New to overclocking-XP 2100 troubles

[karkfump]

I am totally new to the whole overclocking deal, but I have tried 45 combinations or more with my FSB upping it from 133, 1 at a time, and increasing the v Core voltage to everything from +0.025 to +0.275 from the default V Core of 1.75 on my AK31 motherboard. When I thought I had stability, it never last? I have never seen the CPU temp go above 140 F. Tonight I finally got it to boot with a FSB of 140 and a V Core of +0.100, and for those of you who know, the multiplier is locked at x13. I have no intentions of taking a Dremel tool to the CPU as an article on this site suggested, but they obtained a speed of 1.89 GHz with air cooling and a FSB of 145 and I am just wondering if my motherboard has me limited? The best I seem to be able to obtain is a FSB of around 134 to 135 and still be able to run the #D Benchmark test and retain any semblance of decent stability. What gives, apart from me probably being an idiot?

[Colin]

Hey karkfump welcome to PCStats! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Hmm, first question I have for you is, what brand is your memory? Generic PC2100 DDR does not overclock very well and I wouldn't expect you get much out of it honestly. I assume your processor is a Palomino right karkfump? 140F (60 degrees Celsius) is quite high for that core, what type of cooler are you using? You may want to invest in something a bit better... Even something as simple as say a Volcano 7+ or 9 would probably dramatically improve on what you have right now.<BR><BR>Can you list your entire system spec's including brand/size PSU? That would help out in determining what may be holding you back...

[Avid6eek]

Sounds like my same Proc, but it is a new core, and it running much cooler than his and still I can't get the thing to overclock worth ************************. Like I told a guy who asked before, the Athlon XP 2100 isn't the best processor to overclock because it already stresses the limits of the Palamino Core.

[karkfump]

Hey guys,<BR><BR>I've added more specs below (not sure if you need more than this). The cpu was retail from Googlegear so it come with the standard fan. I only have one fan on the power supply and the little fan on the motherboard in addition to the cpu fan. What is more critical here, a case fan or a better cpu fan, this one is running at 5,000 rpm most of the time. Last night it run for a long time with the fsb at 140, then it finally crashed after several hours, so it kind of looks like temps are perhaps a culprit. The memory is a mentioned below Crucial and the hard drive is WD 80 gb @7,200 rpm. By the way what kind of temps should I be looking for as optimal...and I have set an automatic shutdown at around 158 F, so is this safe?<BR><BR>Thanks again everyone!

[Colin]

AHH! The retail cooler is a horrible heatsink to use for overclocking karkfump... That's probably your biggest problem there, it works fine at stock speeds, but it's just not good enough for overclocking. Most definitely get a new CPU HSF! <BR><BR>Crucial makes some nice memory, I could get my old Crucial PC2100 at 170 MHz FSB with most aggressive memory timings! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>karkfump, do you happen to know what size/brand PSU you have? Highly clocked systems are quite picky on the PSU they use.

[Avid6eek]

I didn't get a chance to post before Colin did (he's on every second of everyday), but I was going to tell you that the retail heatsink is definetly your problem. You have a Proc that runs hot to begin with, and the retail Heatsink just barely cools that enough. Once you start upping your speeds, heat quickly becomes your biggest enemy. May I suggest a Coolermaster Heatsink. The HHC-001 is a very good pure copper HS. It's pretty loud. I'm running the CoolerMaster HHC-L61 and it is awsome. You can barely hear it with the case open.

[karkfump]

The PSU (I assume we are talking about the power supply unit?) is a Channel Well Technology inc. Model ATX -350-12v. It came stock in this ATX case I purchased from Tiger Direct. By the way, tonight I came in and started with a CPU temp of 83F, and set the FSB at 142 and it booted at 1.85 GHz, but it didn't take about 15 minutes or so before it crashed at a temp around 120F. So which is more critical, a better heat sink fan, or an additional case fan? Thanks again guys!

[Avid6eek]

The fact that the computer is booting at that speed and not crashing right away would lead me to believe it was the CPU becoming unstable. When you up to core voltage to the CPU check in the system BIOS to see what the voltages are running. Now in terms of your CPU temp, is that from the system BIOS as well? The temp of 120 most likely isn't the highest temp the CPU is reaching. The temp diode on the mobo itself sits next to the core, but not actually on it. It is almost always running hotter than what it says. Also as different parts of the Proc are utilized the temp can change pretty rapidly. An example of this would be you overclocking your CPU, Booting up the computer, and letting it run a little while. Of course it takes times to heat up the Heatsink, then the inside of the case. After everything is nice and toasty the CPU is stressed a bit, the temp shoots up momentarily as it occasionally does and the CPU fails.....This would be your crash that happens after 15 minutes or so.

[karkfump]

I have the V Core set at + 0.100 above the default of 1.75 and I haven't tinkered much with it, since at normal operating temps I haven't been successful at even booting at FSB's of 140, let alone 142. In my BIOS I have a system temp, and a CPU temp...the highest I have ever seen the CPU was around 143F, and the system is always less than the CPU. I appears to be directly temp related, at least as far as the booting up goes. So waht do you think is the better route if a guy is just going to go one of the two...case fan addition, or better heat sink?<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">

[Colin]

<br><br><< <i>I didn't get a chance to post before Colin did (he's on every second of everyday),</i> >><br><br>LOL, whatever! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> I went to bed early yesterday too cuz I wasn't feeling well! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>karkfump Shiznit is right here, if your system is not crashing right away but crashing in about 15 minutes I would think your processor is overheating as well. Definitely get a new heatsink first and foremost!!! While adding additional fans in the case would help, the hsf you're using just does not draw enough heat away from your CPU. The CoolerMaster hsf Shiznit recommended is good, how much do you have to spend on a hsf?

