Underperforming x2 3800+?

just Scott · 8 Dec 2006 at 13:42

I'm not sure really. If someone could post their SuperPi 1m results just for comparison that would be nice. (x2 3800+ users)

Here's some screenshots:

PS - This is also a "help me improve my overclock" thread in disguise.

squiffy · 8 Dec 2006 at 13:49

4400X2 @2.7ghz 32seconds.

ghgh · 8 Dec 2006 at 14:24

3800 x2 @ 2.8ghz
31.4 seconds

Tetras · 8 Dec 2006 at 14:32

Would try getting the memory closer to 200 if I were you.

steve258 · 8 Dec 2006 at 16:22

It's def. the RAM, super PI is very sensitive to RAM speed & timings, so try running it > 200Mhz with tightest timings possible.

I get 35 Secs with 2.6Ghz and RAM @ 236Mhz 3/3/3/6 2T.

Up that voltage and you should get 2.7Ghz+ with good cooling.

El Jimben · 8 Dec 2006 at 18:03

steve258 said:
It's def. the RAM, super PI is very sensitive to RAM speed & timings, so try running it > 200Mhz with tightest timings possible.

Yep. I get just under 35 secs with CPU @ 2.5GHz and RAM @ 208MHz & timings 2-3-3-6 1T.

EDIT: Not sure if it will make any difference but your HTT should be nearer 1000MHz so change the HTT multiplier to 4 instead of 3.

just Scott · 8 Dec 2006 at 18:20

steve258 said:
It's def. the RAM, super PI is very sensitive to RAM speed & timings, so try running it > 200Mhz with tightest timings possible.

I get 35 Secs with 2.6Ghz and RAM @ 236Mhz 3/3/3/6 2T.

Up that voltage and you should get 2.7Ghz+ with good cooling.

I've never OC'd the RAM before. I've just set the divider to 266 and that was it. I'll try and push it a bit further.

And I'll set the HTT to 4 thanks.

EDIT: I have a Freezer 64 Pro, with full load temps of 50C at 1.4v. Which is pretty good I think. I don't like keeping it there though because I don't see a noticable performance from 2.5GHz to 2.6GHz so I don't see the point in keeping it at higher volts when stock volts can do 2.5GHz.

But if I can get the RAM higher then I'll just keep it at the higher volts anyway, so thanks.

Forgot to mention, when changing the timings what do I aim for? 4-4-4-12 ish? For should I go for 5-5-5-15 for now?

steve258 · 8 Dec 2006 at 19:48

I also have a Freezer 64 pro and I'm getting 47~49 under full load.

Timings 4-4-4-12 / 5-5-5-15/ are for DDR2, for DDR I'd say 3/4/4/8 is as high as it goes, anything higher won't help OCing so there is no point.

So set your timings to 3/4/4/8 and then try 333Mhz divider so the RAM runs 208Mhz. If it's stable then try 400Mhz divider (1:1 with FSB), if it's not stable then try raising the voltage, if stable then start tightening the timings.

Oh and use the Memtest86+ for testing the stability.

The HTT is usually capable of at least a little bit over specified 1Ghz without any voltage increase. My HTT multi is 4 so it's running 1040Mhz.

just Scott · 8 Dec 2006 at 19:57

steve258 said:
I also have a Freezer 64 pro and I'm getting 47~49 under full load.

Timings 4-4-4-12 / 5-5-5-15/ are for DDR2, for DDR I'd say 3/4/4/8 is as high as it goes, anything higher won't help OCing so there is no point.

So set your timings to 3/4/4/8 and then try 333Mhz divider so the RAM runs 208Mhz. If it's stable then try 400Mhz divider (1:1 with FSB), if it's not stable then try raising the voltage, if stable then start tightening the timings.

Oh and use the Memtest86+ for testing the stability.

The HTT is usually capable of at least a little bit over specified 1Ghz without any voltage increase. My HTT multi is 4 so it's running 1040Mhz.

Great.

Thanks a lot. I'll go try that soon.

BTW, for the memory timings, should I change the first 4 CAS Latency to Cycle Time (Tras). Or do I start changing from RAS# to CAS# Delay and stop at Bank Cycle Time?

Sorry for noob questions.

steve258 · 8 Dec 2006 at 20:06

I'd say set the first four first and let the system set the rest of the timings.

Once you've found your RAM's best OC you can then go and search for the recommended timings for your particular modules and start from there.

just Scott · 8 Dec 2006 at 21:44

Oh, it didn't like that.

I set the HTT multiplyer to 4x then put the RAM one step up (333Mhz? I don't remember), set the timings to what you suggested and it wouldn't boot. Just after POST before the Windows boot screen it froze. So I restarted, set the DDR voltage to 2.6v (lowest volt on my mobo), tried again, same thing happened. Went back and set the voltage to 2.65v, same, then tried 2.7v, same. Is it safe to go any higher than 2.7v?

So I put the RAM back down to 266MHz, left the voltage and timings, wouldn't boot. Put the timings back to default, wouldn't boot, put the DDR voltage back to "auto". Put the HTT multi back to 3x, booted fine.

Hmm.

Maybe I should try just higher the RAM back up and setting the timings? How much difference would putting the HTT multi to 4x make?

I'll try again soon.

Tetras · 9 Dec 2006 at 11:46

Underclocking the HT (as long as its not a massive underclock) really makes no performance difference at all.

steve258 · 9 Dec 2006 at 12:08

H2F Scott said:
Oh, it didn't like that.

