Northwood 1.6a, any OC difference between Malay or Costa Rica? Updated-Some Early Conclusions

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johto

Senior member
Apr 20, 2001
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oh man, bmg, please give us some details on your processor. also, rdram? wow i've heard that doesn't oc well... lucky you, congrats!
 

mrVW

Senior member
May 18, 2000
992
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I think the 1.6a stock is 1.5 volts, right?

If this were a true 2.4a, what would the voltage be?

Thanks
 

helloedchen

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2000
3,529
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76
www.gideontech.com
newegg SL3668 Malay chip w/ Asus P4B266-C

1.6a @ 2.4 1.65v
Crucial PC2100 - 2.5 - 2 - 2 - 6

didn't even bother running stock speeds...went straight to 150.

i'll post some benchmarks in a few after i install some of my programs again :)

edit - here's some benches... Link
 

bonkers325

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
13,076
1
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<< newegg SL3668 Malay chip w/ Asus P4B266-C

1.6a @ 2.4 1.65v
Crucial PC2100 - 2.5 - 2 - 2 - 6

didn't even bother running stock speeds...went straight to 150.

i'll post some benchmarks in a few after i install some of my programs again :)

edit - here's some benches... Link
>>



when did u buy the chip
 

bmg

Senior member
Mar 18, 2000
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I got mine from Newegg yesterday. With the P4T-E motherboard, Swiftech MCX478 with quiet panaflo fan, voltage at 1.70 (haven't tried anything else), and ram set to 3x I can run completely stable at 156x16=2496mhz. 156 is as high at the P4T-E will go. I'm currently running at 144x16=2304mhz with the ram at X4 (576mhz). The RDRAM I'm using is fairly old, so I've got more arriving tomorrow and hopefully I can get the ram to PC1200 speed (150 mhz fsb).

Here's the details from the box. Pack Date 01/25/2002, FPO/Batch 3149A726, SL668. Before installing on the motherboard I did the 'wire trick' to boost the default processor voltage to 1.70. Since I have to use the dip switches to set fsb frequency the voltage isn't adjustable in the bios.

I've got quite a few sticks of Samsung RDRAM to experiment with. The only ones which wouldn't do 133 (PC1066) were 4 new 256mb single sided parts I got a couple of weeks ago. These had date code 0152, which I'm sure means week 52 of 2001. These new dimms have the new 256 mbit parts rather than the old 128 mbit parts. In the past week I'd read that they wouldn't overclock as well, and I found that to be true. They could do 122 no problem, and I didn't try anything between 122 and 133. I had some 0136 double sided 256mb dimms, and they barely did 133mhz, but had problems at 136mhz. I wouldnt trust them long term at 133. I had 8 of the 128mb dimms with 8 parts (128mbit technology) on a single side. These had date codes between 0109 and 0125. Every one of these parts would do at least 138mhz. Surprisingly the oldest parts, the 0109's would do 144mhz!

A couple of likely conclusions can be drawn from this. First, if you've got Samsung RDRAM that was made in the last year or so, it should easily hit 120mhz+. If not the most likely problem is processor, rdram clock generator, or maybe pci or agp overclocking issues (less likely than processor or rdram clock gen in my experience). I guess a marginal power supply could be a factor. Secondly, if you've got new Samsung dimm's made with 256mbit parts you probably aren't going to have much luck at 133 or higher, unless maybe you boost the voltage to the rams or increase cooling. Those parts should still easily be good to 120+ . If you've got single sided 128mb Samsung dimms made in the past year (8 parts on a side not 4), you have an extremely good chance of getting at least 133mhz. Double sided dimms might make it to 133, expecially parts made in the past 6 months (from what others report).

There have been many posts about rdram clock generators over the past few weeks. If you've got a P4T-E with the ICS9212-13 ram clock generators (like mine) you're in luck, and the board should overclock like crazy with a 1.6a or 1.8a processor and Samsung RDRAM. If you've got a P4T-E with the Cypress clock generators (appears to be newer P4T-E motherboards or the old P4T's) you're probably out of luck hitting 133+. I understand some P4T-E motherboards have TI clock generators which should be good for 133mhz. They aren't rated for PC1200 like the ICS9212-13.

