new 2.4C OC unstable, need help

[RayEarth]

system setupall retail parts)
2.4C SL6WF pack date:6/6/03
2x512 Kingston HyperX PC3200 rated at 222-6
IC7-MAX3 BIOS updated to 8-21-03 ver.12
Samsung SM-348B DVD/CD-RW
2 Maxtor 80GB 8MB cache 7200RPM with 2 Vantec HDD cooler model HDC-502A
4 case fans and 1 monitor fan
Audigy 2 and Gainward GF3 original
Antec SX835II case with 350PS

Current OC: 2.4 @ 3.0 Stock Cooling
Vcore: 1.6 Vdimm: 2.8
GAT: auto/auto/auto/disable/disable (GAT settings based on other threads in this forum)
Idle temp: 42-45 (heard this is normal temps of Abit IC7 boards) Load: 50-54 (maybe more)
agp/pci: fixed ram timings: 222-5 by spd note: when i leave Vdimm at default of 2.6, spd defaults to 2.5-2-2-6 but when i up the Vdimm to 2.8, spd automatically changes timings to 222-5, why does mem timings improve with just a Vdimm increase?
ratio: 5:4 at 250/200, for some reason GAT turbo, street racer and F1 doesn't work at this rams default speeds or timings, only auto works.
I started at 5:4 of 275/220 for 3.30ghz with timings of 222-6 to 2.5-3-3-7 all using 1.6vcore and 2.8vdimm but i just get lockups a fews secs into windows or during the xp logo. I've tried the same timings all the way down to 260 with no success. I left the computer running all night at 3.0ghz at 5:4 of 250/200 but it seems like it rebooted while i was asleep, not sure how many times. Since memory is at default speed using this 5:4 at 250, I'm going to assume my cpu is at it's OC limit. Using the latest sandra, my reported voltages are as follows:
cpu: 1.57 +12: 11.92
aux: 2.82 -12: -7.76
+3.3: 3.30 -5: -2.84
+5: 5.05
I only upgraded my CPU/MB/Ram, all other hardware was already in use with my P3700@900 without problems, the -12 and -5 voltages are very low, when i was using my P3, all the voltages were as they should be, so i switched back the P3 cpu/mb/ram and the voltages are right as they should be but when i switch to this new cpu/mb/ram, my -12 and -5 are way down again, is this just an incorrect report like the temps? the ic7 only shows the +12,+5 and +3.3 in the bios, so i can only check the -12 and -5 is with sandra. Can just upgrading to a P4 really cause this negative effect on my PSU? could my MB be defective? Running programs sometimes causes winxp to popup with "encounter an error" message and requires the program to close, is this telling me the cpu speed needs to be lowered from 3.0ghz or is it possible my memory is causing this even at default speeds using rated timings of 222-6? I'm thinking my unstable system stems from the low -12 and -5 but i'm not even sure if sandra is reporting the right info. all software on my system has been updated as well.

 

[Digex]

Definitely get a new PSU that has good rails. Antec TruePower or Enermax. Try using 3/2 divider first to make sure its not your ram. I leave all GAT to auto and I have my P4 at 3.25 stable 5/4. Took a while to get that. Go up slow. Dont just put it to max. P4 dont like alot of voltage so go up slowly when needed. Being that you have 2-512 sticks. Try different timings like 2-3-3-6. 2-2-2-6 might be too much for 200mhz rated ram doing 220mhz. I dont know how well Kingston performs either. Also if you serious about voltage and overclocking get a Thermalright SLK900 heatsink and fan for serious cooling. Its a must. I watercool mine since I run 1.7 volts to cpu. I'm gonna get some PC4000 memory soon to run 1:1.

1 more thing. have you tried it at stock voltage first and work your way up slowly 1 voltage increase at a time if needed?

 

[RayEarth]

i've started at default voltage and worked up to 1.6 but currently have it running at 1.57 5:4 250/200 i left the timing to spd at 2.8v and it's reporting 222-5. gonna test memtest. i've tried 2.5-3-3-7 at 220 as the lowest timing for this 222-6 rated stick but no success.

 

[RayEarth]

current status:
ran memtest for 1hr 22mins and got no error on config set to "all tests" at 2.5-3-3-7 at 1:1
if i can't run my cpu at 3.3ghz at 5:4 275/220 using the tested 2.5-3-3-7 i think i'm going to just stick with burning in at 250/200 5:4 with 222-5. is there really a great benefit of trying find the max OC speed? lets say if i was able to find the sweet spot and it was a 150mhz increase from 3ghz, would running at 3.15ghz really be a decent improvement from 3ghz with relaxed timings. my original goal was 3ghz but then i got greedy and decided to have 3.3ghz after seeing so many others hit 3.2-3.3ghz on average. The marginal benefit of 150mhz compared to the marginal cost of many losts hours doesn't seem too appealing.

I am worried why my -12 and -5 voltage dropped so much only by upgrading a cpu,mb and ram, do i really need a new PSU? keeping in mind that the rails are very healthy when i swap my P3 mb/cpu back in but drops when i switch to this new P4 cpu/mb. I'm trying not to spend money on anything not needed currently since this ic7max3 and the 1GB of ram left me in a weak money state, i still have a hard time breathing.

 

[BatmanNate]

I have the IS-7 but it wouldn't run at the by SPD ram setting either (2-5-3-3) with a 2.4 at 3GHz, but when I changed it to
2-6-3-3 it did 3.3GHz no problem.

 

[RayEarth]

BatmanNate, what does sandra say about your +12,+5,+3.3,-12, and -5 voltages? are all the voltages within range of specs?

 

[Duvie]

Rayearth the +12v rail which is an important one for P4's you have listed 11.92v...Tha is well within operating specs of +/-5%....The question is, is that under full load or at idle??? If under idle load it then look at voltages again...Look for large swings. Also look at vcore. Some mobos undervolt or overvolt right out og the gate. If you set 1.6v in bios and then into windows it runs at 1.57v it is undervolting .03v....Under load watch that number. I drop of more then .04-.05v it could hurt you here. A nice tight vcore is wanted here. At 1.57v actual I would raise it to 1.625v in bios for a 1.6v actual...Plenty fine in my opinion.

 

[RayEarth]

thanks for the info about the voltages. the vcore stayed between 1.53-1.56 while set at 1.57v and the +12 stayed at 11.85-11.91, system temp was 30C and cpu was 50C, i monitored these voltages and temps for about 10mins.

tried prime95v237 and all the following settings failed within 1-3mins on test 1.
5:4 at 250/200 2-2-2-5 vdimm: 2.8 vcore: 1.57
5:4 at 250/200 2-3-3-6 vdimm: 2.8 vcore: 1.625

i ran the cpu at default speeds using 2-2-2-5 and it worked for 54mins before i stopped prime95, since the memory can do 2-2-2-5 at the default 2.4ghz speed, am i correct in thinking that the cpu is the problem for these errors on prime since the memory is not being OC using 5:4 at 250?

it doesn't look like i have a bright OC future ahead of me.

 

[Duvie]

rayearth...go to www.bleedinedge.com

there are tons of ppl with Abit bios expertise and may find that limiting factor...It could be as simple as the NB strap you are using....

Try the 1.625v increas as well as maybe even up to 1.675v cause that would leave the vcore actual at 1.65v and that is still within safe territory, IMO...

PSU looks good to me!!!