Overclocker newbi with MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum

[bnjcook]

I have just finished building my newest computer and I am learning about overclocking now. This is the first time I have tried overclocking and I need some help. I looked at the "Quick and dirty A64 clocking guide" on this post and I have a bunch of questions.

I'm not up to snuff with all of the oc'ing lingo so I need help with what some of the terms are and how they relate to the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum mobo and bios. Here is a list of some of my questions:

1. How do you set the CPU multiplier in the K8N Neo4 bios? Is this listed in the bios as the "CPU ratio"?
2. What is SPL and 100? (look at step 1 in the "quick and dirty...") How does this translate to my bios settings?
3. In the memory how do I set it to 1T?

This is my current configuration:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
AMD 64 3200+
OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Platinum Rev 2 (2x512)
OCZ ModStream 450W PSU
WD Raptor 74
Maxtor DiamondMax10 300 (x2)
Plextor PX-716SA
AOpen COM5232/AAH Pro
ATI Radeon x700 Pro
Mitsumi FA404 FDD 7-in-1
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
Zalman CNPS7700-Cu fan

All parts have the newest firmware and my bios is the latest out from MSI.

I am currently running my memory at 2-2-2-5 and 2.70v (I figured out how to change that in the bios).

So, someone who has specs close to mine, would you kindly walk me through the "quick and dirty...guide" using the bios for this motherboard (i.e., what exactly do I change in the bios -- using my bios terms -- step by step). I just need to know how to apply the guide to my bios terms. The "CoreCenter" lists 200 MHz x 10.0 with FSB 200, PCI-E 100, CPUv by VID, Memory v 2.70, Vcore 1.38v, 3.3v 3.36v, +5v 5.03v, +12v 12.02v. The CPU temp is 31 and system is 33 with cpu fan running at 1548.

Thanks so much!

 

[rgreen83]

1. How do you set the CPU multiplier in the K8N Neo4 bios? Is this listed in the bios as the "CPU ratio"?

yes this is what MSI calls the multiplier, remember you cannot set yours above stock, only below.

2. What is SPL and 100? (look at step 1 in the "quick and dirty...") How does this translate to my bios settings?

I think you mean SPD? It refers to the timings (cas,tras,ras,etc.) set by the manufacturer. Setting yours to auto will suffice.

3. In the memory how do I set it to 1T?

I believe this is under command rate.

Your manual will explain what most of the settings in the bios stand for, the rest should be pretty straightforward from zebos guide.

 

[bnjcook]

So, with some more searching, reading, and guessing mostly, I think I understand the values I need to change on my mobo. Someone please check my logic before I really screw things up.

According to the "Quick and dirty ...guide" I would do (the " " marks indicate exact bios namings in the Cell Menu and DRAM Configuration setting of the K8N Neo4 Platinum bios):

Step 1 - I would set the "Adjust CPU Ratio" in my bios to x6 or x7. Then I would set my memory to "2(Tcl)-2(Trcd)-2(Trp)-5(Tras)" and "Memclock index value (Mhz)" to 100Mhz. I would then increase the "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" value until I fail to boot and then back down 5% = "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency x 0.95" to get my max "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency".

Step 2 - I would set the multiplier "Adjust CPU Ratio" to x12. Then set my "Adjust CPU VID" to 1.50-1.55 V. Then set memory to "2(Tcl)-2(Trcd)-2(Trp)-5(Tras)" and "Memclock index value (Mhz)" to 100Mhz. Then I start with "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" at 200 and raise in 5Mhz increments up to boards max found in step 1 or until I fail PRIME95 running at 5 min. Then back down 5% wich is [("Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" x "Adjust CPU Ratio") x 0.95] which gives me max CPU speed and test for 12 hours.

Step 3 - I would set memory settings "Memclock index value (Mhz)" to 200Mhz and "2(Tcl)-2(Trcd)-2(Trp)-5(Tras)" and "1T/2T Memory Timing" to 1T while setting the "Memory Voltage" to 2.85 V. Then I set the "Adjust CPU Ratio" to x6 or x7. Then I raise the "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" up to boards max found in step 1 or until I start failing memtest86 test 5 and 6. When I fail I back down 5% ("Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" x 0.95) and that will be my max MEMORY speed.

