Overclocking Venice 3000 - new PSU didn't help

[imported_Cypress]

I just received my Venice 3000 and have begun playing with overclocking settings. Right off the bat, it appears that the limit on the CPU is around 2.5 (9X278-280) on 1.55 + %110 for approx 1.62-1.66 volts. This is much lower than I expected. Of greater concern is that I cannot even boot into windows using any divider that would bring my memory close to its default rating of ddr400. I have tried 3/4 & 7/10 dividers with both 1t and 2t command rates without any luck. This almost seems like a bios issue, but I am using the latest bios. I was previously running a Winnie 3000 with the memory on a divider without any issues. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Key components in my system are as follows:

DFI NF4 Ultra D - 3/10 bios (core 1.65, chip 1.6, ldt 1.3, ram 2.7)
Venice 3000+
2X512 Patriot PDP DDR400 (not the XBL part)
Sparkel 300W
Zalman 7000B Alcu

 

[Maverick]

PSU seems a little weak @ 300W...a cleaner power source may help you get a bit higher.

 

[PClark99]

It is possible the lower speed chips could be speed binned.

Try only 1 stick of RAM. See if that helps.

 

[imported_Cypress]

Okay, when I drop the CPU Multiplier down to 7 X 280FSB, I can boot into windows with the memory at 7/10 (196mghz). If I bump the cpu multiplier up to 8, I get BSOD when booting into windows. I already know the CPU can do 2.5.

 

[milkrocks]

Does your PSU have the 24 pin connector? If not that DFI board wont overclock well at all.

 

[imported_Cypress]

No, it does not have the 24 pin connector, but it was my understanding that the 20pin works fine. Am I wrong?

 

[IntegraGSR]

Originally posted by: Cypress
No, it does not have the 24 pin connector, but it was my understanding that the 20pin works fine. Am I wrong?

in most cases no, however the lan party is known to have some compability issues..

as far as i know the extra 4 pins are for pci-e and aren't required if you hook up the video card normally.

 

[imported_Cypress]

My vid card is a Leadtek 6600. I don't think that should use up much power.

 

[larry89]

New power supply indeed.

 

[imported_Cypress]

What I don't understand about the power supply "issue" is that I was able to run a Winnie 3000 at 2.3Ghz with ram running at 217Mghz, but I can't run the venice at even the same settings using the same components, including the power supply. If I need to get a new power supply I will, but it just seems like something else.

 

[milkrocks]

DFI does not recomend any heavy OCing without a highly rated 24 pin PSU. I would recomend getting one and seeing if you have better luck!

 

[Maverick]

Winnie had higher power requirements than venice in terms of raw wattage. But it's possible the venice needs a cleaner signal coming through the rails.

Definitely get a good quality power supply...the DFI will not perform at its optimal speed without a decent PSU.

 

[exar333]

new PSU

 

[RichUK]

the power supply is the blood flow of the system .. it needs to be clean, consistant and plentiful

EDIT: i would say 300W is quite low if you require to up the volts for CPU VID and also to run the GFX card, get a good 450W that should see you through for a while

 

[tr1kstanc3]

here's your fix

 

[rise]

aside from the power suppy 24 pin and size issue, you do have all 4 power connectors in the board right?

also, if i'm understanding you, you're trying to run the winnie and the venice at the same bios settings? if true, i would junk that plan as they have different memory controllers.

 

[imported_Cypress]

I have the 20 pin and the additional 4pin molex connector plugged into the board. I played around some more last night and was able to inch the settings up to 9 X 270 with a 3/4 divider. I had to set the command rate to 2t in order to get the memory stable. I am not sure why I wasn't able to achieve these settings earlier in the day. Is it possible the CPU just needs time to burn in?

P.S. I am going to order a new power supply.

 

[TGS]

Memory timings? I have that same memory and it is very picky about speeds past 400mHz. I've had stability problems with my dimms at the "default" abit speeds of 204 htt. Try bumping the timings up from 2-3-2-6 to something around 2.5-3-3-7.

All assuming you haven't touched the timings as of yet.

 

[rise]

cypress the board has 4 power connectors

 

[Brian23]

Disable the spread spectrum.

 

[imported_Cypress]

Spread spectrum is disabled.

rise4310, I see a total of 3 power connectors on the board. The 24 pin, the 4 pin molex and another 4 pin above the chipset. What in the heck am I missing?

 

[rise]

the floppy connector between the pcie 16x and the cpu. i missed it too, its a pita and i never imagined the board having one, lol

 

[sangyup81]

your results will improve dramatically with a new Power Supply

 

[imported_Cypress]

Thanks all. New Power Supply is on the way. Hope it helps.

 

[Maverick]

which one did you get?