My unlucky 2500+ experience and some questions

[BlueWeasel]

Here's what I have:

Epox 8RDA v1.1 NForce2 board
1024mb RAM Total (512mb PC3200+512mb PC2700)
XP2500+ Barton

I was thrilled to get a PQZEA stepping, week 32 2500+ from my local computer shop a few days ago. Being a week 32, I thought it was locked, but I can't change the multiplier in either my 8RDA or using a friend's A7N8X-E board.

Well, I can't get the thing to run stable over 180 FSB in my 8RDA using the stock voltage of the 2500+, and bumping the voltage up to 1.85v does not allow me to raise the FSB any further. I've tried using only the PC3200 with relaxed timings, and it still maxes out around 180 FSB.

Since raising the Vcore doesn't help, it appears the problem is my 8RDA board.
I can't change the VDD voltage without modding, and it's only running at 1.55v volts.

Questions:

(1) Could the problem be with my PSU?
I am running a generic 550W PSU that currently has 4.7v (5V rail) and 12.5v (12V rail) under full loading. Would upgrading to an Antech 430W help?

(2) Would doing the VDD mod help me reach a higher FSB?
I noticed when using the Asus A7N8X-E board I could still only get around 180-185 FSB. That leads me to think it's not a problem with my 8RDA board and the low VDD voltage, and could only be due to a crappy 2500+ that can't hit 200 FSB or a generic PSU?

(3) What's the deal with the PQZEA stepping on the 2500+?

While I don't want to believe it, maybe this 2500+ just can't do it. But, i'd expect to be able to push it a little further by uping the voltage.

What would you recommend?

 

[Sid59]

its prolly your board. need to do some searchign and reading. the rev1 nforce2 boards were hit or miss with 400 FSB

 

[bootoo]

Do you know which northbridge chipset your 1.1 has? A1/C1, A2, A3? If you download cpu-z it will tell you.

The one with the best chance to reach 200+ is a/c1, next a3, finally a2.

If it's a2 you might want to try the mod; also I bought some grabbers and a variable resistor because I didn't want to solder my mod in (your choice) but found I could live with good performance at 196 (on a 133 mhz tbred though).

If it's an a1/c1 or a3, which bios are you running

 

[BlueWeasel]

Unfortunately, the NB on my v1.1 is an A2.

From what I've seen, I can't decide if it's my 8RDA MB, my PSU, or the 2500+ that's holding me back. I am suspicious it's the MB, but I still could only make it to around 185 on the Asus Ultra 400 Nforce2 board, which leads me to believe it's the chip or PSU.

If I've got a 2500+ that can only do 180 FSB, that's fine, but I just don't know at this point. Could it be my PSU?

Edit: I've tried every BIOS for this board...still no luck.

 

[UptheMiddle]

I too, just bought a 2500+ and cannot go above 180Mhz FSB. I'm using a Gigabyte GA-7N400-L1 Motherboard (NForce 2 Ultra 400 Rev C1), 1GB HyperX 3200 low latency, and ThermalTake Heat Sink.
Rather disappointing, I'm considering selling this CPU and buying the 3000+, 400Mhz.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: UptheMiddle
I too, just bought a 2500+ and cannot go above 180Mhz FSB. I'm using a Gigabyte GA-7N400-L1 Motherboard (NForce 2 Ultra 400 Rev C1), 1GB HyperX 3200 low latency, and ThermalTake Heat Sink.
Rather disappointing, I'm considering selling this CPU and buying the 3000+, 400Mhz.

I know you're relatively new to overclock, so what all have you tried? Raised the Vcore voltage to 1.85v? More conservative memory timings? What kind of power supply do you have and what voltage readings are you getting on the +12V and +5V rails?

I'd try everything before I got rid of the 2500+. Your RAM and MB looks good, but I just don't know about your PSU.

I know it's disappointing for you. You see everyone posting about how everyone else's 2500+ runs at 11x200 at stock voltage. You finally get your 2500+ and it tops out at around 185 FSB. Unfortunately, nothing is ever guaranteed with overclocking...

Well at least you don't have a chip with a stepping that has never been seen before (PQZEA) and appears to have been locked in week 32! :brokenheart:

 

[UptheMiddle]

My power supply is an Antec True Power 430Watt - that should be good to go also!! DArn it!!lol

 

[Duvie]

I definitely think the low chipset vcore may be the culprit so the vdd mod is probably a good option if it is not that hard....


Also that 4.7v on the 5v is low...general rule of thumb is +/-5% and you are currently below that as 4.75v should have been the do not cross mark....

My generic 350watt power supply in my case with the barton holds a steady 5.0v even under load...starts about 5.1 at idle....

 

[UptheMiddle]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: UptheMiddle
I know it's disappointing for you. You see everyone posting about how everyone else's 2500+ runs at 11x200 at stock voltage. You finally get your 2500+ and it tops out at around 185 FSB. Unfortunately, nothing is ever guaranteed with overclocking...

