Overclocking a 2500 in a A7N8X Deluxe?

[LeetestUnleet]

Is there any safe, proven way to unlock the chip with this board? My system won't boot if I up it to 400 FSB for some reason, and I was wondering if I could OC by upping the multiplier after I get my new case. I'd like to hit 3200 speeds. Maybe it has something to do with my RAM on why I can't hit higher bus, it's Mushkin PC3200 512MB single-stick.

 

[PCTweaker5]

I have the same setup. My chip was already unlocked when I first got it. My multiplier is at 11.5 with the fsb at 200(400). I have my voltage at 1.725 and everything is set to aggressive xcept for the CPU interface because then my system doesnt boot up. I dont know what your problem is but Ill check my BIOS right now and post my settings so you can maybe get yours working.

 

[PCTweaker5]

These are my settings:
CPU External Frequency = 200mhz
Multiplier = 11.5 (Dont use that with these settings unless you have really good cooling)
CPU Interface = Optimal
Memory Frequency = 100%
VCore = 1.725

Maybe that'll work for ya!

 

[Soulkeeper]

if it is indeed a locked 2500+ then..

you can modify the bridges in the following ways:

to close them = use conductive paint (or another proven method) and tape off one bridge at a time then paint it on carefully
to open them = use a very sharp hobby knife and a lighted magnifying glass if you have to (just don't cut too deep i've killed chips this way)

search google for ocinside athlon xp painting guide and you should be able to find what bridges you need to modify
you might only have to change one

I havn't modified bridges in a few months so i am a bit rusty, but i hope this helps

 

[MDE]

All of the new Athlon XPs are hard-locked and can't be unlocked AFAIK.

 

[Soulkeeper]

good point

i think most people around here are just using mem:fsb ratios if they have to and aren't even trying to mod athlon xp bridges anymore

 

[Triplefour]

cutting and painting is not the only option for unlocking athlon XP processors
i modded mine by pin modding ....it was simple...you just twist really tiny wires around selective pins (for which there is an interactive guide somewhere) ...connect the right pins and win extra mhz
when you got the wires wrapped around nice and snug you just put the processor back in the socket and its simple as that and you can undo it later....

i know this probably doesnt work for every xp processor or every multiplier or every fsb but it worked for me i unlocked my 2200 and got it to run at 166 mhz*11 or 10.5 or anything really...cause i did the unlock all method...i think it only goes up to 12.5x like that but i cant go that high anyway so

 

[Dustswirl]

Pin mod and Paint guide, hope this helps! be careful though and have fun! (it's what's all about)

cheers

 

[WobbleWobble]

Try to relax your RAM timings, RAM doesn't always run at its advertised speeds/timings.

 

[adams828]

curious.. did you try upping vcpu or vmem at all? and what timings did you have set for the memory? will the system boot/load at any fsb between 166 and 200?

 

[LeetestUnleet]

Originally posted by: adams828
curious.. did you try upping vcpu or vmem at all? and what timings did you have set for the memory? will the system boot/load at any fsb between 166 and 200?

The only BIOS settings I've changed from default values are:
FSB from 100mhz to 166 (doesn't boot at 200 by only that change - haven't fiddled around with many others, keep reading)
RAM CAS Latency from 2.5 to 2
Changed the CPU setting from Optimal to Aggressive.

I know my chip is locked because I was trying to underclock my multiplier for heat purposes without changing the FSB until I get my new case next week. I changed it from default 11 to 10.5 and I didn't get any display whatsoever. I had to cold restart the machine and the interactive BIOS voice deal told me system startup failed due to overclocking (actually underclocking, but...) and loaded defaults. Besides, I just bought the chip a few weeks ago, so that's a giveaway there.

