What is limiting my overclock?

Soldato
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19 Jan 2003
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Hi guys,

I need to work out what the problem with my overclocking is.

My spec is:

Abit IP35
Intel E2140
2gb Geil ULL DDR2 (2x1gb)

I know the CPU is good to 3.2ghz as I bought it off of my friend and fellow forum member Paradigm.

However, I have orthos crashing on blend test at 3.0ghz (900mhz DDR).

Currently, the CPU is at 2666mhz and the memory sits at 800mhz like this.

I have read around and almost everybody runs this Geil at 900mhz, I even upped the mem voltage and slackened the timings when at 3000/900 but it still crashed out so perhaps it's the chipset?

Any adivce much appreciated.

TIA,

Chris
 
what memory is it 5300/6400 ?

what about processor voltage etc, did Paradigm give you any details of what he needed to run it at when he had it ?
 
Yea the CPU needed a little voltage boost for 3.2 but would do 3.0 on 1.325v.

The memory is 6400.

If I can have it orthos stable at 3.0ghz and 900mhz DDR I will be well chuffed :D
 
I think some batches of that memory clock better than others. You might have to settle for 750mhz DDR for stability at 3ghz, I did with my 2140 (albeit with a different brand of memory).
 
from my experience of several sets of the GeIL 800mhz 6400 ULL they are good for 900mhz+ although you will need to slaken timmings.. might try upping the NB voltage a little
 
On the IP35 which setting relates to the NB voltage?

Will the overall system perform better with 3000mhz cpu and 750mhz memory or 2666mhz cpu and 800mhz memory?
 
3GHz CPU with RAM at 750MHz will be better than 333MHz slower CPU speed with 50MHz extra RAM speed.
 
Right, managed to get the CPU 8-hours Orthos stable at 3ghz.

Last night I knocked the memory upto 900mhz with 2.1v and the defualt (tight) timings.

Orthos failed after 6hours 40mins on the blend test.

What's the next step?
 
On the IP35 which setting relates to the NB voltage?

Not sure about the IP35, but on Gigabyte boards its McH.

I guess your next step are the voltages. 1.325v for vcore is stock isn't it? What's your cooler? Tweak it in steps all the way up to 1.5v if you've got a decent one. Also suggest upping the FSB voltage a couple of notches.
 
Not sure about the IP35, but on Gigabyte boards its McH.

I guess your next step are the voltages. 1.325v for vcore is stock isn't it? What's your cooler? Tweak it in steps all the way up to 1.5v if you've got a decent one. Also suggest upping the FSB voltage a couple of notches.

The CPU is stable at 3.0ghz with the mem underclocked but as soon as i overclock the mem it's failing. Will upping the vcore actualy help?

I am thinking either the mem is just not that great or the chipset needs more oomph.
 
The CPU is stable at 3.0ghz with the mem underclocked but as soon as i overclock the mem it's failing. Will upping the vcore actualy help?

I am thinking either the mem is just not that great or the chipset needs more oomph.

OK, what I am about to say is a discussion point and not an answer as I am still on the learning curve, so treat asa you see fit :)

RAM. Your 6400 mem is rated at 800Mhz. That's 400 FSB. 400*8 is 3200, so your mem should be able to support a 3.2 Ghz overclock without overclocking.

Mobo. Your IP35 runs at 1333Mhz. That's 333 FSB. To get to 400FSB, that's a hefty overclock, but doable with a dose of extra chipset voltage.

CPU. Your E2140 running at 3.2Ghz will be a massive 100% overclock. You've just got to up the vcore at some point to maintain it. It is surprising you have not done so yet. Are you on water?

So, the way I see it, nudge up your chipset volts, and whack up your vcore!
 
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your vcore may have worse voltage droop underload than your friends mobo. WHen the cpu is "working" the voltgae may drop slightly depending on your board.

Try upping the voltage 1.45if your temps are ok
 
Thanks guys, the reason for increasing the voltage to 1.365 was due to drop under load, my friend had it at stock on his mobo which is an IP35pro.

I am on the stock intel cooler so temps under Orthos load are hitting 80degrees now.

I am considering buying one of these fancy thermalright 120mm coolers and aiming for 3.2Ghz as then the memory can run at 800 as pointed out above. Or, purchase faster memory and flog this Geil ULL stuff.

I have heard that certain IP35 bios' have more memory divider options? If so is there a Bios that will allow me to run at 3ghz and nearer 800mhz on the memory?
 
I am on the stock intel cooler so temps under Orthos load are hitting 80degrees now.

I am considering buying one of these fancy thermalright 120mm coolers and aiming for 3.2Ghz as then the memory can run at 800 as pointed out above. Or, purchase faster memory and flog this Geil ULL stuff.

You're going for a 100% overclock on the stock cooler? :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Get the Thermalright buddy :)

BTW - the memory will run 800 now. That's its rated speed. It's supporting the CPU overclock by upping the vcore which is your key stumbling block.

Also - you have a hell of chip there. 88% overclock on close to stock voltages and stock cooler.
 
To get to 3.2Ghz on my setup as in sig, i needed to use around 1.5v, vdroop meant this was around 1.44 under load, RAM was at +0.3v, 4-4-4-12 @ 870MHz.

Also i wouldn't recommend running at 80 degrees, i think most people would stop at around 60-65 degrees. Using the tuniq tower i was getting mid 50 degree under load at 3.2Ghz.
 
If 80degrees was unsafe Intel would make the cpu throttle below that and not 100.

That's my theory anyway :p
 
Hi guys.

I updated core temp and it's now reporting my Orthos load temps at 72deg.

Any other stress tests such as superPi or 3dmark benchmarks never see temps. this high anyway, not sure what Orthos does but it really heats the CPU up!

I upped the DDR voltage to 2.2v and so far have done 8hours 30mins of Orthos blend test. I think I shall leave it running for 24hours just to be double-sure but looks as if I have managed to get 3.0ghz and 900mhz stable!

The timings I slacked off to 5-5-5-15 so after I have 24hour tested this I think I will tighten them back to 4-4-4-12 and try again.

I think I may still upgrade the cooler as I assume a 120mm model will be quieter and perform better? Any suggestions?
 
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