My E2160 hits a wall at 2.7GHz. Any ideas?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
K

kellehair

Member
Nov 26, 2005
110
0
0
This is really upsetting. Did I get the least overclockable E21xx chip of all time?

My E2160 runs great at 9x300 on under 1.4v. I can't get her going any faster though. Even if I bring the voltage all the way up to 1.525 I can't go above 310. I can get into windows at 320 but go BSOD in seconds. I don't think I should go any higher on the voltage so I'm looking for other ideas.

Here's what I've tried so far, with no luck...

Increased FSB voltage +.1
Increased NB voltage +.1
Reduced RAM multi to 2
Loosened RAM timings to 5-5-5-17
Changed PCIe freq from Auto to 100

Here's what I'm working with...

Intel E2160 w/ Stock Retail Fan
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
2x1GB Mushkin DDR2-800
320GB Seagate 7200.10
eVGA 8800GT (not currently OC'ed)
550W Antec NeoHE
Antec P180
XP Pro (fresh install)
 
S

SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
3,517
0
0
If your RAM is already running @ 1:1 divider, then run Memtest86, test #5 for 50 loops to check RAMs. You may need to increase NB by two notches. I would also reflash to the latest BIOS.
 
K

kmmatney

Diamond Member
Jun 19, 2000
4,363
1
81
My E4400 hit the same wall at 2.9 Ghz...I can go a little bit higher with higher voltage, but it's not worth it.

Overall, 2.7 Ghz is not a bad overclock for an $83 chip.
 
swing848

swing848

Member
Nov 11, 2007
38
0
66
At just over 300MHz you should not have to increase FSB or NB voltage. RAM might have to be +.1 I would have to look at that motherboard again, however, I think it has a small northbridge cooler, which might keep overclocking down.

Use SpeedFan to check temps.

Set RAM timing to AUTO

If this does not help you may need to get a better CPU cooler. Some CPUs have a core cover that is poor for overclocking, you can check yours with anything that has a streight edge [some people use a razor blade]. Hold the CPU up to a light source to see where the gaps are and how bad they are. In the case of a poor cover, lapping the CPU will increase overclockability.

NOTE:

By the way, just last night I got my hands on an E4500 CPU that did not want to overclock beyond 2.8GHz. After lapping I had no trouble getting it to 3.4GHz, I used the cooler that is in my signature, which is a few years old but still good, just not the best anymore.
 
zephyrprime

zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,512
2
81
What are you doing using the stock cooler? I was reading a post by a guy who built 5 e2140's and 3 could only hit 2.8 on stock and 2 could go higher so 2.7 is not extraordinarily bad.
 
B

BadRobot

Senior member
May 25, 2007
547
0
0
Originally posted by: swing848
NOTE:

By the way, just last night I got my hands on an E4500 CPU that did not want to overclock beyond 2.8GHz. After lapping I had no trouble getting it to 3.4GHz, I used the cooler that is in my signature, which is a few years old but still good, just not the best anymore.
Click to expand...

WOW! I don't recall someone saying that had that big of a jump in clock speed after a lap...
 
swing848

swing848

Member
Nov 11, 2007
38
0
66
Originally posted by: BadRobot
Originally posted by: swing848
NOTE:

By the way, just last night I got my hands on an E4500 CPU that did not want to overclock beyond 2.8GHz. After lapping I had no trouble getting it to 3.4GHz, I used the cooler that is in my signature, which is a few years old but still good, just not the best anymore.
Click to expand...

WOW! I don't recall someone saying that had that big of a jump in clock speed after a lap...
Click to expand...

Some of the CPU core covers are far from being flat, which causes more heat. In that case, lapping reduces the amount of heatsink compound needed and yields much better cooling, which yields much better overclocking.
 
Comdrpopnfresh

Comdrpopnfresh

Golden Member
Jul 25, 2006
1,202
2
81
If your going to lap, you might even want to consider taking off the ihs. If your going to void a warranty- why not go to the wall? I've never removed an ihs myself, but lapping is not hard at all- it is easier than mounting a hsf, just takes longer...
 
R

Regalk

Golden Member
Feb 7, 2000
1,137
0
0
Check the settings for your RAM from tRRD to tRD phase adjustment
this usually can hold you back
my E2160/GA-P35DS3L is at 405 X 8 runnig at 250 (1.425vcore) DDR 5 5 5 16
ACT to ACT tRRD 4
Rank write 11
Write to precharge 11
Refresh to ACT 40
Read to precharge 6
tRd 7

I posted this twice tonight yawn!
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
So much for the "rule" that all C2D's OC to at least 3Ghz...
Click to expand...

Some people just have good imaginations, that's all.

I had three Opteron 144 chips. Two were great and one was barely around 2.2-2.3GHz. When I mentioned it here, people got upset and started calling me names.

Overclocking is like lap dances, YMMV.
 
