weird problems OCing 2.4b, help

obelix · Sep 7, 2003, 08:48 PM

well Im going to go straight to the problem, I can't OC my intel 2.4b past 2.8 ghz.

Ok Ok, I know 2.8 isnt bad but listen to the problem. It seems NO MATTER WHAT I cannot get the fsb past 157, now compared to the others I have seen, that is just sad.
My specs are:
MOBO: giga-byte 8sq800
Processor: 2.4b
RAM:corsair 3200XL( not LL )
Heatsink: Spark7 w/ AC3.

The only two things I think it could be are: RAM and/or heat. On the RAM side it seems I can only POST with ram timings of 2-8-3-3, using dual channel 64bit( for some reason I get higher mem bandwidth with dual mode in dual 64bit rather than single 128bit )ive tried downclocking the ram, messing with ratios etc. but still no POST when going past a FSB of 157.
On the heat side, ive tried ranges of vcore settings none work, Oh and the temp is fine, Idel:30c full load:high 40s (whether or not its at 2.4 or 2.8 ), the only thing that makes me think its a heat problem is that on a cold day, when the PC has been off for a long time, it seems like I can sneak a FSB of 160, but once it warms up and I reboot, NO POST...just seems weird to me. So which is it? the ram or the heat? doesnt seem like the ram would hold me back but I cant imagine ONE HERTZ higher on the FSB would over heat the processor and not allow a POST. ANY INFO would be greatly appreciated, OH and yes the processor the C stepping version.
Thanks

Forgot to mention that when it does not POST and I press the reset button, only the cpu clocks are reset back to default.

obelix · Sep 9, 2003, 09:47 PM

No one out there have any ideas?.....same here

Iridium · Sep 10, 2003, 07:39 AM

Possibly it is the mobo, I had an ASUS P4S8X and it would not oc for anything. I have the same chip and pc2700 ram at 5:4 timings and I am getting a 177 FSB now. Check sig for rig specs.

Al_Vampyre · Sep 10, 2003, 09:03 AM

LOL, I was just about to post the same question about the same chip so I decided to tag mine on here and hopefully someone will help us all!!

I too have a 2.4b (b1 stepping) I was hoping to get 2.8 out of it but every time I go over 140 FSB I get random reboots, no blue screens, just reboots.

Its at stock volts (1.5v) at the moment but it idles at about 48-50C and under load hits 60C and thats with a Thermalright AX-478 and a YS Tech 80mm fan. I think the airflow may be bad as ambient is always quite high (over 30C)...

The memory is 512Mb Corsair XMS3000 which is at 2.7v at the moment because I normally o/c the memory using the 4:5 divider (Mobo is an IT7-Max v1) so it runs at 133/178Mhz.

Obviously if I'm upping the FSB I'm dropping the divider to 1:1 so its running synchronously and the RAM is within its capabilities.

PCI/AGP freqs are locked at 33/66 so the problem isn't there.

Any ideas or have I just got a lousy chip???

Warpy · Sep 10, 2003, 09:30 AM

The solution is simple:

Follow these steps.

Pull out your RAM from the mobo
Fill your kitchen sink with some nice soapy water
insert RAM into sink
Scrub violently
Stick in microwave for 7mins on high
When dry insert back into PC - but ONLY when dry.

And the job is a good in!!

Al_Vampyre · Sep 10, 2003, 09:35 AM

Won't the aluminium heat spreaders cause lots of arcing in the microwave??

Anybody got any serious ideas???

Warpy · Sep 10, 2003, 09:41 AM

Very good point Al_Vampyre

I would probaly can what i said obelix.

obelix · Sep 10, 2003, 10:12 AM

heh, yea...probably going to hold off on mitchelson's idea lol.

but yea Iridium a good guess would be that its the MOBO, hate to replace that though.

But as for Al_Vampyre, I do know the B1 stepping processors dont overclock "as well" but DO overclock decently, those temps do seems really high. One thing that did help BIG TIME with me was messing around with the divider so that no matter how high the FSB was, the memory stayed somewhat around 400( its 3200 mem ), before I couldnt go past 140 like you stated. Thats the only thng I can think of right now.

anyone else have anything they want to add?

