Push my new Opty 165 further?

[eventerke]

Just got a new Opteron 165, and replaced my Opteron 144 in my AsRock Dual SATA m/b
Either my Opty 144 was an exceptional stepping, org this 165 isn't too great.
I could get 2.8Ghz (300x9) out of my 144, but so far the best my 165 can manage is 2.4. The AsRock by default only allows a .05V increase - I'm thinking of doing a voltmod.
Right now the 165 is running stable Prinme95 at 2.4 @ 55deg (according to Sandra).
Is it worth the trouble to voltmod (only requires shorting 2 contacts on the mb), and safe to push to 1.45V or more?
At the current temp am I probably at the ceiling for this CPU? I have a coolermaster Hyper that's similar to the Artic Cooler Freezer64.

Thanks!
Kendt

 

[covertash]

I have the same motherboard and CPU as well. I have a CCBBE 0610 and it currently sits at 300X9 on stock volts. However, I am using the OCWBeta2 BIOS and I have found that the BIOS being used has a pretty dramatic impact on the overclocking potential you can do. At least with this board that seems to be the case.

Perhaps flashing to a different BIOS may help.

But it also may be an unlucky chip. Do you know the stepping and revision of your chip? And also which motherboard revision do you have? 1.04 or 1.05?

 

[myocardia]

There have been a few steppings of Opty 165's that would only do 2.4 Ghz. If yours is new, it won't be one of them. Is this your heatsink: CoolerMaster Hyper 6? Or is it a cheaper one?

If it isn't the Hyper 6, I would think that 2.5-2.6 Ghz will probably be your maximum speed, without replacing the heatsink. Also, if you're wanting higher speeds, you're gonna have to voltmod your motherboard. Those few lucky people who had/have 165's running at 3 Ghz weren't doing it with 1.40v vcore. Most were using 1.50-1.55v.

 

[eventerke]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm running the OCW Beta1 BIOS - that seemed to suit my 144 the best. I'll give the Beta2 a shot. I tried Beta7 and it didn't work so well.
The HS is similar to the one listed, but w/aluminum fins. One thing I've noted is that though it has a copper base, it has a round contact pad that does not completely contact the heatspreader. I have a Freezer 64 I bought to go on the 144 when I build the next box - I think I might put it on instead and see how it does.
Not sure about the MB revision - my stepping is CCBWE 0546SPMW
144 stepping is CACJE 0546APBW

Update is 2.5 Ghz (280x9) running Prime95 stable @ 54deg with the original specs - off to try the Beta2 BIOS. I went ahead and picked up a conductive pen to do the voltmod when my 600W PS comes in.

 

[myocardia]

The CCBWE is one of the better steppings of 165's, so it shouldn't be your chip holding you back. Of course, there are "bad" overclockers, even with good steppings. They're just alot less likely, if you have a good stepping.

edit: I forgot to make my point. Your motherboard is going to be the limiting factor for you, unfortunately.

 

[eventerke]

Guess I'll wait and see what the voltmod gives me. 280x9 seems to be the best I can do for now. I did go ahead and relax the memory timings and bump the base memory speed from 210Mhz @ 2.5-3-3-7 to 232Mhz @ 3-4-4-8. I'll see how that balances performance-wise.

 

[covertash]

Maybe also try bumping the multiplier down and bumping up the HTT past 300 if possible and see if you can get higher that way. However, as myocardia mentioned, it very well could just be the motherboard itself that won't allow for the higher clocks. Hopefully OCW Beta 2 helps you out like it did for me.

 

[gobucks]

in my experience, athlon X2's and opteron 165's don't respond all that well to extra voltage. I had one of each, and once i hit the limit on stock volts, i could only squeeze maybe 50-75MHz out with extra voltage. For example, at stock volts the 165 topped out at 2.45V, while at the maximum safe voltage (before temps got too high) i could only get 2.52GHz. Maybe mine just sucked, but i wouldn't spend too much effort overvolting for a few extra MHz.

 

[starwars7]

my 165 is listed in my sig, you may want to play with your RAM timings, that helped me