Overclocking The PIII Tualatin 1.26Ghz with 512 L2 Cache [Archive]

95Cobra-R

08-17-01, 07:44 PM

I need some help to determine a problem I am having overclocking:
Here is my setup:
Asus TUSL2-C
Tulatin 1.26 512L2 Retail Boxed
Two 128 meg Corsair PC133 Cas2 memory
MX300 Sound card
Voodoo 3 3500 AGP/Geforce 3 (Visiontek)
Good 300 Watt Power supply

I can overclock from 1.26mhz to 1500mhz with the Voodoo 3 3500 AGP and run anything (benchmarks) without any problems. But I can only overclock up to 1300 with the Geforce 3 installed. If I go higher some of the benchmarks freeze up or won't start. Here are the settings at 1500mhz in the bios.

FSB:SDRAM:PCI Freq Ratio 133:133:133
FSB/SDRAM/PCI Freq (mhz) 158/118/39

I have tried another Geforce 3 to rule out the video card but l still can't go past 1300mhz.

Here are my cpu temps with the standard retail boxed heatsink and fan with the case open. It really doesn't flexuate when I overclock to 1500 with the Voodoo 3 3500 installed.

Motherboard 33 C/91 F
CPU 46 C/114.5 F

I am stumped at what the problem is. I called intel and they say my cpu is operating fine within the tempature spec they have for my processor. I even tried upping the voltage for the chipset, motherboard and ram but no luck. There is no voltage adjustment for the processor when a Tualatin processor is installed.

Any Ideas?

Thanks In Advance

95Cobra-R

08-17-01, 07:48 PM

Link to Intel's CPU Thermal Specs:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/pentiumiii/thermal.htm (Link)

The Doors

08-17-01, 07:59 PM

Hi 95Cobra-R, wellcome to the forum,
the temp that you report is referred to the Cpu at 100% load or idle? I ask you coz it seems to be a heat prob, I suggest you to forget the standard cooler and got something stronger and cool like the ThermalRight SK6 or the Milleniun Glaciator and a thin layer of thermal paste, the best is Artic Silver II.

Note: the thermal spec's of Intel are referred to chip not OCed, in case of OC the temps must be around 40-45C or less @full load (100% load).

I hope it helps you ;-)

Placid

08-17-01, 08:13 PM

I use a visiontek GF3 also and have had it running with 160mhz fsb or 80mhz agp bus without problems.
The problem might be something in the drivers is left over from the voodoo card causing the gf3 problems.

95Cobra-R

08-17-01, 08:23 PM

I formatted the hardrive before I put in the GeForce 3 so there is no chance of any left over drivers from the Voodoo 3 3500. I agree on getting a heatsink and fan to replace the retail boxed ones. But still swapping cards shouldn't stop me from overlcoking.

outhouse

08-17-01, 08:27 PM

When overclocked CPU's do not like heat at all if mine gets to 34C under full load it will lock up but since ive done many cooling mods it runs quite stable but its under 34C heres a few cooling mods you may need to do to regain stability, Get a better HSF for CPU this one is the most important, get a small HSF for your northbridge, have atleast 2 fans for your case not counting your fan in your PSU, make sure the fan in the rear of your case is blowing in if your fan on your HS for CPU is blowing down on the HS and then have the fan in front of your case blowing the hotter air out, what this does is blows cool air in for your CPU HSF [heatsinkfan] and this will drop temps a few C. keeping temps in check is the one of the most important parts to a succeful overclock. I know you said the one card works fine but i would get my temps in check anyway.

Oh remember just because one card works fine [even the same brand and make] dont exspect another one to get the same results allot of time a good overclock can be a large percentage of luck.

One more thing if you have a VIA chipset make sure you disable sideband in your registry.

Placid

08-17-01, 09:37 PM

Besides the heat, have you tried agp 2x, and slower memory timings?

