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

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Lazerous
Strange dilemna here.....


I just boosted my CPU up to 2.52ghz and now i get worse benchmark scores.

scores with cpu@2.439 were:

3dmark'05 - 4956
3dmark'03 - 12,127

with the new clock@2.52ghz:

3dmark'05 - 4883
3dmark'03 - 12,027

Granted this isn't a huge loss but shouldn't it go quite a bit higher instead of going down?
why would this be? because of the command rate of the ddr being set to 1t maybe? is there a logical explanation for this?

what i changed:
ddr command rate to 1t (from 2t)
ddr voltage to 2.80 (from 2.65) *2.8 is the highest the bios allows.*
cpu voltage to 1.525 (from 1.5)
htt to 210 (from 203) *ddr by itself would only stay stable to 220mhz*
DRR latency timings are: 2-2-2-5

I didn't really change alot. just enough. lol
The system is running very stable though and passed prime95 with no errors in over 12 hours of tests.

* Silly question here. Would the fact that I have a 754 socket affect the way that the HTT is set or how high it can be boosted?

Any answers here?

Wait, which one had 1T CMD?

 

[Lazerous]

Wait, which one had 1T CMD?

Actually Zebo, after checking this again I saw that according to my BIOS(Pheonix) if the ddr settings are set to SPD then you really cannot change the command rate to 1T. Iy does change but when you restart it reverts back to the default setting of 2T if SPD is selected. If I set this for manual and then chgange the command rate to 1T and restart the system is unstable and will not boot.

I have a 754 socket chip so I'm wondering if the 1T thing works much better for dual channel systems? I really can't complain too much about what I have. I knew going into this that this processor wouldn't clock real high but that it was a "good out of the box" processor. I was just confused as to why the lower BM scores with a higher cpu clock.

I am running stable @ 2.524ghz and with a little bit more clock on my 6800GT (391/1080@1.55v) i'm getting 12,242 on 3dm'03 and 4988 on 3dm'05.

I'm sure i could OC this thing more if i used like PC3700 or PC4000 ram too but this rig is actually pretty fast. I have been playing Joint Operations online and there is no sign of the lag monster to be seen. It's nice when your biggest bottleneck is the server that the game is being hosted from.

If you might know why the performance loss is happening I sure would be interested or if you have any insight into clocking the 754 chips with single channel memory. there seems to be a difference here.

 

[SpideyCU]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: SpideyCU
Very simple question here. I own an Epox 9NDA3+, and I can't find any ratio settings for my RAM bus vs. FSB. There is only a generic setting for "100/133/166/200/Auto" under "Max Memclock". Now, I can't tell if those are flat limitations (166 = 166 MHz), or if they're ratios (166 = FSB*0.83). Anyone with this board able to shed some light? WCPUID doesn't show a RAM bus speed, so I can't figure out which is which!

This is the rough way to calculate IE close enough..

"Max Memclock".

200 = HTT Mhz
183 = HTT x .90 = Mhz
166 = HTT x .83 = Mhz
150 = HTT x .75 = Mhz
133 = HTT x .66 = Mhz
100 = HTT x .50 = Mhz

So, I that's confirming that on the 166 setting != 166 MHz, but simply 0.83 of the HTT speed. In which case...I'm a bit disappointed that the board doesn't have more settings (i.e. 183, 150, etc.)

Also, this leads me to ask - what's the point of the 200 MHz setting? Heh, isn't that the same as Auto?

Edit: and thanks go to Zebo for continually answering questions...I was actually hoping someone else with this mobo would've answered because I feel bad for the guy constantly clarifying everything he's already written.

