Finally, 7k

[Viper409]

I just broke 7000 today. <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6869655">Here's</a> the project. I'll try dropping my timings a little and run it again. Also, I'm gonna see if I can get a higher videocard OC.

[TranceJunkieXL]

Congratulations on the increased score. Let us know if you can get it any higher.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR>How does it compare with similar systems on ORB?

[Viper409]

Well, I dropped my timings to 6-3-3-2.5 and VC was at 340/450, and this is my new <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6869806">score.</a> I know it's not much of an improvement, but it's better than nothing. I don't think I'll be able to get any higher, so I'll probably leave it at that. Others with same VC used the 40.72 drivers, and I'm using the 44.03 ones. I may change them and see which is better. I don't know if I'll be able to get the same OC tho. We'll see. Plus I'll do a cheapy run, just the games. I've been doing all the tests that my VC supports.

[Ginsu543]

Can you get the CAS Latency from 2.5 down to 2.0? I think that would make a difference in your scores. I got a bigger boost from doing that than lowering any of the other timings.

[Viper409]

There is no way that my computer would be stable with that. 3DMark probably would run, but Prime would error out.

[Colin]

Wow, that's an awesome score for a MX440! Congrat's on the awesome work dude!<BR><BR>Can you raise your FSB a bit higher? 3DMark2001SE loves high FSB's... If I remember correctly my Crucial PC2700 was a decent overclocker. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Viper409]

I don't know what's been goin on, cause I had my FSB stable at 166x12=2005 MHz. After a while, it became unstable. At one point in time it would be Prime stable, but after a while of folding, it would start dropping WUs. So I cut it back to my 160x11.5=1850. I wish it would stay there. Upping the Vcore or changing the RAM timings wouldn't help. I've got my Vdimm at 2.9, but it's 2.88 effective. BTW Colin, there are MX440s out there with a score over 8k.<BR><BR>It's good to here from you finally. It's definitely been a while!

[Colin]

Viper409 try lowering your multiplier and raising the FSB... Honestly it sounds like yoru system is overheating as it's stable at first then becomes unstable. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>What type of cooling are you using?<BR><BR><a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6305211">This</a> was the best I could do with a MX440-8X. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Too bad the card is dead now.

[Viper409]

I've got an XP2200+, T-bred A. I'm running a TT Volcano 7+, and with the fan on high, even with 1.85v, the temp doesn't go over 45. My mobo could be reporting bad temps, but I flashed the BIOS back in April. Do you think I may have to do it again? I'll try the lower multiplier idea. I think you told me before that stock timings were 6-3-3-2.5 for my Dimm. Your review had a max of 180, and that was a 256 MB stick. I'll try it, and report what I manage to get.<BR><BR>UPDATE: I ran 166x11=1826@1.75v, RAM 6-3-3-2.5@2.9v, and didn't work. Tried 166x10=1667@1.8v, RAM 7-3-3-2.5@2.9v, didn't work. I know for a fact that 160x11.5@1.65v, 6-2-2-2.5@2.9v is stable. Might it be that my CPU can't handle a 166FSB, or even a 161? Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[Colin]

Viper409 that's a very weird problem you're having... First AGP/PCI is locked at 66/33 MHz right?<BR><BR>What type of cooling do you have on the Northbridge? Is it that stock heatsink? If so I'd be betting heat is holding you back as that cooler is garbage. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> That was the first thing I changed on when I was playing around iwth the 8RDA+.<BR><BR>Get something like the Vantec Iceberq that should allow you to hit higher FSB's. My board was a good overclocker but I could only do like 185 MHz FSB with the stock cooler, when I swapped it for sommethign better (wihtout VDD mod) I could do around 215 MHz easy.