95Cobra-R

08-18-01, 02:38 AM

Yes,
I tried AGPX2. I will try the slower memory timings.

Thanks!!!

coobolt

08-18-01, 04:33 AM

What kind of PSU do you have?
As far as I know... both the Tualatin and the GF3 are
drawing a huge amount of power...

Try disconnecting CD/DVD, USB and other stuff and see if it helps...

... some thoughts...

08-19-01, 02:09 AM

Originally posted by coobolt
What kind of PSU do you have?
As far as I know... both the Tualatin and the GF3 are
drawing a huge amount of power...

Try disconnecting CD/DVD, USB and other stuff and see if it helps...

... some thoughts...

Actually the P3S uses next to nothing in the way of power - 1.45 volts at 11 amps. Mine runs so cool I can take the fan off the heat sink for several minutes without overheating. The GF3 on the other hand uses quite a bit of power.

I don't have a GF3 paired with my dual tualatin, so I can't comment on your problem. The board doesn't allow overclocking anyway.

Glad to know the P3S works on the tusl2c - was told the bios didn't have microcode support for the large cache version. I want to overclock these babies!

95Cobra-R

08-19-01, 11:22 AM

I disconnected the cdrom drive, floppy drive, took out the sound card and nic card after uninstalling them. Still no luck with the Geforce 3 in the system and overclocking. I also used a can of inert gas (computer cleaner) to cool of the cpu down from 46 C to 39 C but still no luck. Maybe it is my 300 Watt power supply holding me back.

95Cobra-R

08-19-01, 11:24 AM

TC,

What testing or benchmark program can I use to measure that the microcode does support for the large cache version?

Thanks!!!

funnyperson1

08-19-01, 11:32 AM

try getting the newest version of sandra....

95Cobra-R

08-19-01, 01:15 PM

I got the PIII Tualatin to overclock at 1500mhz with the Geforce 3. I used a utility called Geforce Tweaker and brought the agp transer rate down from 4X to 1X. It doesn't matter if AGP Sidebanding is anbled or disabled. This is the only way I can get it to overclock with the Geforce 3 and run benchamrks (3d). Even dropping it down to 2X in the bios without using the Gegorce Tweaker, 3DMark2001 and other benchmark programs will either not start up or freeze. Although putting the agp transer rate down from 4X to 1X using the Gegorce Tweaker allows me to overclock with the Geforce 3, the benchmarks results are about the same as my default clock speed of 1.26ghz

Any Suggestions as to why I have to do this. Overclocking with the Geforce 3 is kind of dissapointing becuase of the results. Keep in mind that when I overclocked with the Voodoo 3 3500 I was able to hit 1500mhz and it made a big difference going from 1.26ghz in all the benchmarks I ran. I didn't have to adjust any agp transfer rates or use any tweaking programs.

Thanks!!!!

Placid

08-19-01, 01:44 PM

Probably you motherboard or memory can't transfer the information at the rate the gf3 is trying to.
Anyway double check everything here.
http://www.visiontek.com/support/graphics_faq.html

My system wont overclock well at all if I try to run the memory at -pci clk.

08-19-01, 02:57 PM

I've got a gainward GF3 card overclocked to 118 FSB on a P4T, but I did have to drop the transfer rate to 2X and disable fast writes. I would suggest downloading the latest version of Sisoft sandra and Hoda's cpu id utility. Those should give you an idea if the cache is being recognized by the system. I've had some programs identify the cpu as being in the P3 family, but they give unknown for the cache size.

95Cobra-R

08-19-01, 03:41 PM

Thanks TC!!!

Looks the the Asus TUSL2-C can support the 512 L2.