R

Regalk

Golden Member
Feb 7, 2000
1,137
0
0
To The OP I have loosened my DDR settings to 5 6 6 18 to run at 1030 and am now running at 412 X 8 3296 (1.45vcore) - it is all about optimal vcore and DDR settings. I still believe youshould be able to hit 3000 easily.
I noticed the 7 multiplier on my CPU is flaky 6 8 and 9 OK. You shoul dbe able to get to at least 3000 by using 333 X 9 and DDR at 800 spec speed (2.40 memory speed)
The other thing about the GA-DS3L is that higher FSBs are a dog to get to (over 416 is not happening) - it is cheap so i am not complaining.
I use the Thermalright Ultra 120 estreme so make sure your cooling is up to snuff
 
K

kellehair

Member
Nov 26, 2005
110
0
0
Thanks for the help guys. Here's some responses...

SerpentRoyal: I just got some new RAM from that SuperTalent deal. Now I have 2x2GB of that but still no better of an overclock. What would reloading the BIOS do for me?

kmmatney: Good point. And I only paid $77 (thanks ZZF!) so I'm not crying too hard.

swing848: Lapping eh? Don't know if I'm comfortable with that. I probably should get a better CPU cooler but supposedly this stock one is pretty good. Would a better cooler help me if I can't even boot into Windows above 2.7? I figured better cooling would help me run stable, but not necessarily get me a higher clock.

Regalk: I tried your RAM related suggestions to no avail. I don't think the RAM is holding me back. I have DDR2-800 and I'm running it under 800 plus it's designed for 4-4-4-12 and I'm running looser than that so I think I'm OK there.

Zap: Great line. I'll remember that one.

And here's where we stand now...

I went out and bought an E2140 for $60 from MicroCenter (my first time in one BTW -- great store). I figured this was a pretty cheap way to test my problem. I can OC the E2140 to 3 GHz (8*375) but no higher. I'm happy, but not thrilled, with this result.

My current line of thinking is that my PSU is holding me back. The voltages reported by CPU-Z and SpeedFan are much lower than what I have set in the BIOS. I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal on a good PSU (all the good ones seem to be very pricey) but for now I'm happy with my system. Thanks again.
 
N

nyker96

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
5,630
2
81
Just built a E2140//ip35-e machine for my parents. Set it to 3Ghz and runs like a charm, everything stock voltage. I'm using a 350W Antec on it. Not sure, maybe DS3L works differently. some boards might be more sensitive to PSU units you have. Like Corsair HX has trouble with cetain boards way back. check forum for NeoHE compatibility with your board, maybe that;s your culprit.
 
Avalon

Avalon

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2001
7,571
178
106
Similar situation with me, except my wall was 2.9Ghz, which I hit at nearly stock voltages (I think 1.325V). Anything higher even using +.1V on the northbridge and RAM do nothing, as well as jacking the CPU voltage up to 1.5V.

I doubt it's this board, since it's a capable board that can hit 500Mhz FSB with proper cooling, and we're definitely not stressing it by running it clocked under 400Mhz. Besides, I tried reducing my multiplier and increasing my FSB just to take the board out of the equation, and the system still booted and primed fine, so the CPU is the culprit. I'm tempted to pick up another E2140 since they are just so damn cheap, so I can toss it into this rig and see if it does any differently.
 
R

Regalk

Golden Member
Feb 7, 2000
1,137
0
0
Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Some boards will have problem pushing an 800MHz chip. DS3L should work okay up to 410MHz and e21x0.
Click to expand...

Mine runs up to 416 and mo more. I hope this is not a board limitation since I do plan to upgrade to a E6750 or Quad by Xmas. This E2160 is only for mucking around. Anyway I did see someone running a E6750 at 450 so peace.

To the OP I have just did some digital pics of my bios setup - pm me and I will send you
 
2

21stHermit

Senior member
Dec 16, 2003
927
1
81
Originally posted by: kellehair
And here's where we stand now...

I went out and bought an E2140 for $60 from MicroCenter (my first time in one BTW -- great store). I figured this was a pretty cheap way to test my problem. I can OC the E2140 to 3 GHz (8*375) but no higher. I'm happy, but not thrilled, with this result.
Click to expand...
Had you considered turning your E2160 into a E2140 by reducing the multiplier one notch. Sometimes it'll result in a higher OC . . . sometimes!!!
 
I

imported_latuszek

Junior Member
Jul 24, 2004
24
0
0
I am also having trouble with my new E2160 on a 965p-s3 v1.0 board F12 bios. I can't get past 2.4ghz! Even at 1.55 volts, it doesnt matter. I have tried everything but I can't get into windows or linux without the computer resetting itself if i am at all past 2.4ghz.

266x9 = 2.4ghz (rock solid)
300x8 = 2.4ghz (rock solid)

but at any multiplier (i tried them all) if i go past 2.4ghz I get instability. I'd even be happy with 300x9 = 2.7ghz... Did I just get a bad E2160?

edit: btw I have aftermarket air cooling and at full load @ 2.4ghz I am easily under 40 deg. C with CoreTemp
 
I

imported_latuszek

Junior Member
Jul 24, 2004
24
0
0
Isn't it supposed to be a pretty good overclocking board? I put a fan on the northbridge and it's cooled down to below 40 deg now also. Anything else I can do to see higher speeds other than replace the board? (kind of defeats the whole point of buying a cheap proc to go with my current board with intentions of overclocking)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom