Overclocking woes w/ Abit IT7 Max2 v2 & 2.4B C1. Help Please!?

[PreachTru]

Setup
P4 2.4B C1
Abit IT7 Max2 v2
2x 512mb GeiL Ultra Platinum PC3500 (rated @ 2-6-3-3 433Mhz)
MCX4000 w/ Sunon 60CFM fan
ATi 9700 Pro

Problem
I can't seem to overclock the system worth a poop. I had the CPU @ 3.2Ghz in another system with an Abit IT7 Max2 v2 so i know it can handle the OC.

Running 155FSB now w/ 18 multiplier giving 2790Mhz total.
RAM @ 2.5-7-3-3 with a 3:4 divider @ 2.8volts
PCI/AGP Locked @ 33/66

Idle the system is around 35 celsius @ load it's around 45 celsius. 155 seems to be the highest FSB I can get to... and with terrible RAM settings. I've read tons of reviews etc. and people have been able to really push this GeiL memory, so I'm not sure if the RAM is the culprit or not. If I tweak the RAM settings for faster performance the system will not boot into windows.

Any ideas/suggestions as to what could be causing my problems?
Do I need a chipset cooler on the motherboard, or did I just get some crappy RAM?

Thx

 

[LastRide]

Run the ram 1:1 or 4:5.Running 3:4 might be too much and running out of spec.

 

[PreachTru]

The ram is rated to run at 433Mhz @ 2-6-3-3 tho! It doesnt make sense that it cant even run at its rated speeds.

 

[jpetermann]

I would also try taking out one stick of ram and seeing how far you can go with that. Some boards do not like high overclocks with more than one stick of ram.

PJ

 

[LastRide]

You have the PCI and AGP locked at 33/66 ?. Didn't realize you were running 2 sticks either.Yes take one out.Keep one in closest to the CPU

 

[PreachTru]

Hmm ok, i'll try one stick and see how that turns out.

Thx

 

[LastRide]

Don't expect to run 180 FSB at 3:4.I am running mmy 2.4B at 180FSB at 4:5 ratio 451 DDR.At 3:4 that would be beyond that.I have PC3700

 

[PreachTru]

LastRide mind answering a couple questions?...

What kind of RAM do u have, and what are the specs?
What mobo, and cooling system?
What voltages are you running? (CPU & RAM)

I switched over to the 4:5 ratio and have the system at 165FSB (2.8v ram, 1.6v cpu)... Timings @ 2-6-3-3
Whats the formula to figure out actual RAM mhz w/ the 4:5 ratio?... With the 3:4 you multiply the FSBx1.33x2 = RAM Mhz

 

[snowwie]

4:5 ratio is x2.5 I think
3:4 is x2.66
1:1 is x2 (that's the easy one)

I may be wrong though

 

[LastRide]

I have the same mobo as you Abit IT7 Max2 V2 with an Alpha Pal 8942T heatsink and Panaflo "HIGH" 80mm fan.If you buy a heatsink get the Swiftech MCX4000 and a nice quite fan like mine,but it doesn't have fan monitoring (speed) or get a 92mm Panaflo.The ram I am using is OCZ PC3700 EL.I am running it at 2.5/3/3/7 cause of the high DDR.There is not much difference from cas2 to cas 2.5 .CPU and Ram voltages are at default CPU 1.525 and ram 2.6V.I can raise my ram voltage for faster timings but I haven't yet.Lower your timongs to 2.5/3/3/7 for now and use 1:1 and you should run 180FSB.My CPU does 3.3 at default voltage.Yours might need extra voltage.Make sure agp/pci is locked at 33/66.I think snowwie is right with the calculations.Download CPU-Z and it will tell you in the memory tab.

 

[THUGSROOK]

start out using only 1 stick and 1:1 memory ratio to isolate the cpu while OCing.

once thats done you can then work on the memory.

HTH

 

[maxSe]

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
start out using only 1 stick and 1:1 memory ratio to isolate the cpu while OCing.

once thats done you can then work on the memory.

HTH

Take the advice from the master...

Also, not sure how much this will help, but this was a known bug with Max2 version1 that version2 supposely(sp?) fixed... Avoid using SPD setting in either H/W Strap and memory timing. Manually set it to either HIGH (which will give you option of 4:5 & 1:1 ratio), and manually set the memory timing as well. With version 1, the board would run your memory @3:4 ratio if you set it to SPD, thereby severly limiting oc & causing instability... I have never experienced this with my Max2 v2, but may be something you can try...

 

[PreachTru]

Here is what I ended up with...

CPU: 180FSB @ 3.24Ghz - 1.7v w/ hardware strap set to High 4:5
RAM: 2.5-7-3-3 - 2.8v

Tests run in SiSoft Sandra:
CPU Arithmetic
Cache & Memory
Memory Bandwidth
CPU Multimedia

System idles at 37-38 celsius, under load around 44-47 celsius.
15749 3dmark01 & 4985 3dmark03 without overclocking 9700 Pro

Not too shabby

Thx for everyone who responded with help!... MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!

EDIT: Had to back the FSB down to 177... system would become unstable after load @ 180FSB... rock solid at 177 tho!

 

[LastRide]

You have a good overclocking going for you now .

 

[maxSe]

Cool. You got it going now.

System idles at 37-38 celsius, under load around 44-47 celsius.

You seem to have one of the "temp bug-free" IT7 Max2's...

 

[Lantano]

I have a 2.4B SL6EF C1 stepping 1/14/03 pack date that I have certified at 3.31 Ghz, 1.68~1.69V(mobo undervolts), 184 FSB 1:1 mem ratio on an orginal Abit IT7 Max 845E chipset. By certify I mean running Prime 95 and 3dMark 2001 SE together for 24 hours with no problems. I have 512 mb of Corsair PC3000 DDR that I have gotten to run reliably at 444 DDR relaxed timings at 2.8V. Problem is with only the 3:4 mem ratio available on my mobo I can only get an o/c of 3.01 GHz, 1.525V(stock), 167 FSB, 222mhz, 444DDR.

I've got some 512mb Geil PC3500 on the way from NewEgg and considering swapping my Kids new BH7 mobo to see if I can use the available 4:5 mem ratio to get 3.31 Ghz at 230 Mhz, 460 DDR mem speeds. Right now my 3.31 Ghz o/c at 1:1 mem ratio max mem timings is marginally faster than 3.01 Ghz o/c at 3:4 mem ratio relaxed timings. Considering I can do 3.01 Ghz at stock voltage, unless I can get some DDR memory to go 460DDR there is now use pushing the CPU the 3.31 Ghz at higher voltage and shorten the life of the CPU. Already done that to a P4 2.26 that will now not even run at default speed reliably.