Something HAS to be wrong...or did I just get a horrible chip?

[DerekHeimlich]

Here's the system:

Abit IC7-G
Intel 2.6c
1GB Corsair DDR3200XL PRO RAM
2x120GB Western Digital HD in RAID-0
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
SB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
Sony DVD
Asus CDRW

I've got this all in a Cooler Master ATC-201B case...it's the black aluminum one with the side window.
I've got a Thermalright SP-94 w/ a 92mm Vantec Tornado Fan on top of it.
I've also got another 80mm Vantec Tornado blowing air out of the back of the case (Yes, this system is LOUD). Temps are absolutely fine as a result. You'd think I'd be able to peform a somewhat decent overclock...not so.

First thing...I try most common overclock 250fsb w/ divider set to 4/5. Well, doesn't POST...up the voltage a little bit to 1.6v and it's fine. Problem is...after running Prime95 it crashes. AND, any time I play any game crashes within 10 minutes or sometimes even upon loading it. Had the voltage past 1.7 at one point but still the same issues. Don't understand it but figured maybe I just got a bad chip...just isn't stable at that speed. So, disappointed, I lower it...and try 233FSB @1:1...no luck. I get a load of dll errors and programs malfunctioning...which I believe points to the RAM as a cause? I don't understand this though because it's a top of the line Corsair product. Even at 220@1:1 I get issues. With all the 2.6 chips getting ridiculous overclocks...this just leaves me wonder could it possibly be something other than the chip? I'm tempted just to go out and buy a 2.4c right now to test out if it is the chip but don't want to blow $150. Any ideas why this chip refuses to go fast? Thanks.

 

[3chordcharlie]

My first suggestion is that jumping right in at 250fsb was overly aggressive. I expect you've corrupted some hdd data, and this is the source of your dll errors.

I would suggest running the system at stock speeds, reinstalling windows, and then OCing in slower steps, with an eye on temps and the like.

Good luck!

 

[DerekHeimlich]

I've had the system since January of this year...Windows has been reinstalled at least 3 times since then for various reasons. Same problems all the time, and I don't get errors when running at 2.6.

 

[RussianSensation]

Not all chips are made equal. My p4 2.6 only does 3.2ghz at 1.600V. You should have just bought a 2.8 chip for $10-15 more. Also your power supply could be a major factor - is it a good stable one? Did you update to the latest bios? Try to use ratios to find the maximum overclocking speed for the chip first, then worry about your memory. You should increase the memory voltage to 2.8V as well.

Set the ratio to 5:4 and start increasing the FSB by 5 on default voltage. Keep doing this until you start to have problems and need to increase the voltage. Use Hardware Doctor to see if your motherboard is overvolting (or most likely undervolting for ABIT).

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Use Hardware Doctor to see if your motherboard is overvolting (or most likely undervolting for ABIT).

This is a good idea too - I have an ABIT (Athlon board) that overvolts by up to .05 volts (and this is with labelled adjustments of .025). If your voltage is low, that might explain a lot.

But the thing about OCing is YMMV, which you obviously know. If the chip can't be made stable at 250fsb, then that's just the way it is.

I just noticed you were trying the moderate settings at 1:1 memory (just assumed you left it at 5:4), so you may well be right that it wasn't corrupted data.

 

[DerekHeimlich]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Not all chips are made equal. My p4 2.6 only does 3.2ghz at 1.600V. You should have just bought a 2.8 chip for $10-15 more. Also your power supply could be a major factor - is it a good stable one? Did you update to the latest bios?

I understand that all chips are not equal...I'm just trying to find out if it's actually the chip or if it's something I can correct. I believe the 2.8 chip was more than $10-15 more at the time I bought it too. My power supply is an Antec TruePower 430W. Bios is 4/27...which is revision 24 for my mobo. Haven't checked for an update lately but I'll do that.

Try to use ratios to find the maximum overclocking speed for the chip first, then worry about your memory. You should increase the memory voltage to 2.8V as well.

Set the ratio to 5:4 and start increasing the FSB by 5 on default voltage. Keep doing this until you start to have problems and need to increase the voltage. Use Hardware Doctor to see if your motherboard is overvolting (or most likely undervolting for ABIT).

Will do thanks for the advice.