Overclocking an AMD 4400 X2 (can only get it up to 2.53 GHz)

[estat]

I just received a new 4400 X2 earlier today. I installed it using AS5 under a Zalman CNPS7000. I am using an Asus A8N-SLI Premium board and OCZ Platinum PC3200 2x1GB RAM.

Anyway, I've heard that others have been able to clock this thing up to ~3.2GHz and above. Using mostly these steps, I was able to get the system to boot up at 2695 MHz (245 HTT x11), however, that was somewhat unstable (HT multiplier of 4). Also, vcore was at about 1.45, and my temps were fairly high - about 44 idle, 64 load. I lowered the vcore to 1.38 and was able to achieve a stable 2530 MHz (230 x11). Under load, it still runs at 60c. Unfortunately, my RAM is running at only 180 MHz (x2, so 360MHz). This board won't let me set a memory divider, just a target frequency. It wouldn't boot with 400MHz, so I had to go down to 333MHz (it's set at 2-3-2-7 1T btw).

Also, this is the ADV version of the 4400 (instead of ADA), which is supposed to have a lower TDP and higher temperature threshold. It could be my motherboard, which is kind of lame at OCing, but Is 2.53 GHz all I'm going to get from this chip?

BTW, I am using a Lian Li PC-65 case and Antec NeoPower 480 PSU.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Zebo]

1. Sounds like you need a new Heat sink fan with those temps. that alone should be good for 150mhz assuming you keep it under 50C - also remount with very thin layer of arctic silver.

2. Target frequency is the memory divider.. Asus goes with double data rate of 400, 333, 266, 200 etc all that means is 1:1, 5:6, 3:4, 1:2 etc or 200, 166, 133, 100 depending how you chose to look at it. So when you have when you have ram at a target frequency of 333 it's ~.83 or 5:6 of your selected "FSB" aka HTT.

3. 3.2Ghz is an exceptional water overclock with high volts.. not air cooled. IE very rare. Especially with 2mb cache chips (Toletos) like yours 2.8 is good with good air.. 3 is exceptional wih air.

Depending on your HSF that's not a terrible overclock....once you get temps under control I'd try 1.5 volts to start with.

gluck

 

[videopho]

I concur with Zebo. The temp is a tad high for that baby. Use a AC Freezer or equivelent to keep it under 50c. Mine is AC 64 Pro Freezer that keeps my x2 3800+ running real cool and quiet @ 38c (in load running Prime, for example).

 

[orion24]

Originally posted by: estatAnyway, I've heard that others have been able to clock this thing up to ~3.2GHz and above

Mine (an ealy X2 silicon) goes at 2.8 GHz at most. And that is with 1.62 Vcore and watercooling that keeps it below 50 Celcious. It seems to be very sensitive in quality cooling. It fails PRIME95 at 60 Celcious degrees even with 1.65 or 1.70 Vcore and only 2750 MHz frequency. Removing the heatspreader allowed my to stay below 50 Celcious and stabilize the overclock.

However, for up to 2700 MHz, it PRIME stable even at 65 Celcious and 1.55 Vcore (aircooling). The move from 2700 to 2800 was a hard job and it doesn't look like it can go any much further than that. Of course, your CPU might be a more modern silicon and overclock better, but don't expect 3.2 GHz or anything close. No matter how good the chip OCs, you won't get at 3 GHz with aircooling.

 

[estat]

Is it possible that this could all be due to cleaning the HSF with low purity isopropyl alcohol (%70 by volume), that is very old (exp '99)?

I thought the Zalman 7000 was a pretty nice HSF. Also, I am applying the AS5 directly like the instructions on the website say - 3/4 of a BB, 3/2 grains of uncooked rice, etc.

Edit: also, I was just trying to reach ~2.8. I know that 3.2 isn't realistic with air, and thanks Zebo for all that info.

 

[stevty2889]

The zalman 7000 was a good heatsink in it's day, for single cores, but it's not quite as great with dual cores. You may even want to try the stock heatsink. The stock heatpiped heatsink is pretty decent. It's keeping my 4200+ at 51c load at 2.618ghz using 1.475v. Really 2.53 isn't bad for a 4400+ anyway, although there is likely more in that chip The extra cache does seem to limit the overclock some. I have an old school 4200+, the newer chips seem to hit 2.8ghz more commonly, but there is never a gurantee when it comes to overclocking. Like Zebo suggested you can try a lower mem divider(target frequency in your case).

 

[estat]

Well, I just ordered a Zalman CNPS9500. Hopefully I'll get it by Friday.

When applying the AS5, would you recommend that I spread it on the CPU? The instructions say to just put a small amount in the middle and place the HSF on evenly. Also, should I wait a week until after the AS5's "break-in" period before I OC?

 

[KoolHonda]

I was just wondering what your temps at stock speed are? Mine's(ADV4400, 7000AlCu, AS3, etc) pegging out at 53C running stock speed, but with the heat wave my room temps getting up around 25

 

[estat]

On idle:
2050 RPM, 42c

On load:
full RPM, 61c

This is with 1.37 vcore. Room temperature is around 74f.

 

[KoolHonda]

Interesting, Thanks. When I can get this room cooled down, I'll see what mine are when I start ramping up the clocks.

 

[Bobthelost]

My 4400X2 can hit 2.6Ghz stable but only if i push the Vcore to around 1.5V+ it's running @ 2.5Ghz now on 1.475V. Load temps are 55*C (ambient 25 ish) with a ninja and 120mm nexus.

