Quick and dirty A64 clocking guide **UPDATE** X2 OC information!

[Ketchup]

Originally posted by: The Godfather
my multi is at 10 now???

Ok, theman is a little confused. Your board supports socket 754, which means your 3000 is a newcastle or a clawhammer, which runs at 2 GHz. I can get my newcastle up to 2.6 on air.

 

[The Godfather]

ya, its a newcastle

edit-whats your htt at? also do you have cpu:ram at 1:1?

 

[Ketchup]

10X260; mem at 234.

 

[theMan]

oh sorry, i didnt look and see what the specs on that board are. basically what you have to understand, is that every single system overclocks differently, even if they have the same components, so you cant just take someone else's overclock and drop it into your comp. you have to find your own values.

 

[AMDgood IntelBAD]

i was jsut wondering what other people are running, but what are those numbers 2-2-2-7 1T?? i now where 1T is and how to change it but the ones before it what are they and how would i change them, also so id set the Vdimm to 2.9 during the memory test? i'm probably to going to get the amd techtour desktop bundle and that asus a8n-e sounds like it wants to overclock the athlon 64 too.

edit- also how do i set a mem divider? will it be in bios?

 

[sephroth777]

Would this overclocking guide work with the system below since it is not a 64 bit chip?

Just ordered the following system for my Coolermaster Centurion 5 Case with 380w PSU.
The CPU will have the AMD retail heat sink and cooler.

Pioneer Black IDE DVD Burner Model DVR-109
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 ST3120026A 120GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400
AMD Sempron 2800+ Palermo 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor Model
ATI RADEON 9800PRO 128 Ram Radeon 9800PRO 128MB DDR AGP
ASUS K8N Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce3 250 ATX AMD Motherboard


Need to know how to setup the BIOS for the best performance IE. CPU speed/Fastest FSB
Also what would be the best memory timings for the RAM?

Thanks!

 

[imported_wyrmrider]

This guide and the memory guide above will work fine for your sempron 64
It would not work for XP, Barton, or Socket A Semprons, (DElls or K6 either
I can't see your post while typing but find a forum for your motherboard also.
quality PS?
stock cooling? (is ok for moderate oc if case flow is good)

wyrmrider

 

[theMan]

yeah, follow the guide exactly. that will tell you your best timings and stuffs.

 

[AMDgood IntelBAD]

what are those number things ex. 2-2-2-7 1T, i know that 1T is time are the other ones latency or something, also what the hell is latency and how do i set it?

 

[theMan]

those are the latency timings. it is CAS-tRCD-tRP-tRAS basically, the lower the better. latency is basically the amount of time the mem has to wait to get info. you can change these in your bios under memory settings. i dont know what mobo u have so i cant help you there.

 

[kman79]

Now we will Isolate then Consolidate.

What that means is you need to test three parts of the CPU subsystem (chipset, chip, and memory) to find max speeds of each.. Then combine them for some sort of optimal overclock.

ISOLATE
Don't forget to take notes.

1. Max HTT/FSB should be first ..*only works if motherboard has locks. Most A64 boards do today. Sata 1 and 2 are not locked on some nforce mobos use 3 and 4.
-set CPU multi to 6 or 7, this will take CPU out of equation
-set memory to SPD and 100, this will take memory out of equation
-Increase HTT/FSB up until you fail to boot or there abouts, back down 5%, (HTT * 0.95), this is your max safe HTT.

2. Max Chip capable
- Set multiplier to it's maxium
-Set vcore to 1.6 -1.65 for 130nm chips, 1.50-1.55 for 90nm chips
-Set mem to SPD and 100, this will take memory out of equation
-starting with HTT 200 raise in about 5Mhz increments up to boards max found earlier or until you start failing PRIME95 which will probably happen first..only give it 5 minutes max, that's good enough for now.
-At the point it starts failing within that 5 min time period, back down 5%, (CPU MHZ * 0.95), thats your max CPU speed, now test prime again at 95% for 12 hour for stable.
Prime 95 Link http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm

Excuse my ignorance please, going to be my first build and going to be the first time I OC.

What does he mean by "SPD"? I don't have the motherboard yet, it will be ordered next thursday along with the Proc. Just reaindg up on Overclocking so when I get everything build and running stock I already have a better understanding on how to do it. Any help on this would greatly be appreciated

 

[theMan]

SPD is the timings stored inside your memory chips. they are the default values. when overclocking the cpu, you want these to be at auto so the computer doesnt crash becuase of memory it crashes because of the cpu. then you know you have to decrease the overclock. basically, ust leave everything on auto in the memory area for now.