I set the HTT multiplyer to 4x then put the RAM one step up (333Mhz? I don't remember), set the timings to what you suggested and it wouldn't boot. Just after POST before the Windows boot screen it froze. So I restarted, set the DDR voltage to 2.6v (lowest volt on my mobo), tried again, same thing happened. Went back and set the voltage to 2.65v, same, then tried 2.7v, same. Is it safe to go any higher than 2.7v?

So I put the RAM back down to 266MHz, left the voltage and timings, wouldn't boot. Put the timings back to default, wouldn't boot, put the DDR voltage back to "auto". Put the HTT multi back to 3x, booted fine.

Hmm.

Maybe I should try just higher the RAM back up and setting the timings? How much difference would putting the HTT multi to 4x make?

I'll try again soon.

Ummm... What RAM are you using?? So far I made all the suggestions based on the assumption that you are using DDR400 modules. If it's DDR333 u are using then it will be difficult to make it run on 333 divider (208Mhz DDR416 in your case).

Only thing I can suggest now is to set your Command Rate to 2T then fingers crossed

About the voltage 2.7v is not high at all, I'd say don't go over 2.8v unless you're sure your RAM can take it.

just Scott · 9 Dec 2006 at 14:09

steve258 said:
Ummm... What RAM are you using?? So far I made all the suggestions based on the assumption that you are using DDR400 modules. If it's DDR333 u are using then it will be difficult to make it run on 333 divider (208Mhz DDR416 in your case).

Only thing I can suggest now is to set your Command Rate to 2T then fingers crossed

About the voltage 2.7v is not high at all, I'd say don't go over 2.8v unless you're sure your RAM can take it.

This RAM, to be precise:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-043-CS

And I have set it to 1T, I've had it like that a while, but I restored the default settings so it went back to 2T. I didn't notice a difference at all between the two.

Anyway, I have it back to normal. HTT multi at 3x, RAM divider at 266MHz and timings at default (same as in the screenshot on first post). It's the only way Windows will boot. : /

jaykay · 9 Dec 2006 at 14:48

well that ram wont do 200 at 2 cas probally put it at 3 if you want to run it 1:1

just Scott · 9 Dec 2006 at 15:05

jaykay said:
well that ram wont do 200 at 2 cas probally put it at 3 if you want to run it 1:1

I tried CAS 3 but I still couldn't get it to boot at 333MHz with a voltage of 2.8v. Any other ideas?

steve258 · 9 Dec 2006 at 15:06

H2F Scott said:
This RAM, to be precise:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-043-CS

And I have set it to 1T, I've had it like that a while, but I restored the default settings so it went back to 2T. I didn't notice a difference at all between the two.

Anyway, I have it back to normal. HTT multi at 3x, RAM divider at 266MHz and timings at default (same as in the screenshot on first post). It's the only way Windows will boot. : /

That's a 512Mb dual channel kit which means you have all four DIMMs occupied as the screeny shows 1Gb??

Are all four modules identical?? A64 mem controller doesn't like having all 4 slots occupied and I strongly think that this is the reason why you can't get your RAM to run even at their rated DDR400 speed.

There are lots of thread around discussing whether to have 4*512Mb or 2*1Gb setup and the answer have always been the later.

I'd say try removing one kit and just use 2*256Mb and see if it solves the problem.

just Scott · 9 Dec 2006 at 15:13

steve258 said:
That's a 512Mb dual channel kit which means you have all four DIMMs occupied as the screeny shows 1Gb??

Are all four modules identical?? A64 mem controller doesn't like having all 4 slots occupied and I strongly think that this is the reason why you can't get your RAM to run even at their rated DDR400 speed.

There are lots of thread around discussing whether to have 4*512Mb or 2*1Gb setup and the answer have always been the later.

I'd say try removing one kit and just use 2*256Mb and see if it solves the problem.

No no sorry. I have 2*512MB sticks to make 1GB.

Sorry about the confusion, but that's the exact RAM I'm using...only it shows 2*256mb.

EDIT: DOH. Sorry, this is the RAM I'm using:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-042-CS

Sorry I should have looked harder >_<

steve258 · 9 Dec 2006 at 15:43

H2F Scott said:
No no sorry. I have 2*512MB sticks to make 1GB.

Sorry about the confusion, but that's the exact RAM I'm using...only it shows 2*256mb.

EDIT: DOH. Sorry, this is the RAM I'm using:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-042-CS

Sorry I should have looked harder >_<

LOL!!

Well looks like it's not a dual channel kit but 2 individual 512Mb sticks, you can still try removing one and see if it works @ DDR400, also try putting your ram in different sockets and see if that makes a difference. It maybe a long shot but there is no harm trying

.

This happened to me before when I had 2*512Mb PNY sticks and both were bought seperately, both have the same serial numbers and are using same ICs but for some reason my PC refused to boot after I put both sticks in.

So now I only buy dual channel kit.

just Scott · 9 Dec 2006 at 15:46

steve258 said:
LOL!!

Well looks like it's not a dual channel kit but 2 individual 512Mb sticks, you can still try removing one and see if it works @ DDR400, also try putting your ram in different sockets and see if that makes a difference. It maybe a long shot but there is no harm trying .

This happened to me before when I had 2*512Mb PNY sticks and both were bought seperately, both have the same serial numbers and are using same ICs but for some reason my PC refused to boot after I put both sticks in.

So now I only buy dual channel kit.

They are a dual channel kit.

It was a 1GB kit at the time I bought it, but they don't sell that kit anymore on OCUK so showing you the individual modules was the only way to show you which RAM I had.

Sorry, I can get confusing sometimes.

Actually, forget overclocking the RAM. I'll just sell these two modules (somehow : / ) and get a good pair of 2*1GB sticks later on.

Thanks though, steve.