[Viper409]

I've got the stock cooler on there right now, but a little while back I yoinked it off and replaced the TIM with paste that came with my Volcano 7. I know it's not the best stuff, but I'm sure it's better than that pad they had on there.<BR>Anyways, I can't find anything around here besides the TT Orb. I'd get stuff online if I could, but I can't. Another big problem is $$$. I don't have much of that right now.

[TranceJunkieXL]

I'm curious, what kind of a PSU are you running that thing with? What do the voltages run under load?

[Colin]

<br><br><< <i>I've got the stock cooler on there right now, but a little while back I yoinked it off and replaced the TIM with paste that came with my Volcano 7. </i> >><br><br>Uh oh! Actually that may be a bigger problem then you think as most nForce2 Northbridge's are concave! That's why Epox puts such a large thermal pad between the heatsink and the Northbridge!<BR><BR>I definitely think you have a heat problem now... The Crystal Orb will work if you use some thermal epoxy.<BR><BR>Another thing you might want to do which is much riskier is lap your Northbridge. I haven't done it myself but my friend who's using a NF7-S got like 20 more MHz FSB after!<BR><BR>Hmm, like rithemking said it could be voltages too...

[Viper409]

I'm pretty sure there is good contact with the NB. I'll have to check it now. Thanks a lot Colin!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> I've got a generic PSU, and the 5v and 3v rails are a little low, like 4.84 and 2.75. The 12v rail is over 12, at 12.52. I've been folding for quite a while now. Plus, those voltages are with my CPU back at stock with 1.66Vcore. I may have to get a new PSU, but I don't have the money. I'm a student, what does that tell you?

[TranceJunkieXL]

LOL. That you're already doing more than I could ever afford as a student!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Colin]

Np dude, I'm going to be spending more time in the forums now so I'm glad to help! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Hmm, the 12V rail is a bit high! Too much voltage is bad but it's not as good as too low... Are those load values or idle?<BR><BR>Hey dude I'm a student as well! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> It's all good you're doing awesome man!

[Viper409]

Those voltages were after a couple hours of folding, and during.<BR>Right now they are at: 2.75, 4.84, 12.52-59.<BR><BR>I think I may be uprgrading my NB cooler soon. I went to Princess Auto with my dad this afternoon, and I can get a HSF in the shape of a TT Orb, but was like 3 or 4 inches in diameter, about 2x as large. If that's too big (I'll measure beforehand), there are some smaller ones there. And that big HSF was only like $6 or $7!<BR><BR>Thanks for all the help so far guys, it's been great. Do you think adding a fan to the NB will help any? Could it be that my CPU will only be able to handle a certain FSB?

[Colin]

Viper409 adding a larger heatsink will definitely help but it needs to make proper contact with the nForce2 SPP Northbridge for it to work. If you're looking for a reason why your mobo cannot hit a higher FSB's I'd be willing to bet my Prometeia that your Northbridge is holding you back.<BR><BR>Your CPU will not hold back your FSB overclocking as it's unlocked and you should have full multiplier control. When it starts to max out simply lower the multiplier which lowers the CPU speed.<BR><BR>Your 3.3V is rail is low at 2.75 but then again not many devices use that rail anymore. The 5V rail though is definitely low and your 12V rail is a bit too high. Having the 12V rail too high means that you're overvolting all the devices in your computer which use the 12V rail which in turn generates more heat. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

[Viper409]

<br><br><< <i>I'd be willing to bet my Prometeia that your Northbridge is holding you back.<br><br><< <i><BR>Are you sure about that? What if I lose?<BR><BR>I'll see if I can get a new HSF in the near future. Right now I'm running at stock, just to keep things safe. I don't think the holes on my mobo will line up, so I'll have to "glue" it on. If I don't have any thermal epoxy handy, is there anything else that I could use and is safe to use?

[Colin]

If I lose, I'll just edit my post and yours which has the offending material! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> One of the joys of being the admin haha!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>You don't have to epoxy the heatsink to your northbridge, sometimes when I'm in a bind I'll use small zip ties, they work just greak! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">