P4 2.4B C1 Overclocking Advice Requested

[loeboy]

Hi guys,

I've finally ditched my P3 550 and bought parts for my new system. I will be putting this thing together tomorrow after my motherboard arrives and just have a few questions. My setup will be as follows:

ABIT BH7
Boxed P4 2.4B C1 SL6EF w/Intel HSF
512MB Kingston Hyperx PC3500 CL2
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
WD 80GB SE
Windows XP Pro
LanBoy case w/Antec SmartBlue 350W PSU

Questions/Concerns:

1. I've read quite a bit about the great potential for overclocking the 2.4B cpu. Should I even attempt OCing this chip the first day I get it? Or would it be better to gradually pump up the FSB over the first week to give the chip a chance to "burn-in"?

2. I'm keep looking for a great deal on a True430 PSU, but in the meantime, will my Antec SmartBlue 350W PSU be sufficient for OCing. I'm not running RAID, and have only 1 HD and 1 CDRW.

3. I've read a lot of posts on this forum about "air cooling" for the cpu. Will the stock Intel HSF support a 2.4 OCd to around 3GHz? What max voltage should I feed this processor? I don't want to fry it the first day.

4. If I understand correctly, I should OC the cpu first with the memory at 1:1. Then once the cpu is considered stable, I can then go back and start playing with the memory timings. Is this correct? It seems that a lot of people have had good luck with HyperX and tight timings. My goal is the run it at around 433MHZ with 2-2-2-6. Is this probable?

Feel free to post any suggestions or comments you have.

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Duvie]

1) Burn-in is a bunch of crap!!! Even the technical gurus who build these things say it is BS and have the physics to back them up....

2) Might as well try!!! I like the 430 option for anything above 3ghz, which I think you have a shot at....Watch the 12v line and keep it within +/-5% of 12.0v...

3) You should run out the chip as far as it will go with default vcore first...follow ocing guides posted around here...only when you can't achieve a speed with default vcore then boost it in .025v jumps...I think 1.65v is completely safe....You wont fry it from heat as p4's have thermal throttling to prevent it. Voltages of 1.8v or greater can kill or damage within days to a few weeks....1.7+ voltages may kill or damage the chips in a few months time...

4) If that is the rated specs of the ram you have a shot at it....The mobo could be the limtation on that as they often differ in their timings and how they react to individual brands of ram.

Lets take a look at it....

An SL6EF like mine and say you get 175fsb....

1:1 w/ 175fsb = 350mhz ddr
4:5 w/ 175fsb = 438mhz ddr (probably best bet for achieveing 433 with cas 2,2,2,6)
3:4 w/ 175fsb = 466mhz ddr (not likely even at cas 2.5,3,3,7 range)

Looks like the 4:5 will be your best bet for up to 175fsb....after that you can likley go up to 180-185 range with much conservative timings...My guess if you have a super ocer in the 3.3-3.4 range, which isn't something I saw a lot out of the sl6ef then you will likely have to revert back to the 1:1 option if you want the cpu speed which has its advantages in certain apps...

My gut tells me 3.2 to 3.3ghz range you should be very happy...many of those chips just got into 3ghz....Packing date as well as fab date may be the key to the final range you will hit...

read me the data on the white label on the box...

 

[4x4expy]

1>There is no problem with abusing your cpu the day you recieve it, only wait until after your OS installation to pump it up.
2>The True430 PS is better but the smart 350w should suffice just fine. I have a true 430 now, upgraded from a generic(Powmax) 350w and noticed no improvement in stability or performance.
3>You shouln't go over 1.7v on your p4, on the BH7 that will equate to +15%. I also have BH7/SL6EF and +15% gave me no more oc ability than +10%.
4>Good luck. I have 512mb OCZ pc3500el and I can't get those numbers, but maybe the ABIT will like your Kingston better.

Enjoy!

 

[ErikaeanLogic]

wow, that's some upgrade from a P3 550!

to answer your questions:

1) burn-in is a sticky topic in these forums. Duvie is correct when he cites that the physics of burn-in dictate that would be an effective tool for increasing the ceiling of the overclock but there are those whose experience shows just the opposite. in either case, though, the C1 P4's are pretty much going to do their dance within 0.1V of default Vcore with air cooling; that's pretty much what I've observed with the few I've owned and what others have posted. you definitely want to hold off until after the OS and drivers are installed, IMHO.

2) 350W TruePower is a fine PS, you ought'nt have any issues overclocking your cpu with it, provided that you maintain the few peripherals you've mentioned and monitor your voltages at idle and under load.

3) the Intel stock cooler is a remarkably fine balance between quiet and performance. 3GHz will be fine on it, provided that you take it easy on the Vcore. as was previously mentioned, 1.7Vcore should be your absolute maximum but evidence has shown us that performance peaks out on a P4 before 1.65Vcore, even with extreme air cooling. remember, numbers can seem dramatic and "User X" may be getting 3.5GHz out of his P4 but Intel doesn't even make a P4 over 3.06GHz, so anything after that is plumb miraculous! FYI, I have an SL6EF which does 3.1GHz on air with default voltage which I run at 3.4GHz with watercooling at 1.6Vcore. I think you'll do just fine.

4) HyperX is awesome memory, and I believe that if you run just one stick in that BH7 you ought to have a fairly decent shot at DDR433 at 2-2-2-6 if your stick is lucky and your rig is properly set up. use MemTest86 to verify stability once you're there.

g'luck

 

[loeboy]

Thanks for the replys guys. I've got today off from work and keep jumping up to look out the window when I think I hear the UPS truck drive by. I'm sure you all are familiar with that beautiful sound.

Anyway, Duvie had requested the stats on my 2.4b from the white label on the box:

Pentium 4 Precessor 2.40BGHz 1.525V max <---- Is this a normal voltage rating?
System Bus 533MHz, 512KB L2-Cache, PGA-478 Pkg
Prouct Code: BX80532PE2400DSL6EF
MM# 849114
FPO/BATCH# 3241C599
Version#: C10670-001
PACK DATE: 01/16/03

From what you guys have been saying, I'm going to try to push it up to 3GHz after I get the OS and drivers installed. I still need to pick up 2 80mm case fans from CompUSA before I do this though. I just hate to leave right now and miss my motherboard shipment.

Has anyone had experience with Antec case fans? I thinking of picking up 1 Antec Blue-Led Fan to stick in the front of the case since the PSU already has blue leds in it. Any suggestions on other 80mm fan brands that are 30dba or less and still push over 30cfm?

BTW, my Radeon 9700 Pro can't wait for its new home. It's getting quite bored sitting under my p3 550 now. That's like trying to put a jet engine into a 1972 Pinto. Still works great though.

EDIT: I just received the motherboard at 4PM, and am now installing Windows XP Pro. Let's see what this thing can do...

 

[Duvie]

Your chip is a Costa Rica...it was fabbed in week 41, 2002....I think you have a good shot at 3ghz...I have a week 47 costa rica with sl6ef and I can do 3.15+ at default, and my sig shows it with minimal vcore boost...

 

[loeboy]

I'm just now got everything set up. We're going to try to OC tonight. Hopefully, it will make it to 3GHz. Great OC, Duvie!

 

[loeboy]

Duvie, you were right! 3015MHz at default voltage (1.46V according to Sisoft Sandra), stock Intel HSF, and DDR418MHZ 2-3-3-7 @ 2.75V. I'm sure the memory will do better, but I'm just too tired to fool with it tonight. Thanks for all of you help.

BTW, the Radeon 9700 Pro also ran flawlessly @ 351:324. I haven't tried higher yet.

Lets see how much of my new equipment I can fry within the first week