The ABit TH7II's with ICS9212-03 are only rated for PC800 use, but I bet the ICS9212-03 clock gen is the same as the ICS9212-13, probably either just not tested for the higher speed operation, or they didn't quite meet spec at the higher speed. My guess would be that they should have a good chance at 133mhz. I just got a new TH7II, but haven't tested it yet.

Bottom line, poor results overclocking Samsung rdram are most likely limitations of the rdram clock generators. The 1.6a and 1.8a processors combined with a good motherboard finally enable us to push P4 processors to 133mhz fsb and beyond and also enable us to push rdram to PC1066 and beyond without waiting until the official may release.
 

johto

Senior member
Apr 20, 2001
642
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haha can't decide which post to put that info in? :D

anyways thanks for the helpful info, i certainly hope i have the same luck as you, our procs are from the same batch so here's hoping!
 

Kroffty

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
644
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Well I'm at 2479mhz 155X16 asusp4b266-c crucial ddr 512megs stable @155! unbelievable!
costa rica 1.6a at 1.65v from new egg same as bmg.
I'm going to push it more and see where it maxes out.:)
 

cyberizer9

Member
Dec 30, 2001
63
0
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<< Well I'm at 2479mhz 155X16 asusp4b266-c crucial ddr 512megs stable @155! unbelievable!
costa rica 1.6a at 1.65v from new egg same as bmg.
I'm going to push it more and see where it maxes out.:)
>>



Guys, u have given hope to 'Costa Ricans' like us!!! Thanks.
 

johto

Senior member
Apr 20, 2001
642
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kroffty, what kind of chips are on your crucial? infenion, samsung, MT (micron)??

thanks for the hope, cyberizer hit the nail on the head!
 

Kroffty

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
644
0
0
mt chips I got them months ago when it was cheap. I also have the volts bumped all the way up on them.
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
Super Moderator
Aug 22, 2001
32,450
33,465
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<< Will a 300W Antec powersupply be enough for the 1.6A + Asus P4B266-C? Thanks. >>

Yeah it should be plenty for most hardware configs.
 

Flatbroke

Senior member
Nov 30, 2000
721
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While you all are looking at this, what is the FPO batch number for your Costa Rica chip and highest stable FSB? Additional info would be a help to all. Mine would be:
3149A709
P4b266-C
1 Mushkin 512 PC 2100 2-3-3
stock or aftermarket fan with pad or what kind of thermal paste
2.1 @ 1.65 (I'm waiting on UPS for HD, so don't know)

I will do a summary of batch numbers/speed in one post if we get more than 10 results.
 

johto

Senior member
Apr 20, 2001
642
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0
i'll post later today with my results... fedex coming at 1, *skipping CS 354* :D
 

Ark

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
872
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0
Got my 1.6A from newegg - ordered sunday, shipped monday.

How I can tell malay or CR?
Circle on CPU said "M" in the last line.
 

Flatbroke

Senior member
Nov 30, 2000
721
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Ark, did you get your chip in the sealed INTEL retail box, (blue and orange)? If so, the country is on the white end panel. Also the chip is inside a clear "holder" along with the HSF, and the chip is marked on the silver side, (I needed a magnifying glass), SL668 and then Malaysia or Costa Rica.
 

Ark

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
872
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Yes, I got my chip in sealed Intel retail box, sticker on the side has no marking of the contry, just bunch of numbers, including SL688.
I have to look again at the chip, but did not see anything before. MB detects it with 512K cache with 1.5V default.
Packing date 1/12/02
BTW, I ordered MB and CPU form newegg, they came in t separate boxes from 2 separate addresses in CA.
 

DRS

Member
May 11, 2001
124
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Well I just finished up a round of testing - 8 hours of Prime95 torture and not a hickup. I settled on 150FSB (2400), memory by spd (crucial mt chips), voltage 1.60. BTW it's a costa rica SL668. All USB devices work fine.
 

johto

Senior member
Apr 20, 2001
642
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0
at hardocp, their box didnt have a country on the label either. but the chip was malay. so i dunno if malays just dont have it on the side?

i just got the board, putting everything together now!