M3A overclocking

[mr1c3man]

Can be your PSU's 4pin 12V rail can not provide enough current. That was my limit here with the 9850BE. I repoorted that a few pages back.

Hmm i asked around before getting this CPU if my PSU will handle it.
they all said yes. but looks like only for a stock

The chip is not crap, its just 125w. It will idle that hot.
My x2 4850(45w) oc'd to 3ghz idles at 25 and max is 45.

I think the one i have is a 95W as my mobo only supports UPTO 95W CPU. but still yeah big difference from my 65W AMD X2. so i guess it normal?
because i reseated the heatsink 3 times. and forgot its 30W greater.

OK.. @ 1.26V , its load temps on prime = ~58-59C (remember its Winter in Australia lol)
so Informal and Socket and everyone else, it makes me think twice at going anymore than that (and i wont unless i get a better heatsink later on).

I tried the 12x multi with a 8x, 9x, 10x NB Multi it bluescreened at prime.

so i thought let me see if i can OC it via FSB
so i dropped the multi to 10x and NB @ 7x and raised FSB.
my RAM in CPUZ read at 417Mz since i set it to 667.
when i ran a BLENDED TEST (tests RAM) it bluescreened, when i ran the SMALLTEST (CPU mostly test, little ram test) it didnt, AND I WAS ON 2.8Gz!
so should i down the ram to 533 or 400???

So far the most stable running prime for 10hrs was @ 2.7Ghz with a 11x multi, 7x NB multi, 245 FSB, 1.26V and 667 RAM running @ 405mhz
I left 2T ENABLED and didnt set the timings as its on AUTO CPUZ reported it at 5-5-5-15-20 is that good?

[SocketMan]

Hmm i asked around before getting this CPU if my PSU will handle it.
they all said yes. but looks like only for a stock



I think the one i have is a 95W as my mobo only supports UPTO 95W CPU. but still yeah big difference from my 65W AMD X2. so i guess it normal?
because i reseated the heatsink 3 times. and forgot its 30W greater.

OK.. @ 1.26V , its load temps on prime = ~58-59C (remember its Winter in Australia lol)
so Informal and Socket and everyone else, it makes me think twice at going anymore than that (and i wont unless i get a better heatsink later on).

I tried the 12x multi with a 8x, 9x, 10x NB Multi it bluescreened at prime.

so i thought let me see if i can OC it via FSB
so i dropped the multi to 10x and NB @ 7x and raised FSB.
my RAM in CPUZ read at 417Mz since i set it to 667.
when i ran a BLENDED TEST (tests RAM) it bluescreened, when i ran the SMALLTEST (CPU mostly test, little ram test) it didnt, AND I WAS ON 2.8Gz!
so should i down the ram to 533 or 400???

So far the most stable running prime for 10hrs was @ 2.7Ghz with a 11x multi, 7x NB multi, 245 FSB, 1.26V and 667 RAM running @ 405mhz
I left 2T ENABLED and didnt set the timings as its on AUTO CPUZ reported it at 5-5-5-15-20 is that good?

Yea I'd say that's pretty good

Right now your ram is running @ 405 which is 810mhz(DDR)
If you increase your HTT (aka FSB) and get a freeze, it would mean that
it's either your RAM or your CPU.
Ideally, if we want to find our max cpu,
then we should lower the RAM (set it to 400-DDR =the lowest possible) that way we'll know that it's not the ram causing the freeze up.

Just so you know a 9850be comes with the default voltage of 1.3v so
using 1.26v is pretty safe.
Another thing is the AOD: by clicking the "circle" from red to green your
temps can go down by 10c (on the stock heat sink)

If you really worried about the temps: don't run PRIME just leave it on idling:
do some net browsing etc...,run some benchmarks, if it's unstable it will crash without prime in a few hours max

[mr1c3man]

Hey Socket...
OK thats my last straw, setting RAM to absolute minimum (so i wont try 533?)
im pretty certain i cannot do 12x on this mobo.
so i gotta stick to CPU-Multi @ 11x and NB Multi @ 7 and just raise the FSB to like 260.

this bloke on another forum posted his Penom 9550 @ 2.9Ghz with a 265FSb and Multi @ 11x

how did that green button drop my temp by 10C???

