Overclocking AMD 1.4G, AsusA7M266, and 256DDRRAM

[dborden]

I just bought an AMD 1.4 Thunderbird Processor and an AsusA7M266 Motherboard and 256 MEG DDR RAM. Any have any suggestions or experience overclocking this bad boy? I do not want to purchase creative cooling solutions. I am using a Coolmaster EP Heatsink and fan made for AMD's and 2 more case fans. I am more looking for RAM settings and BUS settings to streamline this system. Please feel free to email at dborden@uwm.edu any time. I will respond very quickly while at work during the day.

[Axl256]

I'd like to second this request for information. I have exactly the same setup apart from 512MB RAM and a couple more case fans.

Andy

[Blue Jester_2112]

First off, Welcome to the forums, both of you. =]

The A7M is a great board (I have one too). It's fast and stable, but it isn't the best for overclocking. I doesn't support changing the multiplier at all. For that you need to change a few resistors and add a set of dipswitches which, unless you're really good at soldering, is a real pain. It is very stable at higher FSB's though (provided you have good RAM and your perpheral cards can take it).
Unfortunately you really won't get very far without better cooling. The HS/F that comes with the 1.4 t-bird is at the best, adequate for cooling at stock speeds. Especially if your using the thermal pad that came on the bottom of the HS (It don't do squat). If you really want to push that bird further you'll need to invest in a better HS/f. Heat is the enemy, and the stock HS/F fights the battle pretty poorly. =[

As for memory timings, set the cas latency to 2. Provided you have decent ram it should be able to handle it no problem. Try playing around with the settings. When the system becomes unstable you've gone too far and need to back them down some.

The same goes for the FSB. It's really the only way to OC on this board. Start bumping it up 1mhz at a time (keeping a close eye on your temps) untill it becomes unstable, then back off untill it is stable again. I have to advise against pushing very far with with the stock HS/f though. Also, keep in mind the Asus probe tends to read temps too high. As much as 10*C too high at times. In this case that 10*C might be a good buffer for you to keep from frying your chip.
I'm not sure what your temps are now, but you really don't want to go much above somewhere in the 50-55*C range if you want that chip to last. 55*C isn't too bad, you chip can handle a decent amount more, but the lower the better.

Hope this helps a bit. If you do decide to get a better cooler, just say so and I'll be happy to throw out suggestions in a wealth of different price ranges. =]

[dborden]

Yes please I would love suggestions on HS/F Just not very expensive ones. As well as places to purchase. Also could you give me a general ideas on how far I can boost my bus speed? I have all good PCI components.

[Axl256]

I've already got quite a good HSF. I tried to alter the clock speed as you said but my board would only let me decrease speed. I changed the setting from 133 to 100 and then User Define which then started at 100 and would only go down!! I've got BIOS version 1004. Very strange! Any ideas on this? I've also had an EXTREMELY poor 3DMark 2001 score (see other thread). Maybe something is wrong but my SiSoft SANDRA score seems respectable (see attached pic).

Andy

[dborden]

Also where can I download this SiSoft SANDRA program? Is it free?

[Jsmiley]

I would suggest you get a better HS/F before you overclock. I got a GlobalWin with copper heatsink. I stable at 39 Celcius @1.4GHz and about 49 Celcius @1.7 GHz

[Despotes]

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