Is 1.85 VCore safe on 2500+?

[poopeyhed2]

I'm currently overclocking my Athlon 2500+ at 2.3 GHz, 10x multiplier at 230 MHz at 1.85 Vcore, is considered safe? -- btw this is watercooled under a Corsair HydroCool200, so cooling is not a problem.

Thanks

[Aaron_J]

1.85v shouldn't be a problem at all. Overclockers.com has a cpu database that shows several people running this chip at 1.9v-2.1v.

I also see a 2.25v and a 2.3v but I wouldn't dare go into that territory unless I could afford to lose a cpu.

[poopeyhed2]

Thanks, I forgot to mention, I'm running on an Abit NF7-S if that makes any difference

[jmichna]

Though I usually run my Barton 2500+ at 1.775 vcore, I have run it at 1.85 vcore -- aircooled -- with no problems (that's only +0.20v over default). Heck, I've been running a T-Bred 1800+ at 1.80 (default is 1.50) and that's been at +0.30 for over a year, aircooled.

You'll want to buy an U/G waayyy before the extra voltage will shorten your CPU's lifespan. Your water-cooled rig will offer a greater margin of comfort, too.

[poopeyhed2]

Thanks for the posts of confidence, I wasn't too sure what the ceiling was to the CPU, I don't want to cook it too early

I ran mine at 1.92v for several weeks with no problems, though actual voltage levels floated around 1.98-2.00. The key is cooling, and you should be fine with the Hydrocool.

BTW, 1.85v is listed as the kill voltage level for most 32-bit Athlon chips, regardless of the model series.

Robert Richmond

[jmichna]

Originally posted by RobRich
...BTW, 1.85v is listed as the kill voltage level for most 32-bit Athlon chips, regardless of the model series.
Robert Richmond

Rob...
What to you mean by the term "kill voltage"? I've never seen that in any AMD literature.
TIA,
jmichna

It is a generic term. It is the maximum sustainable core voltage before critical failure.

In other words, AMD states the majority of Athlon chips should fail when operating beyond 1.85v according to in-house testing.

However, as with most things in life, you can push most Athlons well beyond this limit but don't be surprised when you system fails to boot one day.

Robert Richmond

[jmichna]

Originally posted by RobRich
...In other words, AMD states the majority of Athlon chips should fail when operating beyond 1.85v according to in-house testing. ...

Rob...
Have you got a link(s) to any AMD refs/docs with this info. I'd really like to read them.
Thanks,
jmichna

[poopeyhed2]

Thanks for the replies everyone Now I can use my comp with some ease w/o worrying an over cooked cpu.

Oh yea, RobRich, you're book of overclocking came in handy for a Palomino 1800+ in the book it said it'd top out at a 150 MHz FSB, and that it did, well 155 MHz, on the NF7-S.