[mr1c3man]

No go guys.
10x wont work, and neither would 12 or 13x work, even with the ram low on 533..it boots @ 2.9Ghz but then when i run prime95 it crashes, i suspect it requires a higher temp than 1.27V maybe 1.3V but if its idling at 42C on 1.26V i dont wanna see what it does on 1.3V. i left the NB-Multi at 7x, 9x and 10x on 3 diff occassions
it basically fkd with 2.7Ghz from a stock 2.4Ghz, what a complete shame man. i shulda just got an Intel Q6600.
my bro got that and its same as the phenom stock @ 2.4Ghz, he goes it running stable as concrete @ 3.5Ghz

[dball3]

i would bet it's the ram, and i have had alot of problems with this board and 4 sticks of ram. I'm currently just running 2 sticks. check your bios too, there are links in here for newer bios files, i'm not sure which one you might be running.

[mr1c3man]

yeah i have a feeling its the ram too.
because at most times when i run prime95 with SMALL FFT test (min RAM TESTED) it will work ok
when i do a BLENDED test, it would crash. so...and ive downed the RAm to 533 and 400 which then i needed to drastically up the voltage to compensate which wasnt an option either. but im very very dissapointed with this.... 2.4 -> 2.7

im running latest BIOS 0805

[SocketMan]

Even one wrong timing or 2 could "help" you fail the "blend" test.
Can't argue with a q6600 it's a much less complicated and time consuming
route:
1.
up the fsb
2.
up the NB & cpu Voltage

done

I knew all that before I got the phenom btw
Different strokes for different folks

[dball3]

there is a 901 bios here ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socketAM2/M3A/ i have it installed and i haven't had any ill affects from it.

[mr1c3man]

Even one wrong timing or 2 could "help" you fail the "blend" test.
Can't argue with a q6600 it's a much less complicated and time consuming
route:
1.
up the fsb
2.
up the NB & cpu Voltage

done

I knew all that before I got the phenom btw
Different strokes for different folks

Hmm ill set the timings again.
theyre at AUTO 5-5-5-15-20
shuld i set 5-5-5-18-24?

there is a 901 bios here ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socketAM2/M3A/ i have it installed and i haven't had any ill affects from it.

what advantages are there for that?

[SocketMan]

What I am saying is that one thing out of 20 or more could cause
havoc on any AM2+ board.
Also pressing F4 will open up some extra BIOS settings on the m3a
You can test your RAM by setting the cpu to the lower frequency to keep the
temps low and then running the "blend" test.
If there is a problem with the RAM P95 will give an error,even with the cpu set
to 1000mhz.
The main point thou: Phenom is a very new and different "beast" which
requires a lot of patience,time and learning from anyone who decided to own one.

[SocketMan]

there is a 901 bios here ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socketAM2/M3A/ i have it installed and i haven't had any ill affects from it.

That's the one I am running as well.
I'd say the advantages are the little "things" (like RAM "auto" values)
that Asus improves over time.
Hit F4 set to "unganged" and select "manual" for the RAM timings:
there is about 2 pages of settings, most are 'auto"

Anyhow I still think you'll need a "healthy" Vcore increase in order to obtain
higher CPU freq.

[arthur92710]

yeah i have a feeling its the ram too.
because at most times when i run prime95 with SMALL FFT test (min RAM TESTED) it will work ok
when i do a BLENDED test, it would crash. so...and ive downed the RAm to 533 and 400 which then i needed to drastically up the voltage to compensate which wasnt an option either. but im very very dissapointed with this.... 2.4 -> 2.7

im running latest BIOS 0805

I just looked at your cooler on newegg.

Go down about half way and some guy says
"Pros: this cheap amazing cooler keeps my amd quad 9750 oc at 3.1ghz at 30 idle and 45 at full load.there is a plastic guard that is in the back of the cooler and blows air to cool north bridge.good idea. i had no problems putting this in with my socket am2. dident have to use push pins they can be removed.

Cons: none

Other Thoughts: get this "

What kind of thermal paste are you using?
How much did you add?
After you put the paste on and then the heatsink,do not remove and reinstall the HS as an air bubble will form and you will overheat.
spread the paste with your finger in a thin layer, then install the HS and make sure its tight.
use AS5 thermal paste.

It might also be your Power supply.
it only has +12V1@17A for the cpu. Im not sure how much the quad core needs but that might not be enough.

It also might be that you don't have enough air circulation in your pc case.

[thigobr]

New bios 0902:
http://support.asus.com/download/dow...n-us&model=M3A

Description 0902 BIOS for M3A
1.Resolve crashFree III function fail issue.
2.Adjust CPU temperature offset for certain CPUs.

[Solarpowered]

Hey I just flashed the 902 bios. I'm running a 9600 and OCZ 1066 ram. This bios wont post when set to 1066 mode. In auto it starts up as 667 mode, even with the ram voltage raised. Any Ideas were I may have gone wrong?

