[WinterFreshX]

CPU: AMD XP 3200+ @ 2.43 Ghz
HS: Volcano 12+
PSU: 350 Watts Antec

Mobo: Infinity running 11/04 stock bios
Mem: 512MB DDR PC2700 and 512MB DDR 3200

FSB/DRAM Multiplier : 4:3
FSB:220 Mhz Voltage: 1.775
DRAM: 165 Mhz

Well my problem is that I cannot go over 220FSB from bios. Whenever I set it to something above 220FSB. after booting up, PC Wizard and other tools would still detect it at 220FSB even though in bios it is higher. I tried increasing voltage, changing the memory multiplier, even putting the graphics card and hard drive on a seperate PSU without any luck. I can use programs like Nvidia tool to increase FSB but that takes too much time to do it every boot up and it isn't as stable. Anyone can help?

[deeppow]

I've seen this type of behavior when I'm on the edge of stability. However the reading from CPUZ or some other tool will vary as samples are taken at different times when I'm at this point. I've not seen it set a fixed value other than the "real" value when there are no sampling/stability problems.

Since the memory is running at its rated speed that shouldn't be the problem. The problem is most likely the CPU. If raising the voltage to it doesn't help then you've reached the CPU's practical max. At some point it takes larger increases in the CPU voltage to reach stability and these sometimes are not worth the increased heating your CPU experiences. Kinda like a comfort zone for the CPU that you can exceed but it really isn't worth it since there is minimal performance inprovement for the few extra MHz.

We can talk about the clock wave shape the system is expecting to detect (a square wave) and why the shape is more sensitive to the rounded edges as our time window is smaller (faster FSB) but unless you familiar with the technical details it'll may only confuse you. You want more info in this regard, let us know.

[deception``]

1. The NF2 chipset doesn't work well with dividers. Remember, this isn't an NF3/NF4 Athlon 64 board.

2. You're fsb is limited because you are running PC 2700. Period. Not really any other way to put it.

3. You can definitely squeeze some nice clocks out of that board; unfortunately, it's going to have to require a memory upgrade.

deception``

[deeppow]

Originally Posted by deception``

1. The NF2 chipset doesn't work well with dividers. Remember, this isn't an NF3/NF4 Athlon 64 board.

2. You're fsb is limited because you are running PC 2700. Period. Not really any other way to put it.

I've tested a number of nF2 boards (including the DFI Infinity) and have seen no penalty associated with the use of async memory timings as you indicate.

Such penalities are a characteristic of older VIA chipsets but I haven't seen it in the nF2 boards. Look in the advanced version of the overclocking guide in my signature if you want data.

[JerMe]

Do NOT run anything other than 1:1 on your UI board, the bios has been known to corrupt when running async. From the sticky at the top of this forum:

"The first and one of the most important things is to never set the ratio/divisor on the memory, to anything besides 1:1. NEVER. Almost Guaranteed corrupt bios. Always leave 1:1. Also Never try strange ram timings like 1.5Cas, or 1 Precharge, ras to cas, or ras to ras. The lowest that your Cas, Ras to Cas, Ras to Ras, or Prechage should ever be set to is 2, unless sometime in the future there is ram released that supports such timings…."

I'd read that sticky, as it has a lot of good information on how to preserve your board. I'd hate to see you lose it due a bad OC/flash.

If that PC3200 is good quality stuff, use only that stick to push your FSB up - take the PC2700 out, it's holding you back. At least with the PC3200, you can start at 200MHz FSB and see where you go 1:1 timings. If the PC3200 isn't good enough, you should really look into a memory upgrade Some nice BH5 or nice TCCD will put a grin on your face when you're pushing upwards of 240MHz FSB. Good Luck!