Should I believe the software? PSU related!

[Michael_Myers]

The default value (at least in the BIOS 3R of Abit KT7) says that my 800mhz duron SHOULD be at 1.60v and the I/O at 3.4.

However, when I boot into windows THREE different software programs (mobomonitor, moboprobe, and viahardware) tell me I am actualy at 1.67V......and 3.51v respectively.

What should I believe?

Secondly........if by default My chip runs (really suppose to) at 1.60........but in reality for whatever reason ON MY SYSTEM...1.60 is really 1.67v as the software is telling me.......should I lower the voltage to 1.525 in the bios? That SHOULD make the software say 1.60 and COULD lower my temps because it would be using the correct voltage.......1.6 instead of 1.67. This is assuming the software is correct.....and my PSU is somehow off spec by .7v.

Also could the same be true for my I/O as well? If I am supposed to be at 3.4 but the software says I am at 3.51 shouldn't I lower in the bios to 3.3....so that the true reading will be 3.4? Again assuming the software is correct.

Thanks..........

[Thelemac]

I would say that the programs are right-ish. They're not completely accurate, but ther *are* fairly close. It's not due to your PSU, it's because of your mobo. Personally, I like the voltages higher because it lets me overclock higher (without have to learn how to solder).

However, setting your voltage lower (you could try even lower than 1.525) *will* lower your temps. But if you're gonna overclock, you'll probably want them as high as you can get them.

[M@€$†®Ö™]

I have your System and Bios on my Duron 650 @1128 mhz and I can say without hesistiation that its not neccessary to mess with the BIOS setting to bring down the IO or Vcore voltages they will always read up to 1/10 of a volt higher then what you set. And there will be tiny fluctuations on occasions there as well. Its not a problem with your Bios or Mobo. I have built 30 systems at work on Duron 650 up to 950 with a KT7 and Kt7A and KT7E and all have read slightly higher then what defaults are set for the CPU. This I characterize as normal behavior for the Mobo. Now to reach higher speeds you will have to push them both up some but it depends on the temperment of your particular chip For 1 ghz you will probably need a VCore of 1.8v or higher and I/O of 3.4 to 3.6 it depends. I have ran my Duron at 1.85 Vcore which read 1.888 to 1.91 so it always reads a bit high over what you set it. Same with the I/O @ 3.8 as well. You will have to tinker and tweak to see what works for your particular setup. I hope this helps some.
TO cool things down you can bring your i/o to as low as 1.4 or 1.45 and you can leave the Vcore @ 3.4 and probably have no problems but your chip and setup might need more or less. I am just sharing general experience in building multiple systems on this setup.

Maestro

[Thelemac]

Originally posted by Maestro
I have your System and Bios on my Duron 650 @1128 mhz and I can say without hesistiation that its not neccessary to mess with the BIOS setting to bring down the IO or Vcore voltages they will always read up to 1/10 of a volt higher then what you set. And there will be tiny fluctuations on occasions there as well. Its not a problem with your Bios or Mobo. I have built 30 systems at work on Duron 650 up to 950 with a KT7 and Kt7A and KT7E and all have read slightly higher then what defaults are set for the CPU. This I characterize as normal behavior for the Mobo. Now to reach higher speeds you will have to push them both up some but it depends on the temperment of your particular chip For 1 ghz you will probably need a VCore of 1.8v or higher and I/O of 3.4 to 3.6 it depends. I have ran my Duron at 1.85 Vcore which read 1.888 to 1.91 so it always reads a bit high over what you set it. Same with the I/O @ 3.8 as well. You will have to tinker and tweak to see what works for your particular setup. I hope this helps some.
TO cool things down you can bring your i/o to as low as 1.4 or 1.45 and you can leave the Vcore @ 3.4 and probably have no problems but your chip and setup might need more or less. I am just sharing general experience in building multiple systems on this setup.

Maestro

Just to clarify...it reads that because it is at that voltage. You didn't really make that clear, Maestro, so I though I would mention it. Also, you should be wary of setting your VIO much above 3.7 or so...I never really noticed any improvement when I went over 3.6 anyway.