Bios resetting when I try to overclock

Mark228 · 10 Feb 2009 at 12:36

Hi, I was trying my first ever overclock following the instructions from This Website (sorry maybe an ad there first) and so followed the instructions, disabled what it said etc etc, and finally got to start increasing the FSB at 40mhz increments and rebooting. Only thing is when I rebooted my bios seems to be reset, with things such as voltages back on auto, RAM back on auto etc etc. Anyone give me a clue what this might be before I try again (tried a few times and am sick of having to go through my BIOS re-doing the settings from auto).

Mobo: BFG nVidia 680i SLI
CPU: E6600 Core Duo 2.4
RAM: 2 Gig SLI OCZ 8500 (with cooling fans)
650w decent power
Vista Premium

I'm on BIOS P33 with this board but the Phoenix "Bios Agent Plus" thing says I could have an update -- but can't find one anywhere for my Board above what i have (nothing at BFG or nVidia as far as I can see)... and don't wanna pay for that software just to update my bloody BIOS!

So, any ideas why when I set stuff in BIOS, hit F10 and restart, it's not saving it? Cheers for advice!

Mark228 · 12 Feb 2009 at 02:30

No-one have any ideas?

postmanfw · 13 Feb 2009 at 00:01

First thing is to change the motherboard battery i would say

Mark228 · 13 Feb 2009 at 01:24

Thanks for the reply, the problem seems to have stopped on its own... maybe I was doing something wrong? Although my PC clock appears to be an hour behind at the moment... an indication of the battery maybe? The PC isn't that old, do Cmos batteries last long?

Anyway I have managed to start trying overclocks but am a bit concerned about temps.

CPU= 58
GPU=60
MCP=71
System = 39

Have the CPUv set to 1.4 (I think) atm, and slightly lower volts set from that link in my first post. They suggest (to start with, then lower until stable)

CPU Core: 1.45V
CPU FSB: 1.5V
nForce SPP: 1.50V

I think I have the last two as 1.4, going to reboot and check now.

I think the total FSB (QDR) is set to 1344 right now and nVidia system monitor (where I got the temps from) shows it running at 3012mhx (9x). And stable all night so far. Are those temps ok, especially the MCP?

I have front and rear fans, extra rear Turbo fan, and cooling on the RAM as well. But my CPU temps have always been high compared to others, around 40 to 44 idle... have an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on it.

Mark228 · 13 Feb 2009 at 01:30

btw, the resetting would only happen when I disabled my RAM from SLI-Ready to disabled, which the auto then took my RAM down to 666.7mhz ?? Of course I took off the auto then and unlinked it and it went to the usual 1066mhz, although I also had to set the timings manually as well. When I did that and saved and reboot, every would clear. Don't know what I've done to correct it but its allowing me to do it now... oh wait, instead of pressing F10 I actually ESCd out to main bios and tabbed to the "save and exit" instead of using F10, if that matters?

Mark228 · 13 Feb 2009 at 01:50

ok so my bios settings are as follows:

FSB(QDR) = 1344 (is this an odd number to do as the link said to add 40mhz each time from the stock 1066)
Mem = 1067 (which is correct but it says "actual" is 1055)
----
CPU = 1.4v (current value (in green says) 1.35v)
CPU FSB (I set to) = 1.4v
Mem (is at stock) = 2.1v
nForce SPP (I set to) = 1.5v
nForce MCP (auto) = 1.5v
HT nForce SPP <-> MCP (auto) = 1.2v

I had been having some blue screens before even attempting to OC lately and this added voltage to things I hadn't dare touch b4 now, and the slight OC, seems to have stabilized things a little, no BSOD all night so far is quite good for me lately. But high temps. I did have the FSB and CPUv a little higher but the CPU temps were at around 60-61 so decided take it down a notch til I'd soght some advice here.

Any advice, comments on voltages and how far to push the OC with the temps that I have much appreciated. Been thinking of adding an Antec SpotCool fan in there somewhere as well, or other suggested cooling?

Mark228 · 13 Feb 2009 at 03:11

Thought I would add some screencaps if that helps anyone give me advice? Am I frying anything here as I don't like the look of those little burning flames on Speedfan! CPU v is now reduced down to 1.325v atm regardless of what speedfan says is 1.28?

thevet · 13 Feb 2009 at 14:04

install the latest bios

Mark228 · 16 Feb 2009 at 22:59

I have BIOS P33 which I think is the latest as far as I am aware. Regarding temps, the ones in BIOS monitor are a little lower than when booting into windows is this normal? I Installed 2 new Gigs of Ram today and on first boot my PCU temps were around 29c then obviously raised up to around 44c in BIOS after I'd gone into windows for a while. Temps are down a bit though (a few degrees) since installing extra ram?