P4 3.0C overclocking advice

[imported_MrT]

G'day,

I'm looking to buy a new PC with the following specs (ignoring h/d, video, etc) that I'm planning to overclock.

P4 3.0C
Zalman Copper Heatsink + Fan CNPS7000A-Cu
Abit IC7-G
CoolerMaster Cavalier 3 Tower Case w/ 350W PSU
1Gb (2x512Mb) DDR PC3200 (400Mhz) of ??? with decent CAS timings

In terms of my overclocking goals, here's what I want to achieve:
- FSB 248MHz. According to most articles I've read, this is the max for P4 3.0C. Using the multiplier (15), this should give me ~ 3.7GHz
- 1:1 FSB:RAM ratio for performance reasons
- No VCore or VDimm increases preferred (VDimm increases may be necessary but nothing beyond the memory specs)

Here are some questions I'd like to ask about my planned specs and overclocking goals:

1. Firstly, are my overclocking goals achievable with the given box specs?

2. Which brand of memory will satisfy my requirements? (ie fill in the question marks above). I've read so many good things about the 2-2-2 memories from Corsair (TwinX1024-3200XL) and Crucial (Ballistix) that maintain good timings from DDR 400 to 500MHz, but they are a tad expensive. Please note, I'm from Australia so my memory options are limited to Corsair, GeiL, Kingston, and OCZ (and Crucial via online), and I only aim to hit DDR 496 (2x248) at most.

3. Do I need any additional cooling gear to run at 3.7GHz? I've selected the Zalman heatsink and CoolerMaster case to facilitate this.

 

[Shimmishim]

the cooler you have is good but i dunno if it'll be good enough for 3.7 ghz

as for running ram 1:1 @ 248 mhz... you will probably need something better than pc3200 unless you want to increase the voltage...

you should also check out AT's review on the new pc3200 mem capable of running 2-2-2 timings... i'm sure there wil be something there that'll be able to do what you need... such as the ocz plat 3200 rev 2

 

[jose]

Doubt you can get 248 fsb w/ pc3200... I'm getting 220 @ 1:1 , that's with HyperX PC3500 which puts me at PC3700 levels.

You'll need to get some PC4000 ram if you want to run 1:1 .....

Regards,
Jose

 

[FullRoast]

I have had my P4 3.0C for several months, so yours may do better, but there is no way I could reach 3.7 GHz. I have a ThermalRight SLK-948U with a 92mm fan. I don't remember where it topped out, but not too far above 3.2 GHz.

I was using OCZ 3700 Gold memory, but switched to Crucial Ballistix. Anandtech
tested them to DDR 500, so they may go fast enough for you. My objective was to have 2-2-2 timings at DDR400 and to be able to run at faster FSB's with still tight timing (especially because I won't be up at 248 MHz).

I think your plan is good, but there are never any guarantees on overclocking performance. If you are expecting 3.7 GHz, 248 MHz, FSB, you're likely to be disappointed.

 

[lookin4dlz]

You should be able to get 3.6 - I have w/o a problem. I'm in the market for more/new ram & am wondering if I should get DDR500 at tight/fairly tight timings or DDR600 at loose timings. The tight DDR500 & DDR600 (if it can be found) probably cost close to the same, so I'm wondering which of these two to get...

 

[Stormgiant]

Without vcore increased, you won't get more than 235/240 on air...

Best 3.0C i've seen did 245 on air with vcore default, but that was one. Most will do 230/235.. maybe more.

Mine does about 240 with default for windows, but as soon you get it to 100% load, bum....

I'm running now at 260 with 1.585V.

Also, it's possible to run PC3200 at 250 with 2-2-2 but are WAY expensive.
Just get some good PC3700/4000 and you will be able to do 1:1 with nice timmings.

 

[imported_MrT]

Judging from the replies it seems people are getting mixed results from overclocking P4 3.0G C with various RAM speeds (assuming the motherboard and cooling isn't a limiting factor here) and Vcore increases. Just to recap ...

- jose @ 3.3G (15 x 220 FSB 1:1) with PC3500 RAM - expected outcome given the RAM. Can I assume your Vcore is set to the default? (1.525V according to Intel specs for P4 3.0G C)

- FullRoast @ 3.2G (15 x ~214 FSB) with PC3700 RAM - surprising outcome since the RAM should have been capable of running at 233 FSB. Can I also assume your Vcore is set to the default?

- lookin4dlz @ 3.67G (15 x ~245 FSB) with PC2700 RAM - can I assume your FSB:RAM ratio is set to 5:4?
and your Vcore is set to the default?

- Stormgiant @ 3.9G (15 x 260 FSB) with ~PC4000 RAM - good result with small increase in Vcore to 1.585 from default 1.525.

