PIII 700 Overclocking - once stable, now not

[Schmo]

I got a PIII 700 guaranteed at 1000+. I installed it into my CUSL2-C with 256MB of Mosel PC 143. I installed the Alpha HS with YS Tech Fan.

Initially I could get into Windows ME and run stable at 1000... I even ran a couple short successful tests at 1015.

Now I am getting windows registry errors and protection violations. I had to back down to 980.

In Windows 2000, I was running stable for a short period of time at 1000 and now I have to back down to 950 or so for it.

Any idea why it may have gotten instable? Could the heatsink have shifted and the grease isn't making as good of a "seal"?

Any ideas?

 

[GFORCE100]

Yes this is most definetly down to heat. Install a better fan/heatsink on your CPU and it will work all round the clock at 1Ghz. I would also put some thermal grease between the CPU and the heatsink.

 

[Schmo]

I am already using an Alpha PAL6035(?) and YSTech Fan... I am using Artic Silver grease in between.

I can only think that it has shifted a bit. Maybe the clip is not holding it tight enough.

Do people use the little felt feet (pads) that come with the Alpha on a FC-PGA? Maybe they are putting distance between the surface of the HS and the processor?!?

 

[Spoooon]

The feet are to be used with FC-PGA processors.

 

[GFORCE100]

What do the tempreture readings for the CPU say?

 

[bacillus]

what voltage are you using for the cpu?

 

[Schmo]

I will have to get back to you on the CPU temperature but I have cranked it up to 1.85v and still no go.

I am going to try to reapply the heatsink just to make sure that it didn't become unsettled and therefore not cooling properly...

Hell, I was getting better results with the stock Intel HS/fan before the Alphal PAL arrived... that just can't be right!

 

[GFORCE100]

You sure the fans are working?

 

[Def]

The little feet on the Alpha 6035(PAL35T for FC-PGA a while ago) can indeed "interfere" with the cooling of the chip. Mine were probably .5mm too tall to use on my 933EB. Take the chip out, remove all grease from it and the HS and hold them together with light pressure. Then place a light source behind it and see if there is any light coming through between the die and the HS. This is a quick and easy way to check for contact.

I had to file mine down a bit. I don't really know why they're on there, if you install the HSF correctly with the fan properly set, there will be even pressure on the CPU die.

It is most definitely a heat problem, having just a bit of a gap in there can cause temps to rise over 50*C and you'll start experiencing lock-ups and BSODs.

 

[Turbopit]

If there is enough of a gap that you can clearly see it, I would say it is way to big of a gap.

 

[Schmo]

Well, I came home and tried booting up at 1000... registry error.

Ok, I took off the HS, cleaned the goop, put new feet on, checked the clearance... so far so good.

Applied some artic silver and reapplied the HS. It boots into windows again without errors.

This furthur supports my case that the HS shifted and was not seated properly (it used to boot, then it didn't and now it does again).

As far as temps are concerned (measured with Asus Probe 2).

Idle w/o Rain running: 17C/62F
Idle w/ Rain: 10C/50F

Yes, those are the CPU temperature readings.

How can those be right?

 

[Schmo]

Well, tried to run 3DMark and it gave me a data file corruption error. Doesn't look like the problem is solved although ASUS Probe says the temp never exceeded 70F.

This sucks.

 

[Hankysmoo]

ur temps are way off....u need to update your bios to at least 1002 i think to get better temp readings.

 

[Schmo]

Dude, my BIOS is 1003. I don't know what the deal with the temperature readings are.

Could my MB be bad? If so, I just bought it so I could return it.

 

[Schmo]

Doh, a newer version of ASUS Probe has fixed the temperature reports.

I backed down to 980 and I am getting 44C when running Prime95.

Question: Do you have your heatsink fan to suck or blow?

 

[rosco6912]

usually better to have it suck - bout 1-3C better

 

[Schmo]

Hmm... that is what I have it to do, suck.

Still not really stable even at 980. I swear this thing is tempermental. Everytime I remove the HS and put it on I get different results.