I need help OCing with P4P800-Deluxe

[pitzuchim]

My rig:
P4C 2.8 ghz
Asus P4P800-Deluxe
430W antec power supply
corsair XMS twinx 2x512MB 3200LL ram

I tried to overclock using 5:4 ratio and got the FSB up to 240 (196 RAM FSB), but the Prime95 test gave errors immediately. The ram timings were 2/2/3/6.

I know that this CPU/mobo can go much higher... should I be using different RAM? If so, what kind? I ordered mine from newegg so I should be able to exchange it if needed.

Also... I don't want to take the CPU over stock voltage, since that will reduce its lifespan.

Any tips would be appreciated... thanks!

[Jim]

I'm running my XMS3200LL @ 2-3-3-6 no problem. Stability was greatly improved for me raising the voltage on the DDR to 2.65v.

[pitzuchim]

Hmm... I guess the memory is OK for overclocking then. Still, I can't get it to OC without getting Prime95 errors. What voltage are you running the memory and the CPU at, what ratio are you using, and what FSB are you using?

I tried running with 1.6V for the CPU, 2.75V for the RAM at 2/2/3/6 timings, with 5:4 ratio (320 FSB in the bios) and my FSB set at 250 FSB, but memtest86 crashed almost immediately. I also tried to relax the timings to 2/3/3/7 (CAS latency = 2, RAS precharge = 3, RAS to CAS = 3) and memtest86 still crashed.

Am I doing something wrong? Btw I am using air cooling on an antec 1080 case, with a 430W antec PS (which should be more than adequate).

Thanks for the help.

*edit* do you think there's a difference between P4C800-E and P4P800-Deluxe? From the tests I saw, the P4P was just as fast, and cheaper, so thats why I bought it. However maybe the P4P800 doesn't like 3200LL ram as much. I can't find that darn Asus recommended memory page though.

[Chuck232]

You could try running the RAM at 3:2 just to see how far your RAM can go without crapping out. This'll also allow you to overclock your CPU further.

[pitzuchim]

Yes, but before I do that, I at least want to understand why I can't go 250 FSB with a 5:4 ratio with this RAM.

[Chuck232]

Perhaps just faulty RAM. You should try running 1 stick at a time and testing. Perhaps it's the added dual channel. If they are faulty, you should contact Corsair.

[pitzuchim]

Hmm, well, I posted the question on Corsair's official memory forum. Still, I don't /think/ the RAM is faulty, because it runs just fine when I'm not overclocking. I am getting the feeling that my settings just aren't quite right when I'm trying to overclock.

[pitzuchim]

I've got the P4P800-D with a 2.8C and 2x512MB of Corsair 3200LL ram. I can't seem to OC much... even at 240 FSB with 5:4 ratio, Prime95 crashed immediately.

My settings:
CPU voltage: auto (I definitely don't wanna go above 1.6v)
RAM voltage: 2.75v
AGP voltage: auto

RAM timings:
2 - CAS latency
2 - RAS precharge
3 - RAS to CAS
6 - the other one (forgot name Oo)

Ratio:
320 FSB (5:4)

Please help!

[Chuck232]

Maybe it's just the CPU crapping out. Try a vcore of 1.6V. That's not real high and it may show if it is the CPU limiting or not.

[pitzuchim]

That didn't work. I just realized something though... I am using a 9700 Pro, and I remember in the Asus manual it says that these may be unstable for OCing with the P4P800-Deluxe unless they are revision 30+. Mine's revision 11. Up till now I thought that was referring to OCing the video card, but maybe they meant OCing in general? I think I'll call ATI and see if they can send me a newer revision 9700 Pro.

[ErikaeanLogic]

I used a rev1.1 9700 on my P4P800 with no problems. Corsair wants alot of voltage to run even a few MHz above stock speed on the P4P, too. Try 2.85Vdimm, and MemTest it;).

[pitzuchim]

OK, I'll try to use 2.85 V on the RAM and see if I can get a stable overclock at around 230-240 FSB with the 5:4 ratio. What is the stock 2.8C CPU voltage? I don't want to go above that. Also, what RAM timings should I use, and what AGP voltage should I use?

