Need assistance from the pros. (You guys)

[krashx6]

Hello, I been comming to you guys any time I need computer advice and computer help. You all seem to be the best when it comes to anything with a computer. Well anyways, recently I've decided to try and overclock my computer a little to try and make it a bit faster for when FFXI comes out =)

Anyways, here is a list of what is in my computer.

Mobo: MB NFORCE2 A7N8X-UAY ASUS RTL
CPU: CPU AMD|2400 /266 ATHLON XP
RAM: DDRAM 512MB|PC-3200 DDR400 -SAMSUNG
CPU FAN: VOLCANO9 A1365 R
VID CARD: GAINWARD GF4 TI4200 128M TV 8X RT

(antec case incase that matters)

Quick question concerning the ram. When I boot up my computer, it says like (200mhz) next to the ram. I don't know if its supposed to be at that, but I had to set it myself.

On overclocking, keep in mind that I keep my computer on 24/7. And im a extreme gamer =).

Any bios updates, firmware upgrades you could sugest to acheive maximum performance would be fine and dandy. I also run Windows XP incase ya need to know.

So anything you might can sugest for me to do would be more then helpful.

Thanks a ton in advance.

 

[Corporate Thug]

the ram should be set at 133 mhz so it is in sync with the CPU, unless you OCed the CPU to 200 mhz fsb

 

[krashx6]

Rebooting now to do so!

 

[krashx6]

Ok, rebooted and wasn't able to select 133 mhz so I changed it to what was listed in picture #2. Should I of done picture #1?

http://www.imadork.net/other/various/1.jpg
http://www.imadork.net/other/various/2.jpg

 

[Corporate Thug]

yes, do the first one

 

[krashx6]

Ok, rebooting to the first. Should I keep the settings as they are listed in the picture? Also on aggrsive mode?

Lastly, im going to run the FFXI Benchmark 2 program again after this reboot and let ya know my score.

my score befor ya helping was 2700

 

[krashx6]

Just redid the benchmark 2712.

Is there any programs you can sugest for me to overclock my stuff some, and still be stable.

Im running my computer about as minimal as it possibly can be btw.

Running litestep using a minimal theme all its got is a system try. Everything accessed by right clicking. So I don't think I can tweak anything there to increase performance.

I notice your processor is at 3200+, can I do something similar to mine?

 

[Corporate Thug]

ok first of all, find out what your memory is rated to and tighten those timings up a little bit. pc3200 @ pc2100 should run pretty tight, atleast cas 2.5

as for overclocking, there is no program, just do it from the bios: keep mem frequency @ 100%, change cpe frequency to 200 mhz, start adjusting the multipler, ie 200*10.5, 200*11, etc... add a little more vcore if it isnt stable. once it boots into windows run prime 95 to test for stabilty

 

[krashx6]

I dont understand how to tighten the timings. Can you put all that in dummy terms for me?

 

[krashx6]

Just increased vid card. memory to 590mhz and engine to 290mhz. Got 2865 now on the benchmark.

 

[Corporate Thug]

change memory timing to expert, or whatever option that will let you change the timings and then lower the numbers. ie change that cas latency from 3T to 2.5

 

[Megatomic]

Looking at your first pic, if you set up your system that way I have a few suggestions for you:

1. Turn off Spread Spectrum. It can lead to instabilities when overclocking.
2. Change memory timings to Expert Mode or User Define (or the ASUS equivalent) so that you can manually change memory timings.
3. Change the 4 settings just below Memory timings to: 6-2-2-2.5T. If this is stable, try for 6-2-2-2T at a later time.
4. Change your Graphics Aperture to 128MB.
5. I can't see what you selected, but ensure you have Fast Writes on. Your NV card supports Fast Writes and shouldn't cause a problem.
6. Reboot and test for stability using your games or 3DMark or something similar.

Now you can begin to think about some serious CPU/Mem overclocking. You should be able to increase both your multiplier and your FSB. Your Samsung RAM ought to be able to do 200MHz FSB with moderately fast timings, your CPU may not though. So you could try for 333MHz FSB first. To do this safely:

1. Change your CPU External Freq. to 166MHz (a great starting point in my opinion). Don't reboot yet.
2. Change CPU Freq. Multiple Setting to Expert or User Define (whatever ASUS calls it). Don't reboot yet.
3. Change the CPU Frequency Multiple to something low like 10X. Your overall CPU frequency will be lower than the default clockspeed
but at a higher FSB. Now reboot.
4. Test for stability using whatever tools you have. Prime95 and/or loops of 3DMark work for many people.
5. If this works out, start upping your CPU Frequency Multiple one notch at a time. If you find an instability up the CPU Vcore Setting one
notch at a time also until your computer is stabilized again. I wouldn't go over 1.75V and make sure to keep an eye on your CPU core
temp. while doing all this.

So now you've hopefully got a stable overclock at some elevated CPU mulitplier and at 333MHz FSB. Either you're pleased with what you
have and would like to stay there or you like to overclock and want to try for a higher FSB. If the latter is the case, use the same procedure.
Just remember to drop your multiplier before upping your FSB. And ensure that you keep an eye on your CPU Core Temp., keep it as low as
possible. Good luck krashx6.

 

[krashx6]

Hey Megatomic. I talked with somone awhile last night and they got me to change my cpu freq to 200mhz, multiplier to 10.5 and vcore to 1.160. It boots up like this and runs my benchmark thing fine. If I raise multiplier up one, it crashes on booting. Also already dropped the memory down some, might try more later.

Where do I do that graphics card stuff you said though?

 

[Megatomic]

Look at the first pic you linked to. Those settings I mentioned are on that BIOS settings screen towards the bottom. I do see AGP Aperture (Graphics Aperture Size is what ASUS is calling it) on that screenie, Fast Writes is normally on the same page as AGP Aperture. If not you'll have to hunt for it. I've never used your board but I have used 2 NF2 boards now and they have both had those features on the same settings page.

Happy hunting!

 

[krashx6]

ok I did it.

Btw, with all the tweaks somone helped me with yesterday, I got my score from 2700 to 3900... big boost, eh?