M3A overclocking

[Oldguy932]

Why do you have your nb multi set so low, at least keep it up at 8x, any lower than that really doesn't provide much more htt.

[SSN585]

Thanx for the tip oldguy...I'll give it a try. I'm a total n00b overclocker, but I do remember the days of tweaking my config.sys to tweak another 10KB for my 80286!

[Oldguy932]

In those days I just pressed the turbo button. But yeah, keeping it at at least 8x gives you decent memory bandwidth, 9x would be even better.

[SSN585]

There! That's more like it,I think...any other tips? Maybe set CPU-NB?

[Oldguy932]

Aye, that's it. And you should set the setting underneath it to 1.8ghz. You should see a bit of improvement in memory intensive programs.

[SSN585]

Grrrrreat. That's just what I'll do. Thanks again.

It's so fast it's freakish.

[KTE]

With those BIOS options you should be able to get high HT ref. and high NB clocks. They're all you need for high NB speeds and high HT.

[informal]

@SSN585

One smallish advice .
Turn off those Spread Spectrum options(all of them).
Also another small note:press F4 to get additional BIOS options for tweaking.Once pressed it opens all hidden options in all parts of the BIOS.After this you can tweak your ram some more.Maybe all of this is not hidden in latest M3A bios,but I'm still on 0403 and i must press it in order to get the options visible

Good luck!

[SocketMan]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/24...ng-flaky-cores
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=175878
http://forums.amd.com/forum/messagev...=y&STARTPAGE=1

[justapost]

Achim: this is why your motherboard temperature for EVEREST+Smart Guardian were wrong: http://www.lavalys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2939

I know these types of issues, such readings are where common under linux. I was not affected by this.
Just got the BE9600, boot's fine by default the vcore was at 1,05V! and the default multi was 11 and not 11,5. Running at 2,6GHz(13x200) atm at 1,3V/1,25V vcore/vnb in closed case.
SG's behaviour does not change if i start everest. SG reports 55°C Everest 45°C/43°C cpu/core and the DMM shows 34°C close to the cpu's IHS.

[KTE]

Achim: if you chose load optimized settings the BE does not boot at 11x but 11.5x (unless it was a faulty chip!). Your SG readings were exactly as in that link, meaning way too high over whats possible so it looks exactly like the above. Installing SG is going to cause collisions with other software since it's too old and unupdated so better not use it and save the headache of waging through false readings.

Also, it's not just SG, it's the behavior of every other software monitor which can change if you start SG before them. So if you want to use it, start SG after them for more accurate results.

Also can you post batch etc (more info) about your BE?
i.e. what's your idle temps and case ambients? what's the degree of accuracy on your probe? what was idle/load power at stock? have you primed stock for 8hours yet to see if it were stable? primed 2600? have you moved NB multi up yet?

[justapost]

Achim: if you chose load optimized settings the BE does not boot at 11x but 11.5x (unless it was a faulty chip!). Your SG readings were exactly as in that link, meaning way too high over whats possible so it looks exactly like the above. Installing SG is going to cause collisions with other software since it's too old and unupdated so better not use it and save the headache of waging through false readings.

Also, it's not just SG, it's the behavior of every other software monitor which can change if you start SG before them. So if you want to use it, start SG after them for more accurate results.

Hmm, Brother Esau noted the high temperature reading in his DFI review. I Think it's just an alittle paranoid calibrated sensor outside of the cpu.
What everest reports as aux is what sg uses as cpu-temp.
I did not have those other anomalities like very high voltage reports.

Also can you post batch etc (more info) about your BE?
i.e. what's your idle temps and case ambients? what's the degree of accuracy on your probe? what was idle/load power at stock? have you primed stock for 8hours yet to see if it were stable? primed 2600? have you moved NB multi up yet?

Just received the cpu. 2600 was easy to reach by increasing the cpu multi and vcore settings only. Primed it for an hour in closed case.
Above 2600 things start to get complicated, 2656 is freezeing even at 1,35V. Seems I have a cpu whoms first core is the weakest, prime95 never fails, instead the system freezes.
Plan to test the cpu in the M3A to see if the voltages are also locked with an BE.

[SSN585]

Thanx for all the tips. I'll kill the Spread Spectrums. I've been using the F4 trick (not shown in my latest post), but usually I'm just confused. Learning slowly.

What really confuses me, and brought me to this forum in the first place, was that I'm using 1066 RAM with a Phenom on a MB that supports 1066, yet I cannot get anywhere near 1066 without a BSD. So, I thought it would be a good time to learn the reasons why.

[justapost]

Thanx for all the tips. I'll kill the Spread Spectrums. I've been using the F4 trick (not shown in my latest post), but usually I'm just confused. Learning slowly.

What really confuses me, and brought me to this forum in the first place, was that I'm using 1066 RAM with a Phenom on a MB that supports 1066, yet I cannot get anywhere near 1066 without a BSD. So, I thought it would be a good time to learn the reasons why.

That may be a stupid question, but all your screenies show 220MHz ref HT/FSB have you tried it with 200MHz first?
I ran 2x1GB Crucials Ballistix in 1066 mode without problems, only had to set voltage to 2,2V and it worked.

[gOtVoltage]

That may be a stupid question, but all your screenies show 220MHz ref HT/FSB have you tried it with 200MHz first?
I ran 2x1GB Crucials Ballistix in 1066 mode without problems, only had to set voltage to 2,2V and it worked.

