"P4C800-E Deluxe" OC'ing tips etc.

[mjlewis]

I've just built a system and have been able to perform some simple overcloing, but have hit a wall and would appreciate any insight anyone might have on what might be wrong.

Here is my system info-

ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe
Intel P4 3gHz - 800mHz FSB (stock heatsink)
2 x 512 (1gig) Kingston HyperX DDR PC3500
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
2x160GB HDs in a RAID-0 configuration

I've been able to OC this to a 210FSB (with 1:1 timings and the vCore set to 1.65V). The temperature is stable around 28 C and only moves up to 33 C under heavy load.

My memory settings are set at SPD = auto (they come up as 2.5/4/4/8 and everytime I change them to 2/3/3/7, which they are rated to run at, the machine fails to post).

When I try and move any higher, WindowsXP becomes very unstable or won't even start up, or Prime95 fails.

Any help anyone could provide would be very helpful!

Thanks

[CrowdAds]

[Drakh]

Have you tried to raise the ram Voltage?

[mjlewis]

I've tried bumping the vddr up to 2.75 and I still get Prime95 errors.

Here's some examples of things I've tried:

- FSB 220, vDDR=2.75, vCore=1.65 - failed Prime95
- FSB 210, vDDR auto, vCore=1.65, set RAM to 2/3/3/7 - failed to boot
- FSB=216, vDDR=2.75, vCore=1.65, failed Prime95
- FSB=216, vDDR=auto, vCore=1.65 - failed Prime95
- FSB=233, vDDR=2.75, vCore=1.65 - BSOD
- FSB=233, vDDR=2.85, vCore = 1.65 - BSOD

This machine should easily overclock to 233 FSB and beyond, but every combo I use seems to fail.

I've gotten 210 FSB with vCore=1.65 to work, but I think I should be able to get this to 233 with a 1:1 ratio at least given the PC3500 memory I have.

If anyone has any ideas on how to approach figuring out the max overclock for this configuration, or ideas of settings that have worked with such a configuration, I would very much appreciate it.

[Stratcat]

How 'bout first things first.

Set up your mem devider for 5:4 (320) or even 3:2 (266) & test the limits of your cpu.

Keep your Vdimm relatively high, keep mem timing loose as possible, disable 'turbo', disable 'MAM', disable 'USB Legacy support', (I also bump Vagp to 1.6V in case that theory that Vagp also determines the N.B. Voltage, is true.

Then work on finding the limits of your proc first. Once you find your cpu limit, you can then muck around, bit by bit (no pun intended), finding your limits for the system as a whole.

At least that's how I go 'bout my OC'ing. Actually, I first initially disable anything I possibly can, and find out what my proc's good for (after first having done a stock FSB 1:1 overnight 'complete suite' memtest86).

Hate to mention the obvious, but don't overlook keeping an eye on the temps. A new build always leaves open the possibility of a poor HSF/cpu mount, or malfunctioning HSF. Hope I'm not insulting your intelligence w/this last statement.

Good Luck.

[mjlewis]

Sorry for the simple questions, but this is my first time.

My temps are stable and they seem low (i.e. it's running at 30 C with very little load right now and stays below 45 C under Prime95 stress). Given this, it seems like there isn't a problem with the stock HSF.

I'll try what you're suggesting around underclocking the memory and trying to find the limit of the CPU. How do I know when I've hit it?

Once I start getting prime95 errors, I assume I need to back the FSB speed down until they go away, and then move the memory back to 1:1 and figure out the limit of the memory with that FSB setting.

Is this the approach you would take?

[Jim71GTO]

Hi all, new to this forum. My OCZ guy suggested it
Just wanted to say hi and I'm reading all the posts about our Mobo. fyi, I cannot go above a 295 fsb with this OCZ memory yet, I've reached a 307 fsb with cheapo Kingstons PC2100. go figure. Look forward to reading and trying to help others on this board!

[Jim71GTO]

Ok, my first question on this Board:
I need a RAM recommendation. My OCZ PC4200 runs great 1:1 all the way and above rated speeds to 270 fsb (540 Mhz @ 1:1).
Problem is I would like to OC higher. I've reached aq 307 fsb with my (2) PC2100 266 Mhz Kingston Value Ram's. I've tried everything with this OCZ, burn in loops at different settings, 1:1, 5:4, 3:2, SPD, cranked up VCore, VDimm is at 2.85. ( I have not performed the VDimm Mod as I don't trust myself with a sodering iron in a tight space). I would like a RAM that has more potential high end OC. I can't ask for more 1:1 performance as this OCZ is top end, nothing can run higher rated 1:1 above 533 Mhz....yet! I sure would like to reach a 310 or higher fsb though. any ideas?

