Newbie that needs OCing / BIOS Help with OLD CPU MB and RAM

lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

I recently read the "General Overclocking Steps" in one of the posts. It was very informative and helpful

. But I ran into some problems right from the beginning.

1) When I enter my BIOS, I am unable to change my Frequency Multiplier. It is GRAYED OUT and set to 17

. It says that my MB must be set to JumperFree Mode, which it is.

2) I am unable to set my DRAM Frequency to 3:2 or 5:4. It will only let me set it to 1:1 and 4:3.

3) I hear all this great stuff about the: Intel 2.4C, DFI LanParty 875 Pro, and Corsair TWINX PC3200------4000. But right now I only have a Intel 2.26B processor, an ASUS P4B533-E motherboard, and some crappy 512MB PC2100 DDR-RAM.

I need someone, anyone's help with how to get the most out of my out-dated hardware, until I upgrade my computer.
Thank you.

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CooLJoE · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2003 8:37 pm Post subject:

1) You can't change the multiplier on Intel setups.

2) This is because your board only supports 2 different ram types. The settings aren't there for overclocking, they are there for when a PC users uses slower memory. It just so happens that it helps in OC'ing as well. For your board 1:1 = 266mhz (pc2100) and 4:3 = 200mhz (pc1600). And just so it makes more sense, 533mhz bus chips use 266mhz and 400mhz bus chips use 200mhz.

3) You could still up the FSB and then lower that memory divider to get a higher clock. At 166mhz FSB, you'd be at ~2.8ghz. If you set the divider to 4:3, your memory would be at 125mhz. Not saying you will successfully achieve this, but its an example to show how your limited memory divider settings can still work for you. Just make sure you have GOOD PC2100 memory or you'll run into problems. Oh and get a good cooler for the CPU...something like a Volcano 7+ will work.
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lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

Getting the Volcano 7+ shouldn't be a problem. Problem is... I don't think I have GOOD PC2100 Memory. WIll check though.

CooLJoE · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2003 3:08 am Post subject:

Well, you can always try upping the FSB little by little right now to see what you could possibly attain. I just suggest a better cooler because if the CPU gets warm, you'll need it (which is likely to happen). Also, if/when you try to OC, you might as well just put the memory timings to high numbers (3-8-4-4 is the suggested settings) and set the divider to 4:3 setting.

Let us know what happens.

A quick check over at Overclockers.com showed that most people are able to hit 2.6 through 3.0, so who knows...maybe you'll join them.
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lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

How do I put a picture in here?

CooLJoE · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2003 11:42 pm Post subject:

Upload it to a picture hosting site. Then copy the link to the picture and either do:

lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

This is what I have been able to stabily overclock to.

lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

Sorry, it's a bit small on size.

In case you can't see my:

Internal Clock at 2583.88 MHz
System Clock at 152 MHz
System Bus at 607.97
RAM at 152 MHz (1:1 RAM Divider)

stabily on stock cooling.

I wan't to know:

1) What will raising my CPU Voltage core do?

2) What will raising my DDR SDRAM Voltage do?

3) You said I should put my RAM Divider to 4:3 , which equals lower speed. When I put my FSB up to 153 MHz I start getting errors in memtest86 at both 1:1 and 4:3 divider ratios. Does this mean this is as far as I can overclock?

4) If I get that Volcano 7+ will I be able to overclock more or will it just keep my CPU cooler?

Thank you.

CooLJoE · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 9:55 pm Post subject:

Ok, first off....thats not a bad overclock at all. Also, you do realize that your memory is running at 304mhz

? Thats 266mhz memory running at 300mhz. If you change the divider to 4:3, you should be able to go further and get stable results. Thats probably what is holding you back since you are running the memory at like 37mhz over stock.

1) Raising the vcore will make the CPU run more stable IF its an issue (notice the "IF")

2) Same as for CPU, but applies to memory.

3) If your getting errors with the 4:3 divider when its running 153mhz bus, then you need to change your memory timings and relax them (set them to 3-8-3-3 or maybe even 3-8-4-4).

4) Possibly be able to OC more. No guarantees though. But it will most likely make it run cooler. Especially if you've notice an increase in temps since you overclocked.
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lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

Hey first of all thanks for the quick replies. I really appreciate it. I'm gonna go try those settings you said now.

lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

Ok, I went into my BIOS and set my RAM divider to 4:3.

However, I can't set my RAM timings to 3-8-3-3 or 3-8-4-4. The most my motherboard will let me do is 2.5 - 7 - 3 - 3 or:

CAS Latency : 2.5
RAS-to-CAS Delay : 3
RAS Precharge Time : 3
Row Active Time : 7

By the way, while I'm overclocked my CPU temperature varies a lot when I first logon to my account. I don't know why. It varies high 20s to low 30s. When I'm running Prime 95 it's usually high 30s to low 40s.

CooLJoE · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:53 pm Post subject:

Did you change it from "By SPD" to "User Defined"? If its still in SPD mode, then you can't change any of it. You should be able to go higher than CAS 2.5.
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

you do not use the By SPD because you want to force the ram to run at a lower timings.

Set the numbers to the highest available for each of the four settings. Like 2 to 3 etc...
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lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

Yes it is in User-Defined mode. I currently have them set to 2-5-3-2 like you recommended for FSB that is lower than 251.

I will go put it up to 2.5-7-3-3.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Set them all the HIGHEST number available.

I am tired of helping you if you constantly disregard my advice.

Cas latency is able to be set at 3, you ya DO iT!!!
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lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

I am not trying to disregard your advice, it is helpful and I am sorry if you feel that I have. It's just that I'm NOT able to set my CAS Latency to 3. I swear on my life It only goes up to 2.5, believe it or not.

So as it stands my:

CAS Latency is at 2.5
RAS-CAS Delay is at 3
RAS Precharge Time is at 3
Row Active Time is at 7

Those are the HIGHEST I can set them to.

This is where my overclocking is at now.

lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

I have been looking at various Corsair RAM and need some help deciding / figuring out which of them is best for overclocking purposes.

1) Corsair TWINX512-3200LL 2x256 CAS Latency 2-3-2-6 ($245 Can.)

2) Corsair TWINX512-3700 2x256 CAS Latency 3-4-4-8 ($236 Can.)

3) Corsair CMX512-3200C2PRO 1x512 CAS Latency 2-3-3-7 ($209 Can.)

CooLJoE · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:45 am Post subject:

You may want to check for a BIOS update. I'm quite sure that the board can do CAS 3. I say this because some ram comes CAS 3 by default so the board HAS to be able to do it.
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lightningfast35 · TweakNOOB Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

Motherboard:

I checked on the ASUS web-site and I have the latest BIOS update, which is BIOS Revision 1014. By the way it's an Award BIOS.

Memory:

CPU-Z says that:

I have Samsung DDR-SDRAM PC2100 512MB
I have a Frequency of 114.8 MHz
The FSB:DRAM Divider is 4:3
CAS Latency is at 2.5 (which I can't set to 3 even with the latest BIOS

)
RAS to CAS Delay is at 3
RAS Precharge is at 3
Cycle Time is at 7

Could it perhaps be my RAM that is the problem?

Note:
I was testing my stability of my overclock so I let Prime95 run while I was sleeping. After about 6 hours of the Blended Torture Test I got an error. Is this notable as something that could cause me problems or is it something minor?

CooLJoE · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:25 pm Post subject:

well, if it failed it failed. Optimally you'd want it to run with no errors.
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