I ran WCPUID Version 3.0c and here are the results:

[ WCPUID Version 3.0c (c) 1996-2001 By H.Oda! ]

Processor #1 : Intel Pentium III-S / ED1B7FF8
Platform : Socket370 (PGA370 Socket)
Vendor String : GenuineIntel
CPU Type : Original OEM Processor (0)
Family : 6 (-)
Model : 11 (-)
Stepping ID : 1 (-)
Brand : 4
APIC : ----
Name String : ----

Internal Clock : 1273.02 MHz
System Bus : 134.00 MHz
System Clock : 134.00 MHz
Multiplier : 9.5

L1 I-Cache : 16K Byte
L1 D-Cache : 16K Byte
L1 T-Cache : ----
L1 Cache : ----
L2 Cache : 512K Byte
L2 Speed : 1273.02 MHz (Full)

MMX Unit : Supported
SSE Unit : Supported
SSE2 Unit : Not Supported
MMX2 Unit : Not Supported
3DNow! Unit : Not Supported
3DNow!+ Unit : Not Supported

Host Bridge : 8086:1130.04 [Intel 815/815E/815EP/815EM]
South Bridge : 8086:2440.02 [Intel 82801BA (ICH2)]
VGA Device : 10DE:0200.A3 [NVIDIA GeForce3]
Memory Size : 256M Byte
Memory Clock : ----

OS Version : Windows 98 Version 4.10.2222 A
-------------- : -----------------------------------
StdFunc 0 : 00000002 756E6547 6C65746E 49656E69
StdFunc 1 : 000006B1 00000004 00000000 0383F9FF
StdFunc 2 : 03020101 00000000 00000000 0C040883
00000017h : 94920000 00000000 00000000 00000000
0000001Bh : 00000000 FEE00100 00000000 00000000
0000002Ah : 00000000 CD040000 00000000 00000000
00000119h : 00000000 9E9DB4B7 00000000 00000000
0000011Eh : 00000000 007447E1 00000000 00000000

##--- Date 08/19/2001, Time 15:32:36

95Cobra-R

08-19-01, 04:03 PM

TC,

What motherboard are you using with the dual Tualatins and which Tualatins are you using?

I am using the PIII S 1.26ghz with 512 of L2.

08-19-01, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by 95Cobra-R
TC,

What motherboard are you using with the dual Tualatins and which Tualatins are you using?

I am using the PIII S 1.26ghz with 512 of L2.

Using the Supermicro P3TDE6 with two P3S 1.26GHz 512 cache - same as yours.

P3TDE6 (http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/MotherBoards/RCC_HE_SL/SUPER%20P3TDE6%20SPECIFICATIONS.htm)

Pinky

08-20-01, 01:26 PM

I have been following this thread and first, Tualatins rule. Great to see someone actually tweaking them.

Second, that vid card might be the problem. Did you say you've tried other cards that work? Other geforce 3 models may be more overclocking friendly, and it wouldn't be the first time a video card is less than OC'ing friendly.

Gabertooth

08-21-01, 08:43 PM

OC Community,

I don't want to be terse but you're wrong, the Tualatin is a cooler and less power-hungry proc than tha behemoth Pentium IV...It is a .13 micro die..meaning it takes less voltage and is more effecient than the coppermine.

Pinky

08-21-01, 08:49 PM

That wasn't rude, direct and right, but not 'terse'.

I must have missed that comment about the Tualatin being a furnace... it's one of Intel's nicer chips to date.

95Cobra-R

08-21-01, 09:33 PM

I fixed the problem with overclocking the Tualatin. When you overclock an CUSL2 or a TUSL2 above 140mhz the agp is set to 2X Transfer. Even without my pc overclocked if I set the AGP to 2X in the bios my pc will freeze running any 3D Benchmarks etc. To get around this I had to use a utiltiy called Stuffpcr. It forces agp 4X. Here is the steps I had to take to get it to work:

I added this line in my autoexec.bat: C:\stuffpcr\stuffpcr.com C:\stuffpcr\agp815.bin

Stuffpcr can be downloaded at:
Stuffpcr (http://www.asusboards.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?postid=35823)

agp815.bin can be downloaded at:
agp815.bin (http://www.asusboards.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?postid=35826)

