Underclocked Athlon 1400 ! Tried lots... help!

[xluke]

Hello,
This seems to be a relatively common problem and I have taken a number of steps to try to fix it...
first, my specs:
1.4ghz Athlon
256 PC133 Crucial memory
IWill KK266 (w/ VIA KA-133)
Never leave side of case on!
Other usual stuff...

I ran my procsesor for a long while @ 1050mhz due to serious instability problems and preparations for University left me unable to take the time to deal with them...

Finally I'm taking the time to get this baby up to speed. I was unstable at anything above 1302mhz (127mhz bus, 1.825v, 10.5x) -- and that was pushing it -- only 80% stable. This is with a coolermaster fan/heatsink.

First things first, I replaced fan/heatsink w/ a Volcano 5 -- best I could get locally. Placed propely (notch, etc) but not using any thermal paste. Black thermal pad on bottom of heatsink only. Moved old coolermaster fan over my Northbridge (VIA KA-133) just in case...

This didn't help much, if at all. I was about 36degC at idle, 52deg C w/ 100% processor load (playing Red Faction).

I moved to a better powersupply... got an Antec 350watt w/ 20A @ 3.3v -- dual fans, including case vent fan above processor! This should be nice... reduced idle temp to 29degC (at 1302mhz), still 51 or 52degC at 100% processor load. Reduced ambient temp in case to around 21degC @ idle.

This setup (new p/s and fan/heatsink) allowed me to run at 1400mhz for some time (~1hr) until the processor load of redfaction began to get to it and I haven't been able to go back to 1400mhz since. It sucked because I celebrated having a stable system @ rated clock speed, etc. Was even thinking about O/Cing, to no avail. 1302mhz is still only around 85-90% stable..


So help! Whats going on here? I can't believe I can't run at a rated clock speed... the upgraded f/hs shouldn't even be necesary -- it should be overkill! The powersupply was a welcome change... but is it still too little power!? I could get the 400watt Antec w/ 28A @ 3.3v but honestly, this shouldn't be necesary to run @ rated clock speed.

Please help all you can. Thanks!

Rick

exluke_2000@yahoo.com

[Sonny]

You have got to get some thermal grease on the HSF 5mnts ago!!! That garbage that came with the HSF does not work at all. I bet you can lower the temps by as much as 10°C with just plain thermal paste & a clean HSF. After you do that let the MoBo automatically detect the CPU & make sure the default voltage is what you got. Also dont forget to reset your memory clock to default.

[killem1x1]

I would do everything stated above, and clear cmos, then load default settings in bios, failsafe, etc..

[Fiz]

Did you chip the core when you put the hsf on, sometimes even a little chip can cause all kinds of stability probs. Also, what type of thermal paste are you using? The in sicket thermistors can be off by as much as 10'C so I would imagine tha your temps are alittle higher than what the mobo is telling you. I wuold load the fail safe defaults in bios, check the core, reapply the thermal paste(or get some if you are not using any) and give it a shot. Good luck

Fiz

[Krusty]

I had a problem like that, but it was due to crappy memory. I got myself some corsair pc2400 and i went from 1350mhz to 1522mhz. With some extra cooling, I think I could get even higher too.

[bigfoot]

I had a similar problem, I had to run my 1Ghz at 700 because I was dum enough to remove the thermal compund without having any to replace it, I used to run it at 1.2 Ghz with a temp of 46C average, It hasn't ran as stable as before ever since, even though the temps after I replaiced it are even lower (42C). I just hate that. So far I havent found any perfect solution.

Oh, I almost forgot, Welcome to the forums!

[Thelemac]

*Moved to "Cooling"*

[Tobes]

If I read the original post right it seems you are trying to pump up the FSB on the 100Mhz setting.

The KK266 has a jumper to change from 100Mhz to 133Mhz FSB.
Assuming your Athlon is a 'C' ie 266 FSB chip, then you should be using the 133 setting.

When you have the bus at 127Mhz your PCI is at 42.3Mhz!!!
This can certainly lead to instability.

Move the FSB jumper (jp3, located near the CPU socket) to the 133Mhz position and try again.

[muddocktor]

Originally posted by Tobes
If I read the original post right it seems you are trying to pump up the FSB on the 100Mhz setting.

The KK266 has a jumper to change from 100Mhz to 133Mhz FSB.
Assuming your Athlon is a 'C' ie 266 FSB chip, then you should be using the 133 setting.

