Got my new system up and running last night. Have been reading the forums for some time and have previous OC experience on earlier systems. Here's the important components:
abit ic7-max3
p4 2.8c
ocz PC4000 EL ddram
I seemed to have good success OC'ing with CPU core set right at or below 1.6. Anything more than that seemed to cause more instability -- I though increasing core (I never tried above 1.675) should increase stability? Regardless, I have the following settings:
FSB 220-230, beyond 230 would not get to windows at any settings i tried
AGP PCI Fixed 33/66
mem ratio: 1:1
mem voltage: 2.8
CPU Core: 1.6
Here's what I didn't understand:
1. Why can't I increase core above 1.6 to increase stability? I was targeting 3.5Ghz with this equipment and didn't think it was a pipe dream given the better quality equipment I bought. I know the core may be a bit low at 1.6 to achieve those FSB speeds, but again increasing above 1.6 yielded crappy results at these FSB speeds (230+) (usually requiring a CMOS short)
2. When I change the memory ratio to anything except 1:1 (5:4 or 3:2), POST gives several very long beeps, and I have to short CMOS jumper to get back into setup, so I must leave at 1:1. Is it the EL type ocz I have or something, I don't recall ever hearing anyone else mention this problem. At 1:1, what upward limits does this ratio impose - poor memory timings?
3. The memory timings default to "by SPD" which I guess is like auto settings? Their numbers are grayed out at 3-8-4-4, I don't know if that means that's actually what they're at. Seems to me those are slow timings, should I set them to 2.5-7-3-3?
So what should I do with my given setup and situation? I'd be happy with an overclock from 3.3 to 3.5. Of course, I'd like to get the best performance out of it as possible and I'll take some risks if need be. But I have a feeling this is 99.99% my inexperience with this mobo / ram and their settings.
Thanks guys!
Jim
abit ic7-max3
p4 2.8c
ocz PC4000 EL ddram
I seemed to have good success OC'ing with CPU core set right at or below 1.6. Anything more than that seemed to cause more instability -- I though increasing core (I never tried above 1.675) should increase stability? Regardless, I have the following settings:
FSB 220-230, beyond 230 would not get to windows at any settings i tried
AGP PCI Fixed 33/66
mem ratio: 1:1
mem voltage: 2.8
CPU Core: 1.6
Here's what I didn't understand:
1. Why can't I increase core above 1.6 to increase stability? I was targeting 3.5Ghz with this equipment and didn't think it was a pipe dream given the better quality equipment I bought. I know the core may be a bit low at 1.6 to achieve those FSB speeds, but again increasing above 1.6 yielded crappy results at these FSB speeds (230+) (usually requiring a CMOS short)
2. When I change the memory ratio to anything except 1:1 (5:4 or 3:2), POST gives several very long beeps, and I have to short CMOS jumper to get back into setup, so I must leave at 1:1. Is it the EL type ocz I have or something, I don't recall ever hearing anyone else mention this problem. At 1:1, what upward limits does this ratio impose - poor memory timings?
3. The memory timings default to "by SPD" which I guess is like auto settings? Their numbers are grayed out at 3-8-4-4, I don't know if that means that's actually what they're at. Seems to me those are slow timings, should I set them to 2.5-7-3-3?
So what should I do with my given setup and situation? I'd be happy with an overclock from 3.3 to 3.5. Of course, I'd like to get the best performance out of it as possible and I'll take some risks if need be. But I have a feeling this is 99.99% my inexperience with this mobo / ram and their settings.
Thanks guys!
Jim
btw, any other suggestions? mine doesnt like 5:4 ratio and 3:4 ratio either.. weird. 
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