Here is a link to a forum at AsusBoards where I found the fix:
Asus Boards (http://www.asusboards.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=5386&highlight=WPCREDIT)

It works!!! Thanks for everyones input/help!!! I was able to eliminate my power supply and heat related problems. I guy called Mad has come out with a secret bios to fix the 2X AGP problem. He has a Asus CUSL2 modified bios and is currently working a TUSL2 modified bios. The site is down but it was working yesterday:

Secret Bios (http://www.x86-secret.com/i815twken.php)

Cobra

Pinky

08-25-01, 12:12 AM

I'm glad you found the answer. Now's its in the database immortal. Most importantly, thanks for sharing your fix so others will benefit.

95Cobra-R

08-25-01, 09:46 AM

I am picking up an Abit ST6-Raid on Monday or Tuesday and I'll let you know if I run into the same problem. I'll also run some benchmarks.

LutaWicasa

09-02-01, 06:24 PM

Okay, I've waited patiently. Come on now and post back.

Treker

09-02-01, 11:31 PM

Tualatins RULE
cant wait for powerleap to come out with an adapter for FC-PGA boards!

I would love to some some bench marks on this baby!

-Trek

09-03-01, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by Treker
Tualatins RULE
cant wait for powerleap to come out with an adapter for FC-PGA boards!

I would love to some some bench marks on this baby!

-Trek

I'm happy with mine. I've got a mix of AMD and Intel products. The Palomino core @1400 roughly equals my P4 @ 2GHz. The Tualatin with large cache nearly equals the Palomino clock for clock. When it falls short it's on the order of 2-3%. Amazing how a core as old as the Pentium line is still up there with the "next generation" architecture from AMD.

JetMech

09-03-01, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by TC

I'm happy with mine. I've got a mix of AMD and Intel products. The Palomino core @1400 roughly equals my P4 @ 2GHz. The Tualatin with large cache nearly equals the Palomino clock for clock. When it falls short it's on the order of 2-3%. Amazing how a core as old as the Pentium line is still up there with the "next generation" architecture from AMD. I've enjoyed reading this thread. It's good to see that Intel is finally putting up a fight. The CPU war was getting real boring.

6502kid

09-03-01, 03:43 PM

I also have been digging this thread.

Just this last week I have decided to build an extra system, and
was planning on getting another c-mine of some variety.

Now I think I may have to get one of these new T chips.....

Where did you guys score your TUSL2-C boards and the
CPU's at ?

What kind of FSB & Memory speed options does that mb have ?

I've heard there is going to be another big price drop here
in a month or so. How much do you guess the price of these
T-chips will drop ?

Thanks.....

09-03-01, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by 6502kid
I also have been digging this thread.

Just this last week I have decided to build an extra system, and
was planning on getting another c-mine of some variety.

Now I think I may have to get one of these new T chips.....

Where did you guys score your TUSL2-C boards and the
CPU's at ?

What kind of FSB & Memory speed options does that mb have ?

I've heard there is going to be another big price drop here
in a month or so. How much do you guess the price of these
T-chips will drop ?

Thanks.....

I got my boards from Monarch Computers - they're listed on Pricewatch. Quite a few stores have them. The S chip is a little hard to find. I got mine from Next International. They were actually bundled with a dual motherboard, and that was a better deal than buying the chips separately. I didn't want the dual board, so I dumped it on Ebay and kept the cpu's. The Tusl2c goes up to 200 something in 1MHz steps. I've had mine up to 159 and that's where the cpu or something else gave out. Oddly enough 158 is perfectly stable - been running Seti 24/7 for over a week so far. I'm not sure how much the price will drop on these chips. The Tualatin is supposed to become the new Celeron, so that's where the big price cut will be - but of course the new celeron won't have 512K of cache.

JetMech

09-03-01, 06:09 PM