I guess I got an "average" ocing P4-1.6A
 

I just got my Epox 4BDA mb and P4-1.6A the other day. I put the system together using Windows XP Pro, (1) 512mb Samsung PC2700 stick, IBM 30gig hd, Visiontek Geforce 4 Ti4600. I am new to overclocking, so the chance I am fu*king something up is high.

I ran it using the stock heatsink/fan with ASII to get some baseline numbers. I can get it up to 2.08Ghz at like 1.75 volts before it bombs starting Windows. Now, my temps are only like 38-40C while loading up. This happens when I leave my memory @ SPD, set the AGP/PCI to 66/33. I am basically just bumping up the FSB, not really messing with the memory at all.

I also tried setting the memory at 2.5-5-2-2, DR266, and leaving the memory voltage at default (2.6v I believe).

I just ordered the Maze3 from DD, but it appears I have a "normal" 1.6A that "only" overclocks 400Mhz. LOL

I don't think the temps are the problems. It only hit like 38-40 max even with the voltage at +.10 in the bios. I have even set the memory voltage to 2.8 and 2.9, same thing. Maybe it is my IBM 75XP 30 gig ATA100 hd that is bombing

Any suggestions for this newb would be greatly appreciated.


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I assume you bumped up the voltage on the CPU, correct? 2ghz isn't even average for a 1.6A chip.. :) (I'm still running Athlons..) Brad should know more...

Yeah, bumped it to 1.85 (maxed in Bios). Some people talk about the wire trick to fool the Bios in thinking default is high than it really is, but I see guys ocing this bad boy with default voltage.

Like I said, I am new to overclocking. But it doesn't seem to be a temperature issue, more of an electrical/voltage issue.

For some reason... kicking the computer usually helps... :drool:

never had less than 2.2 by just going into the bios and putting the fsb up. most are around 2.4 or so without any major time spent.

It'd be harder to get 2.0 out of it than 2.6 ;)

try slowing your ram down

I am going to try playing with the memory tonight. Maybe the settings are too high. I really don't think so though. Maybe my hard drive/sound card/nic are bugging at 133 fsb. I doubt it though

at 133 most P4 boards can run at 133:266:66:33, so that won't be an issue.

just run the ram timings really slow right now and see what you can do, remember we are just in the 'diagnostic' phase right now

OK, I set my memory at DR200, 2.5, 6,3,3 at default 2.6volts.

I set my FSB to 125 at default volt. No probs.

Went for 130 FSB (2.08Ghz), didn't load into Windows, screen just went black.

Upped voltage +0.025, started Windows, then said something about a file missing, put Win XP disk in and hit R for recover.

Upped it to +0.050, goes into XP fine, seems pretty stable.

So I am at 1.75 volts already and only hitting about 2.05 really stable. My voltages of the psu are as follows:

+3.3: 2.64
+5: 5.08
+12: 11.67
-12: -12.19
-5: -5.04

Seem ok to you Brad?

OK, I will now try to up FSB a little more (with a little more voltage) but I think it will bomb right away.

Will upping my memory settings make it even more unstable? Or will it help?

Oh, and my temps are like 32C idle

Sure do hope that's either a typo or the voltage monitor set incorrectly! If that really is your 3.3V rail, you just found your problem.


An FYI on the Samsung PC2700 memory - it likes VDimm in the 2.8V to 2.95V range and easily runs much higher than your at with 2,6,2,2 settings. Other comment is there are some "no-name" DIMMs out there that use the Samsung memory chips that stink because of the poor PWB design.

even your +12v rail sucks...

Wow, hard a newb aren't you? Just kidding, I never really checked the voltages before, I am new to this.

Anyway, I have a Lian Li PC-70 case, so I went with the ICute 430 watt psu. Every review said great things about it, so I figured it was a top notch psu.

I have seen people say some psus come with adjustable pots inside the unit to change voltage. I will have to open up my psu to take a look if I can do this on the ICute.

the 3.3v and 12v lines are fairly bad, try another psu.

I tried another 400 watt psu I had (not a great one) and hooked it up. I got good readings on everything except the +3.3, it too gave a reading of +2.64.

Is there anything else that would cause the same voltage in 2 psus?

I am willing to go for say the Antec 430 watter, I just don't want to spend $80 and have the same +3.3 voltage reading.

If you get it with 2 different PSU's, then I would suggest you get a meter and measure it directly on the motherboard (carefully - don't short anything out). If the meter has thin probe tips you can go straight into the back shell of the ATX connector. Most m/b manuals show the ATX connector pin assignments. If yours doesn't, just holler :)

If after measuring it, your 3.3V rail really is that low and it isn't a problem with the m/b monitoring circuit or monitoring software, then something is fubar in your system - at which point you need to start a troubleshooting series of steps to find the culprit.

As far as the 12V rail - while 11.67 isn't optimal, it isn't really bad (only about 3% off), especially when considering most P4's m/bs use the 12V for the Vcore circuit.

I think I found the problem. When I gave my brother-in-law the list of stuff to buy, he bought the 256k 1.6 chip, not the 1.6A Northwood 512 chip. Being a newb, I never checked for it because I thought it was the right chip.

So, I ordered a Northwood chip (should be here Friday) and will try to sell the 1.6 478 pin 256 chip on ebay or something. Anyway, I got up to 2.1 with that chip (not bad I guess). So I should be flying with the 1.6A Northwood. Thanks for all the help guys.

NP :D But in the mean time, you REALLY do need to find out about that 3.3V reading ;)

hehe now it all fits in. still, over 2ghz for the Willamette is actually quite good

Thanks. People are telling me that over 2 Ghz with this chip is good. Northwood should be here tomorrow, and then the Maze 3 shows up Wednesday. Should be interesting

Heh how much are you selling the old 1.6 for?

Not sure this is the area of the forums, but the the chip ran me $127 brand new from Newegg.com. Let me know what you would be willing to pay. It was only used for like 2 weeks.

Thought I'd bump this...I'm toying (FIGHTING) with the urge to build a Northwood system, and I'd like to see some more results.

How did your 1.6A OC turn out?

all 1.6's I see are doing 2.4 - 2.6 with no fuss, I think that speaks for itself ;)

SIGH!!!

Well, I took the plunge.

Asus P4S533, 1.6A, and Kingmax DDR333.

I pick it up tomorrow.
4th motherboard this year...only May.
I need therapy.

One question of concern: how loud is the box HSF?

Ok, considering I'm an H2O guy, it's too loud no matter what.

the stock fan is actually very quiet, you'd be surprised