Strangest overclocking problem ever. Period.

[Ilmater]

First off, I'll give a short history of the problem. I can run everything stable at 200 x 8.5 with a Vcore of 1.6V. However, I can't go above that with that FSB. If I lower the FSB to 199, I can go much higher (~2.4GHz). At first, I thought it was the processor or the motherboard. However, since then, I've bought two more CPUs and a motherboard. Here is a list of everything I've changed:

Two motherboards (both 8RDA+'s, current one is a C1 stepping)
Three CPUs (all 1700+'s):
- 0302 stepping
- DUT3C 0310 WMPW stepping
- DLT3C 0319 WPMW stepping
Two video cards:
- GF3 Ti200
- GF4 Ti4200
Two sets of memory (each stick was tested individually and DC):
- Geil PC3500 Ultra Platinum (2 x 256MB sticks)
- Corsair XMS PC3200 (2 x 512MB sticks)
BIOSes (all were flashed according to Epox's recommendations):
- 3507
- 3609
- 3305

All had the same problem. At any multiplier, I couldn't go over 200MHz FSB (which for Corsair XMS, a 0319 1700+, and the 8RDA+ is strange), and as soon as I set it to a 9x multi from an 8.5, it would reboot with the RAM and FSB set to 100MHz, and the proc set to 1100MHz.

I just checked my PSU, and it seems fine. My voltages are 12.14v idle/12.16v load on the 12v line, and 4.97v idle/4.95v load on the 5v line. I got load by running Prime95 and 3DMark 2001 at the same time. When I restart, I get between 12.14 and 12.17 on the 12v rail, and I get between 4.96 and 4.97 on the 5v rail. I can't imagine that there's any problem there.

My stats should all be in my sig, but let me know if you have any other questions. PLEASE HELP!!!

[JayisunJ]

Sounds like maybe you need to try a different brand of motherboard? Have you tried less aggressive RAM timings?Otherwise it does sound pretty strange and I don't have any clue what could be causing it.

[Ilmater]

I've thought about trying a different brand of motherboard, but I really thought Epox was good for overclocking. It just boggles my mind. I've tried slower RAM timings, but they didn't help.

AHHHHH!!!! Is there nobody that can help me?!

[RotorHead]

Ilmater, Here is a forum I found that has a section just for Epox boards, give them a look see

http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/

Hope you get it sorted :)

RH

[JayisunJ]

Hey. Just wondering if you got anything figured out with your overclocking problem yet? Keep us updated. Thanks!

[Ilmater]

Nothing. I've actually given up. I can only take so much. I've tried everything, including replacing almost every part. I will check this thread for any new ideas, but I'm out of them.

[2Stein]

Same here with my Chaintech 7NJS Zenith:

8 * 210 Works
8,5 * 200 Works
9< * 200< not !!!
12*166 works!!!

No Solution! :mad:

[2Stein]

Same here with my Chaintech 7NJS Zenith:

8 * 210 Works
8,5 * 200 Works
9< * 200< not !!!
12*166 works!!!

No Solution! :mad:

[PiLsY]

Not noticed this post before - sorry!

This is a known, but little spoken of problem with some NF2 boards.

Youll find that every multi will work up to 185 - 199mhz depending on board. However, at 200mhz the only multis that will work are as follows :

6x
6.5x
7x
7.5x
8x
9.5x (maybe!)
11x and over.

Id hazard a guess that its something to do with the falling memory performance when using multis of 10.5x and lower, but as of yet no definitive answer or fix has been found. Most of the latest NF2 boards dont suffer from this, so id guess it was fixed in hardware by most manufacturers.

PiLsY.

[XJ.]

Now that is interesting info PiLsY!

[The Godfather]

My epoxes do the same thing.I get kill scores with the board and is rock solid.If you have to jump the batt for bios it always defaults to 100MHZ even if the jumper is set 133 and 166.corsair ll ram will not even boot with this mobo.You have to get some cheep ddr ram set the bios up and then put the ll ram in.

Over all it's a rock solid board.The 8rda3+ is a bad board and I'd stay away from it.
We'll thats my 2 cents