001, SETI, CPU Burn, Prime 95 overnight. Everything has no problem running and no crash except Prime 95 gives an error after couple of hours. Then I increase the voltage a little higher to 1.725v (1.68v actual), everything still seems fine and Prime 95 gives an error after 23 hours this time. The temperature (regardless of the voltage from 1.5v to 1.7v) is at around 49-50C idle and 50-52 under load.

I want a relatively stable computer but yet, I do want to stay at 2.4ghz. However, the error that Prime95 is giving me makes me think that my computer is not stable enough (is it?). I seem to hear better stability from ppl OCing their P41.6a using the P4S333 MB even though it uses the same chipset, which makes me wonder if I should return my MSI 645 ultra when I still have a chance (but I have to pay for shipping). Is it because of the MB or the lack of vmem adjustment for my ram which caused the problem?

Or should I invest a little more money on the cooling (like that $19 Sunflower that is in the hot deal forum) yes, the temp at 49-51 concerns me also. that way, I can also increase the vcore more to maybe gain more stability. Need some advice.


My current setup and stats

CPU 1.6A @ 2.4
FSB: 150FSB
MB: MSI 645 Ultra w/ wire trick
Vcore: 1.725 (1.68v actual)
Mem: 256MB Crucial PC2100 (running at 300mhz CL2.5 normal timing)
HS/Fan: Stock
MBM5 Temp: Idle- 49C cpu, 34C case
Load-52C cpu, 36C case
Generic Mid case with 1 exhaust 80mm fan and a sparkle 350W PS
OS: WinXP
On-board AC97 Sound
One Netgear PCI Lan Card

 

[Tom]

I have an MSI 645 Ultra too,

First thing is the temperature readings probably aren't right, this board and several other boards, aren't reporting Northwood temps right. So it's hard to say if this is an issue or not.

As far as your ram, you could try setting it to 4:3 at your FSB of 150, this would have it running under-spec, just to test it with Prime95 and make sure if it's the memory or cpu that causes the error.

 

[pepsimanz]

that's a good idea. I will try to set my ram using 4:3 ( I think this is a good feature that the board has (in case you dont' have rams that can run 150mhz) and give it a try and see the results
If not, I think I will just get a better heat sink( it's a good practice anyways to have a cooler system even though the stock h/s might be sufficient) or maybe I will try to test it with the case open to check if it's a temp problem.

So, did any one figure out how to get the correct temp on these boards? I guess we will have to wait till MSI correct that problem in a new bios?

 

[Tom]

I think so.

MSI does have a forum if you want to check there for more info..

MSI's forum

 

[mschell]

You want to overclock the hell out of your proc and still have a rock stable system??
Use your head for a minute.
If Intel could produce a CPU that could pass the stringent quality testing for a 2.4 GHz CPU meaning a CPU that's actually stable, don't you think they would be selling them?
Right now they offer up to 2.2GHz because that's what pass the testing new CPU's get before they're shipped. This testing is much more difficult than running Prime or anything else and is a true measure of stability.

I suggest that if you want a rock stable 2.4GHz CPU you should wait for yields to improve and buy a lower bin rating and clock it to 2.4.

Even stable processors can be tripped up by bad or overclocked memory. Run mem test to isolate bad memory or an error producing memory subsystem.

Keep in mind that overclocking is for hobbyist and gamers and not for someone doing mission critical scientific calculations.