overclocking my 2.4c to 3.0

[eshtog]

Antec Sonata
ABIT IS7
2 x Dual Geil Golden Dragon PC4000
WD Raptor
Radeon 9500 Pro
Zalman 7000Cu at lowest fan setting
Zalman Passive NB Cooler
Lite ON CDRW
Lite ON DVD Drive
1 120mm Antec Fan

highes fsb I have been able to get is 219

 

[stevejst]

What is the FSB you get the first errors with MemTest86 and what timing/vdimm is used when that happens? You need to set GAT on "auto" as well.

 

[eshtog]

I have always used 2.8v and 3-8-4-4 the computer wont even have video above 220

 

[eshtog]

well I just tried using the 5:4 divider and it worked fine, ill try 1:1 again and see if it works

 

[stevejst]

You need to run Memtest86. Without that you cannot conclude about memory failing. If video goes out before Memtest shows the first errors, your memory is not at fault.
You need to run MemTest86 megahertz per megahertz, as simple as that.
When errors start, MemTest86 will have them first just few, then many and eventually the loader will not be able to load.
Memory has a bandwidth limit and that limit can be reached in many different timings.
System can be unstable without memory failing at all, that is the case with IS7 on over 255 with 1:1, no matter what memory does. That is the problem with HyperX on 5:4 in certain configurations at 2-2-2-6 with perfectly good sticks.

 

[eshtog]

well I just ran mem test thru 2 passes and it didnt find any errors, but when I run prime 95 after 3 min I get a error, should I raise the voltage to my cpu to 1.625 right now i am running at stock, I still dont understand why it wont work with the divider at 1:1

thanks

 

[stevejst]

So the fault is in the processor (or chipset), as simple as that. You might have a dud.
You can increase the voltage if the temperature is adequate (Zalman 7000cu should keep it below 50C but Prime95 will up it for 10C). Set the temperature warning to say 57C and temperature shutdown to say 60C or 65C.
Then run Prime95. If the increasing voltage gives no benefit in Prime95, you have reached the limit of the CPU (or chipset) and nothing you can do. Make sure you see that chipset fan is working.

There are soft spots inevery system, you can get optimal performance of the system way below the maximum FSB. For example your hard drive can run 30% better at 230 than on 280, so while you gain 50 MHz on FSB, you loose 25-30% on file system performance.
You can see all over this board that people with Raptors have worse score than people with UATA drives. Not everything is in the speed of CPU.

 

[eshtog]

should I up the ram voltage to 2.9 and the cpu at 1.625 right? maybe I should try 1.7?

 

[stevejst]

You can up voltage to GEIL to 2.9 or more. You can try a lot of things on CPU, but only temporary, extended use of high voltage can damage it. You need to monitor temperatures before you go any higher. Sysoft Sandra can do that in Windows, Motherboard Monitor can do that too.

 

[eshtog]

well I cant get 3.0 using 1:1 so I am staying at 5:4, my fsb is at 264 my idle temp is about 45c

the only problem is prime 95 immediatley gets an error when I try to run it what could be the problem?

 

[stevejst]

Processor or the chipset.
If you get a little blue fan there that is not fitted well on the chipset that is the reason. If that works well then it is the processor.
If memory passes MemTest86 then memory is fine. You idle temperature does not seem too excessive though my temperature with the same Zalman on 3.2 GHz is about 40C idle on default voltage.

 

[eshtog]

I have a passive zalman NB Cooler

 

[stevejst]

Touch it, see if it burns your fingers. Or if it is loose. I've seen it but I have never had it.
Maybe it was not installed properly.
Yet again, it could be the processor.

 

[eshtog]

its cool too the touch and runs stable in the games ive played

I am starting to thing its my ram I guess it doesent want to go over 219mhz

oh yeah I am running at 3.17 ghz using 5:4 is that a good overclock?

 

[eshtog]

maybe I should turn off HT?

 

[eshtog]

looks like I found out what the problem is my ram is really ddr 400 not ddr 500 looks like geil made a mistake and gave me the wrong ram even though it says ddr 500 on the box, I know its ddr 400 because when I bott up that s what my bios is reporting it as

 

[eshtog]

ok I dont understan I ran the ram at 2.5-7-4-4 and the system booted but when I ran memtest I got errors, how could this be? and when I change the timings too 3-8-4-4 the system wont show video

 

[QSnexus]

I hope you don't have GAT enabled when you are doing these tests.

 

[QSnexus]

.

 

[QSnexus]

I doubt that your IS7 motherboard chipset can't do over 219mhz but it is possible you got a very limited clocking northbridge chip, they are only spec'd to support 200mhz bus and you are going over that. Make sure GAT is disabled or auto in the bios. Also make sure your RAM is set at default SPD for the timings. I have seen a report or two of IS7's only doing 230mhz bus, although that is not the norm. It is possible that your 2.4c is limited to the 3.1ghz speed range.

DDR400 reporting in your bios has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with what kind of actual ram you have in the machine.