[Chuck232]

Stock 2.8C should be 1.525V. Why don't you want to use higher than stock voltages?

Try 2.85V on the RAM and try lower timings like 2.5-3-3-7, or lower. AGP voltages at 1.5V or 1.6V should be fine.

... Wait a munite... Are you using the stock HSF for cooling the CPU?

[ErikaeanLogic]

I'd say that you'd want to leave the Vcore and mem timings at default until you establish stability. After that, you can tweak away:).

[pitzuchim]

Well, I've got perfect stability when I don't overclock (tested with Prime95), but I haven't had much success once I started trying to overclock.

[ErikaeanLogic]

Right, but with the voltages at default and the mem ratio at 5:4, start increasing the fsb and testing the stability as you go. Which bios are you running now? Have you flashed it? If so, by which method (command line or Asus Update)?

[jhites]

I don't have my P4P/2.8C overclocked much. Just running 235fsb and 1:1 mem timings. It took 2.85vdimm to get my TwinMos stable @ 2.5-3-3-7 but I am running bios 1.55vcore. The 1.55vcore bios shows lower actual in Windows. You might want to give both the P4C and the mem a little more juice.

edit: I am also running a AIW 9700 Pro on my P4C800 and the manual says the same thing about -30 rev but 1.7vagp took care of mine.

[pitzuchim]

I just got everything running stable at 230 FSB with a 5:4 ratio. I don't think I'll go any higher; 3220 mhz is plenty and my RAM timings are great at 2/2/3/6. Also, I don't want to increase the voltages. Right now they are at: vcore=auto, dimm=2.75v, AGP=1.5v. Since I am using stock cooling, overclocking more would probably not be such a good idea anyway. The system is running great now... thanks for all the input guys!

[Chuck232]

Oh... perhaps high CPU temps could be affecting stability.. It may be a good idea to get a better HSF if you plan on leaving it overclocked...

[kacang]

How do you guys set the ratio, I can't find it anywhere in the bios ?

I am running 1008.004.

Been overclockin a 2.8C Pentium , now at 235 FSB and memory at 2-2-2-6. Anything higher than 235 No go. So I want to set the ratio to 5:4 and try those.

Windows XP
P4P800 Deluxe
OCZ EL DDR PC3200 Platinum
P2.8C Malaysia

[pitzuchim]

There is an setting (I forget what its called) where the options are 400, 320, and 266. These represent the 1:1, 5:4, and 3:2 ratios. What the hell though... you shouldn't be able to overclock to 235 FSB with 3200 RAM if you are still at 1:1.

To the other poster... the system is really stable now. I've been running 2 instances of Prime95 for over 12 hours now, with no errors. I'm gunna try to keep them running for 24 hours for a complete burn-in.

[Chuck232]

Yeah, what pitzuchim said... hehe

It is possible you may be running the RAM at DDR470.. That's not that high....

But as Erik said in a different thread your stock cooling maybe isn't cooling well enough for that overclock and you're getting instablilites for higher speeds. Anyways, if you can run stable, then that's fine...

Just a thought if you want to push for higher.:wave:

[pitzuchim]

Meh... the problem is, if I start going crazy with my overclocking, soon I will want the best cooling, with 8 case fans etc. etc. so I think I'll stay with what I have now. The one thing that kinda bugged me though, is that 230 FSB seems low for 5:4. I hear about some people hitting that at 1:1. Does 1:1 give any advantages over 5:4? I heard that Sandra unbuffered memory test scores are higher at 1:1 (is this because the memory's FSB is higher?)

[Chuck232]

Well instead of running DDR368 you'd be running DDR460. So faster RAM speeds=more memory bandwidth.

[pitzuchim]

Yes, but I doubt my RAM would go that fast, since it is PC3200LL. If it did, then I'd have to up the voltage and/or RAM timings, wouldn't I? I never actually tried OCing my RAM's FSB yet though, maybe I'll give that a try when I get home tonight. BTW... does anyone here have AIM or MSN messenger? You guys are really helpful, but sometimes I think a real-time conversation can be way more effective than a forum conversation. If you don't, that's fine.

