I hit 2.3GHz and am having an odd restarting problem.

[Vinny]

So, I went ahead and started OCing and it's been very stable at 2.3GHz for a while now. It idles fine and during heavy use it runs fine. My 3DMark 05 score has seen an almost 700 point boost and my temps are pretty much the same as they were when it was stock.

But I've been running into a odd restarting problem. Whenever the computer goes to shut down, it'll log out of Windows, the GPU shuts down (because I get no image) and right before it's supposed to turn off everything else it freezes. This only happens during some reboots.. not always. It shuts down fine and starts up fine (except when it freezes during restarts, then I just have to tell it to ignore the issue.

My specs are:
CPU: 230MHz x10 multiplier, 4x htt, 1.30V
Memory: downclocked from DDR2 800 to DDR2 667, currently running at DDR2 766 (or 383Mhz), 1.9V

Here is some info that might help.
http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sysinfonh9.jpg

Could this issue be due to my OC? What tests can I try to see what the problem is? I've done memtest (4 hours) and Prime95 (stress test for 1 hour, 40 min) and didn't get any errors.

========Previously==============
I read that there were a few ways to OC a AMD system so I decided to try upping the frequency as it seemed to be the most simple way. I want to hit 2.4 with stock cooling and maybe a slight voltage increase if necessary but I'll settle for less if I can't keep my system stable.

Currently my specs are as follows (via CPU-Z).
FSB (frequency): 200MHz
Multiplier: 10x
DDR2 800 5-5-5-12 @ 200MHz


So I have a ratio of 1.0:1.0 ratio CPU to memory frequency.

I reduce the DDR2 667 by decreasing the clock to ~166MHz and increase the FSB to 240MHz.

Now I have a ratio of 1.2:1.0 ratio CPU to memory frequency.

With a 10x multiplier, that should give me 2.4GHz (240MHz x 10) CPU speed and an memory speed for about ~199MHz (166x1.2) or DDR2 796 effective right?

Concerns:

1. Am I thinking straight? Or am I completely lost and out of order?

2. Does this sound safe? If not, what components will be stressed the most?

3. Do I have to change the HT frequency or anything like that? I hope not as I don't understand it.

4. How do you know when to change the HT? (Not really important if the answer to #3 is a no).

5. I'm guessing since I'm fairly close to my memory's rated 800 speed that I shouldn't reduce the timings at all?

Thanks in advance. Hope I got this down and if not, hopefully you guys will straighten me out.

 

[clue69less]

3. Do I have to change the HT frequency or anything like that? I hope not as I don't understand it.

4. How do you know when to change the HT? (Not really important if the answer to #3 is a no).

Most folks can get their HT up a bit over 1100. 240x5=1200, so if your HT multiplier is 5x, I'd be surprised if you could get it to boot. On my 4400+, I'm running the FSB at 260, memory 1:1 and HT at 4X. With a 10x multiplier, that's 2.6GHz at stock volts.

Please post your complete spec.

 

[AMDKnightmare]

You're pretty much on the right track. I'm a little confused about you memory though. Do you have a new AMD AM2? I assume you meant DDR2 PC6400 @ 800Mhz? If that is the case you should be able to run 1/1 (800) on memory with a multi of 10 and a HTT of 240 easily if you up the VDimm to 2.1-2.2. But only after some Mem32 testing. You didn't mention what brand of memory. If it's not enthusiast RAM you're probably better off with the 667Mhz devider.

 

[Vinny]

Most folks can get their HT up a bit over 1100. 240x5=1200, so if your HT multiplier is 5x, I'd be surprised if you could get it to boot. On my 4400+, I'm running the FSB at 260, memory 1:1 and HT at 4X. With a 10x multiplier, that's 2.6GHz at stock volts.

Please post your complete spec.

Oh... now I understand what HTT is and how you get it. I knew that most people couldn't go over 1100 but didn't know that frequency x HT multiplier (5x standard) gave you the HTT.

So, what if I lowered my HT from 5x to 4x? Than I'd have a HT of 960- would that hurt performance a lot?

I'd love to be able to run at 260x10 and use a 4x HT but I probably can't. My mobo is hindered with the max volts to the memory, it can only deliver 1.95V and my memory is rated at 1.90.:-( I don't know if that extra .05V would help very much.

You're pretty much on the right track. I'm a little confused about you memory though. Do you have a new AMD AM2? I assume you meant DDR2 PC6400 @ 800Mhz? If that is the case you should be able to run 1/1 (800) on memory with a multi of 10 and a HTT of 240 easily if you up the VDimm to 2.1-2.2. But only after some Mem32 testing. You didn't mention what brand of memory. If it's not enthusiast RAM you're probably better off with the 667Mhz devider.

Yes, I am using AM2 and Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 memory rated at 5-5-5-12 (had to manually adjust it, it showed up as 5-5-5-18 at first).

If I do that (240 x10 with a 1:1 ratio) then wouldn't my memory be running at a 960? I don't know if I can hit without stability issues (as I mentioned above, I can't give more than 1.95V to my memory and it requires 1.90V stock.

