Unstable 2.4GHz Venice 3000+ Epox 9npa+ ultra

[braxtron]

Hi everyone. First off, I would like to say that I have looked over numerous forums for information regarding my issue, so it's not like I'm just being lazy and asking yous guys for help 🙂 Anyway, here are my current settings:

Athlon 64 3000+ Venice @ 300x8, 1.65v (+.17v in bios)
Epox 9npa+ ultra (8/4/05 bios)
1.6V chipset voltage
Corsair XMS Pro @2-2-2-5 1T DDR400, 2.8V
HTT= Auto
Cool 'n Quiet off

My CPU temps are: 36* idle, 45* max. Thermaltake Silent Boost K8 cooling.

My problem is that I feel like my CPU voltage is too high for the speed I'm running it. The temperatures don't suggest to me that I'm pushing too many volts, though. Possibly mis-reported? I'm using the USDM prog from Epox to report temps. I've seen CPU-Z screenshots from people running the same processor at 300x9 at 1.5v...shouldn't I be getting that, too? If I set the voltage any lower than +.17v, Prime95 crashes within 1 minute. At the settings above, Prime 95 runs for about 45mins before pooping-out. So, any suggestions on how to improve my system's stability? Is it safe to up the CPU or chipset volts any further? Thanks!

 

[imported_Bleh]

Try setting your HTT to 3x and see if that helps.

 

[Ike0069]

Holy crap that's high. No way you should have to apply 1.65V to your CPU.
Are you saying that with everything at stock settings it's unstable?

 

[imported_goku]

try not purchasing a crappy mobo next time 😉

 

[jotosuds]

Originally posted by: goku
try not purchasing a crappy mobo next time 😉

yeah that's it genius.

try 3x HT bus and turn down the volts man. even if temps are fine, that will damage your CPU. are you running a memory divder?

 

[braxtron]

I have my RAM set to 4:6 (DDR266) so it is running at 200MHz. I also thought of another question: Is it better to use a higher multiplier to get a desired frequency? For example, 267x9 or 300x8 to run at 2400MHz. 267x9 would let me run my RAM at DDR444 (5:6 divider)... I'll also try setting my HTT to 3x tonight. Thanks for the input so far!

 

[braxtron]

Update: 2340MHz (260x9) @ 1.6v is stable (RAM=212MHz). This is with HTT=3, chipset voltage=1.5v. I ran Prime95 for 6hrs, no errors. If I have the cpu voltage any lower, I get errors within a few minutes. I guess I don't have a 'great' Venice chip, but I don't think it's all that bad to get a free 540MHz upgrade, along with 2-2-2-5 DDR424 RAM at 1T 🙂 I'll post any other progress I make, though I doubt it'll be all that significant. One other question, does upping the chipset voltage tend to improve your stability? Thanks again--

 

[bleeb]

hmmm where did you buy your stuff and are you warrantied?

 

[GamerExpress]

Originally posted by: goku
try not purchasing a crappy mobo next time 😉

Wow, you are little dumb huh? The Epox board is probably one of the top 3 socket 939 boards out right now dude. Before you open your mouth next time....think first.

To the OP, please lower your CPU voltage down to 1.55v or lower, otherwise you are gonna fry the 3000+ Venice.

 

[furballi]

266 x 9 would be better for the CPU and RAM. Again, not all 3000 chip can go that high. When you have to add 0.5V just to gain a few MHz, then you have probably reached the nominal limit of the CPU. Most average 3000 will top out between 2.4 and 2.5GHz.