TBird 800 - How high can I go?

[NiPNi]

I recently bought a TBird 800 (green core), and I'm not quite sure how high it's safe to go. I am currently running at 900 (1.7V), which results in about 43 degrees C after running RC5 for an hour. If I go for 950, I have to set the voltage to 1.775 (however, the HW Monitor reports 1.85 at this level, and it reports 1.76 when I set it to 1.7V in BIOS), but the CPU temperature rises to 49-50 degrees C after a while, and then the computer locks up. I use the GlobalWin FOP32 with Silver Goop, which I believe is a good fan/heatsink/thermal paste combo...? The case has good ventilation, and the system temperature seldom rises above 35 degrees C (1 SlotHO and 1 12cm fan on top of the power supply in an HX08). Mobo: KT7-RAID.

Now, to the question(s):
- How high is it realistic to go with a TBird 800?
- How high can I set the voltage without frying my CPU (and which voltage are we talking about? The one the HW Monitor reports, or the one set in BIOS? The BIOS Health Status gives the same report as the HW monitor)
- Any ideas on how to reduce the CPU temperature? Better heatsinks/fans, etc... Any ventilation tricks? I'm prepared for anything except water cooling and Peltier....

I must say, I expected to be able to go higher than 900...

 

[OliverP]

well, depends on the tbird... my 750 is flying at 1.95v...

10*10.5 = 1051mhz

fun fun!

the key is the temps: mine is running cpu=29,system=27 at idle and cpu=48-50,system=30-32 at full load.(celcius)

So far, 100% stable playing ANY game...with amazing fps. This is with fans and duct systems only for cooling.. no water..(yet)

And my Sandra numbers are similar to 1Ghz athlon (up and down around it) and IT BLOWS AWAY the pIII 1ghz Sandra numbers in EVERY category.

So push it dude, you can get more than 900.(i hope for your sake atleast - after all, mine is an unlocked greenish core 750 with copper connections?)

 

[AMDfreak]

it really does depend on the chip you get, just try and see.
BTW OliverP, green core=aluminum, purple core=copper.

 

[Fierysonic]

Quit bragging, Oliver, and answer the man's question..

You probably have aluminum connects inside your CPU. The copper ones run cooler, like OliverP's. You can safely go up to 2.1V, which requires a m/b mod, anyway. (Of course, temps may be the main problem at this voltage.) I would suggest making sure the entire surface area is in contact with the heatsink and use as little paste as possible. Depending on how fast your CPU fans runs, you may consider getting a faster one. Also, you may want to get some Artic Silver thermal paste. You can expect to get 950MHz - 1GHz stable, with 950 being more likely. Also, are you positive that the lockup in RC5 is caused by heat? It may well be, but 50C is within the limits of your Tbird.

BTW - not ALL Dresden (copper) CPU's are purple, mine is bluish-green

 

[OliverP]

thank you, and you're right. I should explain how it's done... but wait, you already did! ha! the key is in the temperatures... at this speed, it's of utmost importance to get it VERY cool. You dont have to go nuts with water/coolant, but fans and ducts are required to generate strong and more importantly, ACCURATE flow into AND out of the box.

I recommend 2coolPC's new "Turbo" duct system at 60cfm. A bit pricey, but hell, can you mold/shape plastics at home?? hmm... if so, talk to me, we'll start doing it for $$ haha...

anyways, last note: The copper connections come in different cores. Mine is bluish-green as well. Hell, otherwise, this speed would be impossible without extreme cooling measures...

good luck to ya! Email me anytime with specific questions...

 

[NiPNi]

Okay, lots of info and tips there! Thanks!

Unfortunately, I believe I have an aluminum core (looks pretty green to me, I'm afraid), but I'll just have to live with that. So, what can I do? I mean, 900 isn't enough when I read about people with 750 CPUs running @ 1050. The way I see it, there's only two things left to do (ignoring water cooling and buying a CPU with a differently-colored core...):

- Better case ventilation (my case already generates more dBs than a 747 taking off, but I can live with that). I currently have a 3DFXCool SlotHO placed in the AGP socket (I'm using a PCI video card, and I thought it might be a good idea to place the SlotHO as close to the CPU as possible), and a 120mm GlobalWin case fan on top of my power supply (AOpen HX08 case), both blowing air out of the case. Whether or not this is a good solution, I don't know. Maybe you guys have some ideas on how to improve this solution. Perhaps it would be a good idea with an 80mm fan sucking in air at the front of the case? Anyway, the system temp. seems to be ok, about 35C at full CPU load. 2CoolPC's "Turbo" duct was mentioned: doesn't that one take up lots of space? My case is kind of full...

- New CPU fan. I have heard/read about Delta(?) fans doing 7200rpm. Would one of those make a difference (the original GlobalWin fan I'm using now does about 4500)? If so, where can I buy it? I live in Norway (that explains my poor English, doesn't it?), and it's a well-known fact that ordering by mail from anywhere outside Norway is pretty expensive for us Norwegians. The price of the fan will probably be at least three times what the store takes before it gets into my computer (customs, VAT, etc... Don't move to Norway, the prices are insane here!). So, if there by any chance are any Norwegians out there: where can I get a Delta fan without having to sell a kidney to afford it? Same goes for the Arctic Silver I've heard so much about lately. Will it help, and where can I buy it? I use the paste described here now.

 

[rigor2]

49-51C operating temp is good enough for these chips.
tbird's are harding to clock than durons.

Thats all you get!

 

[pillage2001]

What's the default core voltage on a T-bird?? Just curious.

 

[NiPNi]

The default on my motherboard is 1.700V. I guess that's the default for any TBird, but I'm not sure. At least it runs fine on 1.700V up to 900MHz.

 

[OliverP]

yes, i would definately mount another 80mm fan pulling air IN from the lower front panel of the case... and a delta fan is definately worth it if you combine it with a good heatsink. I have a vantek heatsink which seeems to be working fine with the delta.

as for being in norway, you are right, it will be more expensive. But ultimately, it is cheaper than those overpriced 1ghz chips from intel...and a sh!tload faster...

good luck

 

[Technonut]

982MHz is the best that I can do with my green core 800. It will boot and run Windows at a Gig, but will not finish the 3DMark2000 benchmark or play any games for long. I have tried all possible FSB & multiplier combinations also. Cooling is not an issue since the T-Bird idles in the low 30's Cel. and never gets past 40, 1.85v. I have a 120mm intake, and top blowhole to match in my case along with a 2CoolPC duct cooler. My RAM is good up to 150MHz CAS2, so that is not a factor.

I am pretty sure if I went to the trouble of doing a mod to my KT7 to allow a higher voltage increase it would be stable at a Gig or better, but I am satisfied with the speed that I have now. It is stable and fast in everything that I run everyday including my business software, Photoshop, and games such as Quake3, UT, Deus Ex, SOF, etc.