Weird overclocking problem

[V3NOM]

OK, here's the deal guys.

when attempting to overclock on my new e5200+MSI P45 neo3-FR, i can't even get it stable at 240fsb (stock 200). I have disabled all the usuals (spread spectrum, C1E, EIST etc), left all voltages on auto AND tried them at 1.3+, all to no avail. Weirdly, every time it's about to crash, a fan somewhere in my system ever so slightly increases, then at the exact same noise level each time, CRASHES.

I have a cheap thermaltake 430W that came with my case. In case it makes any difference, the mobo has a 4Pin "P4" connector, as does the psu, instead of a 8 pin "EPS12V" connector.

other specs are:
9600GT
single WD 250gig HDD
single DVD drive
singe ghetto-attached case fan

my dad thinks its some sort of psu problem... i really am at a loss.

opinions? questions? answers?

 

[greenbrucelee]

I have always been told never skimp on a PSU always go for the best you can afford. Get a multi meter and stick the probs in the correct slots ATX power connector when attached to the mobo. If it gives out the wrong readings then thats your problem.

 

[V3NOM]

well it was an extremely tight budget for a "filler-in" PC until dad felt like paying for my ultimate gaming rig ... other psu's were more than double the price, and my system certainly does not use all 430W so... i fail to see how even at a lower cpu speed (240fsbx6 multi) it would use more power...

 

[amstelcsikasz]

Try lower your memory settings! maybe your mobo set it too high! mostly this is why the fsb overclock fails.

 

[greenbrucelee]

a cheap 430w vs an expensive 430w psu can make all the difference

 

[V3NOM]

nope, i set RAM at factory 1.8v, (also tried auto) and 5-5-5-15 (also tried on auto), in any case it auto'd the RAM to 480mhz, not 800 (i have manually changed it to 800 as well...) i really have tried to fix this extremely weird problem before coming here...

i just don't see how the psu can be causing a problem... i mean even at 0% load it crashes, and surely that uses less pwoer than at stock while playing crysis for hours?

i have also tried as i explained before running at a lower frequency which would use less power... i just fail to see how the psu could be the problem.

btw, are there actually any expensive 430w's :lol:

 

[greenbrucelee]

This is a good stable psu http://www.saverstore.com/productinfo/product.aspx?product_id=20000029&pid=9&tid=5

 

[V3NOM]

yeah, except it costs almost as much as my mobo and graphics card where i am...

 

[V3NOM]

update: e5200 appears to be stable @ 3.0ghz... i had it there a while ago, then i tried 266, and it stuffed something up; couldn't get it back to 240 so...

i will save the settings in a BIOS profile to make sure i will never lose it, and then go for 266 in an hour or two more small fft's wish meh luck...

 

[V3NOM]

another update: appears stable at 300x12.5 (3.75GHz), but it wouldnt even POST (screen just stayed black) at 333x12.5 (4.1GHz). i lowered the multi to 11x so it's now 333x11=3.66GHz. so clearly the mobo, RAM and PSU aren't holding me back... 11 or 11.5 are apparently more stable than 12.5x, so i'm hoping i will get a higher FSB with 11 or 11.5 to get my oc....

btw temps on orthos are about 64-65 C both cores are the same. F@Hing is around 50 C so i'm not too worried. i don't really care what the temps are in orthos as they do not reflect real world values... i purely use it to see if it's stable.