When you have the bus at 127Mhz your PCI is at 42.3Mhz!!!
This can certainly lead to instability.

Move the FSB jumper (jp3, located near the CPU socket) to the 133Mhz position and try again.

As he says in this post, plus t-bird 1400's need a lot of cooling, probably more than a volcano 5 can give. I would recommend that you also upgrade your cooling to at least an SK6 w/delta 7K fan or an Alpha PAL 8045w/40-50 cfm 80 mm fan.

BTW, the chipset used on the KK266 boards is the KT133A, not the KA133. They are great boards and overclock real well.

[xluke]

Hello,
I have gone ahead and applied thermal compound (very carefully, actually redid it once to make sure I had it down just right...) -- I noticed almost no change in my CPU temperature... still maxes out around 52degC @ 1.4ghz (where it is somewhat unstable @ 1.825v... can't burn things, etc).

I am stable @ 1333 (133mhz bus, 10x multiplier, 1.775v)...

I have Crucial memory -- should be of fine quality, it came highly reccomended.

Any further suggestions? Will AMD take back the chip (its not retail...)? Maybe its just bunk?

Thanks,
Rick

[Sonny]

The default voltage with the 1.4GHz 266FSB/DDR133MHz is suppose to be 1.75V only. Did you take out the thermal pad? What happened when you let the MoBo detect the CPU? Did it identify it properly? What is the DRAM CLOCK set at?

[xluke]

Thanks for the reply!

It did detect it properly w/ "Optimized Defaults" loaded -- 1400mhz 133mhz bus, 10.5x multiplier (didn't check voltage, it was set to Auto)

What voltages should I try w/ 1400... i've never known lower to be better (I actually was under the impression that 1.8v was standard for my chip) -- should I try 1.75 or 1.7v @ 1400mhz?

DRAM clock is set to 133mhz

I removed the themal pad, cleaned w/ Isopropyl alcohol (99%), allowed to dry, applied themal paste on heat sink, rubbed it in w/ lint free cloth, removed all excess (I assume this is to fill crevices, etc. micropores...) -- I then applied a dab of compound to the chip and spread it evenly across... as thing as possible but still not able to see any of the chip (no translucent parts) -- then I carefully replaced heatsink and reclipped (minimized smearing to damn near 0).

Further input please!

Thanks again!,
Rick

[Sonny]

The lint free cloth wasnt really your best choice to rub the thermal compound into the HSF, plastic bag was a better choice. I'm also assuming that you did not have any contact with the core with your bare hands. Try 1.75V, higher the voltage=higher temps but it is also true that a little more CAN increase stability. What PSU do you have?

[xluke]

Hello,
I did not touch the core w/ my bear hands after cleaning it w/ Isopropyl alcohol (just in case I had contacted it previously). You are correct, I should have used a plastic bag... is this difference negligible (as I imagine it is...)

I'm using an Antec 350watt p/s w/ 20A @ 3.3v -- should be sufficient. Its a dual fan setup, very heavy power supply. Should do quite well. The next option is the Antec 400watt p/s w/ 28A @ 3.3v (this comes reccomended as pretty die hard). I'd rather not spend the money...

Thanks again,
Rick

[Tbird man]

i too bought a 1.4 but i have had no trouble running at stock speed with a glaciator 2. 1.85 v is within specs for 1.4 so i would not imagine that is your problem. try a better hsf (glaciator 2 is very good and does not SCREAM like the delta equipped units) and make sure you do not have a chip on the die as mentioned before. you may also want to try to get better air flow in your case.

[SteenkyBastage]

i think you should check to see that you're running the thing on the /4 divisor (133 bus rather than 100mhz). you stated you were earlier running at 125mhz, that sounds to me like you have the mb set to 100mhz default, which gives you a /3 divisor on your pci slots.

grab sisoft sandra off the net and run the program to see what your board is really running at. cause if the board for some reason is set to /3 divisor, you may be having stability problems with pci or other components that are dependant on that.

[xluke]

Hello,
I changed the jumper to 133mhz some time ago. I did get Sandra to verify and indeed I am @ 133mhz bus using a 1/4x multiplier. (Obviusly my FSB is 133x2 =266)

I installed another case circulation fan (pulling air from inbetween my 2 CD rom drives -- plastic panels removed, of course). I'm seeing some drop in temp and will be trying again for 1.4ghz shortly (just enjoying some stability right now and have too much studying to do to start tweaking, tweaking...).

Keep the advice coming, I REALLY appreciate it!

Thanks again,
Rick