Overclocking with ABIT AV8

[djdube]

Just recently picked up an ABIT AV8, 3000+ winchester, running in an Antec Sonata case (Antec 380W True Blue PS)... This is what I've done so far...

I've got the FSB set to 250, HTT multiplier set to 4, DDR333 selected in BIOS (this is how you select the memory divider... correct?). Also tweaked the memory settings from default (command rate was set to 2T, changed to 1T... so now running 2.5-3-3-10-1T with Corsair Value Ram). I bumped up the cpu voltage to 1.5V... DRAM voltage is at 2.65V...

Was wondering if people have had success bumping any of the memory settings up on the Corsair Value on this mobo... need to try cas 2 for kicks... just haven't had a chance to do that.

I downloaded superpi and and running that (will see results when I get back home). Besides prime95, what other benchmarks would be good to test the stability of the system? I'd like a good 3D benchmark since many people have been having success bumping up the FSB and running prime95, but then having problems running games.

For those interested... processor temps at idle as reported by uGuru (latest version... and have latest bios) is 29C and while running superpi it gets up to 40C (using stock cooling).

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

3DMark03 usually shows problems when the AGP lock is not working.

 

[superkdogg]

Originally posted by: ChineseDemocracyGNR
3DMark03 usually shows problems when the AGP lock is not working.

I agree with him. What I've read and learned is that the AGP lock is usually the limiting factor with these boards. I use the Fixed @ 74 option, because it allows me to get higher than either the 66 lock or the 8:2:1 did. Experiment. Also, dodn't be afraid to lower the LDT multi all the way down to 2x if need be. It had very little impact on the system according to a well-done post I read on xtreme systems. I have the Corsair VS as well. Mine will do 2-3-3-10-1T, but if I move either of the 3's to 2 I can't post.

 

[djdube]

Thanks ChineseDemocracyGNR and superkdogg!

I'll try 3DMark03 and experiement a little tonight and tomorrow morning.
I'll try cas 2 as well... can't hurt to try that as well...

Even if I don't get much higher... really can't complain about running at 250 stable.

 

[djdube]

Well.... played around a little more... was able to get to a FSB of 280... memory using the 266 divider, and I was able to get cas latency down to 2... only when the resultant memory was a bit < 200, and I was using the 8-2-1 setting for the AGP lock. Superpi ran well... but 3DMark03 crashed during the cpu test portion (I have my voltage set at 1.5V... maybe if I bumped it up a bit?). LDT was also set to 2x.

The agp lock of 74 just wouldn't work for me... guessing vido card is the issue there... I wanted to make a quiet PC, so picked up a Rosewill 9600 (no fan)... 3DMark03 score at 250 FSB is nothing to get excited about as you can imagine... don't game that much... occasional RPG (NWN, KOTR, etc) games... most wanted this build for photoshoping (my xp1800+ was reallly getting bogged down by manipulating multiple raw files from my D70).

So for the time, I'm back down to 250... figure I'll stay there until a new bios comes out, and then maybe try playing a bit more to see if I can get a bit more stable.

 

[djdube]

I'm running at 280 fine now...

I increased the cpu voltage to 1.55V and increased PCI latency to 64 (based on superkdogg's comments)...
3DMark03 ran cleanly... supper PI ran fine, and ran Prime95 overnight with no issues...

Question... at what point should I be worried about temps? Idle temp is about 32C... while running superPI temps were about 42C... after running prime95 for about 8 hours, temps were about 47C... this all according to Abit EQ.

Dave