My X2 overclocking experience :(

[BlueWeasel]

My X2 overclocking experience has been less than stellar.

ASrock 939Dual-SATA2 with Vmod
Geil PC3200 2x512MB
9800 Pro AGP
Freezer64 Pro

X2 4200+ 0613: Not stable at 2.6Ghz (1.5v)
X2 4200+ 0612: Not stable at 2.6Ghz (1.5v)
X2 3800+ 0621: Not stable at 2.5Ghz (1.42v) or 2.6Ghz (1.5v)

In the case of the 3800+, I picked up a new one with a stepping of 0621WPMW. After searching, most people with this particular chip were able to hit 2.6Ghz around stock voltage and 2.7Ghz with 1.5v.

Memtest runs fine with timings of 2.5-3-3-7-1T at 225Mhz using a divider. I've also tried a different PSU.

As far as the ASrock board goes, I've tried every BIOS and the OCing performance is about the same.

It's strange, but I have no problems booting into Windows at 2.7Ghz with only 1.4v, yet it's not stable at 2.7Ghz even with 1.55v. P95 or Orthos fails immediately, most always with Core 1. It seems Core 1 doesn't like overclocking. Maximum temps at the higher voltage never get over 53C.

I know overclocking is always luck of the draw, but is it possible that I've got a flakey MB? I've tried 3 different CPUs now, and each seem to be consistently lower than other results I'm seeing.

 

[PascalT]

I can get my 4200+ to 2.5ghz just fine but anything over that doesn't seem to work too well. Even with higher voltages.

 

[avi85]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
My X2 overclocking experience has been less than stellar...

...X2 4200+ 0613: Not stable at 2.6Ghz (1.5v)...

what did the 0613 do on stock voltage? I have one coming next week.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: avi85

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
My X2 overclocking experience has been less than stellar...

...X2 4200+ 0613: Not stable at 2.6Ghz (1.5v)...

what did the 0613 do on stock voltage? I have one coming next week.

To be honest with you, I don't really know what the 4200+ would do at the stock voltage of 1.35v. One was a friend's I borrowed, and I don't remember which one mine is at home.

Both 4200+ seem to handle 2.5Ghz with 1.40-1.42v, so I'd guess they do 2.40-2.45Ghz with the stock voltage.

 

[akshayt]

the problem i think lies in the asrock, get dfi or asus instead.

 

[RichUK]

Try and isolate the issue, as it seems as if the processor still has some more head room left.

Lower the processor?s multi and up the HTT to see when it craps out. Also I assume your memory is not holding you back, as you could try using dividers too when isolating, making sure they are well below spec when testing the max HTT.