Getting aggravated

[40sTheme]

Ok, rig is in sig, E2180 is running at 3.0GHz @ 1.39V, 300FSB (10x multi). RAM is @ 2.1 V (has to be; OCZ XTC) @ 900MHz 5-5-5-15 timings.
Here's the stupid problem:
No matter WHAT I do, I cannot run the FSB above 300. It's not possible... I have tried:
-Raising RAM timing to 6-6-6-18
-Raising FSB Voltage
-Raising NB Voltage
-Raising CPU Voltage
-Lowering RAM ratio so the RAM runs @ 750MHz (have also tried this with raised timings)
It's ROCK SOLID stable @ 3.0GHz; temps don't go above 50C FULL PRIME SMALL FFT LOAD.
At 3.01GHz, though, something causes an complete meltdown...
Any ideas?
EDIT:
I might add; it POSTs, just doesn't boot to Windows.

 

[taltamir]

"RAM is @ 2.1 V (has to be; OCZ XTC)" - that is not entirely true. The ram is simply rated to be overclocked (all DDR2, and DDR3, without exception, now lists its OC voltage and settings on the cover, rather then its normal operation parameters). It is guaranteed to work at 5-5-5-15 timing with that voltage, but you could most likely run it at 1.8v with with looser timings or lower mhz... you are already running it at 900mhz, and ram is rated either for 800mhz, or 1000, or 1066... so you are either 100 above, or 100 below.

How hot is your ram and northbridge during the OC? do they get scalding to the touch?

increasing voltage has diminishing returns... after a certain point the increase in heat and electron migration and other things actually make it worse, rather then better.

First thing you should do, is lower your ram multiplier. at 1:1 ratio (which is incorrect actually, but nevermind... 2x ram multiplier if you use gigabyte boards), you would be running 600mhz on the ram @ 300FSB. @ 2.4x multi, you could combine 333FSB with 800mhz ram operation.
But while pushing your CPU, you should set your ram multiplier as low as it can go. Loosen the timings to 6-6-6-18, and lower the voltage to 1.8v

Then when you are done getting a stable CPU OC, you can look into OCing your ram.

 

[40sTheme]

No; it has to be @ 2.1V, it doesn't POST if it's not.
My RAM and NB are fine. The temp sensor on my NB never goes above 35C on OCCT and Prime; and neither are very hot to the touch.

 

[taltamir]

it has to be 2.1v because you are running it at 900mhz with tight timings. thats my point. The manufacturer just recommended you heavily juice the ram.

Anyways, i edited my post while you answered me, so check it for more info about how to do things.

Anyways, how about your ram temp and northbridge temp (that is a big one)... i suspect its your north bridge...

 

[40sTheme]

I mean it HAS to be at 2.1V. Even at stock; the system WILL NOT POST unless the RAM is at 2.1V. I'll try doing a 1:1 ratio and pushing the CPU up to 3.2GHz.

 

[taltamir]

really? weird, i thought XTC is supposed to be high end ram... you sig says OCZ reaper. can you link or tell me the exact model?

 

[Markfw]

OCZ Reaper runs @ 2.1....I have a 2x2 gig kit.

 

[40sTheme]

Oh, yeah, sorry, Reaper.
Well, now I have a new problem.
I did what taltamir said (run 1:1, loosen timings), and it didn't even POST @ 3.2GHz.
And... now it doesn't POST after clearing the CMOS even. I think I need to borrow someone's RAM so I can set the RAM voltage back up to 2.1V in the BIOS; it's giving me the same error lights on the mobo that it did when I put this thing together (RAM problem), and I fixed it by doing that. Ugh........

 

[40sTheme]

Wow... people at college suck. NOONE in my dorm has a desktop.... Guess I'll have to drive to Belton to my friends house and borrow some RAM... Unless anyone has any other suggestions?

 

[Tempered81]

2.2vdimm or 2.3vdimm (dangerous)

but first more vcore (also dangerous)

danger!!!!! HAHAHA. Okay, but seriously, my first pick is more vcore. Like 1.47v cpu-z loaded.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: 40sTheme
Well, now I have a new problem.
I did what taltamir said (run 1:1, loosen timings), and it didn't even POST @ 3.2GHz.
And... now it doesn't POST after clearing the CMOS even.

Then you aren't clearing your CMOS, or it would be posting. How to clear a CMOS:

1) Unplug power supply from the wall.
2) Hold case power button in for 60-90 seconds (this discharges motherboard and PSU capacitors)
3) Remove CMOS battery from motherboard.
4) Put CMOS jumper in the short position (usually called Clr or Clear position on board)
5) Wait 20 minutes or more.
6) Reverse every step, starting @ #4. #4 is the most important to reverse, BTW. You can ruin a motherboard by running it with the jumper in the shorted position.

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: 40sTheme
Well, now I have a new problem.
I did what taltamir said (run 1:1, loosen timings), and it didn't even POST @ 3.2GHz.
And... now it doesn't POST after clearing the CMOS even.

