Overclock..which component is failing?

[Appledrop]

hi, im running a:

2.26b 533 p4 @1.5v
2x pc2100 crucial 256@2.7v

on a MSI GNB MAX2 mobo

i am running at 166FSB, giving a speed of 2822mhz (17*166)

I am stable around windows - im typing this message for instance . But in CS, about 5minutes later, i freeze and it disappears and im left back at desktop!

is it my ram or my cpu do you know?

help appreciated...

 

[Navid]

It can be your CPU, your RAM, or your graphics card.

If I were you, I would start by not overclocking anything first.
I would set my mem:CPU ratio to 4:5 to remove the RAM from the picture.
Then, I would run Prime95. I would gradually increase FSB and run Prime95 at each step (small steps). Eventually, I will fail Prime95. I would then, increase VCore by the smallest possible step. Then I would repeat the tests. I would finally find the limit of my CPU. This requires patience (overclocking does).

Then, I would go back to 1:1 ratio and the original FSB (no overclock) and run memtest. I would gradually increase FSB and run memtest untill I fail. I would then increase VDIMM a little bit and try again. This requires patience also.
Now, I will know the limit of the CPU and the RAM.

You must be able to run memtest and Prime95 overnight with no errors. Only then, do you have a stable system.

I would run the system a few Mega Herts below the limit to give myself margin.

Then, I would play Counter Strike. If you crash to the desktop, you need to improve the cooling of your graphics card.

 

[Appledrop]

Thx, but i am just changing the FSB, not anything to do with the graphics card (ya i got agp lock)

also no ram divider on this mobo it seems.

 

[chocoruacal]

That's your comptur's way of telling you to stop playing such a POS game! Hehe. Actually, you might want to start off by running Memtest86 (Google for it.) You can run it off a bootable floppy or CD. Make sure you have all tests enabled and you let it run overnight.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Azzy64
Thx, but i am just changing the FSB, not anything to do with the graphics card (ya i got agp lock)

also no ram divider on this mobo it seems.

You can still find out which one is limiting by gradually increasing the FSB and running memtest and Prime95.
I am not saying you are overclocking the graphics card. But, it may be overheating. So, if you make sure that your CPU and RAM are stable and you still crash to the desktop, it means that your graphics card is overheating.

 

[Appledrop]

OH K was just wondering if crashing to desktop was typical to ram or cpu.. seemingly not..

thanks

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Azzy64
OH K was just wondering if crashing to desktop was typical to ram or cpu.. seemingly not..

I have an ATI graphics card and if I overclock it too much, when playing a game, I crash to the desktop.

If it happens that it is your graphics card, you can either improve air circulation in the case or change the cooler on your GPU (keep in mind that may void the graphics card warranty) or under clock your GPU. But, first make sure your CPU/RAM are stable. Then, work on your graphics card.

 

[Appledrop]

hehe, well its not the card.. i backed down to 2753mhz, 162 fsb..and its totally fine ah well. . . nvm!

i did want to get 3 gig though ;(