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: estat
Well, I just ordered a Zalman CNPS9500. Hopefully I'll get it by Friday.

When applying the AS5, would you recommend that I spread it on the CPU? The instructions say to just put a small amount in the middle and place the HSF on evenly. Also, should I wait a week until after the AS5's "break-in" period before I OC?

Just use a small blob in the middle the size of a grain of rice. That has always worked well for me. If you use too much paste, it will act as an insulator and actualy increase your temps.

 

[Markfw]

Well, I have several X2's, and XP90's work great. Big Typhoon or scythe ninja are even better for max OC. Mine is running @2508 and 59c @1.51vcore (I think the HSF may be dusty.)

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Well, I have several X2's, and XP90's work great. Big Typhoon or scythe ninja are even better for max OC. Mine is running @2508 and 59c @1.51vcore (I think the HSF may be dusty.)

I have the Typhoon also and I dont O/C nice HSF quiet and cools well.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: estat
Well, I just ordered a Zalman CNPS9500. Hopefully I'll get it by Friday.

When applying the AS5, would you recommend that I spread it on the CPU? The instructions say to just put a small amount in the middle and place the HSF on evenly. Also, should I wait a week until after the AS5's "break-in" period before I OC?

It depends if you do it right and the retention machanism as to how to apply AS.. Yes I know what the site says however thier instuctions leave you with too much AS, too much of an insulating layer IMO. Good instructions for n00bs but not perfect... The way I mount is a thin cloudy contiguoious layer on CPU and waterblock, only filling in the microscopic valleys and gaps and relying on massive pressure from screws and high tensil springs for perfect contact.. With clips the way AS discribes is best.

 

[KoolHonda]

Just another small question estat, did yours come with the nice AMD HSF? The only reason I reused my 7000AlCu is because mine came with the same old HSF that my Newcastle and Venice chips shipped with.

 

[estat]

Originally posted by: KoolHonda
Just another small question estat, did yours come with the nice AMD HSF? The only reason I reused my 7000AlCu is because mine came with the same old HSF that my Newcastle and Venice chips shipped with.

Well, I used the 7000Cu on my last processor. I didn't really want to change back the mount, and I thought that the 7000Cu was a nicer HSF anyway. Just now looking at the HSF that was included with the 4400, it seems like it is an old one, not the nice one with the heatpipes that I've seen come with other 4400's. That is wierd because I thought the ADV version was newer and supposed to be nicer.

Oh well, when I get the Zalman 9500, I'll try applying the AS5 differently - putting a very thin layer on both the HSF and CPU. Hopefully the temps will go down.

 

[KoolHonda]

Yeah, I've shot AMD an email. Maybe I can wrangle a better HSF outta them. Maybe they're shipping old HSF designs because it's the 89W version of the 4400+, but I read about X2 4200+ owners getting the nicer HSF's. Dunno

 

[estat]

I have one last question (posted earlier):

Is it possible that this could all be due to cleaning the HSF with low purity isopropyl alcohol (%70 by volume), that is very old (exp '99)?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: estat
I have one last question (posted earlier):

Is it possible that this could all be due to cleaning the HSF with low purity isopropyl alcohol (%70 by volume), that is very old (exp '99)?

No. And the reason both of you got the "old" stock heatsink is because you bought an old chip. That's why the only place to buy processors is newegg. TigerDirect, for instance, always ships old stock, no matter what. I'm pretty sure they buy old stock from other sites, at a discount. Oh, one last thing, estat, when you put the AS5 on the heatsink, remove 99% of it with a credit card/stiff piece of plastic. You're only wanting to fill in the low spots on the heatsink.

 

[estat]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: estat
I have one last question (posted earlier):

Is it possible that this could all be due to cleaning the HSF with low purity isopropyl alcohol (%70 by volume), that is very old (exp '99)?

No. And the reason both of you got the "old" stock heatsink is because you bought an old chip. That's why the only place to buy processors is newegg. TigerDirect, for instance, always ships old stock, no matter what. I'm pretty sure they buy old stock from other sites, at a discount. Oh, one last thing, estat, when you put the AS5 on the heatsink, remove 99% of it with a credit card/stiff piece of plastic. You're only wanting to fill in the low spots on the heatsink.

First of all, I bought it from ZZF. Second, I've seen the nice HSF come with a 4400 back in 11/05. I highly doubt that ZZF would let this processor sit for more than a few months, definitely not 10. I'm pretty sure the ADVs are just packaged with a worse HSF.

Also, I do usually buy from newegg, but many of their prices recently have been a joke.

 

[BlueWeasel]

My 4200+ from ZZF should arrive on Friday. Wonder which heatsink it will come with?

I thought only the X2 4400+ and above came with the quad AMD heatpipe. I ordered an 4200+ s939 from Newegg back around the first of June and it also came with the crappy aluminium heatsink.

[Edit] Nevermind...obviously my reading comprehension is lacking tonight.

 

[hennethannun]

from other threads on this board, it looks like the older ADA 4400+ processors and above came with heatpipe heatsinks. the newer ADV 4400+ chips come with the crappy aluminum heatsink...

 

[malph18]

I bought the ADA from ZZF and got the 4 pipe heat sink, it works great by the way.

 

[cliesucks]

I guess any AMD 89W CPU comes with the regular HSF and 110W CPU comes with the heatpipe HSF due to the extra heat it needs to dissapate.