Then I find the best of all three steps combined for performance and stability.

While I'm doing all three steps, I need to be aware of the "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" and "HT Frequency" multiplier to make sure I stay under 1050Mhz ("Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" x "HT Frequency" >= 1050), correct? So, as I'm changing the "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" I may need to change the "HT Frequency" to stay under a total of 1050?

Does this OC process sound correct for the K8N Neo4 Platinum motherboard?

Thanks

 

[rgreen83]

Step 1 - I would set the "Adjust CPU Ratio" in my bios to x6 or x7. Then I would set my memory to "2(Tcl)-2(Trcd)-2(Trp)-5(Tras)" and "Memclock index value (Mhz)" to 100Mhz. I would then increase the "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" value until I fail to boot and then back down 5% = "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency x 0.95" to get my max "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency".

You have the idea, you may also adjust the NF4 (chipset) voltage up a little at a time to see if it helps any. The idea here is to determine your max fsb. At your first sign of instability, lower your HTT multiplier to x4, if not raise it back and call that your max. remember 250x4=200x5 but 250x4 is better for overclocking.

Step 2 - I would set the multiplier "Adjust CPU Ratio" to x12. Then set my "Adjust CPU VID" to 1.50-1.55 V. Then set memory to "2(Tcl)-2(Trcd)-2(Trp)-5(Tras)" and "Memclock index value (Mhz)" to 100Mhz. Then I start with "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" at 200 and raise in 5Mhz increments up to boards max found in step 1 or until I fail PRIME95 running at 5 min. Then back down 5% wich is [("Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" x "Adjust CPU Ratio") x 0.95] which gives me max CPU speed and test for 12 hours.

You cant set your multiplier above x10, you have a 2000mhz chip so the multiplier is locked to x10 so 200(fsb)x10=2000mhz. The fsb may be adjusted in this equation and this is what you are doing by overclocking. The idea here is to determine your max speed for your processor, you may not get this high as you cannot go above [max fsb]x10.

Step 3 - I would set memory settings "Memclock index value (Mhz)" to 200Mhz and "2(Tcl)-2(Trcd)-2(Trp)-5(Tras)" and "1T/2T Memory Timing" to 1T while setting the "Memory Voltage" to 2.85 V. Then I set the "Adjust CPU Ratio" to x6 or x7. Then I raise the "Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" up to boards max found in step 1 or until I start failing memtest86 test 5 and 6. When I fail I back down 5% ("Adjust CPU FSB Frequency" x 0.95) and that will be my max MEMORY speed.

This is to determine if you will be able to run your memory at a 1:1 ratio with your max fsb, if you cannot,it is up to you whether or not you want to try looser timings on your memory or run your memory with a divider. On your board, the

For overclocking i disable, all spread spectrum, dynamic overclocking, cool 'n quiet, high performance mode, and aggressive timings.

Also remember the way to run your memory at a divider is under cell menu;DRAM configuration;Max memclock. CPU:MEM 100=2:1, 133=3:2, 166=5:4, 200=1:1. So if you set it to 200 and your fsb(adjust cpu fsb frequency) is 250, your memory will actually run at 250 also. In this scenario to keep your memory runningat its rated speed you would set it to 166 this would make your memory run at 4/5ths of 250 or 200, get it? Try to run your memory at 1:1 first, if your memory tops out before your cpu, then lower the ratio.

Although this xtremesystems page is for the agp NEO2, everything is the same except that yours is pci-e, and offers valuable tips for your adventure. Remember that as long as you dont go crazy with things, you cant really hurt anything by trying something, worst case you have to clear the cmos and start over, for this reason i suggest keeping notes of you working settings.

Also reference Rojak pot's bios optimization guide for what a certain setting might do. You ay also read through it thoroughly when you can to get a better understanding of how bios work.

Here are two more guides to help you out because it helps to really understand what is going on besides just knowing what settings to change.
This one even has a section dedicated to athlon64 overclocking which should be helpful to you.
This one is kept up to date unlike many others. Download the guide which is the bottom one. I suggest reading this one first, and reading it front to back. You can even print it out to have handy while you are in the bios.

Well good luck!

 

[bnjcook]

Thanks for the info. Any others???

 

[bnjcook]

ttt