overclocking dual 2000+ MP's

[shiltz]

I have a MSI K7D Master motherboard, dual athlon MP 2000+ proccessors, and 512mb PC2100 ram in my PC running window's XP pro, i'm pretty much new to overclocking, I have read some stuff on it though, anyways I seem to have problems holding any amount of overclocking with it, the absolute highest I can even boot into windows with is 140 Mhz FSB, over that I just get a windows protection error and it reboots the PC, at 140Mhz FSB I can get into windows and it will run fine for a few days, then will reboot and start giving me windows protection errors till I drop the FSB back down to 133, shut down the computer for a min then reboot fully into windows, then I can go back out and bump it back up to 140, but having to do this ever few days is frustrating, especialy since it's not even a significant increase in clock speed.

I noticed in the SMP FAQ it recomends a 500 watt PSU, currently i'm using an antec 430 true power PSU, could that be causing the above problems?

if not the PSU what else could be causing the problem I have.

also I know it's not the processors running to hot causing it as even overclocked it never goes over 40C, when not overclocked it runs at 25C and 28C at idle.

[verbatim]

Might be the crappy ram plus a bigger power supply would be good but thats a pretty good 1 u got but change the ram.

[eli]

I have the same problems with my setup in my sig. I think it's my ram. I'm running crucial 2100 unbuffered. 2 banks of 512 mb.

[cmcquistion]

Sounds like the RAM. Are you running Auto or Manual settings?

If you're running Manual settings, what are they?

I recommend 16,16,6,2,2,2,3. Those are high performance settings, though, and some RAM (particularly Registered PC2100) can't go very far with those settings. Give those settings a shot and see if you can get any further. If you can't, then you will probably need different RAM (Samsung Registered PC2700 is good) or you can try lower your CAS to 2.5 and see if that helps (16,16,6,2,2,2.5,3)

[David]

The best way to overclock on the MPx platform is IMHO by multiplier adjustment. But that would involve manually cutting bridges.....

[cmcquistion]

Originally posted by David
The best way to overclock on the MPx platform is IMHO by multiplier adjustment. But that would involve manually cutting bridges.....

...or blowing bridges (which is fairly easy)

[David]

Originally posted by cmcquistion


...or blowing bridges (which is fairly easy)

I wasnt sure whether Pallys can be adjusted using electricity to blow bridges. I have only done it on a pair of 1700+ Tbreds.

[cmcquistion]

Yes, you can use the same method for Palomino's, Durons, Bartons, everything...

The bridge layouts are different, but the same method still applies.

[shiltz]

Originally posted by cmcquistion
Sounds like the RAM. Are you running Auto or Manual settings?

I was running auto settings, I manualy set them to 16,16,6,2,2,2,3 and it seems to be working so far, was able to clock it a little higher now, 144Mhz FSB, though I had to set the voltage at the max the board will go to to get it to work, anything lower and it would just reboot before it could even get into windows.

[mateo]

Do you have any 64 bit PCI cards? 144 would be quite a stretch for them (unless they're PCI-X, of course), but that would be contributing, if that is the case.

About the multis...the K7D has multi control, so a normal unlock is all that's in order :)

[cmcquistion]

Originally posted by loner
Do you have any 64 bit PCI cards? 144 would be quite a stretch for them (unless they're PCI-X, of course), but that would be contributing, if that is the case.

I think you mean 66 MHz, not 64-bit.

[mateo]

I mean 64 bit, because that's inclusive to 33 MHz and 66 MHz, but 100 and 133 MHz would be able to handle it, which is why I said the little bit about PCI-X :)

[shiltz]

nope, no 64 bit PCI cards, just my sound card and and network card which are in the standard 32 bit PCI slots.

[cmcquistion]

According the the OC CPU Database, the average overclock for MP2000's is 1861 MHz. If you're getting 1800 MHz, now, that may be the best you can get.

There is one way you could find out if it is your FSB limiting you. Mod the multi for 13X, then try again. If you still hit a brick wall around 1800 MHz, even with the lower FSB, then you know it is the CPU's holding you back. If you can overclock even higher at 13X, but still hit a brick wall at 144 FSB, then you know that the FSB is holding you back.

Of course, it may not be worth it to mod the bridges and all, but that is one thing you could try.

[Xtc4u]

Considering I have thew same CPUs May i suggest dropping your multiplier down to 11.5 and then stepping the FSB up to 150 one step at a time. Since the MPs are unlocked you shouldnt have a problem adjusting the multis. If you still cant get above 140 you might want to consider upgrading the RAM to PC2700. Thats what I had to do. The highest stable run you will probably get with them is 11.5x150 at a Vcore of 1.85. 12x150 is pushing it but it was possible for a few days on my system. I hope this little bit of info helps.