Thanks

Al_Vampyre · Sep 10, 2003, 10:38 AM

Cheers Obelix, although I know that the memory functions perfectly at 356 even though its only DDR333...gotta love Corsair! So at at 140FSB its running at 280 which is well below spec and shouldn't have any probs. I would like to raise the vCore a notch to 1.525v but the temps go sky high if I do. Is there any chance its the PSU as its just a cheap 400W powering 2HDD, 1 DVD, 1 DVD writer, a 9700pro, and 3 case fans

obelix · Sep 10, 2003, 03:45 PM

wow, those temps are really high man. my vcore is at 1.650 and I idle around 30c and full load at no more than 50c tops. Ive pushed the vcore up more but it doesnt do much but raise it a few degrees,certianly not putting the temp "through the roof". Anyone else have temps as high as Al_Vampyre's?, I think you have a bigger problem than I do, 1. you should be able to go higher than 140fsb, I dont think a b1 stepping 2.4b OCs THAT badly, and 2.those temps, correct me someone if im wrong, are to high for stock voltage. Ill try and think of more later on, Im in class right now. Later

Iridium · Sep 10, 2003, 04:13 PM

If I am not mistaken, the 2.4B is one of the BEST oc'ers available as far as P4's go. I don't even have to raise my V-core past 1.550 to get my rock solid 3.2 ghz o'clock, with pc2700 ram

. Temps for me, although I do have a slk-900U are never getting about 43C under load.
>_< Think this may be the mobo still..

Al_Vampyre · Sep 11, 2003, 08:22 AM

Iridium, is your 2.4b a B0 stepping one or a C1 step?

Iridium · Sep 11, 2003, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al_Vampyre
Iridium, is your 2.4b a B0 stepping one or a C1 step?

Hmm at work, lemmie get back to ya on that one.

obelix · Sep 11, 2003, 10:05 AM

It is probably C1 stepping with an OC that high

Al_Vampyre · Sep 11, 2003, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by obelix
It is probably C1 stepping with an OC that high

LOL...my thoughts exactly!! You get any further forward Obelix?

obelix · Sep 11, 2003, 12:36 PM

I sure havent, I guess it cant be much more than the MOBO for me, although the fact that I can "sneek"(while the pc is cool) a fsb of 160 leads be to believe its a heat issue. Does anyone know if just raising the fsb by a few hetz can stop my computer from POSTing? You would think that if it were to high a fsb it might just give me problems in windows or to high of temps, but I get none of that, same temps whether OCed or not and no windows problems, it simply just doesnt POST, so i guess it really is the motherboard, or could it be a problem with the combination of RAM timings and FSB speeds?

Ah well, it sounds like you are having worse problems with that high heat and low overclock. I cant think of much more that could cause that, im sure your processor has good heatsink contact right? when your PC is at full load can you feel the heatsink? is it hot?

It might not be nice to hear but sometimes you just might have to start replacing parts, new mobo..processor..ram, which im probably not going to do just yet, but might be all I have left to do...unless anyone can think of anything esle????

Iridium · Sep 11, 2003, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by obelix
It is probably C1 stepping with an OC that high

Still at work, but was wondering, are you asking if it is a 533mhz FSB processor or a 800mhz FSB processor? If so, it is the 533 fsb P4.

obelix · Sep 11, 2003, 12:54 PM

Nah, he was wondering about the stepping on the processor. Intel made two types of 2.4b processors, the first which is an OK overclocker is the 2.4b w/ B stepping, the second is the 2.4b w/ C stepping which is the really nice overclocker( not for me though ). both have a 533 fsb. There is an easy way to tell, but I forget it right now, just a simple app that displays some info about your CPU.

Iridium · Sep 11, 2003, 12:58 PM

OK kewl wasn't sure when I saw the "C1" in previous post. Ya I love this chip, matched with this new mobo I got, it is really smokin..sorry about your troubles

obelix · Sep 11, 2003, 01:26 PM

yea, I might consider investing in your MOBO , how much $$ was it?=) . Thats a nice 9700 OC you have as well, sheesh wish we were all that lucky, I have the powercolor version, 3.6ns memor, horrible, but a core of 355.

Iridium · Sep 11, 2003, 02:34 PM

I picked up the Mobo at Newegg for about $190 before shipping. A good thing about it is that it will be compatible with the new Intel Prescotts when they come out, so no worries about upgrading right away. Thanks for comment on vid card, I think it is a little low for my 9700 pro when I see how some other people are able to clock their core. Mine has a major cooling mod on the gpu too, wish I could squeeze a few more out of her, going to work on that tonight

.

Iridium · Sep 11, 2003, 04:39 PM

At home now and it is the C1 stepping..