No Kidding! Blue Weasel, I wanted to share this with you....I obtained a RMA for my 2500+ Barton, so I took it out and replaced it with my old 2600+ (266Mhz FSB). I decided to set my Bios up to monitor the CPU temp as I'm interested in overclocking this processor. After adjusting it to warn me when CPU temp goes above 60 C, I saved it......the computer sat there with a blank screen and after nearly 10 minutes, I decided to shut it off and restart it. Needless to say, it wouldn't restart. I've heard of horror stories where power is interrupted during a BIOS flash/update and the motherboard becomes junk. My heart sank at this thought. But, reading through the MB owners manual, their was a little blurb about removing the MB battery to reset the CMOS. Thank goodness this worked!!! Another close call. Way too much excitement for me, so I ordered the 3000+ with 400Mhz FSB. Wonder if that'll overclock?!

Just as a footnote, I ran 3DMark03 with both processors....the 2600+ scored a few more points than the 2500+ (even though the 2600+ uses 266Mhz FSB and the 2500 uses 333Mhz FSB - no overclocking on either). Only ran one test for each processor, but I still found it interesting (used same setup with 1GB HyperX PC3200 RAM).

I appreciate all the advice you've been offering. Regardless of my little setback, I plan on continueing with learning about this overclocking business - its incredibly interesting!

 

[Blooz1]

Well, the PSU you described certainly isn't helping things any, Blue Weasel. The older 8RDA+'s with the A2 NB are really "hit or miss" as far as results, also.

I've got an A2 that I got as a refurb from NewEgg, and it doesn't like anything over 180FSB either. It's set up with a Fortron FSP350-60 PSU that's steady as a rock, a 1700 T-Bred "B" that's done 2.3GHz in another board for months on end, and decent PC2700 ram.

I also have another 8RDA+ that's an A1 NB which is running at 210FSB without breathing hard!
That board has a 300W Compaq server PSU, Twinmos/Winbond PC3200, and an AQXEA week 34 Barton 2500. The difference between the two boards is like night and day! The T-Bred ran like a champ in the A1 board, now it's sitting at 1.9GHz......

 

[Shimmishim]

i'm pretty sure it's your motherboard...

i had a rev 1.1 8rda as well. and it wouldn't do above 190 w/ being stable...

so pretty sure it's the board...

the weak rails may be an issue as well...

but...

i'm puttin money on the board...

and btw, the antec truepower isn't all that it's cracked up to be...

i have one and the voltage rails suck on my board....

i had one on an abit nf7-s as well and it didn't hold its rails very well as well...


i say try out a fortron fsp 400W or the allied true 400W

that's just MHO....

 

[BlueWeasel]

Well, I really think it's the board as well. It could be the PSU, but from what I've seen, the evidence points toward the board.

I am now thinking about doing the VDD mod...

 

[NokiaDude]

Buy a Microcool Northpole northbridge heatsink. The $30 for it is worth it, your O/C will reach 200FSB easy.

 

[BlueWeasel]

The Northpole NB cooler runs at almost 28dA. My case is loud enough already.

Zalman Passive NB heatsink

Would this one be adequate to use on the NB chip?

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
The Northpole NB cooler runs at almost 28dA. My case is loud enough already.

Zalman Passive NB heatsink

Would this one be adequate to use on the NB chip?

If it is the mobo I don't see how posibly wasting moeny on this may change anything...ets verify it is the power supply or power issues with the vdd mod before you do that...May not be worth a=it and maybe you just sell this board and get a better one...

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: Duvie

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
The Northpole NB cooler runs at almost 28dA. My case is loud enough already.

Zalman Passive NB heatsink

Would this one be adequate to use on the NB chip?

If it is the mobo I don't see how posibly wasting moeny on this may change anything...ets verify it is the power supply or power issues with the vdd mod before you do that...May not be worth a=it and maybe you just sell this board and get a better one...

Well, if I plan on doing the VDD mod to my 8RDA, then I want to improve the NB cooling. From what I've read, the stock Epox HS for the Northbridge is crap if you plan on modding so that it gets more voltage.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
(2) Would doing the VDD mod help me reach a higher FSB?
I noticed when using the Asus A7N8X-E board I could still only get around 180-185 FSB. That leads me to think it's not a problem with my 8RDA board and the low VDD voltage, and could only be due to a crappy 2500+ that can't hit 200 FSB or a generic PSU?

I had an early revision of the 8RDA+ at one point... also crapped out around 180-185FSB. So in order to reach 200FSB, I recommend you do the VDD mod. (I never did it to mine... I ended up selling it and getting a NF7-S)

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: Duvie

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
The Northpole NB cooler runs at almost 28dA. My case is loud enough already.

Zalman Passive NB heatsink

Would this one be adequate to use on the NB chip?

If it is the mobo I don't see how posibly wasting moeny on this may change anything...ets verify it is the power supply or power issues with the vdd mod before you do that...May not be worth a=it and maybe you just sell this board and get a better one...

Well, if I plan on doing the VDD mod to my 8RDA, then I want to improve the NB cooling. From what I've read, the stock Epox HS for the Northbridge is crap if you plan on modding so that it gets more voltage.

If you just want to test the mod, get a room fan and point it into your case (with the side off) and try it that way.