[mjlewis]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I was able to get it stable at 227 FSB with 5:4 (2.75 vDIMM, SPD=auto). With 1:1 timing, I had to drop all the way down to 210 FSB for it to pass Prime95.

I'll try and tighten the timings down (it should get to 2/3/3/7 but it loads at 2.5/4/4/8).

Any idea if there might be a problem with the memory? It's not WinBond, but the reviews I read of the HyperX PC3500 memory led me to believe that this could be easily overclocked to a 233 with a 1:1 ratio.

Thanks for all your help.

[Sierra_abx]

Originally posted by mjlewis
Thanks for the recommendations.

I was able to get it stable at 227 FSB with 5:4 (2.75 vDIMM, SPD=auto). With 1:1 timing, I had to drop all the way down to 210 FSB for it to pass Prime95.

I'll try and tighten the timings down (it should get to 2/3/3/7 but it loads at 2.5/4/4/8).

Any idea if there might be a problem with the memory? It's not WinBond, but the reviews I read of the HyperX PC3500 memory led me to believe that this could be easily overclocked to a 233 with a 1:1 ratio.

Thanks for all your help.

OCZ memory works really well with the P4C800-E. With a 3.0C, you should run 1:1 once you figure out your stability problems. There is no real advantage performance-wise from running 5:4 on a 3.0C, even though you may get a higher FSB. 5:4 works well with the 2.4C, but not with a 3.0C. Have you tried running the VCore at default (i.e. auto)? While 1.65v is probably safe, it's a little on the high side with an air cooled system.

[mjlewis]

Hi sierra_bound.

There's 2 different threads mixed in here. I actually have Kingston HyperX PC3500 memory.

I have it running now at 227 FSB with 5:4 ratio (2/3/3/7) and vDIMM=2.75 and vCore=auto. This yields slightly higher scores than running it at 210 FSB with 1:1 ratio.

I can't seem to run 1:1 with a 227 FSB. I get a BSOD with a 2.75 or 2.85 vDIMM.

[Sierra_abx]

Hi mjlewis. What I was trying to say is that you might want to give OCZ a try. You should be able to hit 227FSB fairly easily. When I had my P4C800-E operational (the board has been disassembled to make room for another system), I was using OCZ PC3700 Gold and got good results with a 3.0C, 2.6C and a 2.4C. I'm just wondering if your stability problems are memory-related.

[mjlewis]

Do you know any way to figure out whther the problems are exclusively memory-related other than buying a new pair? I've run memtest and prime with this config and I don't get any errors after 12 hours of prime.

MY case temps are low even though I'm just using case fans, so I'm having a hard time believing the memory is overheating, but that might be the problem. The HD cables are not organized well, so there might not be enough air flow over the memory to keep it as cool as it needs to be.

[Sierra_abx]

Have you tried moving the memory sticks to the other two slots? Some motherboards are picky about RAM. I used to hang out at the main P4C800-E thread and don't recall many people using HyperX. But then again, I didn't read every single message there because that thread is huge.

[mjlewis]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try switching them and see if that helps.

[mysteryman]

I am currently running my m0 at 275fsb, but 5:4 ratio with my
ocz pc4000 el. I need to try out 265 1:1 and see if that is better.
It might be 260 1:1 to get prime to pass. I too would like to know
the best memory for these magic 2.4c's. I just wish someone
would send me there ocz 3700 gold rev1. Man that would be
awesome.

Originally posted by Jim71GTO
Ok, my first question on this Board:
I need a RAM recommendation. My OCZ PC4200 runs great 1:1 all the way and above rated speeds to 270 fsb (540 Mhz @ 1:1).
Problem is I would like to OC higher. I've reached aq 307 fsb with my (2) PC2100 266 Mhz Kingston Value Ram's. I've tried everything with this OCZ, burn in loops at different settings, 1:1, 5:4, 3:2, SPD, cranked up VCore, VDimm is at 2.85. ( I have not performed the VDimm Mod as I don't trust myself with a sodering iron in a tight space). I would like a RAM that has more potential high end OC. I can't ask for more 1:1 performance as this OCZ is top end, nothing can run higher rated 1:1 above 533 Mhz....yet! I sure would like to reach a 310 or higher fsb though. any ideas?