Memory and CPU overclock question Please HELP TY!!!

[matermoh]

I have an Intel 3.4 512K 800Mhz Northwood CPU. Generally, northwoods are great ocers. But, my system is getting extremely unstable when oced even only 100Mhz. My stock voltage to my memory in supposed to be 2.5v. but, the corsair ram I have is 2.75v. I've bumped up the voltage to my memory and my system runs perfect. No errors in anything including prime95. But, the moment I oc, everything gets screwed up. Why I am having restart and errors when I oc? Do i have to increase voltage even more? THANKS

 

[illicitsc]

increase vcore, or use a memory divider if your ram cant handle 1:1

 

[ChipDeath]

A measly 6FSB increase gives an error? harsh.

But could be solved by any number of things:
Better cooling; (not too likely, unless you've been increasing CPU VCore)
Better PSU (unlikely as well);
More RAM voltage/slacken RAM timings;
more CPU Voltage;
More ChipSet voltage;
Locking PCI/AGP bus (very unlikely, since a 1-3 Mhz increase on those would probably be perfectly sustainable, and most recent mobos lock them automatically anyway)

What motherboard are you using, and exactly what memory? If you're RAM is rated for 2.75V (which I kinda think is what you're saying there) then you'll be pretty safe with a RAM voltage up to 2.9V.

And although Woodies are good overclockers, people are usually referring to the 2.4 thru 2.8Ghz models rather than yours (the fastest they made)

Many people reported sudden death if they put more than 1.725V (IIRC) through northwoods, so keep Vcore below 1.65 or so.

What cooling are you using? you don't say... It would be worthwhile investing in a decent cooler like an XP90c or an XP120 if you really want to play with overclocking.

 

[matermoh]

My CPU is really cool, idles at 40C or less. I have a Artic Freezer 4 heatsink.fan

My PSU is 680W Sli certified

I tried to slacken timing....no good

The PCI/AGP is locked at 66.67/33.33

The mobo is a MSI Neo-2 Platinum PFS socket 478, corsair 3200XL 2-2-2-5

My ram is rated at 2.75, but my mobo recommends 2.5v.



Thanks for your help!

 

[WINDSHEAR]

I agree and disagree. Sell your Northwood, and get a Prescott 3.0 with a good mobo combination. Then overclock it to 3.8Ghz on air.

 

[WINDSHEAR]

3.8 was only a single suggestion, I bet he could put it up to 4.4Ghz on stock air cooling. Others have done it. Try and beat a 4.4Ghz oc.

 

[matermoh]

not a bad idea. They go for like $300+ on eBay. So i could virtually upgrade to any Amd64 for 300 or less. What do you think would be the best AMD for about $300?

 

[illicitsc]

y do u have a sli powersupply wihtt a478 agp board/ proc..

 

[matermoh]

My PSU is way too strong for what i have, but i do hardware reviews and get them for free. So, I might as well use them.

I'll look into the 148. I've heard many good things about it. Thanks for the suggestions.