 

[aznman]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: aznman
Zebo, thanks for helping out new guys like me...ima need this next week when i get my x800xl in...final piece of the puzzle

a64 3000+
chaintech vnf4/ultra
1gig(2x512)kingston hyperx pc3200
seagate 80gig sata
powercolor x800xl(no way in hell im waiting for another month for the price to drop 70 bucks)

i hope it will overclock well....not hoping for a grand overclock(like majorpayne's.what a nice job) but hoping to fetch some decent numbers....wish me luck

thanks again for the guide bro
-ricky

That board kinda sucks for overclocking. Do a search in mobo forums..has hard time past 220 HTT.. my advice is get MSI ultra or DFI ultra from monarch with free bundle.

bah already been having the board for a a little over a month now...im not too crazy about overclocking...if i get a little juice ill be a happy man

 

[Dave818]

Zebo I have a quick question for you. I took note of the part where you said 1T is very important with an A64. I have the asus A8V-E Deluxe motherboard. I have been looking all over the net with anyone who has this board, where can I disable the 2T setting so its 1T. I have looked all over my bios and cant find it. It should be under dram settings but its not. If you dont know about this bios do you know of a software program I can get to see what setting the command rate is set at now and can I change this from windows?

Great guide btw. I have learned a lot.

Thanks!

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Dave818
Zebo I have a quick question for you. I took note of the part where you said 1T is very important with an A64. I have the asus A8V-E Deluxe motherboard. I have been looking all over the net with anyone who has this board, where can I disable the 2T setting so its 1T. I have looked all over my bios and cant find it. It should be under dram settings but its not. If you dont know about this bios do you know of a software program I can get to see what setting the command rate is set at now and can I change this from windows?

Great guide btw. I have learned a lot.

Thanks!

http://www.ocmodshop.com/a8n_sli/big/bios4.jpg

 

[Dave818]

I have the max memclock setting but there is no setting for 1T/2T. Could the bious have not included it? Can this be changed with a program from windows?

 

[screaminglemon]

ok, so this is my first A64 board so hopefully im just missing something simple. i tryed isolating the htt/fsb as per this guide and can only reach 219mhz. at 220 it powers on but no video signal + hard lock. i need to do insert+reset or clear cmos to continue. i see others are reaching 300+ so did i simply pick up a bum board or what?

my specs:
A64 3200 winchester (stock HSF)
MSI Neo4 Platinum ultra (not SLI) (bios ver. 1.1 (latest version MSI has))
2x512 Mushkin PC3200 rated 2-2-2 (the special promo stuff not their normal black)
Antec 550watt
MSI Geforce 6600GT
74gig Raptor on SATA3
2 IDE hard drives
1 IDE dvd-rw

settings:
memclock index value = 100
HT frequency = 4x
cpu ratio = x6
mem timings at : 2.5/4/4/10/2T (wont boot at CAS 3 for some reason)
vDimm = 2.7v
aggressive timing/ dynamic overclocking/ cpu,sata,pcie spread spectrum/ cool n quiet ALL disabled.

with the above settings/hardware the cpu fsb frequency will not post past 219mhz.
btw, i was not able to get the system completely stable with cas 2-2-2-2t at stock speeds so at first i thought i had a memory problem but with such a low fsb OC i dont know now. it is rock solid stable at stock speed and loose mem timings but i want more. any ideas?

 

[maxxedout]

Yes thanks for the guide, it helps noobs like me get anywhere :laugh: At 2.4Ghz prime95 fails on the torture test after 8min , load temp is around 59. I have increased the VCORE to 1.6 but it still fails. I am wondering how accurate the VCORE reading is in CPUZ and MBM5. I hope to get it stable at 2.6Ghz with water cooling

 

[imported_g33k]

Thanks Zebo for the guide. I just got done oc my 3000+ NC to 2500mhz on Corsair Value Select using a 9/10 divider. Great guide!

 

[screaminglemon]

ok an update on my issues.

i tryed lowering the HT frequency to 1x and cpu ratio to x4. when i do that this board will post to 259mhz cpu fsb frequency. i can bump the cpu ratio to x9 and it will still post at 259 but if i move the HT freq to 2x (with cpu ratio at 4x) then i get hard lock.

anyone know what piece is holding me back? the A64 is taking some getting used to, thats for sure.

 

[screaminglemon]

alright one more update. sorry to be a nuesance but this is bugging me.

i tryed with no sata cable connected and got the htt/fsb to post at 269. so i messed with the different sata ports. seems on sata 1 & 3 i can only get to 259 but on sata 2 & 4 i can get to 269. and this is still at 1x HT and 4x cpu and loose timings at 100mhz memclock. if i move timings to SPD (2-2-2-8-2t) and everything else the same (using sata4) i can only post to 260 htt/fsb.

do i just have a crap board. should i give up on hoping to use a htt/fsb over 220 with realistic multipliers?