In regards to memory, I'm leaning towards the Corsair 3200XL (2-2-2-5) which according to this review FAST DDR Memory - Corsair 3200XL Pro can hit 250 FSB (DDR 500) with reasonable timings (2.5-3-3-7) and Vdimm (2.75V).

In regards to Vcore, my only (small) concern with increasing the Vcore is that I'm shortening the CPUs lifespan possibly. However it seems beyond a certain point in increasing the FSB (say above 235 or 240) that the Vcore needs to be increased to support overclocking? Stormgiant's Vcore increase (4%) seems reasonable given he's hitting 3.9G.

One more thing, are all CPUs of the same speed/spec (eg P4 3.0 C) have the same overclocking ability/limits? or do some (lucky ones) have better stamina?

 

[yourdeardaniel]

get a better PSU
get one of those fast pc3200 in recent AT review, i'd get those OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev2 or Crucial Ballistix or Geil PC3200 Ultra X.. DDR561!!

 

[Aleksandar]

One more thing, are all CPUs of the same speed/spec (eg P4 3.0 C) have the same overclocking ability/limits? or do some (lucky ones) have better stamina?

-(lucky ones) have better stamina-

 

[jose]

Yes , I have the vcore set to default. My computer will post higher but prime95 will fail once past 220.. I'd get pc4000 if you want to run 1:1 mem ratio.

Regards,
Jose

 

[Stormgiant]

I'm running PC3200, not PC4000.

Also, try to get a SL6WK or one of the new M0 SL7BK.

 

[FullRoast]

Originally posted by: MrT
<BR>- FullRoast @ 3.2G (15 x ~214 FSB) with PC3700 RAM - surprising outcome since the RAM should have been capable of running at 233 FSB. Can I also assume your Vcore is set to the default?<BR>One more thing, are all CPUs of the same speed/spec (eg P4 3.0 C) have the same overclocking ability/limits? or do some (lucky ones) have better stamina?

MrT - The PC 3700 memory I was using, and the board - an IC7-MAX3, run at over 250 MHz FSB. The limitation is the CPU. I was not pushing the Vcore up much. I probably could have done a little better than 3.2 GHz, but while I was working on finding the max. speed, the system crashed a couple of times to the point where XP had to be re-installed. This is on the machine that I count on for doing real work, so I backed off the CPU speed some.

You will find that for the same speed and spec, some CPU's overclock better than others. There is variation from batch to batch. I have a D1 stepping level P4 3.0C that is over a year old. For what ever reason, this one does not overclock very well. The newer ones (I think they are still at D1) may overclock better, but there is no guarantee that you'll reach 3.6, even with good cooling and boosted Vcore.

 

[Stormgiant]

Originally posted by: FullRoast
<blockquote>quote:
<hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>MrT</b></i>
<BR>- FullRoast @ 3.2G (15 x ~214 FSB) with PC3700 RAM - surprising outcome since the RAM should have been capable of running at 233 FSB. Can I also assume your Vcore is set to the default?<BR>One more thing, are all CPUs of the same speed/spec (eg P4 3.0 C) have the same overclocking ability/limits? or do some (lucky ones) have better stamina?<hr></blockquote>

MrT - The PC 3700 memory I was using, and the board - an IC7-MAX3, run at over 250 MHz FSB. The limitation is the CPU. I was not pushing the Vcore up much. I probably could have done a little better than 3.2 GHz, but while I was working on finding the max. speed, the system crashed a couple of times to the point where XP had to be re-installed. This is on the machine that I count on for doing real work, so I backed off the CPU speed some.

You will find that for the same speed and spec, some CPU's overclock better than others. There is variation from batch to batch. I have a D1 stepping level P4 3.0C that is over a year old. For what ever reason, this one does not overclock very well. The newer ones (I think they are still at D1) may overclock better, but there is no guarantee that you'll reach 3.6, even with good cooling and boosted Vcore.

You are very unluky then.

I have two 3.0C at home ( one SL6WK and one SL6WU ) and had at least 5 friends that also have 3.0C and never seen one not get at least 230...
My SL6WU is running 24/7 on an old intel HSF at 235 @53º with default vcore...

You were realy unlucly with it...

 

[jose]

Stormgiant: Are you running 1:1 with pc3200 ??

Regards,
Jose

 

[Stormgiant]

See my sig...

 

[toneman]

Rather than start another thread about the same topic, hope you don't mind my posting a question in this thread asking for advice about overclocking a P4 3.2c. I currently have my 3.2 overclocked to 3.52 (220 FSB), with stock Vcore and Vdimm (running Corsair TWINX 3200C2, default 2-3-3-6 timings), w/ a Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu HSF. Yes I know the 3.2c isn't necessarily the best P4 CPU of choice as far as overclocking is concerned, but I got a great deal on it; so...how high can I safely OC it, given the above?

Thanks!