[karkfump]

Hey guys,<BR><BR>I had to order some stuff for my brother in law last night from Googlegear, so I bought a Vantec Thermoflow TF9225 Temperature Controlled Case Fan. I figured you guys would tell me that the heatsink was the more critical element, but I am sure I need the case fan as well. I haven't been able to find the model of CPU fan you both mentioned, but I have the sneaky suspicion that this is a $50 fan? Would I be right? Also, I am under the logical assumption that cfm's (cubic feet per minute?) are more important than rpm's when it comes to any of these fans. Would this be correct? What is cfm on the CoolerMaster HHC-L61?

[Avid6eek]

My Coolermaster HHC-L61 isn't meant so much for overclocking, but more for being quiet. It pushes 14.13 cfm. Your looking more towards the HHC-001. That is the exact same heatsink except it pushes 36.11 cfm. What is your case temperature? You didn't mention it. The cooler your case temp, the more cool air the Heatsink has to blow through it. Buying the added case fan was a good move in that it'll help cool your entire system. If you add a better HS, it will pull more heat from the CPU and blow it into your case, so the added case cooling helps.

[Colin]

karkfump what's your budget for a hsf?

[karkfump]

Colin,<BR><BR>I really can't afford one at the moment (wife), but I will probably try spending $25 0n one when I get the chance (wife asleep). So far that Volcanoe 9 that puts out 75.5 cfm at 4800 rpm looks like a very good buy. I would assume that the cfm's are the most important factor.

[Colin]

karkfump CFM is important, but heatsink design is also as well. <BR><BR>To be honest I'm not a fan of Thermaltake, I find their stuff quite gimmicky however I must say that the Volcano 9 is probably the cheapest performance heatsink on the market. It's a huge difference from what you're using now! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Avid6eek]

This evening I successfully got my HS with its 14.13cfm fan to cool my CPU temperature down to 47F. Of course your asking how I did this...quite easily. I opened the case, and turned a can of compressed air upside down and blew liquid Oxygen into the Heatsink. Frost everywhere. Thankfully the air in my house is so dry, the frost evaporated before melting. Colin....If you want to get a 3DMark score over 20K, set up your rig outside (currently -13.4F at my house) and overclock it a little higher. It'll work!!!! There is something for you to do tomorrow night. Your neighbors may think your crazy, but 20K is attainable.

[Colin]

LOL @ Shiznit! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Hmm... I don't know if I can hit 20k with my hardware... Hmm... Maybe I'll give that a shot, 20k and I'm done with 3DMark2001! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

[Avid6eek]

You'd be the man at 20K....that should put you closer to, if not in the top webmaster spot. If you do it outside all temps should drop by at least 50 degrees considering the ambient will be 70 degrees cooler. Let your rig sit in the old for a while to really cool off. Then just boot it, overclock, and run 35Mark as fast as possible. If you leave your case open and put a large fan next to it, you'll get a good supply of cold air <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

[Colin]

Maybe I'll just leave all teh windows in my apartment open... To hit 19.1k that's what I did, room temp was around 10 degrees celsius... I'm a lazy ass as well! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[ounagi]

Well i have to say it i have totally no idea about overclocking but looking at some specs looks very nice ,<BR>wouldn't mind overclocking if i had a better idea what to do.<BR><BR>A big question for me is the pc when overclocked stable to run all the time ?<BR><BR>also does it reduce the life span of your system , The only reason i ask is to replace a system that burnt out can be expensive <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>any help getting my pc punching out the Mhz would be great thanks again guys. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR>

[Colin]

<br><br><< <i>Well i have to say it i have totally no idea about overclocking but looking at some specs looks very nice ,wouldn't mind overclocking if i had a better idea what to do.<BR><BR>A big question for me is the pc when overclocked stable to run all the time ?<BR><BR>also does it reduce the life span of your system , The only reason i ask is to replace a system that burnt out can be expensive <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>any help getting my pc punching out the Mhz would be great thanks again guys. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"></i> >><br><br>ounagi obviously when you're overclocking you also want 100% stability. My system is overclocked and is 100% stable! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> <BR><BR>I guess it does lower the life expectancy of yoru hardware, but you wouldn't know unless you plan to keep your current computer in tact for 5 years or so. I'd give you a hand overclockign, but I don't know what board the AT7333Mobo is... Is that the Abit AT7 MAX?

[ounagi]

YES it is the Abit AT7 MAX? can you help me get this baby buzzin <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> and get some hardware clonking ,<BR><BR>thanks ounagi (newbee to OC)<BR> <BR>p.s any hardware i need to invest in ? as in cpu coolers and ram coolers ETC. <BR><BR>p.s.s Any links to good suppliers for bits and pieces i would need would be a great help .<BR>

[Colin]

ounagi what air cooler do you have and how high can you overclock right now? You may want to check out my P4 overclocking guide at the top of the CPU's forum, yes I know you're running AMD, but the same rules apply. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Can you list your entire system spec's including brands?