I haven't changed any other timings, voltages, or settings, as I'm new to OCing and don't really know what everything does, nor what's safe and what's not. I've heard a rumor that overvolting Mushkin RAM does NOT void the warranty? I've got a lifetime warranty on my RAM, so that'd be kinda nice if that's true so I can feel safer about experimenting (I don't want to burn anything out as I don't have the $$ to replace major components like CPU or RAM)

 

[PCTweaker5]

Your system tells you it failed because of overclocking? My BIOS voice always says "system failed memory test" whenever my settings dont work. I hate trying to mess with RAM timings because everytime it doesnt work I have to pull the damn battery out and switch the jumper and its very irritating.

 

[LeetestUnleet]

Originally posted by: PCTweaker5
Your system tells you it failed because of overclocking? My BIOS voice always says "system failed memory test" whenever my settings dont work. I hate trying to mess with RAM timings because everytime it doesnt work I have to pull the damn battery out and switch the jumper and its very irritating.

It'll say failed memory test if I change the FSB to higher than 166, but I'm thinking that it's for obvious reasons, as the Barton 2500 is only a 333FSB to begin with. If I change the multiplier, it says failed due to overclocking - kinda nice in that way, because it loads defaults without having to clear the battery, but I had to clear it when I changed the FSB too high, just like you.

 

[Dustswirl]

Try setting everything back to what they were and try each step at a time.
Ah and try checking if you have somekind of a jumper on you motherboard that changes/locks FSB values (normally 100MHZ for a position and the other speeds for the other position 133/166/200)

 

[LeetestUnleet]

Originally posted by: Dustswirl
Try setting everything back to what they were and try each step at a time.
Ah and try checking if you have somekind of a jumper on you motherboard that changes/locks FSB values (normally 100MHZ for a position and the other speeds for the other position 133/166/200)

It *does* have a jumper, but by default it is set on the one that allows higher FSBs. The first thing I tried when installing my CPU was setting it to the highest FSB without any other changes, and it failed then, because I wasn't sure how high to set it to achieve standard 2500+ speeds (the A7N8X has very "safe" default settings and it was only reading as an 1100 [11*100]). I can hit the 166 no problem, but beyond that it starts laughing at me and calling me names.

 

[LeetestUnleet]

Hm, a few questions:

1.) I was going through the BIOS settings, and I don't know what any of the following do and if I could modify them to a better value (suggestions requested).
SDRAM Active Precharge Delay - currently 7
FSB Spread Spectrum - Disabled
AGP Spread Spectrum - Disabled
AGP Frequency - Auto (50-100mhz for choices)
AGP VDDQ Voltage - 1.5V

2.) I've got 1 512MB stick of Mushkin PC3200 RAM. According to the specs from the details on Newegg, it says it is compatible with voltages from 2.6V-2.75V, but the details from Mushkin say 2.6V-2.8V. My BIOS allows from 2.6V-2.8V. Default is 2.6, and I've got it set to 2.7 now. Which specs should I follow? I'm thinking Mushkin's, but I'm not sure if I've got the right product pulled up on their website. Anyone knowledgable enough to tell me if the products linked are identical, or am I a moron falling for poor site navigation?

3.) Since I'm running PC3200 and it runs at 200mhz, I should be safe changing my BIOS to that, right? With the current BIOS settings, the RAM is only detecting at 166mhz if I set it to auto, but I blame Asus' safety settings again. And I'm seriously thinking that that's the reason why setting my FSB to 200mhz is locking up my system, because the RAM is only at 166, which would then explain why I can't hit anything further than 166 FSB. Like I've said above, I'm new to this, but I think I may be right here. If not, then it's a lot of coincidences.

Have fun answering my questions, and thanks for all the help so far, you guys have been great!

 

[Triplefour]

unlock your proc
youd be cool

 

[PCTweaker5]

Well whenever I change my CPU FSB the memory FSB always follows. Try setting it at 100% or BYSPD. Wish I could just go over there and mess with it myself, I think I could get it.

 

[ErikS]

All of the new Athlon XPs are hard-locked and can't be unlocked AFAIK

Exactly, past week 42(ish) there is no way to unlock them. If you can document how to do it then please head on over to OverClockers.Com & explain it. They pretty much disected the chip trying & I'm sure they'd love to hear about how to do it.

