New Overclocker needs help with multiplier

[Ginsu543]

Way to go, rithem!!!

[therealwesty]

Okay... don't know what the sticker under the core says. I didn't install the CPU so I have never read it and probobly won't peel the CPU up until I find my thermal goo.<BR><BR>BUT, sometimes when I try to reboot while playing around I get three beeps instead of successful post. The three beeps is supposed to be a base 64k memory error (says the mobo book). Has anyone ever had this happen before, anyone know why it is doing this?<BR><BR>

[TranceJunkieXL]

Your RAM is overclocked too far. Either the timings are too aggressive, the FSB is set too high, or you need to raise the voltage a little to allow for that overclock.

[therealwesty]

My machine;<BR>-MSI KT333 Ultra2 Mobo... unlocks the CPU multiplier automatically<BR>-1GB of Micron PC2700<BR>-AthlonXP 2000 T-Bred. <BR><BR>I am fairly new to the wonderful world of overclocking so my question may seem obvious.<BR><BR>Leaving the FSB speed alone, can I just increase my multiplier (and voltage) to run my 2000 like a 2700?<BR><BR>Isn't that all they do at AMD? I am assuming that a T-Bred core is a T-bred core and they all have the same ability... is this a valid assumtion? I have lots of cooling power in a Vantec Aeroflow CPU cooler and my cpu temp. is usually around 38 degree and not much warmer when overclocking.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Westy

[TranceJunkieXL]

Welcome to PCStats therealwesty! I am always glad to see someone new trying their hand at this!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR>Not all CPU's of the same core will overclock the same. For example, DeanLowe has 2 T-BredB 1700+ JIUHBs, but one is DUT3C and the other is DLT3C (this info is on the label under the core on the CPU's PCB). He has gotten a better overclock from the DLT3C than his DUT3C. Also, the JIUHB stepping seems to be the best for overclocking at the moment for the 1700+, while the AIUHB stepping is king for the 2100+.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR>You might also be mistaken by assuming the 2000+ is a Thoroughbred. If I am not mistaken, the Palomino was released at that speed as well, and the Thoroughbred has been released with 2 different cores, hence the names T-bredA and T-bredB.<BR>You could raise your total CPU speed by just raising the multiplier, but this maxes your systems speed a lot faster than raising the FSB.<BR>For example: multiplier OC - 166FSB by 11 = 1.826GHz and 166FSB by 12 = 1.992GHz<BR> FSB OC - 166FSB by 11 = 1.826GHz and 170FSB by 11 = 1.870GHz <BR>For this reason you may not actually find the CPU's highest clock by raising the multiplier alone. <BR>I would recommend you start by lowering your multiplier to 8 and raising your FSB by steps of 10 until it can no longer run <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm">Prime95</a>'s Torture Test through at least 25 iterations without erroring out. When it is no longer stable, drop it back and raise it one at a time until it becomes unstable again. This is the maximum overclock your RAM/motherboard combination can handle. <BR>Then raise your multiplier and drop your FSB until your speed is 100MHz over what it runs at stock, and slowly raise the multiplier until it becomes unstable again. Drop the multiplier back one (or 0.5) and raise the FSB a bit at a time to see if you can't clock it any higher.<BR>Right now I have my 1700+ JIUHB (1.47 stock) at 204FSB by 12x (2.448GHz) on air cooling. I could get almost the same speed with a 196FSB by 12.5 (2.450GHz), but you will notice faster performance in Windows with a higher FSB, given the clock speed is the same.

[TranceJunkieXL]

I forgot, you can download a copy of CPU-Z from the web. It is a freeware utility that should be able to tell you what core your Athlon is.

[ElrichMeister]

wow..<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">that was the best description on how to overclock a processor. thanks roy you really helped me too<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> im gonna see how far my current rig can go.

[ElrichMeister]

aww man i guess my max is 145x12 i guess its my sh!tty ram. but this an old board so i could understand. i should be getting my NF7-s in like a month, then ill be happy!

[therealwesty]

Thanks a bunch for the VERY clear instructions. I got the MB/RAM up to 186 FSB and I am going to determine the CPU max next. I do have a T-Bred, I made sure when I bought it I don't know if it's an A or B though.

[TranceJunkieXL]

Thanks ElrichMeister.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I've had plenty of help around here learning how to do all this since I started in March '03.<BR><BR>What is on the white sticker under the core therealwesty?

[GNXtreme]

Damn rithemking....those are some great instructions for overclocking....I am impressed!!!

[therealwesty]

Thanks... got the DDR voltage up one tenth to 2.7 and it's all good now.

[therealwesty]

Here it is! My AthlonXP 2000+ seems to have capped out at 12.5x166 = 2088MHz. I am happy, 421MHz up from stock.<BR>Thanks for all the help fella's!

[TranceJunkieXL]

Not a bad overclock therealwesty!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">