[ErikaeanLogic]

1:1 mem ratio on the P4P800 means a ton more bandwidth but it also means PAT will be in full effect;). Haven't seen that many folks run 230fsb on Corsair 3200 sticks, but good luck:).

[pitzuchim]

I bought my RAM from newegg, so I can probably exchange it if need be... what RAM would you recommend? I still want a gig of RAM, regardless of what I use. Also keep in mind that I'm not doing heavy OCing. I just want to achieve around 230 FSB at 1:1 with good timings.

Also... about PAT... I am finding that my system gets higher benchmarks, at least in memory, when MAM (which I believe is what Asus calls PAT) is off.

[ErikaeanLogic]

well, there are a couple of ways you can go with the mem upgrade in order to hit 1:1 that I know of: TwinX3700 (2x512), OCZ PC3700 Gold (4 x 256, apparently that's been done to 250fsb +), or TwinMOS PC3700 (maybe?). None of these memory configs will allow for tight timings (although I've read that the OCZ Gold can be more forgiving at 230fsb) but so what? you're running 1:1, right?

MAM does not seem to work properly (in my experience) unless you are running 1:1 timings;).

[pitzuchim]

Even at 1:1 timings, I found MAM to make my memory benchmarks lower. Right now I'm stable at 230 FSB but its at 5:4. I think I'm gunna switch to 1:1 and just see how high I can make my Corsair 3200LL's go. With 2.5/3/3/7 timings, I imagine they should be able to hit 230 FSB... what do you think?

[ErikaeanLogic]

Only way to find out is to try it;). I'd go for 3-4-4-8, though.

[pitzuchim]

Hmm, ok. Hopefully it will work at faster timings than that, though. I just called newegg, and even if i RMA my ram and buy a different kind, I'd still have to pay the 15% restock fee :-( that is like $45

[Chuck232]

:eek:

I'd keep the RAM for now. It's pretty good. Find if your CPU actually needs the extra bandwidth... I'm sure there's not too much difference between 1:1 and 5:4 to warrant the price at least.

[ErikaeanLogic]

Originally posted by Chuck232
:eek:

I'd keep the RAM for now. It's pretty good. Find if your CPU actually needs the extra bandwidth... I'm sure there's not too much difference between 1:1 and 5:4 to warrant the price at least.

I agree:).

[Chuck232]

As for an IM, I have AIM, but I don't know if I can really be of much help... :p

HPGChuck is my sn.

[pitzuchim]

Well, I think I'll just try to see how high I can go both at 1:1 and 5:4, and see what gets the highest benchmarks with perfect stability. How important do you guys consider RAM timings. Which would you consider better, hypothetically: 210 mhz FSB at 2/2/3/6 or 230 FSB at 2.5/3/3/7 (at 1:1)?

[Chuck232]

Definitely the 230Mhz at slower timings.:)

[kacang]

Originally posted by ErikaeanLogic
well, there are a couple of ways you can go with the mem upgrade in order to hit 1:1 that I know of: TwinX3700 (2x512), OCZ PC3700 Gold (4 x 256, apparently that's been done to 250fsb +), or TwinMOS PC3700 (maybe?). None of these memory configs will allow for tight timings (although I've read that the OCZ Gold can be more forgiving at 230fsb) but so what? you're running 1:1, right?

MAM does not seem to work properly (in my experience) unless you are running 1:1 timings;).

I am running OCZ PC3200 EL DDR at 235Mhz , so that seems alright actually with very low settings 2-2-2-6. Not sure if it is stable though, haven't ran prime95 yet

[pitzuchim]

I doubt that's stable... I'm surprised your system even booted if thats at 1:1 timings. The best I could get was 220 mhz FSB @ 2.75v with 2.5/3/3/7 timings. What voltage are you using? You should also try memtest86 to test for stability.

[kacang]

Running XP with word and outlook and IE runs fine, but when I ran flaskmpeg yesterday the rig got stuck..

I am pretty sure I am running the CPU at auto and the ram at 2.65 V...

I'll set the ratio to 5:4 tonight and run prime95 on it ..


