AMD Barton 2800+ Overclock

[Ronnie Coleman]

Can anyone tell me the best whay to overclock this processor?

My comp.: AMD Barton 2800+, Cooler: Jet7+, 2x256MB DDR Geil Dual Channel, Epox 8RDA3+I...


I'm totally newbie... :D

Thanks a lot!

[TekXoID]

Ah, I was waiting for someone to rise my AXP overclocking knowledge from the grave. :D

I've had two NF7-S boards and one 8RDA3+. I prefer the 8RDA3+ because the 2.0v capable chipset voltage
setting really unlocks an extra hidden ceiling on the memory controller for 250MHz+ Sync clocks.

Rules of overclocking on AXP:
1. No ram dividers. Async is hell for performance on this platform.
2. Max out Chipset voltage, set vCore to 1.85, and, set DRAM to 2.9v.
3. Take the case side off and get active cooling on the memory.
(In your case I suggest a new HSF for the CPU, the ThermalRight SI-97
coupled with a 92MM ThermalTake SmartFan is a paticularly good combo.)

There are some paticular options I want you to use on the 8RDA3, I'll check my AXP rig which
is at my friends house, later. (Been clocked @ 10x270 @ 1.8v for almost two years now 24/7.)

This is my process of finding the CPU's ceiling:
1. Raise vCore to as high as your CPU Cooler can keep below 50C load.
(One way to find this out is by setting a voltage and booting to a MemTest CD to build up some heat,
then check your temp monitor if you have one, or reboot and check BIOS PC Health to find out.)

Recommendation: 1.85v (You can tune this down later once you find your ceiling)

Before I continue...can you tell what memory chips you have and the advertised capability for the set?
Also, you wouldn't happen to know your CPU's week or stepping would you?

[13oost]

with good cooling (load around 45) 1.85vcore shouldnt hurt the cpu much
a NF7-s or a DFI NF2 board is reccomended b/c of their speed... The DFI should get you a faster overclock and usually does (without modifications) but will take more work

a good bios, like from Tictac (personal prefrence) or Merllin is pretty much so a must

[Ronnie Coleman]

I already overclock the proc. I set vCore to 1.85, and, set DRAM to 2.9v. Temperature of Barton is now 47 C. The clock is 2400MHz, default is 2091MHz. Not to much, but with Jet7+ it is cool...

[_Veseliq_BG]

Now it's a good idea to try some stress testing on it. Run Prime 95 torture test /In-Place Large FFTs/ for 2 hours and keep an eye on the temperature. If there aren't any errors - congrats, the CPU is stable.
If it passes 55* while running the test I recommend you to reduce the voltage!

[Ronnie Coleman]

It doesn't worth. Win was crashed while I was trying to upload some file. It isn't stable 100%.

[TekXoID]

Try temporarily running a divider to find out if it's your CPU or the RAM walling.

As in...if you can run a higher FSB with a divider, set chipset voltage to 2v (stock active
cooler handles that voltage well) and go back to 1:1 operation with one of the bioses below.

If it's the RAM, try flashing to the last Merlin BIOS and loosening memory timings.
If it's the CPU, there isn't much you can do beyond 1.85v without better cooling.

Either way I suggest you test these out.

Merlin TaiPan 0.2 Bpl 3.19C
http://s44.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2VV9GL0GLG8SB0ZUEKXEJ3QVRS

Merlin TaiPan 0.3 EB Bpl 3.19
http://s44.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3EFXLZTRCW87325OMHCZ6FUBOU

Both are CPC Enabled but I found that the 0.2 offers the highest stable overclock.

Sorry I don't have a better host for the moment.