 

[imported_g33k]

I had a question in regards to lowering the multiplier. When is it a good idea to lower the multiplier? Since I have Corsair VS, would it be a good idea to stay at 10x multi, or should I try to lower it to 9x and raise the HTT? I am running a mem divider of 10/9 at 240 fsb right now, stable.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Dave818
I have the max memclock setting but there is no setting for 1T/2T. Could the bious have not included it? Can this be changed with a program from windows?

Update bios. I guantee you it's there.

 

[Dave818]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: Dave818
I have the max memclock setting but there is no setting for 1T/2T. Could the bious have not included it? Can this be changed with a program from windows?

Update bios. I guantee you it's there.

I have the latest bios for the A8V-E Deluxe, 1003. I have a program called A64 Tweaker so I can change it to 1T when im in windows. But I have to do it everytime I reboot. When I run memtest it still using it at 2T which is default.

 

[TJmoney]

I seem to be hitting a wall above about 240 fsb.
First, the system specs:
Winchester 3200+
DFI Lanparty UT ultra-d
Cooler Master 450 watt PS (24-pin, dual 12v)
2X512 Corsair value
Zalman 7000alcu w/ as5
IDE hard drive. No issues with locks on that, right?

I can get the FSB up plenty high, and the ram is clean at any FSB in memtest as long as I keep its actual speed under 220 with a divider. The thing that seems weird to me is that I run prime stable with the processor at 2.4ghz on 1.45V (software reads it as 1.4V, so it may be undervolting), but I can't run 250 stable at 1.55V. Is it normal for processors to hit a wall like that, or do I have some other problem? Temps are really good, at 2.4ghz I idle ~32, peak load ~43. At the unstable 2.5ghz settings idle ~36, load ~49, so I don't think that is an issue.

 

[punjig]

I also have a quick question Zebo. I have a a8n sli deluxe. a fx-53 cpu. 4 sticks (2 matched pairs) of corsair 512 4000(ddr500)-a total of 2 Gigs. 2 sata hd on 3&4. and 2 6600gt vid cards running in sli. And a 500watt server power supply, and have burned them all in for 3 weeks now without a hiccup.
Everything runs great in auto(mem runs at ddr400 W/ 200 fsb in auto). When I try to run my memory with Stock timings ((3-4-4-8) or auto for that matter)) at stock speeds it is a no go. In the bios I set my ddr setting to "ddr400" 1:1 setting, and my cpu out of the equation and htt multi sett to 3 or 4 no matter and set fsb to 235 no prob, but anything higher and its a no go. I don't get it, it should run at fsb250 just to get it to stock speeds of the memory, but it won't.. Also just more info, I looked the specs up on this ram and its factory tested speed is 2.75, so i tried the voltage from there up to 3.0, and no go with any of those voltage settings.I isolated just as your guide stated, during the htt I got 305*3, Durring the cpu I got 255*10,But I cant get ram to even go stock speed. I really don,t even care about OCing the cpu just want ram to run rated speed.Does it have anything to do with the 4 sticks? I don't know any help would be nice. I didn't buy faster ram to not see it run at it's rated speed. Thank you very, very much for your help ahead of time!!!

 

[punjig]

Zebo I forgot to let you know, mem t1/t2 settinghas to be set to auto, if sett to t1 it won't even post no matter what th fsb is set at. t2 is not a prob.

 

[retz]

Wonder what I'm doing wrong here cos when finding out the max capabilities of the chipset I cant raise HTT over 210 without windows becoming unstable.

Got dfi nf4 sli-d mobo with 3500+ winchester and two winbond utt rams. Bios updated to 209. Temps are fine, just around 40 celcius.

 

[Tab]

I think I am starting to understand this...

Planning to order...

Lian Li V-1200 (execellent airflow, already bought)
Antec NeoPower 480 (Working perfectly, all voltages + or _ .3)
DFI Lan Party Nforce4 Ultra-D (Planning to buy...)
Low Latency PC-3200 2x512MB (Possibly Kingston...)
PowerColor X800XL (Planning to buy, might add a Arctic Silencer...)
AMD 64 3200+ (Planning to buy)
Zalman 7700 AlCu (Planning to buy)
other random crap....