Erick

[Chuck232]

Heh, yes well running at DDR470 at such low timing would be quite difficult. I'd be preferable to keep the RAM at those speeds. Try staying at 1:1, but lower the timings and up the voltage.

[pitzuchim]

Right now I'm at 2.5/3/3/7 and 220 FSB. Do you think 3/4/4/8 at 230 FSB would be preferable, supposing I could hit that? (I haven't tried yet). I think it might be better, since the RAM itself will be running faster. But then again, timings do make a difference.

[ErikaeanLogic]

give it a try;)

[Chuck232]

Hmmm... 230 at slower timings would probably result in overall better performance since your CPU would also be overclocked further.

GL!:wave:

[pitzuchim]

I might have the chance to get different RAM... my sister is getting a computer soon, and she wants me to build it. I can put my 3200LLs in her computer and order some new RAM for mine if things turn out right. What RAM would you guys recommend? Pretty much, I just want to hit as high an FSB as possible at 1:1 with the lowest timings possible. I am using a P4P800-Deluxe mobo, so 1:1 offers the added option of using PAT.

[Chuck232]

Well, get OCZ PC3700 Gold! :D

[pitzuchim]

Problem with that is, I'd need 4x256 to hit 1 GB since there are no 512 MB modules. I think I might get some of that Corsair XMS PC3500 C2 memory.

[Chuck232]

Oh, you need 1GB.. in that case either get the PC3500 or maybe try the Corsair PC3700. They have pretty high latency timings, but at least they're guaranteed to run at 233MHz FSB.

[kacang]

Running 230Mhz now with 5:4 ratio and 2.5-3-3-7 pretty stable with the OCZ EL DDR pc3200 titanium ...

(2 x 512M= 1G)

ran prime 95 a few short runs, all o.k.

Aida reports 4351/1737 on memory, the best so far


Erick

[pitzuchim]

You should be able to hit lower timings if you are at 5:4. At 230 FSB with 5:4 ratio, your RAM is only running at 184 FSB. Using the same settings with my Corsair 3200LL RAM, I was able to use 2/2/3/6 timings.

*edit* also, if you are using a hyperthreading processor, you need to run 2 instances of Prime95. Running one instance will only stress 50% of your CPU instead of 100%. To do this, make a shortcut of Prime95 on your desktop, and change the target by adding "-a" at the end (without the quotes).

[kacang]

Cool, i'll try to get the memory faster and i'll try the prima95 -a..

When I run prime my cpu temp goes up from around 35/36C to around 48/49C. Is this o.k. ?

Another question, I was under the assumption that win2000 didn't support hyperthreading, but last night I installed win2000 also and in the task manager it also shows TWO cpu graphs? Now I am confused !!!

Cheers,

erick

[pitzuchim]

Yeah, that jump in temperature is normal. Those are good temperatures, so I wouldn't be worried at all. BTW are you using stock cooling, or did you buy a heatsink and some arctic silver or something?

[kacang]

Good, !

I am using stock fan on the CPU, but I am using an elan vital casing which has a chassis fan of around 12 cm and a plastic plexiglass tunnel which points straight at the Chipset and CPU fan. So I think I am o.k.

I am now at 235 Mhz and memory at 2-3-2-6.. Runs ok for a while and that intermittently hangs. Just gets stuck.. Wish I could clock higher. The Aida marks are still not where they should be, I think.
I already upped the RAM to 2.85V and cpu to 1.675 but I think I am hitting the limit.. Dunno if it is the PCI bus or somethign else that makes the system stuck..

greetings,

erick

[pitzuchim]

You are going way too high on the CPU voltage. I definitely woulnd't go over 1.6v for that. Also... use memtest86 (www.memtest86.com) to check for RAM stability.

Now, I have another question for you guys. I'm thinking of buying a few more goodies so that I can overclock better. Tell me what you think:

Corsair XMS 3700 2x512MB ram
Thermalsomething 900-U heatsink
some 92 mm fan (i dunno which yet)
arctic silver ceramique

With this stuff I should be able to hit 240-250 FSB at 1:1 with 3/4/4/8 timings. With a 2.8 ghz CPU thats 3.36 - 3.5 ghz. Oh man thats fast!!!