AMD 2600+ Thoroughbred & GA7N400 Pro 2 (Rev 2)

[Eyce]

Hi all! This is my first post on your awesome forums, and judging by some of the posts on here I expect only good things!

I am posting my CPU-Z screenshots so all you gurus can help me get my system to top stable OC.

Brief overview of specs (the ones not on the CPU-Z shots)

My cpu is watercooled, with high use temps around 40 degrees celsius (cpu core). I have 3 80mm case fans added. There's also the radiator fan (120mm I think) and the Power Supply (dual fans) is 600 or 650 watt. I have water wetter in the water mixture.

Here's my CPU-Z pics:

CPU (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/Razanadhil/cpu.jpg)

Mobo (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/Razanadhil/mobo.jpg)

Mem (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/Razanadhil/mem.jpg)

Mem settings (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/Razanadhil/ddr.jpg)

I'm not sure what else to post....if you need more lemme know and I'll gladly supply it.

Basically what I want to know is: With this hardware, what should I be able to set everything to and still be stabe? Theoretically of course!

Thanks everyone!

[mcnbns]

Run your RAM 1:1 instead of using a divider. You'll get better performance even though the RAM is running slower. Athlon XPs like to have the RAM running the same speed as the FSB. Also, lower your RAM latencies to 3-3-3-8 in the BIOS, since they are rated to do that at 200MHz. If you didn't already know, I think pressing Ctrl and F1 in the BIOS will uncover some advanced options so you can mess with the RAM latencies.

Basically, when you overclock, just bump up the FSB 5 MHz or so at a time. Then run a program like Prime95 for a few hours. If it's stable, bump it up again. If it isn't, bump it down, or bump up the CPU voltage. With your water cooling 1.9V will be more than safe if you've got temps less than 45 C or so.

[Eyce]

Thanks alot, I'll try that out this evening when I get home...I appreciate your time!

[Eyce]

:(

Ok, so that didn't work out too good.....I upped the FSB to 170 and changed the FSB : DRAM to 1:1, left the voltage at 1.72, and everything is cool

BUT not cool enough! For some reason my CPU temp is up to 50 celsius! And when I went to restart 3 :eek: programs needed END NOW to shut em off and let it restart!

When I went to 180 FSB and 1.8 volts, my temp jumped to 55! I immediately got instability symptoms, some programs not auto launching, etc. I went ahead and revved up one of my online games, hit the windows key so I could see my systray, and the temp was at 56 and the game froze, wouldn't let me off the task bar!

Now that i am back down to 170 FSB and 1.72 V, the temp is steady at 49 which still sucks....maybe my waterblock isn't seated correctly? I dunno, it feels fine, snug and all.

BTW which temp readings should I trust? The monitor software that came with the mobo says 64-66 and the Motherboard Monitor says 49....wth?

[MightyOne]

Don't trust any of those temps ... the ICs that are responsible for the measuring of temps and voltages are notoriously inaccurate.

But if you do have stability problems, I assume it's because of high temps - your RAM and Mobo should both do 200MHz FSB without a hitch, and 12,5x180 at 1,8V is not even coming close to the limit of a Tbred-B.

There are two issues I can think of: high temps due to bad core contact of your water block or a crappy PSU.

edit:
You might want to try running the system with just 1Gig of RAM ... maybe your Mobo just doesn't like 3 sticks? With 2x256MB and 1x512MB my NF7 won't even boot.

[jjcom]

yeah something doesn't seem right there....1.72 volts is needed for 2.25ghz? I know not the same chip, but I can make my 2700 do 2.33ghz with 1.7volts...what kind of thermal compound are you using on the water block?
Run with one stick of RAM. And try giving your chipset some more volts. That may help alittle if the high FSB is causing the problem.

[LorD_Kvadd]

I'm using a 2600+ in my AN7 right now. Change the multiplier to 10x or something and then try and increase the FSB :)
Good luck.

[Eyce]

There are two issues I can think of: high temps due to bad core contact of your water block or a crappy PSU.

Do you know if the Maze 4 (DD) waterblock has good lapping? maybe I should follow the lapping guide and smooth it out some...Although I totally hate the mounting kit for that waterblock....it just seems so unstable....its the one with the 4 posts and the springs that push it against the processor? I dunno, I really don't like it.

I'm using Arctic Silver themal compound, which I thought was the best.

My PSU (power supply right?) I could swear is a Vantec 550 watt....never had problems with it so far....

I'll pull the extra 512 ddr out and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks everyone!

[Eyce]

Oh, and if those ICs are bad for temps what should I use to get accurate readings?

IMPORTANT:

Airflow....Right now my 3 fans all point into the case and are mounted near the bottom (cooler air in is the thinking here), my radiator is on the inside of the case, and the fan for the radiator is sucking air from inside the case through the radiator.

Most of the setups I have seen on this site are opposite on the rad setup, the have air blowin in from out across the rad instead....which is better?