Overclocking - Athlon 64 4000+ @ 3.0GHz

[cubanjedi]

Just wanted to share some of my first overclocking results. I was able to overclock my AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego (2.4GHz stock) to 3.0GHz. This is my BIOS settings:

FSB Speed (HTT): 250MHz
CPU Multiplier: 12x
vCore: 1.5v
CPU->NB: 4x
RAM Speed: 166MHz
RAM Timing: 2.5-3-3-8

I ran Prime95 for 7+ hrs without any errors. My load temps get around 55C on stock cooling. I plan to buy an aftermarket cooler but not sure which one (thinking Freezer 64 Pro).

These settings seem to provide optimal results for me: CPU @ 3.0GHz, FSB @ 1000MHz, RAM @ 200MHz (Corsair ValueSelect DDR400). When I try to go to 3.1 or higher, my PC will not even POST (I have to reset the CMOS). I tried increasing the vCore and lowering the CPU->NB multiplier to 3 but with no success.

Any advice?

 

[Fetal]

no advice, just get the cooler.

 

[Maziar]

Well,aside from CPU voltage,you may need to raise your RAM's voltage and its timings too in order to get a achieve a higher OC.

 

[cubanjedi]

Well,aside from CPU voltage,you may need to raise your RAM's voltage and its timings too in order to get a achieve a higher OC.

My RAM's voltage was set to 2.6v (Corsair recommends 2.5v) and I just went with the recommended timing. I'm not too familiar with RAM timings and how to raise them. Can you give me an idea of what I'm supposed to do? I read a lot of info on overclocking, especially AMD cpu's, but I don't recall any of them changing RAM timings.

I would love to get this CPU to 3.2GHz . I just wish my mobo would atleast POST even if the settings were slightly off. It's annoying having to reset the CMOS everytime I make an adjustment.

BTW, do you guys recommend the Freezer 64 Pro?

[EDIT] I forgot to mention that my mobo is a Foxconn WinFast 6150K8MA

 

[Fetal]

^ Its not good, not bad either. Sure there are better than this.

 

[Maziar]

My RAM's voltage was set to 2.6v (Corsair recommends 2.5v) and I just went with the recommended timing. I'm not too familiar with RAM timings and how to raise them. Can you give me an idea of what I'm supposed to do? I read a lot of info on overclocking, especially AMD cpu's, but I don't recall any of them changing RAM timings.

I would love to get this CPU to 3.2GHz . I just wish my mobo would atleast POST even if the settings were slightly off. It's annoying having to reset the CMOS everytime I make an adjustment.

BTW, do you guys recommend the Freezer 64 Pro?

[EDIT] I forgot to mention that my mobo is a Foxconn WinFast 6150K8MA

2.6v is a little risky, i wouldn't recommend going over the manufacturer's recommended timings.
You can however change your timings/speeds, first set the timings to the default ones,if it wasn't stable, raise it a bit(maybe by 1), you can find all of these under the Memory tab in the BIOS

 

[cubanjedi]

My system is stable with default memory timings and voltage. But I'm not sure what to change to allow me to push the CPU more. I would like to get it to 3.2GHz if possible.

It could be my motherboard limiting my CPU's true potential. For some reason when I raise the FSB passed 255MHz, my system doesn't POST at all.

 

[Maziar]

You can't say your motherboard is limiting your OC unless you change more settings(like RAM etc) and check if its still unstable or not.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-overclock-athlon,2161.html
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=gethowto&howtoID=58