MSI NEO2 Plat+A64 3000=Horrible

Hi, I just put together a system with An A64 3000, MSI Neo2 Platinum, 2x256 Dell pc3200 ram, and Antec 400 watt 23amp Power Supply. It was very problematic at first and my timings were forced to 4.5-7-7-15 and my HT at 0.5 I tried everything until someone told me to run CPU-Z. It fixed everything actually.

Now for overclocking! I flashed to bios 1.8 and gave my first shot at A64 overclocking. I read most guides already. I was able to boot 280 HTT, 240 memory, 2.43 cpu. This was at stock volts (except 1.45 cpu) and I doubt it was very stable. I tried 245 HTT, 4x HT, 9x CPU, 166 memory, 2.5-3-3-8 timings, 67 AGP, 1.6 AGP volts, 1.5 Cpu volts. Temps were 32 system, 40 cpu. I couldn't boot. I tried numerous other configs and couldn't boot either. The only stable one I have gotten so far is 250 HTT, 3x HT, 9x CPU, 133 memory, 2.5-3-3-8, 67 AGP, 1.6 AGP volts, 1.5 Cpu volts.

I got a 46s 1M PI stock. 42s overclocked. Performance doesn't seem too great to me. Any reason for these problems? Any suggestions? I would gladly trade my cpu/mobo/ram combo for a s754 combo if there are any takers. Ideally, I would try to get mine working well though.

If you are using SATA be sure to put them in 3 & 4 by the CPU. Keep the memory at ddr400 while u test, I wouldnt imagine Dell memory is going to overclock well.

I am not using SATA. I know my Dell memory doesn't overclock good. Howevr it will boot at 240, but I get blue screens at 170 and 200 when using a divider.

try setting your ram to 3-4-4-8.

Make sure they are in the two slots closest the CPU too.. and I dont think i've ever seen DDR1 ram capable of running beyond cas3, you sure it was really at 4.5 and not a bug or something?

I just tried the bios. 245 won't boot. I upped the bus to 270, dropped the HT to 3x, and used a 133 divider. I am typing from it now, but it isn't PI stable. I'll try 3-4-4-8 now. I have no idea what was up with it when I got it. I saw one similar case where CPU-Z fixed it. Supposedly it changes some reg settings or something. It worked for me. I am in slots 1+2 right now.

hmmm wut ram slots are u using?

The 2 closest to the cpu. 1+2

cpu-z doesnt modify any settings.

Maybe running the memory at 2T will help (could be the chips are only rated to 200mhz @ 2T and dells bioses may be coded to 2T by default).

Can you see what the individual chips on the ram say or are they blanks that all say "Dell" on them?

Did you see the CAS 4.5 in A64 tweaker? That's a known glitch..

I saw that in A64 tweaker. CPU-Z fixes the glitch. Now, I just can't overclock good. What voltage do you think my ram can take.

cpuz has errors sometimes.

boot up into windows using everything default.... default multiplier.. HTT... ram divider...

inside window... use clockgen and A64 tweaker to adjust accordingly... try and see how far you can go...

have u tried the BIOS 1.9B5 ?

Give the CPU 1.6V or so to begin with

I bumped the voltage up to 1.5 cpu, 1.6 agp, 2.8 memor. I am in 255 with a 133 divider and 2.5-2-2-6 timings. It booted and passed Super PI with a 39s time. That is actually pretty decent. Temps in bios were 33 system 43 cpu

I haven't tried 1.95 yet because I heard the cpu multis were broken. I am currently using a modded 1.8 bios that loosens some internal timings (I forget Trc and TRfc maybe) to 13 and 15. What is the best bios to try?

I am at 1.5v now and 43 idle. Isn't 1.6 a bit high. How do I "burn in"; maybe that will help.

1.36b or 1.8 are good to start with.. 1.9b5 is somewhat untested yet and has bugs.

2.5-3-3-6-13-15 might be a good place to start, then you can drop TRCD and TRP from within windows while running prime95 or super-pi.. trc and trfc might not like going under 13-15 depending on the chips they use.

My memory is being underclocked 30mhz with the divider so I figure I should tighten it a lot. I am in 2.5-2-2-6 stable now. 2-2-2-6 was a but unstable. What should I try there? Also, should I just stick with 1.8 then?

yes, i'd stay with 1.8 for now. Lower mhz doesnt always mean you can tighten the timings and stay stable.

if ur ram isn't built to have tight timming, running it low mhz with tight timing won't work.
stick with 1.8, people liked the 1.36 becoz of the extra vcore....

seems ur system getting stable..
how about lowering HTT.. increase mulitiplier... and use 166 divider ?

I already flashed to 1.36B. I got temps 2C cooler and slightly more consistent volts. Harpy, my multiplier has a 9x max and I can't run a 166 divider for some reason. I just got a 38s PI, not too shabby. Should I try to lower the memory timings. BTW, I am still at 2.8 memory voltage.

I am up to 260 HTT stable. Should I push it any further? Also, what ram timings do you recommend for 12% underclocked ram.

depends what timings are stock.....

tbh i'd start with 3-3-3 or 2.5-4-3 and lower them one by one running prime95 after each change to test for stability.

1# Hi ..

Is it a venice that u have ??

What stepping??

Dont whine so much..

I cant even get mine over 2300 mhz but it is far from stable :( x(

blinkme - Try tictac's 1.8r2 bios... its working great so far.

Yay, I reached it. Here is a copy of my post in another forum:

Hi guys, as you may know, I have:

A64 3000 Winchester
MSI Neo2 Platinum
2x256 Dell 3-3-3-8 pc3200
9800 Pro

I could barely overclock this thing at all when I got it and was frustrated with my A64. However, I finally got it to my goal of 270x9. Here are my current settings:

270HTT
3x HT
9x CPU
133 divider
2.5-3-3-8 timings
1.62v CPU
2.7v Memory
1.60v AGP
Fast Writes/Performance mode/Agressive Timings off

In A64 tweaker, I have these settings. They boost stability a ton without really affecting performance. BTW, I am on bios 1.8

TRC-17
TRFC-19
Read Write Que Bypass- 16x
Bypass Max- 7x
Idle Cycle Limit- 256clks

I am on stock cooling, temps are 43c idle and 49C under CPU burn:max heat. My video card is overclocked to 410:360. MY superPI 1mb time is 37s. 3dmark01 comes in at 21000. 3dmark05=2600.

What do you think if this overclock. Thanks eclipse and everyone else who helped out. I still have to burn in more and fine tune. I hope to get voltage down to 1.56 and tighten timings a bit. Any suggestions or comments? Not bad considering it couldn't boot at 240x9 before