[thigobr]

Solarpowered may be subtimings? Press F4 to see them.

I flashed and didn'nt see anything new...

[Solarpowered]

I was aware of the F4 option and have tried various combinations of settings on and off and tweaked to no avail. Never had any issues with previous bios revisions. Suppose this one just isnt right for my particular sytem configuration.

[mr1c3man]

I just looked at your cooler on newegg.

Go down about half way and some guy says
"Pros: this cheap amazing cooler keeps my amd quad 9750 oc at 3.1ghz at 30 idle and 45 at full load.there is a plastic guard that is in the back of the cooler and blows air to cool north bridge.good idea. i had no problems putting this in with my socket am2. dident have to use push pins they can be removed.

Cons: none

Other Thoughts: get this "

What kind of thermal paste are you using?
How much did you add?
After you put the paste on and then the heatsink,do not remove and reinstall the HS as an air bubble will form and you will overheat.
spread the paste with your finger in a thin layer, then install the HS and make sure its tight.
use AS5 thermal paste.

It might also be your Power supply.
it only has +12V1@17A for the cpu. Im not sure how much the quad core needs but that might not be enough.

It also might be that you don't have enough air circulation in your pc case.

Hey Arthur,

thanks for lookn up myheatsink info.thats the one i have.
Umm im using this no-brand heatsink its golden paste. should i try a different one? and yes i reseated the heatsink after applying the paste because i couldnt get it in right.

i dont have a very good circulation in the case either... but i just custom installed a fan that blows air out of the case from the side.

should i reseat the HS u think?

My Powersupply is running my video card + 2 hdds, + 2 fans + 2 CDRW everyone said that shuld be fine.

GET THIS

i ran 3DMARk 06 and got a shameful 10,000 points only 900 points up from my X2 Dual Core @ 3.1Ghz. what a waste of money

how did the other guy get it to 3.1????

[arthur92710]

Hummmm? Didn't I reply earlier today?

Arghhh, it was pretty long, so i will make this short.

Ok , mr1c3man
that golden paste got to go.
Get AS5

Also what case do you have? How many fans? Where to they blow?

[mr1c3man]

Hi Arthur.

ok ill try a diff one.

i got a cheapo case with one fan at the back i swapped the fan for a Thermaltake one (80mm) which takes air out of the case
then i custom installed a side case one 80mm which also takes air out

ALSO

i got it at 2.88yest with a multi of 12x an NB multi of 6x
vcore @ 1.27V and ram @ 667 running @ 400Mhz in cpu-z

i ran Prime95 for 1hr running the 1st test which says "tests "some ram" but more cpu" it ran fine. but i think when i run the BLENDED test (tests everything, lots of ram tested) it blue screens. what does that mean??

[zhadoom]

New bios at asus website - 1001 for M3A.

http://support.asus.com/download/dow...map&mapindex=0

Anyone already tested it ?

[SocketMan]

New bios at asus website - 1001 for M3A.

http://support.asus.com/download/dow...map&mapindex=0

Anyone already tested it ?

I took my M3a +9600be to work,damn spreadsheets need a lot of power I did flash something a few days ago
not sure if it was 1001 or 902 will check on Monday.
I know the AOD 2.1.2 works (still crippled of course) nice
colors and all.
Thanks for the link.

[Jakalwarrior]

My board died. Froze up yesterday and I hit restart, everything went along fine so I went for a drink. came back and screen had no signal. Now it gives a single "im fine" beep on startup then stays blank and eventually gives two short beeps and never displays anything. Tested video card in dif computer, it is fine, tried PCI card in this one, no luck. First two slots give bad ram beep code (Always have), second two do the same ol two short beeps after a 10 second pause thing. Tried each piece of ram in each slot, no luck. Cleared cmos over night. Board is dead.

Everyone else still have healthy boards?

[MrMojoZ]

My M3A just came back from RMA, in worse condition than when I sent it in. ><

[Jakalwarrior]

Dang, stinkin asus. Makes me feel real good knowing Ive got to RMA my board to them and I also just bought an Asus 4850

Ive had the same from MSI also, they sent me a board back from RMA that lasted all of 2 months back in the day (Infinity Plat nf3).

Maybe they think if they screw us enough times we will give up after losing more to shipping costs than the price of a new board.

[MrMojoZ]

I'd rather they say, "Look, we aren't going to fix or replace this so just buy something else. SB600 was crappy anyway!"