Seeking Expertise on the PIII 500 (Katmai)

[cdadare]

System Specs:
PIII 500, 512k (Katmai) - Factory Heat Sink & Fan
Epox P2-133A Mainboard - (Supports Bus Clock at 100MHz, but has three additional setting of 110, 124 & 133MHz).
VIA Chipset Apollo Pro+ (Recent flash, Aug 2000)
128MB SDRAM, PC100

I'm new in the business of major Overclocking, and I want to know if there's a chance I can boost my PIII to 650MHz or so WITHOUT buying more than a better cooling system or so.

I've ran my PIII at 550 for quite a while, (110 bus), but I just recently started checking CPU temps. It seem I've been running a little high, about 116 F.
I clocked back down to 500 and noticed an extreme drop in temp, about 106 F.

I tried to get fancy and bumped my bus up to 124MHz one morning while the CPU was still cold. It booted up and showed a speed of 620Mhz, I was JACKED for a second or so until Windows started and I immediatley recieved a Registry error. I then bumped it back to 550 and after the CPU warmed up, it wouldn't even boot at 620.

It's my understanding that the Intel processor it locked at a Multiplier of 5, is that true? My Epox board doens't appear to have a Voltage selector. Is that a problem, or does the bios automatically set the Voltage? Would a better cooling system help?

DocClock stated a few days ago that the Katmai doesn't clock much over 600MHz, but I've read a few test where it clocked at 650 & 700, so I know it's possible. (It wasn't with the Coopermine)

Skip MacWilliam wrote an article about the "STEP Enhanced PIII 500" achieving speeds up to 700MHz, unfortunatley he didn't say if it was the Katmai or Coppermine.

I'll be waiting for some good advice, I'd appreciate it.

[The Doors]

Well, theorically you can reach 5x133=665Mhz (where 5 is the multiplier and 133 the Fsb) but you need:

- Good cooler like GlobalWin Fop32 or 38 (this is noisy!) or better an Alplha Pep66.
- Memory module Pc133 (capable to reach at last Fsb@133Mhz).
- Mobo capable to manage voltages.

But now what are temps @620Mhz?
it's important to understand if the prob is the cooling, the voltage or both.
Look Cpu Database on home page for more info about your Cpu.

Have a nice OC :-)

[most deaf]

The Doors (Jun 07, 2001 01:48 p.m.):
Well, theorically you can reach 5x133=665Mhz (where 5 is the multiplier and 133 the Fsb) but you need:

- Good cooler like GlobalWin Fop32 or 38 (this is noisy!) or better an Alplha Pep66.
- Memory module Pc133 (capable to reach at last Fsb@133Mhz).
- Mobo capable to manage voltages.

But now what are temps @620Mhz?
it's important to understand if the prob is the cooling, the voltage or both.
Look Cpu Database on home page for more info about your Cpu.

Have a nice OC :-)
crap, don't get any globalwin, they are not good for intel processor, i have used them on intels. i think your processor is slot 1, so finding heatsinks is hard. the best bet is to improve case cooling and put two ys-tech 60mm fans on the heatsink, your might be able to get a (uhhhgh) global win slot 1 heatsink but STAY AWAY FROM ORBS, by putting your bus speed above 100MHz and not 133MHz you are running ALL the components at a higher speed , which is a bad thing!!! you may want to put a 486 fan to the chipset to cool it down but i don't see the point beause it is designed to run at 133MHz and get PC133 or PC150 ram

[FragBait]

I would say from experience, the cache chips are holding you back. My PIII 500 would do the same thing if I ran above 560mhz. You will have much better luck with a cheap Celeron2 or Coppermine.

[The Doors]

Guys, remember that Alpha Pep66 is compatible with Intel Slot1 and Fcpga processor and is one of the best cooler possible, but for the rest I think that the prob of Cdadare isn't only about cooling but voltage and Mem :-)

[cdadare]

Ok, I've got a little better idea about Cooling and didn't realize that I needed PC133 mem, but what about VOLTAGE? Since my board doesn't appear to have Voltage jumpers, does the bios set it or am I SOL.

[The Doors]

I'm looking for your Mobo manual so I can say if you can set a different voltage, or......well it's better to replace it with a 20-30$ 440BX slot 1 capable to use Fsb @133Mhz or more and different voltages :-)

Have a nice OC.

[The Doors]

I'm sorry but I can't download from Epox website the manual about your Mobo.
Another possible way is to install a Fcpga Celeron or PIII with the adapter, where you can set different voltages going over this Mobo limitation.

This is all I can do it, I'm sorry, try Posting another Topic about your probs :-)
I hope you can OC your system, good luck.

[[OC]_SR20DE]

Don't buy the PC133 RAM yet. Before you do that, try and see if your PC100 overclocks well. The problem you mentioned OC'ing your Katmai 500 is mainly the heat issue on the CPU.
Have you tried to changed the Vcore voltage in the BIOS?.. if you're able to changed the FSB, then it really should allow you to change the Vcore as well..
Before you think about increasing the Vcore voltage, You will have to get very good cooling for the CPU and the case modding otherwise it will become more unstable due to high temperature. With a standard Intel HSF will not help you cauze the Katmai core tend to heat more as they OC. If you don't want to do case modding, then keep your case sides open and keep it as cool as possible.

[cdadare]

Thanks guys. As far as cooling goes, some are recommending the Alpha Pep66. Do you think that's the way to go?

Also, my bios DOESN'T allow me to adjust the Voltage.

[The Doors]

Hi Cdadare,
excuse me :-) but probably I'm wrong about compatibility of a Slot1 with Pep66, it's right only if u have a PPGA or FCPGA processor on a Slot1 adapter.
Look Alpha Website (www.alphanovatech.com) for more info or better Post a Topic into Cooling section for a Katamai Cooler.

Have a nice OC :-)