**SURVEY: What's your max STABLE overclock using a EPoX 4G4A/+?**

[CrazySaint]

Someone in the 4G4A thread in the motherboards forum complained that the thread was getting too long and unwieldy (over 330 posts and climbing) and it would be nice to have a single (shorter) thread to check overclocking results on this board with all the mixed reports out there, so here it is!

Please include:
CPU: model stock @ overclock (i.e., P4 1.6A @2.4)
FSB:
Mem ratio:
DDR speed:
Mem model: (i.e., Corsair XMS PC2700)
vcore:
vdimm:
Other common important stats that I forgot

Speaking for myself, I'm most interested in what you've done using Corsair memory since somebody in the 4G4A+ thread said that this board actually does better with cheaper RAM then fancy Corsair RAM! (I'm about to order some Corsair XMS PC2700)

 

[AcquiredHate]

P4 1.6A (Costa Rica 6/5/02) @2.56ghz
160mhz FSB
1:1 Mem ratio
320 DDR speed
256MB Crucial PC2100 CAS 2.5 6/3/3
1.65 Vcore
2.7 Vdimm

Let me give a little history on getting to this point. This is a copy from my post at the Hardforums:

Just 3 months ago I built an AthlonXP 1800+/Gigabyte 7VRXP system and used two OCZ 256MB PC3000 CAS2 sticks, the system ran fine. I then got a new Epox 4G4A+ and P4 1.6 to get into the overclocking game. I used the same two chips in my new board and would run fine at the stock speed, but any overclocking yeilded nothing but lockups and crashes. I was convinced I had a bad mobo or P4, it couldn't have been the RAM because it ran in my Athlon system just fine. So, trying everything under the sun prior to an RMA, I borrowed one stick of Crucial 256MB PC2100 and popped it in there. BOOM! No more lockups, no more reboots, no more crashes. I can run Prime95 and 3D Mark for over a day with no problems. I've currently got my 1.6A up to 2.56ghz with the ram running at DDR320 1:1...

So those people having stability issues might want to try another stick of ram.

 

[Duvie]

While I don't have the 4g4a mobo I do have the 4bda board and I can concur this board is picky with ram....

kingmax pc2700 5ns ddr will do 410+ ddr at 2.7v in sis645 chipset...

Wont do much above 370 with most conservative settings....can't force cas at 333mhz ddr...


With my 4bda I have stabily booted and ran apps and benches at 175fsb....I am rock solid at 166fsb my current resting place....

 

[AtomicPC]

Just got the 4G4A+, 512 Samsung PC2700 and a 1.6A a few days ago from NewEgg. I'm very happy with the results. I can run 2.56 @ 1.65Vcore with 4:5, 160fsb. All this @ 41C

 

[langour]

AcquiredHate

Dude..I totally agree...I only use Crucial now. As far as Im concerned, the best ram out there...although a little more pricey than the rest, it is well worth it.

I have to confess that I dont have the P4 system yet, but I keep reading about ram problems.

So far, my plan is to get:
P4 1.6A
Epox 4g4A+
Crucial 512MB shtick
GF4 Ti4200 - dont know which make yet

 

[Pabster]

Oooooh, I love these threads

P4 Northwood 2.26/533
Epox 4G4A
512MB Corsair XMS3200
Retail HS/F

Max stable (thus far ) is 2.82GHz (166x17) running DDR416. RAM timings 2.5-3-3-5. Really quite a boost over what I'm doing now - 2.72 (160x17) running DDR400. The extra FSB really juices her up -- but it runs a notch too hot for my liking (around 57C full load). My Swiftech MCX4000 ought to arrive any day, at which time I expect to push above and beyond 2.82 ... we shall see

The board is definitely a bit picky with RAM. I've found that a single DIMM in DIMM2 is your best bet for maximum FSB.

 

[oldfart]

Nice setup Pabster! Looking forward to seeing 3 GHz from you! I dont have that board, but re: ram. I've setup (2) 4BDA/(2+) systems, one being my own. I used a single 512 Meg stick of Samsung PC2700 DDR in both of those systems. One is original, one OEM. Both went straight to DDR400 without a sweat. I think (for any system), 1 512 stick of Samsung or Corsair is the way to go.

 

[AlterEski]

Hi, bought a Epox 4G4A+ yesterday, got the fsb up to 140 and memory is using 4:5 and is going at 354 DDR. The memory wont run stably at 3:4 setting (irrespective of cas setting), even though i have XMS 3000 corsair ram..... *sigh*
i'm sure my processor has more in it as its only at 1.525volts, it even posts at 2.7GHz at default voltage.

PS thanks Pabster i'll try DIMM2

 

[THUGSROOK]

is this board still missing the extra p4 power connector?

i noticed the direction of the cpu HSF on this board is not reference. (its turned 90*)
a retail p4 HSF will blow hot air right on DIMM1.

 

[Eymar]

My numbers

High mem oc:
P4 1.6A (Malay) @2.7ghz
169mhz FSB
4:5 Mem ratio
420mhz DDR
512MB Corsair XMS3000 CAS 2.5 6/3/3
1.75 Vcore
2.5 Vdimm (Memory more stable at stock\lowest voltage, odd. Also dimm2 seems to give best oc)

Highest CPU oc:
P4 1.6A @ 2.8ghz
175FSB
1:1 Mem ratio
350mhz DDR Cas 2.5 6/3/3 (Have problems running at cas2 even though memory is rated up to 370mhz @ cas2)

Like most others this is on an WinXP system with inf drivers. Prime95 runs for hours, but getting 3dmark2001 SE to loop continuosly is what limits most overclocks when talking stability.

