Overclocking question...

[chazdraves]

Well, I just made the jump to 64bit, though admittedly at the low end, with a 64 3000+; boy does it smoke my Athlon XP 2400+! Anyhow... I'm not terribly familiar with overclocking on these babies, I've read it's mostly about FSB (HT) settings. Here's my system specs first

AMD 64 3000+ (2.0GHz/200MHz FSB (HT))
1GB Samsung DDR333 RAM
Asus K8V Motherboard
128MB Radeon 9800 Pro
Antec True Blue 480W PSU

I think that's all that's important for this, anyhow... As it says, I'm at 200MHz right now... are the O/C numbers on a 64 worth going for? Will it be that big a deal? Also, are there any voltage adjustments/BIOS tweaks that should be made so I don't blow anything? Let me put it this way... this system is my baby, I don't want ANYTHING goin' south... heh.

Also, I was wondering, will adjusting the AGP voltages yield any higher O/C numbers? Right now I can only get 20MHz core/20MHz (40MHz DDR) O/C outta my vid card with default voltages...

I know it's a lot to sift through, so thanks a bunch for takin' the time!

- Chaz

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Remember, a 200Megahertz jump in cpu speed for the AMD 64's are a big deal. Also, do you have Windows XP installed. If you do then you don't have 64bit.

Here are some tips. Remember you have the via chipset, older 754 one, that doesn't offer pci/agp locks.

Your 2.0GHz is running at a base 200 (base frequency HTT) x 10(Multiplier) = 2000Megahertz
The multiplier is locked from going higher than 10 so you have to raise the 200(base frequency/HHT memory)

Since you have no pci/agp lock you can probably get about 220 x 10 = 2200Megahertz out of the HTT before it craps out due to agp/pci out of spec (some can get higher, others lower)
You cpu voltage will probably go to 1.55 or 1.60 or so, I would imagine, to be stable

Since you have DDR333 memory there is no way it will run at 1:1 at 220 x 10 setting at 1:1 so you have to create a divisor of 5:4 or so. In other words that causes the memory to do 4 cycles for every 5 cycles of the(HTT) to give you a 5:4 ratio at 220HTT. This will bring you memory speed back down closer to 166 (176). 220 base number with memory only running at 4/5 of that speed gives around 176 memory frequency. I would raise your memory voltage to 2.6 or 2.7 since it is a mild overclock of memory. You may or may not have to lower the HTT frequeny from 220 x 4 to 220 x3 (will not change cpu frequency or memory timings) but will slow down the bus speed between the cpu and northbridge because it is overclocked. I bet at 220 you should be able to keep the HTT at default 4x speed

You also haved to have a good heatsink (watercooling) on the cpu, remember.

The AGP slot. You could try raising the voltages but it sounds like the cooling system on the graphics card is not very good or you are already at your limit. What graphics card is it?

 

[chazdraves]

Great info, just what I was looking for!

The video card is a standard 128MB Radeon 9800 Pro from ATI, got it at Best Buy, I hope to get a x800Pro day after tomorrow (they're supposed to come in then) so I'm not as curious about the vid card, just thought I'd ask...

You think liquid cooling for a 200MHz OC? I'm running the factory ATI HSF.

Thanks again!

- Chaz

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Originally posted by: chazdraves
Great info, just what I was looking for!

The video card is a standard 128MB Radeon 9800 Pro from ATI, got it at Best Buy, I hope to get a x800Pro day after tomorrow (they're supposed to come in then) so I'm not as curious about the vid card, just thought I'd ask...

You think liquid cooling for a 200MHz OC? I'm running the factory ATI HSF.

Thanks again!

- Chaz

I think you are confusing the ATI HSF (video card) with the CPU Heatsink. With good to very good air cooling, from what I have seen, the 3000+ should get up to 3200+ speeds or more and definitely with good watercooling. However, the lack of AGP/PCI lock will hold you back. The ati x800pro, again from what I have seen, has a lot of overclocking potential. I have seen 580-600 core (or low as 525) and 500+ on the memory.

 

[Shimmishim]

as michael said, your o/c will be limited by the lack of agp/pci lock...

but if you have components that can handle high frequencies, then you should be able to overclock some...

 

[chazdraves]

Heh, sorry, ATI, AMD... it all blends some days...

580 on an x800? Gosh, that'd be blazin'!

Yes, the 3000+ seems to have a very nice factory HSF, I'm running about 46C on a heavy load with no O/C. I'll maybe give it a try tonight and see what the CPU goes to, that AGP lock would be a nice thing, but, so it goes...

Thanks for all the wisdom!

- Chaz