Need help getting a bigger overclock out of my 2500+

[vpr]

For a friend:
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I'd like to get a bigger overclock out of my CPU, but it seems I've hit a roadblock...here is my current setup:

Epox EP-8RDA+ w/ latest BIOS
Athlon XP 2500+ @ 2.2ghz (200x11)
2x512 OCZ Enhanced Latency 2-3-2-10
Coolermaster Aero 7 Lite HSF

I'm completely stable right now (Prime95 ran 11 hours with no errors/warnings) at 1.70V, and using nVidia's System Utility I can take the FSB up to 205, but at 206 my computer freezes.

Before doing this I lowered the divider on my RAM to 83%, raised the timings a bit, and raised the voltage to 2.77v just to make sure my overclocking problems weren't being caused by some poorly overclocking memory. I also raised the vcore to 1.775V, and considering that it's stable at 200fsb/1.7v, I'd think I could get past 206fsb/1.775v if lack of voltage were causing the problem.

My motherboard also seems to overvolt (do all 8RDA+s do this?); according to Speedfan and MBM5, my mobo overvolts from .2-.6 all the time, so 1.775V was the highest I'd take it for fear of high temperatures. At 1.775V and full load, Speedfan & MBM5 were reporting temperatures of about 53C, so temperature shouldn't be the problem either (is it possible that my board is reporting incorrect temperatures, and that it's much hotter than it is reporting? I doubt this though, because even at stock speeds and voltage I get around 40c full load, which seems pretty accurate.)

I know the EP-8RDA+ has a pretty crappy passive heatsink on the northbridge, but I'd think I could make it past 206fsb even with the stock heatsink...

Anyone have any suggestions for me, or is this my CPUs limit? I don't think it would be a motherboard problem (other than the northbridge overheating, perhaps) since the 8RDA+ is supposed to be a great overclocker...right? The multiplier is locked on my 2500+, I should add.

 

[Duvie]

When a cpu gets to its limit .025v boost sometimes are needed for minor 1-2fsb increase...so not inconceivable...

I would take off the NB chipset fan and apply your own thermal compound to it....

Also are you running 1 or 2 sticks???

latest Bios???

 

[vpr]

Epox EP-8RDA+ w/ latest BIOS
Athlon XP 2500+ @ 2.2ghz (200x11)
2x512 OCZ Enhanced Latency 2-3-2-10
Coolermaster Aero 7 Lite HSF

 

[Zardnok]

A few random thoughts and comments as I read through your post...

Your temps seem a tad high. You might need to get better cooling for the entire system.

You are killing your performance by using memory dividers with an Athlon XP. What speed is the memory rated for?

It could very well be that you have reached your limit. Not sure how much more you will be able to tweak out of it. What stepping was your chip?

 

[vpr]

My CPU is only 53C even at max load when running at 1.775V, and the only reason I raised it up so high was to see whether it was causing me to not get past 205FSB, but whether at 1.7v or 1.775v, I still can't get past 205FSB.

Also, I don't run my RAM using a divider normally, I only did it for this test to make sure that my RAM wasn't getting in the way of overclocking the FSB. It's rated to run at DDR200, so normally I have it set to 1:1. I am sure it can make it to at least 215mhz or so, but just to make sure that the RAM wasn't causing my problems, I used a divider to make sure it wouldn't top out and cause me problems.

All I was trying to do was get my FSB past 205, so I raised the voltage, and lowered my RAM divider, so that I could be sure lack of voltage and/or RAM that won't run a tick over 200fsb weren't causing the problem.