 

[soljahz]

P4 1.6A (Costa Rica 6/5/02) @2.52ghz
158mhz FSB
4:5 Mem ratio
394 DDR speed
512mb Samsung on powmem pcb CAS 2.5 6/3/3
1.72 Vcore
2.7 Vdimm

I can go up to 400 ddr speed now that i have a new 520 watt ps. But I don't want to bump up the voltage for it to get stable.

 

[CrazySaint]

Hey Eymar, that's a real nice overclock What kind of cooling do you have?

 

[Eymar]

Using a Volcano 7+. Loud, but effective since it's hot up where I live. I have case temps of 32C and at load CPU temps of 54C.

 

[QSW]

CPU:1.6A (malaysia Feb 2002) @ 2.56ghz
FSB:160mhz
Mem Ratio: 4:5
DDR: 400mhz
RAM: Corsair 512mb PC2700 @2.5-6-3-3
Vcore:1.75v
Vdimm:2.9v

Note : I can only use 1 stick of ram in dimm slot 2. When I use another Corsair PC2700 in slot 1, I can barely boot into windows without freezing. tried increasing Vdimm all the way to 3.2v, no go

 

[Labdog]

3.2v? do you want to fry your memory?

 

[craigg]

P4 1.6A @ 2.4ghz with stock cooling
150mhz FSB
3:4 memory frequency
DDR 400
256mb Kingmax PC3200 Cas 2.5 6/3/3
1.675 Vcore
AGP Voltage 1.8
VDIMM 2.6

It will go faster but I tend to be conservative. With these settings I can loop 3D mark continuously and after running the loop for two hours the CPU temp remains about 50C. I think I will add another stick of the Kingmax and see how that holds up.

 

[LinuxRules]

4G4A+
P4 1.6A @ 2.51GHz
157Mhz FSB
4:5 Mem ratio
DDR392
512MB Corsair XMS PC2700 @ 2.5-5-2-2
1.65 Vcore
2.7 Vdimm

Not done tweaking yet

 

[anazoal]

P4 1.6A@2.4
FSB: 150 MHz
Mem ratio: 4:5
DDR Speed: 375 MHz
Mem type: 512 MB Samsung original PC 2700 (in slot 1)
Vcore: 1.525 V
Vdimm: 2.5 V
Stock HS/F (CPU 35 C idle, 49 C Prime95. System 32 C idle, 34 C Prime95).



THUGSROOK, you're right about about the hot air from the HS/F... And that's the excuse I need for a new HS/F.

Does anyone know the dB output of the std fan? How does it compare to a Volcano +? BTW it looks like the Volcano + will blow air across the North Bridge (and maybe help cool it), am I right?

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: LinuxRules
4G4A+
P4 1.6A @ 2.51GHz
157Mhz FSB
4:5 Mem ratio
DDR392
512MB Corsair XMS PC2700 @ 2.5-5-2-2
1.65 Vcore
2.7 Vdimm

Not done tweaking yet

Glad to see someone with a successful overclocking on this board using Corsair XMS PC2700 RAM, I already bought some and heard somebody say that the 4G4A(+) might not like it. Btw, which version of the board do you have and which DIMM slot did you put your RAM in?

 

[Rkonster]

I had a bad experience with this board. My 1.6A wouldn't even run at 155, where it was stable at 162 in a GA-8IEXP.

 

[CrazySaint]

How many sticks of RAM did you use? If more than one, try it with only one stick in DIMM slot 2.

 

[wizz0bang]

Hmmm... this one stick issue might work for me. I can't get past 1.92Ghz (120x16) with my 1.6a (6/4/02 Costa Rica): 4G4A+ w/ two sticks Crucial PC2100 256mb running at 1:1 (DDR 240). I try 2ghz and windows won't even load... not even with 1.70 vcore. I'm running 50C under full load with the 1.92Ghz... which is really pittaly overclocking compared to everyone else it would seem. My weak link could be my Antec 300watt power suppy... it's good, but built before the PIV erra. I bought this CPU intending to do 133*16 at DDR266... but she don't wan'na do it.

I'll pull the first stick and see what happens. If that solves it, I'll just have to spring for a 512mb stick (but then what happens when I want to go to 1gb?????). If it doesn't... either my CPU is an overclock dud, or I need a new PS. Funny that I might only be able to use one memory slot when overclocking !?!? what happens if I buy a 2.4ghz rated CPU???!? then will all my memory slots magically work?

BTW I have the stock bios of 4/24/02... I read a few references to newer versions causing problems. What Bios date/rev seems to be the best for overclocking. I can't seem to find the AGP fast write setting in my bios either... I want to enable that.

Thanks for all the help to many in this forum!

 

[legendma]

P4 1.8A@2.88Ghz
160 FSB
4:5 Memory
400 DDR
Corsair XMS PC3000 v2.1 running at CAS2
Vcore 1.7V
Vdimm 2.6V

 

[HigherGround]

EPoX 4G4A+ BIOS date 04/24/02
P4 1.6A@2.4Ghz
150 FSB
4:5 Memory ( 375Mhz DDR )
Samsung DDR2700 CTL 512MB ( by SPD in BIOS ) in DIMM #2
Vcore 1.55V in BIOS ( 1.52V read by MBM5 )
Vdimm 2.5V

Temps kinda high, especially considerring that the case is still open: 41C when idling, 56C under load, maybe I should invest in a good aftermarket HSF before ramping up the Vcore.

 

[LinuxRules]

Originally posted by: CrazySaint
Glad to see someone with a successful overclocking on this board using Corsair XMS PC2700 RAM, I already bought some and heard somebody say that the 4G4A(+) might not like it. Btw, which version of the board do you have and which DIMM slot did you put your RAM in?

Version 1.0 of the 4G4A+ with RAM in DIMM slot #2.