Help my lil' 2.8

[Lando95]

Hey everyone! I know that overclocking is either hit or miss, and I think I was just unlucky with my processor, but any suggestions are greatly appreciated. My setup is: P4 2.8C, 512mb dual channel Geil PC4000 @ 1:1, Abit IC7, Thermalright SP-94 w/92mm Tornado, 2 WD Raptors in Raid 0, FX5950 ultra, 500 watt Allied psu, all installed in Antec tower case, with mega air cooling:2x80mm front,2x80mm rear,2x80mm side, 1x120mm side, and 1x120mm top. Front and side fans blow in, while back and top blow out.
At stock voltage, I can get up to 230fsb @1:1 However, after that, it really takes a lot of voltage to get it to go any higher. I can post at 250fsb 1:1, but not completely stable. This is with 1.7 volts. The highest I can get stable with 1.7 volts is 245 fsb. At this speed temps are 39 Idle, 49 Load. The processor is not running hot at all. I dont think temps are the problem. When I had it at 250fsb, i was able to complete a couple runs of 3DMark and temps did not go over 50 C. What is holding me back? How safe can I go with my VCore??? If my temps are still below like 55 C, can i jack the VCore up to 1.75??? Any help is greatly appreciated. P.S. I disabled dual channel memory and it still does not work stably at 250FSb 1:1. I also tried using 5:4 and 3:2 divider on ram, and still no luck. I can start Windows at 255 fsb, but not stable, so I dont think it is my Mobo, Please help.

 

[scottchen]

The problem you have is probably that your CPU is at its maximum. I wouldn't go above 1.7V if you plan to keep that CPU for more than a year. Most P4 Northwood on aircool max out around 3.4-3.5ghz if you're lucky.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.276G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 4x256 4000EL memory @ 252mhz 2.5-3-4-6 -XFX 5900 128meg 570/1040 -SB audigy -2x120G Seagate 7200.7 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[Lando95]

Thats what I was afraid of. Thanks man. I noticed that even when i set Vcore to 1.7 in bios, MB monitor reads it at 1.68 idle, and 1.65 load. I also do not plan on keeping this for over a year, so would it be safe to bump it up to 1.725 volts? When I do this, MB monitor reads 1.7 volts idle, and 1.68 load. That should still be safe, right?

 

[scottchen]

Not planning to keep it that long ehe? Okay, 2.15V!

no just joking, seems like your mobo likes to undervolt, then i'm sure 1.725 will be safe, in fact at 1.7 it'll probably last 3 years.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.276G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 4x256 4000EL memory @ 252mhz 2.5-3-4-6 -XFX 5900 128meg 570/1040 -SB audigy -2x120G Seagate 7200.7 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[Lando95]

Thanks for your help scottchen! Appreciate it! I am at 247fsb with Vcore set to 1.725, reading around 1.7, give or take a little. Seems to be completely stable for now. Not exactly 250 like i hoped but close enough. I dont guess I can complain with a 3DMark 03 score of 7100+, and 57,000 Aquamark, all using a FX5900nu flashed to 5950ultra using a TT heatpipe cooler and all on air! Anyway, take care.

 

[HardWareBoss]

Get a better Psu than that Allied.

 

[Lando95]

I know Allied is not top of the line, but could that really be a problem? Is it not normal for the Vcore to drop while comp is under full load? I thought that even if it isnt the best power supply, that the 500W would be plenty of power.

 

[HardWareBoss]

I have my 2.4C OCed to 3.0 at 5:4, 250 FSB IS7 mobo with HyperX PC3500 2x512. Running stable since July.

 

[HardWareBoss]

Why can't he run stable at 250 FSB. Using 5:4.

 

[scottchen]

Umm he has 2.8C? multiplier at 14x? While you have 12x multiplier.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.276G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 4x256 4000EL memory @ 252mhz 2.5-3-4-6 -XFX 5900 128meg 570/1040 -SB audigy -2x120G Seagate 7200.7 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[Lando95]

Well, I am able to get 245fsb @ 1:1 stable. That is about as high as it will go. Just for kicks, I upped the Vcore to 1.8, showing 1.77 in bios and Mobo Monitor, and still wasnt stable at 250fsb. This leads me to believe that the processor is just running out of steam. That being the case, do you(Scotthen),think that I will be able to go any higher with a good water cooling system? Something like an Exos or Swiftech setup?

 

[scottchen]

If you get a Prometeia Mach2 I'm pretty sure you could go higher. But I wouldn't leave it at 1.8Vcore though. Watercooling might get you another 200mhz, but no gurantees.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.276G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 4x256 4000EL memory @ 252mhz 2.5-3-4-6 -XFX 5900 128meg 570/1040 -SB audigy -2x120G Seagate 7200.7 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[Lando95]

Once again, thank you very much Scottchen. I guess I will just save my money and go with the Mach II in a couple months. By the way, how in the hell did you get that core of your 5900 to 570mhz? Is that the non ultra model?

 

[scottchen]

i flashed my bios to Leadtek FX5950ultra's bios.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.276G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 4x256 4000EL memory @ 252mhz 2.5-3-4-6 -XFX 5900 128meg 570/1040 -SB audigy -2x120G Seagate 7200.7 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[HardWareBoss]

Yup So your saying his 2.8C will not run stable at 250Fsb with 5:4?

 

[scottchen]

No i'm saying his 2.8C will not hit 250FSB no matter what.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.276G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 4x256 4000EL memory @ 252mhz 2.5-3-4-6 -XFX 5900 128meg 570/1040 -SB audigy -2x120G Seagate 7200.7 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[HardWareBoss]

What a lousy Cpu.

 

[scottchen]

LOL, well my old 2.6C was barely hitting 250FSB, so barely 3250mhz. I'm gonna get an A64 I think, just trying to decide what mobo to get.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.276G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 4x256 4000EL memory @ 252mhz 2.5-3-4-6 -XFX 5900 128meg 570/1040 -SB audigy -2x120G Seagate 7200.7 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[HardWareBoss]

Check out my new post on Scotty before you go to AMD :frown:

 

[Lando95]

It will hit 250, but not stable, I experience random lockups and reboots. By the way Scottchen, I flashed my 5900 to the Leadtek bios also, but can only hit 530mhz core stable. This is using a TT heatpipe cooler with a Vantec Spetrum pci fan card right below it. Are you using water to cool that baby? Or am I just unlucky again?

 

[Lando95]

Nevermind, saw one of your other posts. Thanks.