Then you aren't clearing your CMOS, or it would be posting. How to clear a CMOS:

1) Unplug power supply from the wall.
2) Hold case power button in for 60-90 seconds (this discharges motherboard and PSU capacitors)
3) Remove CMOS battery from motherboard.
4) Put CMOS jumper in the short position (usually called Clr or Clear position on board)
5) Wait 20 minutes or more.
6) Reverse every step, starting @ #4. #4 is the most important to reverse, BTW. You can ruin a motherboard by running it with the jumper in the shorted position.

Great info here from myo, follow it closely.

:thumbsup:

 

[Yanagi]

If you get it working again, look for an FSB Strap setting in BIOS. Try setting it to 333 or 400MHz, it might help in FSB overclocking.

 

[40sTheme]

Thanks myo, but I unfortunately do not have a CMOS jumper on this mobo... it's just got a red button that you are supposed to press and it clears it. Could I still do it by performing all of the other steps?

 

[myocardia]

Yeah, you could, but you probably won't need to. The boards with the buttons on the back usually only need to have the power supply unplugged, then have the button held in for ~a minute.<<--That's after holding in the case power button for ~90 seconds or so, to discharge the motherboard and power supply capacitors.

edit: BTW, pull out one of your sticks of RAM before you do anything else. Not because one of them might be bad, but because it's way easier to POST with one stick, than it is with two. Your CMOS may already be reset, but you aren't able to POST, because of your RAM requiring more power, in which case, it should POST with only one stick. That would allow you to get into the BIOS, and raise your vDimm.

 

[taltamir]

take the battery out, cut the power, and go away for an hour. it will clear...

If your ram doesn't post on default 1.8v, at all, then maybe you should replace it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...94&bop=And&Order=PRICE

 

[40sTheme]

I've tried with one stick of RAM in all positions, with no RAM, and it still doesn't POST. I'm trying what taltamir said right now. I am replacing my RAM.. I'm tired of this crap not POSTing unless my BIOS is set to 2.1V. I bought that G Skill that everyone loves. It's that 2 GB pack w/ the red heatspreader. Good price on Newegg. Still want to get it working so I can make sure somethings not wrong (although I'm pretty positive that it's the BIOS not being set at 2.1 RAM voltage).

 

[40sTheme]

Well, removing the battery for an hour after holding the power button for 90 seconds didn't help. I'm borrowing RAM from my friend tomorrow; should work after that.

 

[taltamir]

well, the bios can NOT be set to 2.1v ram after a reset.
A CMOS reset will make it go to the default. Typically that is 1.8v, although some gigabyte mobos set it to 1.9v to make bad ram post.
1.8v is what DDR2 standard calls for, so it is what it should default to. The ram contains data on what speeds it supports, and the timings for various speeds, so that the mobo could auto configure, but there is no voltage info, you must set voltage manually.

If you are getting new ram, I recommend a 2x2GB pack, rather then 2x1GB.

 

[40sTheme]

I only have vista 32, so it wouldn't matter much. I've been doing fine with 2x1.
The Reaper HAS to have it set to 2.1V in the BIOS, which is why I need some standard 1.8V ddr2 to get into the BIOS and change it up.

 

[taltamir]

yes, which is very unusual since 1.8v is the standard, that means that the ONLY possible way to get this ram working is to use another ram stick to go into bios and set it at 2.1
And that is if your mobo doesn't auto reset voltages to default when it detects different hardware (mine does, which is really good, since it allows me to actually boot after changing hardware).

So your problem isn't that your cmos isn't resetting, you most likely have already reset it successfully, its that after reset it will be at 1.8volts.

Err, it is DDR2 right? just to make sure i am not confusing things.

anyways, with vista 32 you will be getting 3.3GB or so instead of 2GB, so it is still an improvement. especially with vista, it loves ram. And you could always install 64bit eventually.

 

[40sTheme]

Well I jumped on the 44 dollar 2 gigs of that G Skill (which ended yesterday; 2 hours after I bought it it was 84 dollars again). I need to save money because I am at college. I just REALLY didn't like the Reaper at all.. I felt very nervous because I didn't want and unstable OC to make me have to go get someone elses RAM. That's not a problem now, whenever the G Skill gets here.

 

[rogue1979]

It is possible that the 2180 tops out a 3.0GHz.

I've had three, and one of them just managed to hit 3.0GHz @ 1.42v.

The other two got closer to 3.2GHz.

 

[40sTheme]

I got everything back and working.
It may top out at 3GHz; but I've seen plenty of people w/ 2180s that have them at 3.5 or so on air. I'll try to isolate the problem; will be easier when I odn't have to borrow RAm.

 

[myocardia]

Well, overclocking involves not only skill and dedication, it also involves luck. If you get a CPU or motherboard that doesn't like overclocking, you can only replace it/them, or live with what you get.