Overclocking Woes

jhh979s

Member
Sep 13, 2006
188
6
76
I just built a new system and this is my first time experimenting with overclocking.
Here are my specs:
Asus P5W-DH Deluxe BIOS 1201
Core2Duo E6400
Kingston DDR2 800 Ram rated 4-4-4-12@2.0v
ATI x1900GT 256
3x Seagate 160GB SATAII HDD (2 in raid0)
SB X-Fi Platinum
OCZ Gamextreme 700w PSU
Zalman 9500s
Sony DVD drive
NEC dvd writer

So far I have had no luck OCing this machine. I tried Anandtechs OC specs but that failed. I reduced the memory clock to DDR711 and increased the FSB to 330@1.325 with memory at stock 2.0v. This sort of worked but it did not boot into windows. I got the screen that told me to insert a bootable disk. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On another note. Before trying to OC I ran the free version of 3DMark06 and was only getting around 10 FPS, does that sound right?

Thanks
 

GFORCE100

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,102
0
76
Bump chipset voltage. Default is 1.50, Try 1.55V, it goes up to 1.65V depending how far you want to overclock.

Bump memory voltage. 2V is nothing, 2.3-2.4V does wonders you'll see.

3DMark06 is very demanding, 10FPS is fine for your hardware, the CPU plays a much lesser role here.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
4
81
Err, stock CPU vcore is up to 1.35V.

You're trying to OC undervolted...might not work so well ;)
I don't think that's your issue, but when you consider 1.325V + droop, you're liking only giving teh CPU 1.3V or less.
 

Noubourne

Senior member
Dec 15, 2003
751
0
76
How do you get 10FPS in 3d06?

Last I heard, that program provides you with a handy composite score when you've completed it, so no subjective FPS-monitoring is necessary.
 

jhh979s

Member
Sep 13, 2006
188
6
76
Thanks for your input. I've been scared to raise the voltage on the memory any higher. But if it's safe I'll give it a shot. After experimenting and learning quite a bit in the process here is what I was able to get. (This is before reading you reply)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/jhh979s/idle.jpg
It would boot at 2.1v w/4-4-4-12 timings but I got errors.
Here is at load.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/jhh979s/cputest.jpg
I'll try increasing the voltage on memory later.

I did not have time to finish the 3dmark test. That is just what I observed.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
4
81
Originally posted by: Noubourne
How do you get 10FPS in 3d06?

Last I heard, that program provides you with a handy composite score when you've completed it, so no subjective FPS-monitoring is necessary.

He's just talking about watching the test.

During the CPU tests, you'll always get around 10 fps or less.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
4
81
Originally posted by: jhh979s
Thanks for your input. I've been scared to raise the voltage on the memory any higher. But if it's safe I'll give it a shot. After experimenting and learning quite a bit in the process here is what I was able to get. (This is before reading you reply)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/jhh979s/idle.jpg
It would boot at 2.1v w/4-4-4-12 timings but I got errors.
Here is at load.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/jhh979s/cputest.jpg
I'll try increasing the voltage on memory later.

I did not have time to finish the 3dmark test. That is just what I observed.


Wtf are you trying to OC your RAM?

Leave RAM @ 1:1 till you find your CPU's max. I believe that's the 533 setting on your mobo, or perhaps it shows as same as FSB.
Not the higher one.

IOW, your RAM should be same speed as FSB, which would put it underclocked till you hit 8x400.
Your problems will very likely go away when you fix RAM setting.
 

jhh979s

Member
Sep 13, 2006
188
6
76
Wtf are you trying to OC your RAM?

Leave RAM @ 1:1 till you find your CPU's max. I believe that's the 533 setting on your mobo, or perhaps it shows as same as FSB.
Not the higher one.

IOW, your RAM should be same speed as FSB, which would put it underclocked till you hit 8x400.
Your problems will very likely go away when you fix RAM setting.
This is my first time experimenting with OCing, I've done a little research but I am still learning. I tried what you suggested but with no luck. Lowered RAM to ddr533 then OC to 400. Tried all cpu voltages between 1.35-1.40. I guess there is something I still am not understanding, perhaps someone could point to a good article or guide on OCing?
 

River Side

Senior member
Jul 11, 2006
234
0
0
It's your mobo bios settings for sure.. Disable EVERYTHING you don't need. specially look out for any Intel CPU power saving features.
 

jhh979s

Member
Sep 13, 2006
188
6
76
I have a feeling that my RAM may be the limiting factor here. Most other people have been able to OC the e6400 very well so it cant be the CPU. The OC I posted before is the best stable configuration I can find. The RAM doesnt seem to want to run at the 1:1 divider. Any anything over 2.15v results in errors. Thanks for the link. I will read and try a few more configurations but if I get nothing I may RMA the RAM for something more OC compatible.

"Edit"
After reading the first few pages of that link, I think I may be hitting that 370FSB wall they are talking about. Gotta head to class though, read more later. Thanks everyone.

"Edit"
Here's an update. Figured out a few things from the link. Have to set DRAM timings to auto. Booted into XP with 400FSB @1.35 vcore, 4:5 divider @1000MHz 2.2v. But system shutdown during Orthos blend test. I'll try 1:1, as I still think my memory may not be up to the task.
 

jhh979s

Member
Sep 13, 2006
188
6
76
I've tried 5-5-5-15, there seems to be some trouble with the BIOS still. Once you take the FSB past 370, you have to enable the "DRAM timings by SPD" setting or it will not post. Sucks, but I'll have to live with crummy timings for now.

With the 2nd OC i got a 3dmark score of 4959, which seems to be decent after looking at others scores.
 

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
9,291
30
91
Originally posted by: jhh979s
I was wondering which OC is better.
CPU speed always rules. No matter what memory timings or dividers you need, etc, etc, a faster cpu will provide the fastest system.