Can't pass FSB ~225 on NF7-S?

[Alaza]

Hello.

I'm quite stunned about this, but I'm not sure if I'm just wrong or just unlucky. I wanted to max my system, but I can not get past FSB225 or maybe FSB227 stable. I've tried to run my RAM at the tighest timings (2-2-2-11) at 2.9v at FSB230 and then run a MemTest86+ test #5 for 20 min., and I get no errors, but I can not complete a 3DMark and game freezes at FSB225-227. So it's not my RAM, and my CPU is running 9, 9.5 or 10, but it's definitely not that one. So it must be the mobo, right?

It's just weird, because I talked to a guy the other day, who said that he was running FSB250 with no vmods, but maybe he's just extremely lucky?

I'm running the Mantaray 26 BIOS, but I reckon that should only improve the OC?

Thanks.

[funkflix]

I think it is 1T "Bug" of the nforce2 with 2x512MB, on my NF7 it is the same. Try to flash the Mantary XT with a Command Rate of 2 and look what is happening.

[HelloIDistance]

Hmm, I am running my system at FSB250, I could also get Windows to load at FSB260 I got:

Abit NF7-S (V2.0) Only mod done is VDD mod. But I have it running at default speeds with this overclock.
Athlon 2500+ Barton (Unlocked Multi by stock) Running at 9.5X250
Mushkin eXtreme performance XP4000 DDR500 RAM(2x1GB)

I just got my RAM and this is running great! I just started testing about 30 min ago, so it gets this easily. I'm still running stabilty tests and all that, but so far its stable.

I am also running Mantaray 26 BIOS.

EDIT** I am running my command rate at 1T also.

[freeagent]

I think it is 1T "Bug" of the nforce2 with 2x512MB, on my NF7 it is the same. Try to flash the Mantary XT with a Command Rate of 2 and look what is happening.

Ive never experienced a 1T bug with my nf7, i ran it at 240, 2-3-3-11 24/7. In fact, my nf7 ran like *ss with 2T, single channel, cas 3, and it wouldnt post at cas 2.5. i used Trats D27_619R2

[Alaza]

At the moment I'm using this BIOS:

D26-MantaRays-XT-CPC.zip , and that is with CPC disabled, right? So I must be running 2T, right? Can I check that somehow?

[funkflix]

Hmm, maybe with Everest u can check this, or with Sisoft Sandra. If it is 2T then it could be the same problem, afaik my 2x512MB BH5 maxed out with 2T around 225-230MHz too. With 2x256MB i can Prime 244MHz without a Problen, and bench up to 260MHz, with passiv NB-Heatsink and 1,4Vdd.

[Alaza]

I just checked Sisoft, but I can't find it anywhere. Nor in CPU-Z. So what should I do? Try with CPC enabled, or?

[Oc-Ghost]

I couldn´t get over 225, but after vdd mod I can.
And I´m using 1T

[Alaza]

Damn, okay, so maybe there's no way around it. :/

I'm surfing around the BIOS topics, and I see that there are a couple of others BIOS'. Merlin for instance and these:

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=349380&page=2&pp=15

But can I gain anything from that? And would there be any point in running T1?

[Oc-Ghost]

With 1T you get more bandwidth per MHz, but lower clocks.

With 2T you get a little less bandwidth, but much higher clocks

[funkflix]

I just checked Sisoft, but I can't find it anywhere. Nor in CPU-Z. So what should I do? Try with CPC enabled, or?

With Everest you can check it! :)

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7687/t17pa.jpg

[Alaza]

Ah, nice. I'm running 2T, but it can't be that, but I don't think it's the RAM, because they run without errors for 20 min in MemTest86+ at 232MHz 2-2-2-11 2T 2.9v. So it must be the damn chipset... damn, damn, damn. There's nothing I can do except modding the damn mobo?

[Oc-Ghost]

Have you tested the ram 2-2-2, with higher clocks?

And your cpu?

[Alaza]

Ye, they were running 2-2-2-11 232MHz in MemTest86+.

[Oc-Ghost]

Try your max clock with cas 3-4-4

[Alaza]

I will, but I don't see why it should be any different?

[funkflix]

It should be a bugged Chipset.. like with my old NF7, never tried 2x512MB again on my "new" NF7, but maybe on this one it could work, bcs. it clocks a lot better then my old one, even without Vdd-Mod and watercooled NB! ;)

[Oc-Ghost]

With looser timings, the memmory can not be a bottleneck.

And with that you can see if it´s the cpu that can´t handle anymore,
or if you´ll need a vdd mod.

Sorry for not being clear enough.

[funkflix]

Or maybe the "L12 Mod" on ur CPU.. but i never get any boost with it and afaik it is still integrtated in the Mantarays.

[Alaza]

OC-Ghost:

Ye, I know, but if they run 232MHz stable, it can't be them at 225, right?

I know it's not the CPU. It's been running 2200MHz for ages 100% stable, and right now it's running below that.

The L12 is included in the Mantaray XT according to the feature list.

[Oc-Ghost]

edit: Ignore this

The L12 mod fools the bios in to thinking it´s a different cpu, so it uses a different romsip table. With the different romsip table it enable higher clocks with some of the mobile cpu´s.