 

[LeetestUnleet]

Originally posted by: PCTweaker5
Well whenever I change my CPU FSB the memory FSB always follows. Try setting it at 100% or BYSPD. Wish I could just go over there and mess with it myself, I think I could get it.

Setting it at 100% sets it at 166mhz, which I know isn't right for PC3200. 120% is 200mhz, which is more like it. I'll try it when I get home tonight to see if it works that way and post here when I find out.

Any suggestions on the other questions though?

 

[Dustswirl]

Try:
CPU external Freq.>>>200 (if you have a good CPU chip and are lucky you'll get this on default Vc (1.650)
CPU Freq. multi.>>>>>11.0x (Barton's defualt multi)
system performance>>user define
CPU interface>>>>>>>agressive
Memory Freq. >>>>>>100%
Memory timing>>>>>>user define
SDRAM Active Precharge Delay>>>7 (or 6)
" RAS to CAS Delay>>>>>>4
" RAS Precharge Delay>>>>4
" CAS Latency>>>>>>>>>>>2.5
FSB Spread Spectrum >>>>>>>>>Disabled
AGP Spread Spectrum >>>>>>>>> Disabled
CPU Vcore settings>>>>>>>>>>>menu
CPU Vcore>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>1.650 (default;ATTENTION: dunno what's you processor's capability but never go higher then 10% on simple air cooling! no responsibility what so ever for anyone else but you! fiddle with it at your OWN risk...)

AGP Frequency >>>>>>>>>>>>66
DDR Reference Voltage>>>>>>>2.7 is ok 2.6 also good no real difference at this level
AGP VDDQ Voltage - 1.5V

Always save and exit and test for stability, if it boots and goes in windows it doesn't mean it's running stable!
Be careful and good luck
I hope the guys here correct me and/or add other stuff if i forgot something!

 

[PCTweaker5]

Well ya only when the cpu frequency is at 200 then mem frequency at 100% is what I meant. By stock frequencies yes 120% would be 200mhz.

 

[LeetestUnleet]

Originally posted by: Dustswirl
Try:
CPU external Freq.>>>200 (if you have a good CPU chip and are lucky you'll get this on default Vc (1.650)
CPU Freq. multi.>>>>>11.0x (Barton's defualt multi)
system performance>>user define
CPU interface>>>>>>>agressive
Memory Freq. >>>>>>100%
Memory timing>>>>>>user define
SDRAM Active Precharge Delay>>>7 (or 6)
" RAS to CAS Delay>>>>>>4
" RAS Precharge Delay>>>>4
" CAS Latency>>>>>>>>>>>2.5
FSB Spread Spectrum >>>>>>>>>Disabled
AGP Spread Spectrum >>>>>>>>> Disabled
CPU Vcore settings>>>>>>>>>>>menu
CPU Vcore>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>1.650 (default;ATTENTION: dunno what's you processor's capability but never go higher then 10% on simple air cooling! no responsibility what so ever for anyone else but you! fiddle with it at your OWN risk...)

AGP Frequency >>>>>>>>>>>>66
DDR Reference Voltage>>>>>>>2.7 is ok 2.6 also good no real difference at this level
AGP VDDQ Voltage - 1.5V

I can boot up to 175 CPU external freq. (RAM hits 220) with 6-2-2-2 timings and default 1.65V CPU Vcore, but unfortunately Windows crashes after I login. Would changing RAM timings to slower settings correct this, or is it just unstable period? I'm under the assumption that increasing CPU voltage will allow a FSB increase - what's the safest recommended for OCing?

I heard mention of a stability testing program once before when I first began to research this topic.. Can anyone refer me to a good program?

 

[PCTweaker5]

For AMD's most people would say that anything under 1.8v is safe. Im at 1.725 so I feel alright.

 

[Dustswirl]

LeetestUnleet try running the memory and FSB in sync, that means CPU external freq. = RAM's speed (200/200) coz as it seems you're running CPU's freq=175 and RAM=220...

Hey PCTweaker5 can you tell me plz your temperatures? am interested in buying a HSF similar to yours! thx!