XP 3200+ on N2U400A, almost working, what next?

[mikeford]

I have a mismatch 2+ year old Frys combo ECS N2U400A 1.0 motherboard, latest bios was on it when I got it, 1.0e 8/31/2004, has 512M of Kingston KVR400 valueram, and 512M of PNY PC3200, running XP pro without a burp since new using a Sempron 2600+.

I found a bare XP 3200+ cpu at the swapmeet for $50, popped out the Sempron, cleaned the cpu and old cooler, fresh PC cooling goop, and popped it in and booted just fine, at 1833 showing cpu as 2500+ and memory running at 166. I thought I must have gotten a scam cpu or something, then CKXP gave me some cmos settings to try, (Expert, FSB 200, memory aggressive, by SPD) and it posted with a long memory check at 3200+, 200/200, but would not boot into anything.

Current setting is FSB 190, memory optimal, 83% like 163, core shows 1.63v steady 52C, but its not entirely stable, may run fine an hour, first boot today reset halfway through first thing I opened Mozilla mail.

What should I try next, this is my LAST non PCIe rig, and so far I have dumped $100 into it for a better video card (9800 pro) and this cpu, and I don't want to add a lot more dollars, but I am willing to bump it a bit if I can get it stable.

 

[mikeford]

Sorry to make this two posts, but I didn't want to type 15 minutes and have it freeze before I post.

Shouldn't this setup just run out of the box at 3200+ and 200? If this was two years ago I would be back at Frys today to exchange the motherboard and/or ram.

Does this mean my cpu is fine, that the motherboard or ram is funny? If so I might just sell the now tested cpu and cut my losses with this motherboard/ram.

The chip on the motherboard in the middle with a heatsink and no fan, shows on my IR scanner as about 120F, should I look for a bigger heatsink with a fan, or point a fan at this?

Guessing I could just keep turning stuff down until its stable, but at some point just running the old Sempron 2600+ isn't going to be much different.

 

[pkrush]

I think that your memory is running out of spec and that it can't handle the speed.

 

[CKXP]

i'm guessing here, but maybe your memory isn't receiving enough voltage, keeping it from running @200mhz...and from this review there are no voltage adjustments in your BIOS ...check just to make sure.

 

[mikeford]

PC3200 should be fine shouldn't it?

Looking around my desk I see I have another stick of KVR400 same as one of the installed sticks, box says PC3200 CL3. I may swap that with the PNY PC3200.

 

[mikeford]

Its now running on two sticks of Kingston KVR400, about to restart and see what it will do now.

 

[mikeford]

Trying hard to consolidate other threads to this one.

Now running 2x Kingston 512M KVR400, bios settings Exper FSB 185 and Auto.

Plans, Look for a better cpu HSF, put a fan on Northbridge, give the bios a few more nudges, then whatever is stable is going to be it.

One person suggested running memory as single channel, and I don't have a clue if I am or not, but will look into it.

Another suggested the PS may not be able to support a 9800 pro and XP 3200+, not sure how I can check that, and all my spare PS are kinda cheesey from Geeks or one Ultra from MC sale. Later has a big fan that may not allow trying it, but I may see what looks like it will fit and try a different PS.

Going to put a link to this thread in the other ones.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: mikeford
One person suggested running memory as single channel, and I don't have a clue if I am or not, but will look into it.

Easiest way to run single channel is to use a single DIMM

This'll also allow you to check each individual stick of RAM is stable at 200FSB (DDR400). Memtest FTW.