It seems that keeping your memory speed the same as your FSB doesn't really matter, having low timings make a huge difference with certains things like winRaR.... which I use everyday... (Excellent compression btw...)

I want to at least hit 2.5Ghz ideally, it's just a perfect number.

200 = HTT Mhz
183 = HTT x .90 = Mhz
166 = HTT x .83 = Mhz
150 = HTT x .75 = Mhz
133 = HTT x .66 = Mhz
100 = HTT x .50 = Mhz

Or

200 = HTT Mhz
183 = HTT x 9/10 = Mhz
166 = HTT x 4/5 = Mhz
150 = HTT x 1/4 = Mhz
133 = HTT x 1/3 = Mhz
100 = HTT x 1/2 = Mhz

If I want to leave my memory at DDR 400 and my timing alone...

I'll need to...

Max out my HTT basically and my CPU multi (I thought these were locked???)

I'd basically end up with something simaller to your previous example

200 (Memory Speed) * 4/5 (Divider) = 187.5 x 14 (ugh I hope they've got multiplers that high...)

I am understanding this??

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: Tabb
200 (Memory Speed) * 4/5 (Divider) = 187.5 x 14 (ugh I hope they've got multiplers that high...)

You won't be able to use 14x multi. Those A64s have their multi capped at whatever they are stock. So, 3200+ is 10x. You could use the 10x or anything below, but not above.

 

[Tab]

So...

Let assume I want 2.5Ghz

I'd have to use

250Mhz (HyperTrans) * 10 (Multi) = 2500

If I want to use DDR 400 I need to use a divider of 3/4 which would make my memory run at 187.5 Mhz... Or I could use .83 (don't know how they came up with a 83/100) divider and overclock my memory to 207.5 and use the .83 divider...

 

[punjig]

I would really like to know about my memory problem, can zebo or anyone else answer me please??? thank you ahead of time!!!

 

[veggz]

Sorry for the newb question, but what exactly is a memory divider? I am overclocking my 754 3000+ system with Geil RAM (not value) and am wondering how I would go about setting a divider. I have my FSB set at 230 and mem speed at 200.

Edit: Never mind, I'm retarded.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: Tabb
So...

Let assume I want 2.5Ghz

I'd have to use

250Mhz (HyperTrans) * 10 (Multi) = 2500

If I want to use DDR 400 I need to use a divider of 3/4 which would make my memory run at 187.5 Mhz... Or I could use .83 (don't know how they came up with a 83/100) divider and overclock my memory to 207.5 and use the .83 divider...

That is correct. Check with your mobo to determine what dividers you actually have available to you. Looks like you're planning on a DFI Ultra. Good choice. I have an Ultra-D and an SLI-D. Both using Corsair Value Select. Both working well.

I guess check and see how well your ram overclocks, but, in case it doesn't move much (mine doesn't), try to find settings that keep it at around 200mhz.

The good thing is with the DFI board, you're not limited to the dividers Zebo listed here. There are more.

200 1:1 (200FSB equivalent)
180 9:10 (222FSB)
166 5:6 (240)
150 3:4 (266)
140 7:10 (285)
133 2:3 (300)
120 3:5 (333)
100 1:2 (400)

So, you'll likely find a good combination therein. Such as 285 FSb * 9x multi (this board has NO problem hitting 285FSB), with a 140 divider for 2565mhz. Keeps ram at 200mhz. Of course, providing your chip can handle the speed. My 3000+ is not stable at these speeds yet, so I'm at 2500mhz right now.

So, if yours is breezing through benchmarks at that, go to 266 FSB * 10x multi next with a 150 divider for 2660mhz and see how it does. If it fails here, then start tweaking in the middle to find something. You may even find lower multis to be more stable.... i.e. 333 FSB * 8x multi at 120 divider for 2664mhz would be fine, but the 266 FSB * 10x multi at 150 divider would fail.

Unfortunately, I've found A64 overclocking to be extremely varied, with even seemingly identical systems behaving differently. Be prepared to be tweaking A LOT if you're someone who wants to maximize its potential.