FSB Problem

[Dazbo666]

I've recently upgraded my PC but for some strange reason that I can't figure out, the system becomes unstable if the FSB is set at anything more that 140 ??

I checked the part number for the CPU and for the RAM, and both are rated to work at 333, so why does my system get unstable if I set the BIOS at anything above 140FSB ??


System specs:
--- XP2600 --- Thermaltake Volcano 9 with 80mm Coolermaster fan (to reduce noise) --- MSI KT4VL mobo --- 2 x 512Mb DDR PC2700 --- 128mb Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro --- 8x DVD Burner --- Liteon DVD ROM --- 80Gb Maxtor 7200rpm HDD --- 40Gb Maxtor 7200rpm HDD --- Sunbeam 4 way Rheobus with red/blue LEDs --- Qtec 550w PSU (with home sprayed black chassis and 2x80mm Coolermaster fans) ---

[Agent_Embryo]

XP 2600+ (Barton?) = 1917MHz

1917/166 = 11.5 Multiplier

The FSB doesn't actually run at 333MHz, but 166MHz I think. I did this on a 2600+ last night and it shows correctly. I don't think 140 is a standard FSB speed, and running at that speed is overclocking the FSB.

Now experts, am I right?

[muno]

Yep, running at something like 140MHz will not be divisible by regular numbers. It causes the pci/agp buses to gain speed also, and a weak card will fail.

Set the fsb to 166 as ae suggests, it should work then.

//edit: But I ain't an expert, I'm a n000000000000000000b

For some odd reason, I amused myself with that

[Dazbo666]

I know the system FSB should be at 166, but when I had problems with stability I reduced the FSB step-by-step until it was running reliably, and now it seems that anything above 140 makes the system unstable again??

I'll try putting the FSB up to 166 tonight and report back what happens.

Any other suggestions will still be welcome!

[Agent_Embryo]

The multiplier should be set to 11.5, is it?

Are the temps ok? What about the voltages?

[Dazbo666]

Originally posted by Agent_Embryo
The multiplier should be set to 11.5, is it?

Are the temps ok? What about the voltages?

As far as I can remember the multiplier is at 11.5, yes.
The temps are something like 46C to 52C depending on what I'm doing (surfing or gaming etc)

But for the voltages, I think they're set to "default" levels so they've never been touched

[Agent_Embryo]

Maybe try clearing the CMOS and starting over?...otherwise I'm thinking its a damaged chip.

[Dazbo666]

...or marked up as a 333 Barton core when it's actually a 266??
I dunno any more

[Dazbo666]

I checked that the setting were as they should be (11.5 x 166 ??) and once the FSB was back to 166, the PC froze during boot up (before the BIOS screen), and there were also graphical glitches on the text screen that displays the detected hardware before the BIOS.

I can get the PC rock solid stable and running at lower settings (when the hardware setting displays as XP2000), but not very happy with that after I paid a little extra and bought an XP2600 chip ?!


Any other suggestions....anyone??

[John Prophet]

and u are SURE its a 333 cpu and not a 266??

maybe its not a cpu issue..maybe its a ram issue?

try setting the ram timings to their most conservative settings.

(like set it on cas3 etc etc....or see if it has settings like "conservative" for the ram timings)