390 MAX FSB on DS3?! Help!

[YukonTrooper]

I cannot get my board to do over 390FSB for the life of me. No matter what voltage combination I try it is impossible. No matter what CPU multi I use I can still not get respectable FSB's. I can run 8x390FSB on stock volts for 8+ hours but soon as I try to go over 390 it kills me. I have tried combinations all the way from 400FSB-500FSB and nothing works. I have tried the default 8x multiplier as well as 6 and 7. All settings in BIOS that I don't need are turned off, ram is at 1:1 with manufacturers suggest volts and stock timings. I have tried different BIOS versions to no avail.

I did 8 hours of memtest fine for 8+ but it shouldn't be my ram because I am not coming even CLOSE to its rated speed.

Cooling is not an issue as it is open on the kitchen table and I have a fan blowing directly on the NB and CPU temps are well within range.

I have not updated Windows at all. All I did was install Windows, activate it, installed Orthos, Coretemp etc. and started to OC. Does updating Windows have any effect on overclocking? I don't think this would be the issue because a lot of the time when I up the FSB my board doesn't even POST.

It is interesting to note that this is a replacement DS3 for the one I RMA'd because my first one had booting issues where it would constantly boot from floppy no matter what. This replacement is an open box unit per NCIX's policy. They will replace RMA's with open box units if they are tested and everything is ok. Obviously they don't test for overclocking but it makes you wonder why the original owner returned it. Considering the DS3's heavy enthusiast base maybe he returned it for these odd FSB problems I am having.

Is it also possible my CPU is a dud? This CPU can do 3ghz stable on stock volts so it doesn't seem like it should be a bad CPU. Input anyone?

[lukeo]

My DS3 needs to be punished to perform. My setup is almost the same as yours.

965 DS3 board.
e6320
2GB DDR800 ram
8800gts
thermalright 120 ultra extreme
noctura nb heatsink

I found the stock northbridge burnt my finger to touch, so I replaced it before I started serious overclocking.

1.5v core (drops to 1.41v)
+0.4 ram
+0.3 to mch (northbridge)

I'm using the alternate ram timings option (pres CTRL F1 in main bios screen before entering the overclocking area). You should see the two options I'm talking about hopefully.

Maybe this helps you maybe not.

p.s I run 515FSB for a 3.6ghz overclock on those settings...

[John600rr]

I'm kinda in the same boat. I am working on a DS3 system with an E4300.

The dang thing boots right up and is completely stable at 360fsb, with NOT a single voltage change. But will not even boot above 365 with any combination of MCH, FSB, vCore, different PCIe freqs, etc.

I'm thinking I got a dud since all these people who hit 500+fsb and I can't even approach 400.

It's just wierd to me that stock voltage (MCH, FSB) gets me all the way to 360, but even everything at +.3 (maxed out) wont get my 5 more fsb to 365.

[bassie]

Tried other biosses?

[John600rr]

Any suggestions on which one is the best? Possible to downgrade?

Running F12 BIOS right now. I had a hassle downgrading my P5W-DH BIOS a way back, have to look into it.

[Neon Biker]

Ever considered your E4300 might have a FSB wall at 365?

[John600rr]

Ever considered your E4300 might have a FSB wall at 365?

Perhaps. But I was hoping to at least play with volts, talk about uneventful OCing you know. It does almost 3200mhz on stock volts but won't go a bit higher @ 1.5Vcore.

Well 3200 isn't bad and I'm gonna put the stock HSF back on and see if I can get away with it since the temps are so low.

[lukeo]

Thought that maybe it's the bootstrap on the northbridge limiting your overclock? The change between 800fsb, 1066fsb and 1333fsb.

Mine board won't boot between 380-400... yet 401-515 is rock solid when the strap changes I guess.

F11a bios for me.

[YukonTrooper]

Well unfortunately I found out it was the CPU that was holding me back. It scales very poorly. My board started hitting high FSB's once I did a CMOS clear. This board was already used by somebody so he probably didn't leave the BIOS in the best shape.

My CPU can hit 3ghz on stock voltage 8 hours Orthos but it takes 1.43V to hit 3.2. I can do 3.3 but that takes 1.475. So overall not a bad processor but not a prodigy chip by any means. Other people with this chip have been hitting 3.5-3.7 recently so thats a bummer. Meh. I just came from a X2 at 2.7 so this in comparison is blazing fast for my games. I think I will pick up a 6750 when they come out and take advantage of this boards native 1333FSB.