 

[dvinnen]

Just want to say thanks for the guide. Couldn't figure out why I couldn't get over 2.1 on my CG 754 3000+. Turns out it is my memory. Got it running at 2.5 stable now on a 6/5 ra. Ohtio. Problem now is my HTT dosen't want to go over 250. It's a chaintech VNF-3 mobo. Oh well, can't complain much, 2.5 on a system that cost me just a shade over 300 dollars. Thanks agian.

 

[Zebo]

Woot! Congrats


Theman = theman

 

[imported_wyrmrider]

sounds as if your hypertransport is at 4x
try 3x
check your pci/agp lock

and congrats in any case great oc
please publish all of your timings etc

wyrmrider

 

[OracKiller]

need a guide...

my winchester

i clock it to 9*280 at 3x so i can get 2.5, i set my memory to 166 2.5-3-4-3.. but cannot boot (using 1.6V).

So i change the mem to 166 3-3-7-3, everything is fine. I can play DOOM3 with high quality and run 3dmark03 also fine.. but the next day it failed. 3dMark stuck on the half way and the blue screen that say
"Dumping physical memory" i don't know exactly what's that meant.

So now change my mem back to 2.5-3-4-3 everything fine but the blue screen that say
"Dumping physical memory" still appear for 1-2 hours after i switch on my PC.

Then i try hold the FSB on 270 but still facing the same problem.

So now to make it stable for me to visit this forum i have to change the FSB to 265 and the mem is 166 2.5-3-4-3, my safe mem supposed to be 245. and my cpu can be up to 300 over (check my cpu with zebo tips).

My target is at least 2.5Ghz-2.5 for now... but i can't even make it to 2.5

Question:

1. What is the blue screen that say it's "dumping my physical memory" is it because my cou is too hot?.. but my temp is 38C and run prime on 55C.
2. I need to learn more on mem setting and still don't really understand the trcd, cas..etc. What do you meant by losing ur mem?.. is it 3.0(trcd) is lose or 2.5. which one is up or down... hehehee...

Thanks!!!

 

[Ketchup]

Originally posted by: OracKiller
need a guide...

my winchester

i clock it to 9*280 at 3x so i can get 2.5, i set my memory to 166 2.5-3-4-3.. but cannot boot (using 1.6V).

So i change the mem to 166 3-3-7-3, everything is fine. I can play DOOM3 with high quality and run 3dmark03 also fine.. but the next day it failed. 3dMark stuck on the half way and the blue screen that say
"Dumping physical memory" i don't know exactly what's that meant.

So now change my mem back to 2.5-3-4-3 everything fine but the blue screen that say
"Dumping physical memory" still appear for 1-2 hours after i switch on my PC.

Then i try hold the FSB on 270 but still facing the same problem.

So now to make it stable for me to visit this forum i have to change the FSB to 265 and the mem is 166 2.5-3-4-3, my safe mem supposed to be 245. and my cpu can be up to 300 over (check my cpu with zebo tips).

My target is at least 2.5Ghz-2.5 for now... but i can't even make it to 2.5

Question:

1. What is the blue screen that say it's "dumping my physical memory" is it because my cou is too hot?.. but my temp is 38C and run prime on 55C.
2. I need to learn more on mem setting and still don't really understand the trcd, cas..etc. What do you meant by losing ur mem?.. is it 3.0(trcd) is lose or 2.5. which one is up or down... hehehee...

Thanks!!!

First off all, you are making this too difficult. There is no reason to lower your CPU multiplier AND use a memory divider. Use the default multiplier, and a memory divider if necessary. Did you find your max CPU speed before finding your max memory speed?

Since the memory controller is on the chip, your blue screens could be caused by the memory or the CPU. Lower your memory divider to find out which. Also remember that having the memory controller on the chip also means you may not be able to run the CPU and memory at their max stable speeds. It is usually worth it to sacrifice some memory speed for CPU speed.

My memory runs higher clocks and performs better at 3-3-3 than at 2.5-4-4 so test different timings to see what works for you.

Best of luck,

Ketchup

 

[theMan]

Originally posted by: Zebo
1. Max HTT/FSB should be first ..*only works if motherboard has locks. Most A64 boards do today. Sata 1 and 2 are not locked on some nforce mobos use 3 and 4.
-set CPU multi to 6 or 7, this will take CPU out of equation
-set memory to SPD and 100, this will take memory out of equation
-Increase HTT/FSB up until you fail to boot or there abouts, back down 5%, (HTT * 0.95), this is your max safe HTT.

