Can't seem to get my OC stable!!

[BlazingArrow]

Hello guys! Ok, so now i'm at the point where I really want to return my Motherboard, and get a 965! I have overclocked this thing like 1000 different ways in the past few days. I've settled on a speed of 385 x 8 (3 ghz) with my ram at 1:1, 4-4-4-12. But the thing is, it runs smoothly with games, I can do benchmarks like superPi, 3dMark2001, sisoft sandra. But it will not run Prime95 or that other program just like it, stable! In fact, I can't get it to be prime stable at anything above 360 fsb! And I know about the road blocks people are having, and I have tried to jump speeds, i've tried upping the vCore and everything! I've downclocked the ram, loosend the timings, and i can't get it to run prime stable.


My only two options, is that it's the processor or the motherboard. I think i'm going to order a DS3 and at least figure this out. Does anyone know what failing in prime could mean? is it more likely to be either the processor or the motherboard??


thanks..by the way, i have 0801 bios.

[Plaicd]

Usually prime failing is cpu but sometimes its memory.
I guess it could be releated to the motherboard if it is causing a componet of the board to get to hot or voltages to fluctuate to much.

[railer]

It could be ram compatibility issue. I would try memtest and see where it fail. Sounds like memory errors are happening to you. I dobt that its a cpu issue since you say that u cant run prime at any speed. Mayby try a looser strap?

[BlazingArrow]

thanks for the reply....I could see it being memory, but since i used a divider and underclocked my ram i thought that took the memory out of the picture. My CPU, yes it could be that. I mean maybe i just got a really bad 'lemon' processor that has a low maximum overclock or it's my motherboard.

[BlazingArrow]

Ok so i've just finished running memtest-86, and i've definitely got errors. So, now what does it mean? LOL is it more then likely my memory? Should I run the memtest on all stock speeds? Because I think it was overclocked when it ran.

[Durzel]

It is feasible that your memory is faulty, regardless of your overclock.

[Plaicd]

Test it at default speed. If it dosent fail then maybe giving it a little voltage boost or different timings might help.
Make sure to keep hyperpath 3 disabled in bios when ocing.

[BlazingArrow]

Test it at default speed. If it dosent fail then maybe giving it a little voltage boost or different timings might help.
Make sure to keep hyperpath 3 disabled in bios when ocing.

ok i disabled the hyperpath...what about the 'DRAM throttle' thing? should that be enabled or disabled?

[Plaicd]

ok i disabled the hyperpath...what about the 'DRAM throttle' thing? should that be enabled or disabled?

I have it disabled as I dont want my ram to throttle. Just one more thing that might mess with a overclock.

Also set the performance mode from auto to normal for overclocking so it dosent have a chance to get in turbo mode.

I looked up your memory ar corsair at it showed to use 1.9v for it at rated speed and 2.1v max for overclocking it.

Not sure how many "sticks" of memory you have installed but 4 will sometimes not oc as well as 2.

[Tallman]

I have it disabled as I dont want my ram to throttle. Just one more thing that might mess with a overclock.

Also set the performance mode from auto to normal for overclocking so it dosent have a chance to get in turbo mode.
I looked up your memory ar corsair at it showed to use 1.9v for it at rated speed and 2.1v max for overclocking it.

Not sure how many "sticks" of memory you have installed but 4 will sometimes not oc as well as 2.


Hmmm. I am using turbo mode. why do you not want that to happen?

[Rare1]

Hmmm. I am using turbo mode. why do you not want that to happen?

It can cause stabiility problems. Try standard for saftey.

[Tallman]

Heh, then maybe aI can keep my 805D at 4.1 in windows. It crashes at desktop sometimes now. I'll try it out. Thanks

[Plaicd]

Hmmm. I am using turbo mode. why do you not want that to happen?

Changes some memory settings.
For trying to find highest cpu overclock is best left in normal then once you find cpu max stable try enable turbo and see if system is still stable and if it is then use turbo.