Mine for example:
Before mantarays: max post clocks were 225

After mantarays: max post clocks were 265

[Alaza]

But that's a XP-M, and as far as I know it shouldn't make any difference on a XP.

But do you have any experience with other BIOS'?

[Oc-Ghost]

Are you running CPU:RAM, in 1:1? sorry, It´s a bit unclear for me

And no haven´t tried any other bioses, as I got it right the first time

[Alaza]

Ye, I'm running 6:6 in the BIOS, and I'm running with that CPU feature enabled (can't remember the exact name).

Right now I'm running 2.5-4-4-11 at 234MHz, and I'll start up NFU:Most Wanted now to test the stability.

A weird side note: I can't boot with 3-x-x-x. I just get a long beep, 3 seconds of pause, and another long beep... how come?

Edit:

It ran for 1-2 min, and the computer froze.. :/

[Oc-Ghost]

3d instability, cpu volt? fsb x multi? nb volt?


....and about the beep, some mem´s can´t handle some timings, that´s as far as I now.

[LorD_Kvadd]

No BH-5/6 RAM can run CAS 3.

That's why. :)

[Alaza]

CPU voltage is 1.7v in the BIOS - temps about 45C. Running 9*232-235, 1.7v vdd.

The beep is just when there's no RAM in the board (I just read that).

[Alaza]

Ah, thanks LorD_Kvadd, nice to know that. :)

[Oc-Ghost]

Didn´t notice the page 2...:slap:

Increase Vcore, try again if it freeze´s...that´s about it.

If it still doesn´t budge, then start thinking about vdd mod, but you better have good cooling on the nb if you go trough with vdd modding.

GL

[Alaza]

It's not the CPU, I'm 110% sure, because it runs slower than before, so why should it ever be more unstable?

Maybe I will try the VDD mod at some point, but I'll propably would need someone to do it for me.

[Oc-Ghost]

It´s not the overall MHz it can´t handle, but it´s the high fsb.

And try using speedfan and monitor your vcore levels when stressing or playing something cpu intensive.

[LorD_Kvadd]

The VDD mod can be done quite easily :)

You could do it with a pencil :)
http://www.motherboardfaqs.com/abit/abit_mods_vdd_pencil.htm

[Alaza]

Ye, I just saw that. Hmm... but, what I don't understand. If I set VDD to 1.4v, and then draw a one line, it should reduce the resistance a bit. But am I supposed to draw until it gets from 1.4v to 1.8v for instance, or should I draw from 1.4v to 1.6v and then turn it up to 1.6v in BIOS so I get 1.8v?

[Oc-Ghost]

1 vote for the 1.4v -> 1.6v

Safer & Wider voltage field

[Alaza]

I'm not sure which one you mean?

[Oc-Ghost]

:stick: The second one, pencling to 1.6v :)

[Alaza]

Okay, I think so too. It's just that I've got a major school assigment coming up, so I figure I want to wait two weeks or so, or if I can do an RMA on my A7N8X.

[Alaza]

I just thought of somehting that I'm gonna try later today. Could it be that I have enabled Soundstorm, LAN, COM-ports and the printer connection?

[Oc-Ghost]

I have/had them all enabled, so I don´t think so

[Alaza]

I just tried, and it didn't help. One of the last things I can think about is this APIC mode. It's enabled in my BIOS - should it be? I did something in Windows a year ago or so when I was OC'ing last time I changed something in the "device management" I think it's called in the english version of WXP. "Computer" to "PC with advanced user... something (ACPI)".. could that be it?

[funkflix]

Maybe.. On my SocketA systems i always disabled the ACPI, so i don't really know if it gives some advantage in oc.

[Alaza]

In BIOS?

[Alaza]

Now, explain this:

http://www.samantha.dk/Tore/Billeder/OC.JPG

I just completed a 8M Super Pi w 1.4 mod at 232MHz, but I can't complete a 3DMark01? I can't even get to #2 test, and I can play NFS for 2 minutes. My GFX is about 40C load, and all other temps are fine.

Edit:

I dunno if the quality of the picture is good enough, I just resized it to 800*600 which I thought would be good enough, but maybe not?

I just tried 3DMark01 again and I when it's loading high car 3DMark shuts down, but I can still navigate a bit with the keyboard, but needs to reboot. In NFS I get a blue screen... I'm really confused atm...

[Oc-Ghost]

Yeah, In Device Manager you can change from Standard PC to ACPI PC , but it only helps windows, not actual overclocks.

Come to think of it, it´s strange. Super-Pi is waay more picky about stability than 3dmark

[Alaza]

Ye, but I must say that my temporary conclusion is my PSU isn't good enough, but it's weird... I thought it would be anyway.

[Poki]

I'm guessing it's the chipset itself, try more voltage on it or different bios versions. I had several NF7's and none of them were 100% above 220-225fsb. I could get them to run 230-250 1:1 with 256mb modules pretty easily in Memtest but would endup with BSOD in windows eventually. IMO if you're after a stable system stick with under 220fsb and bump the cpu multi if you can.

[LorD_Kvadd]

Disable APIC, should help. You'll probably need to format the drive then. Reinstall windows anyway.

[Alaza]

I already disabled APIC in BIOS and I've always had it at advanced configuration in Windows.