I think the memory should be pretty solid but I'm just worried that I can't give it enough volts.

As for my specs, they're listed in my sig but maybe that's not working. Here are my parts, or at least the ones that should matter:
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103735
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145590
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131022
PS: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817711001

I don't know how to find the Voltage for my CPU...

It sounds like I might have to get a aftermarket cooler... too bad most AM2 coolers suck or cost too much.

Many thanks for all the help guys!

 

[clue69less]

So, what if I lowered my HT from 5x to 4x? Than I'd have a HT of 960- would that hurt performance a lot?

My highest OC with a HT multiplier of 5 was 2.42GHz. By dropping to 4X and running a higher FSB, I got to 2.6. The various CPU benches I ran showed slightly less than a 2.6/2.42 performance increase, so it was certainly worth the switch to 4X.

Edit: look at this HSF for an inexpensive option.

 

[Vinny]

Having the CPU clocked at a higher final clock speed and therfore higher HTT is far more important than keeping final HTT high.

You can't get everything in this world.

So... are you saying that dropping to 4x HT wouldn't be a bad idea or are you saying I should try to keep my HTT as close to 1100 (without going over) as much as possible.

And from you sig, I'm as confident about OCing with my M2N-E anymore. :lol:

My highest OC with a HT multiplier of 5 was 2.42GHz. By dropping to 4X and running a higher FSB, I got to 2.6. The various CPU benches I ran showed slightly less than a 2.6/2.42 performance increase, so it was certainly worth the switch to 4X.

Edit: look at this HSF for an inexpensive option.

Alright, I might just have to give it a try and see if I should go for 220 at 5X HT or 240 @ 4x HT. Also, that cooler looks pretty good.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[AMDKnightmare]

Yes, I am using AM2 and Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 memory rated at 5-5-5-12 (had to manually adjust it, it showed up as 5-5-5-18 at first).

If I do that (240 x10 with a 1:1 ratio) then wouldn't my memory be running at a 960? I don't know if I can hit without stability issues (as I mentioned above, I can't give more than 1.95V to my memory and it requires 1.90V stock.

I think the memory should be pretty solid but I'm just worried that I can't give it enough volts.

Yeah it sucks about the max memory voltage. I've heard bad things about your Mobo. You might be able to get 240x10 with 4xHT but you'll probably have to go with a 667Mhz memory divider with the Cas5 Xtreme at 1.95V.

Don't get me wrong! The Corsair Xtreme is very good memory. I have the Cas4 sticks which are rated at 2.1V. Had them upto over 1000Mhz. Currently running my 3800 X2 @ 2.68Ghz with memory 889MHz and a 1068MHZ HT. But I have the M2N32-SLI Deluxe too. Good luck and keep us posted with what ya get her up to.

 

[Vinny]

Well, for the price and availability of NF5 mobos (there are plenty of options for NF4 but I was told to get NF5)... my options were limited. I thought about going with the deluxe model but never thought I'd OC so figured that there was no point. It's a solid mobo so far, besides the 1.95V limit to the DIMMs.

I'll keep you guys updated. I plan to give it my first try this weekend.

 

[Vinny]

I did my first jump or whatever... I went up from 200 to 205 x10. Everything seems stable.:lol:

But that's not why I posted, I wanted to know how to lock the PCI bus on my mobo. I can lock the PCIe bus (locked to 100) but I can't find the PCI bus...

Is there a reason for that or does my mobo not allow for me to lock my PCI bus?

 

[Vinny]

Well, I ignored the PCI bus... figured if it wasn't there than I can't change it.

Anyway, my system seems fairly stable at 210x10 with an HT of 5x and memory running downclocked at DDR2 667 (actual speeds are 175MHz @ DDR2 700 effective).

I ran Prime95 Torture Test 'In-place Large FFT (maximum heat, power consumption, and some RAM tested) for 4 hours and 44 minutes. I didn't get any errors or warnings. I wasn't able to monitor my rails but SpeedFan shows my maximum temp hitting 47C... my room feels like it's around 70 and low humidity.

I'm only 1/4 the way there to my 2.4GHz goal but so far, my system actually seems more stable than it did at stock.:lol:

What do you guys think, is it stable so far? Or is more testing necessary before I go on?

 

[clue69less]

What do you guys think, is it stable so far? Or is more testing necessary before I go on?

I think you're ready to bump it up. When I'm well below an expected limit, like HT of 1100+, I just do some relatively quick testing and bump it up. Every now and then I'll do a longer burn, then take more care once getting closer to a limit. Good luck!

 

[Vinny]

That's good to hear... but I think I'm going to try something different.

I'm thinking about using a 9x multiplier, 4x HTT, and a DDR2 533.

That way, I can use 260 with a 9x multiplier giving me:
2.34GHz, 1040MHz HTT, and DDR2 700 effective speeds- and with lower speeds, I could try 4-4-4-12 instead of 5-5-5-12.

I don't get the 2.4 I wanted but I get damn close without sacrificing my HT and get tighter timings on my memory.

What do you guys think?

 

[Vinny]

Bump for update!