OCing E6300 with tforce 965pt problem

[DoodieBody]

Alright, I recently put together my new machine. E6300, Biostar tforce 965pt, 2 gigs of OCZ gold DDR2 800 5-5-5-12.

Everything seemed to get good reviews and seemed as though it'd be a good overclocker. Really, all I wanted was 2.8GHz. So I started with my overclocking. Disabled all CPU features, locked down PCI-E, put cpu voltage at 1.325, vdimm at 2.2 volts, memory to 1:1. I began slowly upping my fsb.

First off I found my mobo was quirky with having to be upped slowly...going from 300 to 350 won't work, but 300 to to 325 to 350 usually would.

My problem is I can't seem to break 365. Anything over 370 won't post and 370 will post, but isn't stable. I upped voltage slowly, finally stopping at 1.375, still having no luck with stabilizing it or going any higher. So I figured maybe I hit a mobo hole and set my FSB to 405, but again, wouldn't post. My temps appear to be fine (around 47C under load).

What in the world is going on? I realize OCing is a bit luck based, but I've yet to see anybody unable to reach 2.8GHz. My instinct tells me my mobo isn't liking the OCZ memory, but I don't have any other ram around to try. Any thoughts?

 

[deadlydude]

Originally posted by: DoodieBody
Alright, I recently put together my new machine. E6300, Biostar tforce 965pt, 2 gigs of OCZ gold DDR2 800 5-5-5-12.

Everything seemed to get good reviews and seemed as though it'd be a good overclocker. Really, all I wanted was 2.8GHz. So I started with my overclocking. Disabled all CPU features, locked down PCI-E, put cpu voltage at 1.325, vdimm at 2.2 volts, memory to 1:1. I began slowly upping my fsb.

First off I found my mobo was quirky with having to be upped slowly...going from 300 to 350 won't work, but 300 to to 325 to 350 usually would.

My problem is I can't seem to break 365. Anything over 370 won't post and 370 will post, but isn't stable. I upped voltage slowly, finally stopping at 1.375, still having no luck with stabilizing it or going any higher. So I figured maybe I hit a mobo hole and set my FSB to 405, but again, wouldn't post. My temps appear to be fine (around 47C under load).

What in the world is going on? I realize OCing is a bit luck based, but I've yet to see anybody unable to reach 2.8GHz. My instinct tells me my mobo isn't liking the OCZ memory, but I don't have any other ram around to try. Any thoughts?

Your core voltage, 3.25volts, is stock or normal for e6300. I would up it a few tenths. This guide gives some settings for various motherboards

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware...-Overclocking-Guide-ftopict197995.html

 

[Avalon]

What BIOS does your motherboard have? I'd check the date on it and see if there isn't a newer one out there. That board is supposed to be a real good OC'er, and I doubt any E6300 would have trouble getting past 2.59Ghz

 

[DoodieBody]

I took the vcore a little over 1.4 and it still won't post past 375 FSB. I also tried NB voltage and memory voltage.

There are no bios updates available, although apparently the 965 deluxe bios also works in it, so I tried that...still walled at 375.

After digging very deep, I happened upon a review of the 965 deluxe version of the board at hardocp, and he also got stuck at 375. After changing the RAM he was able to get up to 500.

So, from the looks of it, the board has RAM issues. Now I have to play the fun game of "lets see if this ram works in my board." I've looked around to see what people were using in that board, but I'm not sure if it's going to be relevant, because it seems the RAM is being manufactured differently by the hour. Blah. Anybody reading this have a 965pt board that's had good luck with it have a suggestion for RAM?

 

[Avalon]

OCZ's gold and platinum lines were having some issues working in many 965 boards back when the 965 chipset first came out, but I had thought they solved that problem. If you're looking for something cheap, try this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231108

It's likely Elpida memory, which usually tops out at DDR2-900 4-4-4-12, but that should be enough for you to get up to 3.15Ghz

 

[MintBoy]

The Biostar P965PT board is generally a very good overclocker. However, some folks have reported problems with RAM compatibility with the board. As far as RAM that will go past 400Mhz w/ an e6300 and the P965PT, try A-Data DDR2-800, or the newer OCZ Platinum Rev 2 ram. These both work for me up to around 450-460. If you can afford RAM w/ Micron D9 chips, then go for those.

Check these two links for more info, especially the Rebels Haven forums:

Rebels Haven P965PT thread

Xtremesystems P965PT thread

 

[Cali3350]

I have the same setup as you (CPU/Mobo) and i too hit a wall at ~370. Tried 401 and she booted right up. 401 starts the new Chipset strap which makes a big difference. My board boots all the way to atleast 460fsb - cant go higher due to ram.

I use http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144028 and it works fine (though apparently that ram is having some issues right now based on the customer reviews - my own review starts "i feel compelled to chime in here")

 

[Avalon]

I also just realized that when you said you jumped to 405FSB, did you check your memory's timings and voltage at that setting? That's DDR2-810, slightly over your memory's rated speed. If you were accidentally running tighter timings or didn't have the voltage support, that may explain a thing or two.

 

[dermotti]

Theres also a jumper on your motherboard to force 2.2 vdimm voltage, try using that.

Also be carefull with your northbridge voltages, read this post:

http://www.rebelshavenforum.com/sis-bin...ubb=get_topic;f=53;t=000145;p=0#000000

"Actual Vcore Measurements
1.400V = 1.39V
1.450V = 1.44V (BIOS displays 1.42V)
1.500V = 1.49V
1.550V = 1.54V
1.600V = 1.59V


Actual Vdimm Measurements
1.8 = 1.88V
2.0 = 1.98V
2.1 = 2.07V
2.2 = 2.17V (BIOS displays 2.10V)
2.2 Jumper = 2.22V


Actual Vmch Measurements
1.25V = 1.26V
1.35V = 1.47V (BIOS displays 1.45V)
1.45V = 1.66V
1.55V = 1.87V

Note that the datasheet for the North Bridge (G)mch chip(965P) states 1.375V is the absolute maximum voltage."

 

[DoodieBody]

Thanks for the advice all.

When I was running it at 405 I tried voltages of 2.0,2.1 and 2.2 and my timings were 5-5-5-15 (5-5-5-12, 2.0v are the defaults). I also did try the jumper.

I'm hoping it truly is just a memory incompatibility. Although I might have gotten lucky in some ways...apparently some people were actually having HDD corruption with OCZ memory.

Like I said, I'm not looking for a huge OC, just want to reach 2.8-3. I ordered the A-Data DDR2 800 stuff. It seems 3 or 4 people had luck getting it to at least 420 on this board, so I'm hoping I'll have the same luck. I'll post my results whenever I get the memory.

 

[DoodieBody]

As it turns out, it was a RAM issue. (and that's a relief...I would have hated to pay that 35 buck restock fee for no reason, hehe).

I got my a-data ddr2-800 (5-5-5-15) installed and began tweaking. To my delight, she posted just fine at 400FSB. (as opposed to before, where it wouldn't post past 375, and wasn't stable much past 320)

I'm currently in the process of tweaking to see what I can get. I'm probably not going to try and max it out. I'm not greedy Currently running it at 2.9GHz (415FSB) at stock voltages. Ran through dual 32M super pi no problem and has been running prime95 for the last hour, so I'm thinking it's pretty stable. I'm a happy panda

So bottom line, to anyone buying a Biostar Tforce 965pt, avoid OCZ memory.

(Biostar also released a new BIOS which seemed to solve some memory problems, but my OCZ still wouldn't post past 375)