Same here with 1066mhz Crucialballistix@2.2v and 2.3v but on a TA770/9600BE...This memory runs fine with Phenoms.

Try raising the (NB to SB volts) two settings over stock default..Helps with memory controller even though the Real NB is in the Phenom.

Maybe manually set 5-5-5-18 t2 with like TRC23 . Let it boot in @2.2volts. aYou can also use auto memory timing with the 1066/divider setting then change all timing settings manually to what auto settings shows..This helps some times for the timing to stick. Even try with one stick get the timing set then install second.

Hope it works..I know TA770 isnt the same Mobo but these settings with memory are simalar with Phenom and any 770 mobo ive seen.

[SSN585]

I'm just totally confused I guess. I've been using DRAM memory clock mode LIMIT 800 (options are limit, auto, manual). Regardless of what I do, it seems that the FSB:RAM ratio is always 1:2. So, I have been tweaking FSB to adjust DRAM clock. The best I have gotten was 250FSB, 500DRAM; CPU multi adjusted to limit to 2250. I tried 275FSB, which was a total poochscrew (adjusting CPU x down). Yes, I have run at 200FSB, but as I say I cannot see how to get around the 1:2 ratio. When I use auto or manual mem clock, I always seem to get <=400DRAM or a crash. So for now I have been sticking to 220:440 which seems to work.

DRAM volts is set to 2.20V, per corsair spec and stick label.

Am I missing the point? How can the FSB : DRAM ratio be adjusted on a M3A?

Also, I have been sticking with BIOS adjustments only, no AMD overdriving (but I have installed the 2.0.9 version using the 2.0.14 driver file).

[KTE]

What really confuses me, and brought me to this forum in the first place, was that I'm using 1066 RAM with a Phenom on a MB that supports 1066, yet I cannot get anywhere near 1066 without a BSD. So, I thought it would be a good time to learn the reasons why.

Phenom doesn't support EPP 1066, it supports only JEDEC 1.8V 1066 (not yours) so it won't boot 1066. The only way it did is, the MB manufacturers had to do a lot of personal modding and it works for many and still won't work for others. Depends on your RAM and it's internal timings.

If 1066 in BIOS at the same every settings as default crashes/fails to boot your system, then your RAM has problems with the current BIOS and you need to query ASUS to add support for your RAM too.

[SSN585]

Thanks KTE. I did initially try 1066 with all else at default (and with Cool & Quiet off), and it did crash. I did not research the RAM properly before purchase. Live and learn.

[tictac]

sorry... did you use 3stick of 1gb memory on that setting? try take 1 out.. leave 2x1gb only for 1066mode attempt..

[KTE]

As tictac suggested-> try 2 sticks and then 1.

You're not the only one with Corsair XMS2 Dominator PC8500 failing 1066 bootup, some guys using MSI K9A2 Platinum also can't boot 1066 with that RAM and Phenom. Crucial Ballistix is known to work perfectly though on all 700 chipset boards.

[justapost]

Phenom doesn't support EPP 1066, it supports only JEDEC 1.8V 1066 (not yours) so it won't boot 1066. The only way it did is, the MB manufacturers had to do a lot of personal modding and it works for many and still won't work for others. Depends on your RAM and it's internal timings.

If 1066 in BIOS at the same every settings as default crashes/fails to boot your system, then your RAM has problems with the current BIOS and you need to query ASUS to add support for your RAM too.

Interesting, so even if you have full access to all the subtimings it can still be the case that 1066 mode does not work.
BTW: 2.6GHz was not prime stable over night, can be I got one of these 2.55GHz max ones. Gonna oc in small steps now to get familar with new mobo and cpu.

For the record: I had Kingston HyperX 1066 ram here, that also worked in the M3A.

@SSN582: If you can't get 1066 mode running you should at least be able to use a higher ref HT 250-260MHz should work with an 8xNB multi and an 9.5xCPU multi.

[SSN585]

I've gotten the 250FSB using 8xFSB & 8.5xCPU, worked fine I guess; mem clock 500 (w/limit 800).

I did have only 2 1G sticks at one point, but didn't try to get 1066. I started with 4 sticks, pulled 2 when I upgraded the Heatsink, then reinstalled 1 stick after a little run-time. I'll try 1 and 2 sticks only, to see what happens.

Currently, of course, the 3 sticks are unganged. From what I've been reading, there is no major benefit of operating ganged (when I reduce to 2 sticks for testing).

My A1 mem slot is the empty slot, because of the heatsink interference. That's not a configuration described in the manual. Do you think there are any issues with this?

Also, is the FSB : DRAM ratio simply a product of forced ram speed vs. the forced FSB speed? I curious how the ratio is changed. I only remember seeing 1:2. This is very humbling

[justapost]

http://www.motherboardpro.com/DFI-LA...ard-p-519.html
That would be my pick.
http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=309887

Wait you are running in 800 mode here.
Congrats. Any special subtimings tweaking required for that or is the 1xht multi the key? Can you run those settings 24/7?

[KTE]

The link says he was running 1:1 mode which is 400 rather than 800 mode Achim.

[justapost]

The link says he was running 1:1 mode which is 400 rather than 800 mode Achim.

You're right I only looked at the MHz.

@SSN585
With 1,25V your phenom should have no problem with an 9xmulti, up to 2,3GHz are no problem with an 9500.