2. Max Chip capable
- Set multiplier to it's maxium
-Set vcore to 1.6 -1.65 for 130nm chips, 1.50-1.55 for 90nm chips
-Set mem to SPD and 100, this will take memory out of equation
-starting with HTT 200 raise in about 5Mhz increments up to boards max found earlier or until you start failing PRIME95 which will probably happen first..only give it 5 minutes max, that's good enough for now.
-At the point it starts failing within that 5 min time period, back down 5%, (CPU MHZ * 0.95), thats your max CPU speed, now test prime again at 95% for 12 hour for stable.
Prime 95 Link http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm

3. Memory MAX

It depends what you want and type of mem you chose, LL or Bandwidth but must keep 1T (command rate) because A64 suffers big time with 2T.

-For high bandwidth set mem setting to 200 and 2.5-4-3-7 1 T and give it boards max volts, or for LL set mem setting to 200 and 2-2-2-7 1 T and give it boards max volts. (up to 2.9Vdimm is safe with all ram) ( Caution DFI/ABIT users -- do not exceed 3.0V unless you know what you are doing!!!)
-Set CPUs multi to 6-7, again to take it out of equation.
-Raise HTT up to boards max or until you start failing memtest86 test 5 and 6 http://www.memtest86.com/
-When you start failing memtest86 test 5 and 6, back down 5%, (HTT * 0.95), thats your max MEM speed.

That should help you out.

 

[imported_wyrmrider]

Do what theman says in the order he gives
check your pci agp lock- go from auto to fixed at 67
then post your results for the three tests back here
or use oc calculator to help pick the best oc from the three variables
ususally cpu speed is most important and Hypertransport least

 

[OracKiller]

I've tried that, i did what zebo's tips ask to do (to find the mx CPU and mem)

If i'm set the mem devider to 200(defult).. my PC almost get into the Winows then restart again.. and sometime it can't even post. Everyone face the same problem (i've read this forum since 1 month ago)

So what i figure i have to devide the mem. Cos my max is 245 and if i use 200 meant that 200=FSB, so 166=FSBx0.85 right! so it is now 212. Because of that i can push my FSB to 265~268, but then crash. Because of that i drop my multiplier to x9. Then i can push to 285 now run 2.5~ wit mem 242(still safe). Of cos if drop it to 100 devider, i can reach 290~.

The best i've been is FSB280x9, x3, 166 devider, but the blue screen like i've mention will appear in 1~2 hours after i play game... hahah... But i think my problem on the mem setting, i'll try ketchup79 timming settings...

Thanks Wallaaa!!!

 

[theMan]

what is the max your cpu can do?

 

[apapia]

Just used this guide and have my 3200+ Venice Priming at 260x10. So far so good. I was able to boot at 275x10 with 1.55V but it would fail Prime immediately. 260 seems about where Prime stops failing so far. I'll check it when I get home.

Haven't tested my memory yet but I'm impressed with my DFI N4 Ultra-D which boots Windows fine at 340 FSB. I didn't even bother testing it higher as no way this CPU will need that. Am I correct that there is no real improvement running a higher FSB (with lower multiplier) on an A64?

What do you guys think? 2.6GHz decent overclock for a Venice? Load temp is around 48-50C with an XP90 and 92mm Panaflo H1A. Might try to lower the voltage (it's at 1.525) if I pass Prime95 at 260.

Thanks for the guide!

 

[theMan]

i think you can go higher than that. try giving it like 1.56v. you should at least be able to get 2.7. a high fsb doesnt help performance. it just depends on how fast your ram can go. here is a nice tool that can help you out.

http://math.gogar.com/athlon64.cgi

 

[imported_wyrmrider]

Theman is correct that multiplier will not affect oc
however a lower multiplier/ higher fsb may allow you to get your ram closer to it's sweet spot
watch your hypertransport multiplier when doing this, try to stay close to 1000 and much better under than over
any benchmarks on YOUR apps?

wyrmrider

 

[Accipiter22]

this guide is reeeeally frustrating....is there a better beginner's guide out there? I can barely make head or tails out of this thing...My bios doesn't have anything to set the multiplier, I don't know what 'SPD' is for memory, and it looks like you just find the HTT 3 different times, without ever tying them together....can someone point me to a reliable noob oc'ing guide?