windows keeping me from overclocking !!

[toshibatrx]

I finally bit the bullet and built my own computer. But I have run into a perplexing problem when I try to tweek it. The system that I have buit is as as follows, MB--Gigabyte GA7N400L-Video card
Radeon 9600 Pro 256 m DDR--CPU--Amd 2500 with Barton core--Ram 1 ghz Kingston 400mhz DDR. CPU Temps are running at 45 C case temp is at 24. Running in dual channel mode. Western Didital 80GB HD with 8MB buffer, Windows XP with NO service pak 1 upgrade. CPU is currently running at STOCK 1855 mhz. settings.

This is my 1st build and I am thrilled that i was able to finish this project and get everthing working without much of a problem. However, like alot of people who bought and built around the AMD 2500 Barton I now want to tweak a little.

The problem I am having is that when I try to bump up the FSB speed from 166mhx to 200mhz try to get up to AMD 3200 specs. The system boots OK but I GET AN ERROR AND WINDOWS OS WILL NOT LOAD !!.

Most of the posts I have been reading here say that in order to bump up to AMD 3200 specs all you have to do is raise your front side buss speed to 200mhz to do it. As I said above when I do that. Do you think the problem has to do with me running in dual channel mode or lack of service pak 1 ?? The system is set at optimized settings in the bios.

Perhaps I am missing a step ? Has anyone out there run into similar problems when performing this OC ? Any input would be appreciated. -------- THANKS---------

[Dax_Brandy]

i think you should have 2 identical memory sticks installed to enable the dual channel mode...(??not so sure about this)

anyhows, overclocking does not revolve entirely around the FSB... there are other things like the multiplier, memory timing, heat factors, PCI/AGP frequencies, core voltage, DIMM voltages, etc etc.. anyone of these factors can cause an overclocked system to simply not boot at any given circumstances.

i myself have achieved a stable overclocked system after i increased the core voltage a bit... at stock core voltage, i got a BSOD. in other words, you have to look into those factors too..
good luck... read and re-read all those overclocking documents before pushing too far..

dax

and by the way, welcome to TECHIMO!

[toshibatrx]

Thanks for replying. I have two identical memory sticks 512 400 mhz ddr ram X2. I dont think that is a problem as everthig boots up and says " dual mode enabled " in the bios. I think it may, as you indicated, require more than just a fsb speed increase from 166mhz to 200. IE voltage mod to memory or CPU core voltage. I am a newbee to all this and I am learning as I go . Thanks for the tips, will try voltage mods as well as turning up fsb. I will let you know how everthing works out. --------Thanks again---

[Xtreeme]

Your ddr400 is right at home running a 400mhz fsb (200mhz x2). First thing Id try is slight vcore boosting. Its needing more juice is all. BSOD's at windows but stable in DOS is usually a sure sign of it. Prolly L1 and/or L2 is puking.

[rourkchris]

I agree that you just need a V-Core increase. I've had one XP2500+ that OCed to XP3200+ speeds without a V-Core increase but 3 more that required an increase. It varies from CPU to CPU. Nice specs by the way.

[RamonGTP]

The memory might necessarily be right at home if the memory timings are too agressive though... Chances are its just a vcore issue, but i'd double check the timings too.

[Xtreeme]

true. should go with spd seting as default. "auto"

[toshibatrx]

OK you guys, Heres a update on my progress so far. I have gotten to 2.04ghz with this project so far. I have upped the vcore slightly and also bumped the fsb seed to 186mhz. Also bumped the ram voltage juat a tad.The system is stable at this point running 43C at moderate load 50C at heavy load. I assume that my processor is a " locked Barton " so I have not changed any multiplier settings on my board ( Gigabyte uses on board dip switches to change multipliers ) . When I started I just went to the Bios and plugged in 200 fbs. NOOOOO -----system would not load Windows at all got BSOD !! It looks as if I may not be able to get to the 2.2ghz that everyone else is getting out of their 2500 Barton.

I have the Ram configured to run " dual Channel " and the system recognizes it as such. Perhaps this is the problem and all I need to do is put both modules in the same channel and then bump up to 200mhz to achieve to 2.2ghz point.

What do you think about using single channel and then increasing the fsb to 200mhz ? From what I have been reading dual channel does not provide that much of a system boost or advantage anyway, Is that correct ? Yes I have made good progress but am looking to find the " BEST STABLE SETTINGS " around the 2.2ghz mark. Let me know what you think about the single channel idea with both sticks 1024 ghz of ram. Will that make it easier to just bump the fsb to 200mhz ?

Thanks for your input.

[someone16]

You probably have RAM that doesn't run to its specs. Loose up the timings to 3-4-4-8 and see what happens.

My stupid PC3200 generic ram can go @ something like 380mhz.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Don't up the ram voltage. Set it to defualt. Kingston ram like to not work if it gets any higher voltage than it needs(I am messing with this as I speak on my other comptuer, my kingston ram would BSOD windows if I had the voltage just one step above drfualt)

The only voltage you would need to up would be the CPU. Leave the ram voltage at defualt, and leave the timings at defualt. Also, make sure that you are using the correct cpu voltage. As my 2100+ runs at 2700+ just fine at 1.65V, but is unstable at 1.7V or above.