SOLVED Phenom II x945 & Foxconn Intelligent stepping

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

Good morning,

I've read all the guides and watched all the videos and it seems like no matter what settings I change it wont boot and I need to clear my CMOS.
Also having a problem finding max FSB although I suspect its 2000mhz, If i change the ratio on RAM its unstable. Any ideas what im doing wrong? waterblock should be delivered today so I wanted to get a headstart. Didnt want to change any voltages until i got a second opinion, CPU is not black edition so multiplier is locked.

AMD Phenom II X4 945 - Deneb - Socket AM3 (938) - 96w
Multiplier x Bus Speed - 15.0 x 200.0 MHz - HT Link speed - 2000.1 MHz

Northbridge - AMD 770
Memory Frequency - 666.7 MHz (3:10) - Dual, (Unganged) - 1333mhz

FOXCONN - A78AX 3 Series - 1.0 - ( 4 pin molex )

EVGA 500B power supply

trents · Dec 27, 2013

2000 MHz is not the FSB but would be the stock HT Link frequency as well as the stock CPUNB (also called just "NB") frequency for that CPU. What we still call the FSB is actually (and technically correct) termed HT Reference but we still go by the older term FSB in common use. In most motherboard bioses these days you will not see the term FSB but will see "CPU Frequency" instead. "CPU Frequency" is the FSB/HT Reference, however and the stock frequency is 200 mhz. Foxconn may use other terms. What would be most helpful would be for you to attach pics of your bios with your posts so we can see what you see. Many motherboards will allow you to do a screen capture while in bios by pressing the F12 key and saving the file to a thumb drive. Then go back to your thread page in the forum and click on Go Advanced. When the advanced post window appears, click on the little paperclip tool at the top which will cause the file browser/upload tool to launch. The rest is obvious.

I've owned and overclocked several Foxconn boards and the bios can hide the overclocking tools in weird places. They're kind of peculiar in that since.

trents · Dec 27, 2013

Before you can start increasing the CPU frequency you will need to lower the memory speed from 1333 to 1066 to make some headroom. The memory frequency is tuned to the FSB and as you increase the FSB the memory frequency gets higher and becomes a source of instability. Same is true of the HT Link frequency and the CPUNB frequency. Lower those two as well at the outset.

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

Sorry for the late response, CPU was running at 200F damn fan molexes! Waterblock is set up though this is the order of the bios that I see from google images , prnt screen and all of the F1-12 buttons were not saving a SS to my USB
http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/articles/2008/11/13142723665l.jpg

http://www.vortez.net/index.php?ct=articles&action=file&id=7205
(ht link is 2000 and CPU multi is x15 3000mhz ( locked )

So first I'd lower the RAM ratio or lower the speeds manually? Then I'd turn the ht-link up by 0050mhz not NB multiplier

Edit 1: realistically should I be aiming for 3.6 - 3.8 and consider anything higher as a bonus? Voltage has never been my friend, I cook fried motherboard and eggs for breakfast daily.

Edit 2: NB-HT link speed 2000mhz , no option to set higher even manually. Since it needs to run slower or equal to the NB multiplier I took that one off auto, its running at 6x multi default and when I changed it to x7 my system crashed ( this was before i lowered my ram speed to 1066 from 1333 ). Was the RAM speed so unstable that I can now go to x7 or is this when I start to change the voltages?

How are these guys hitting 3.8 and 4.0 with stock voltage and multipliers http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/jovi9/4GHZ.jpg http://www.guru3d.com/miraserver/images/2009/phenomii-955be/Image12.png

I think its time to upgrade to 965 black edition =\

RGone · Dec 27, 2013

http://www.guru3d.com/miraserver/images/2009/phenomii-955be/Image12.png
That linked image is of a 955BE and he is only doing 3.8Ghz using the multiplier which is NOT locked on the 955BE.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/jovi9/4GHZ.jpg
That linked image is of a locked 945 BUT he has 1.520Volts on the cpu.

So they really are not as you say >> with stock voltage and multipliers << One is using an unlocked 955BE and the other has pretty huge voltage on it. So do not confuse yourself. I am not confused by the pictures you linked.

http://www.vortez.net/index.php?ct=articles&action=file&id=7205
That image is not of your cpu since it is locked and your cpu has a 15 Cpu Multiplier not an 18.

That bios image does not show us anything about where the "voltages" might be adjusted.
RGone...

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

here is everything the 3rd screenshot showing x6 x7 x8 x9 x10 is for the NB multi

trents · Dec 27, 2013

First, take things off of "Auto". Make sure the main overclocking mode control is set to "Manual" or "PCI-e Async". Not sure how it will be presented in your bios.

Your "Memory Speed Adjust" is set correctly to begin overclocking, i.e., 1066. As you overclock the FSB, the memory frequency will increase and the goal will be to get the FSB frequency to a point where the memory frequency is back up to 1333, which is the max your memory is rated for and also the rating of the processor's IMC (Integrated Memory Controller). In order to do this we may also have to decrease the "CPU Multiplier Adjust" from it's stock setting of 15x. It's only locked upwardly, not downwardly. Just put that in your back pocket for now.

Also, lower the "CPU-NB HT Link Speed" to 9x for now and lower the CPU-NB Multiplier Control" to 9x as well for now.

What I'm not seeing in you pics is the FSB frequency adjustment. Are there more adjustment lines above the "CPU Multiplier Adjust" that were clipped off in your pic? What happens if you take the "CPU Multiplier Adjust" off of Auto? There should be an adjustment in that area for not only the multiplier but the FSB as well.

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

posting from tablet I've tried taking one off auto at a time and taking them all set to manual. resetting cmos, I feel as if I'm not up to the task with a 770 chipset

9x- multi no luck' looks like my bios isn't resetting now either

cpu auto
ht link 1ghz
nb multi 9x
1066 ram
working

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

I have the cooling to do it so im aiming for something in the yellow zone. Should I be raising the ht-link (1ghz) one notch at a time along with the nb multi (x9) untill it dosent boot now and then lower cpu muli based on that chart? Im not sure why it crashed at x6

Cooler: corsair h55 , temps during prime95 torture test were 25c

Im not using AMD OD to change any settings, just as a source of information

trents · Dec 27, 2013

When you take a screen shot of a cluster of images on the desktop like you did it makes them all so small you can't read the values they contain. I can read the table values just fine but the shots of CPU-z, HWMonitor and Overdrive are not legible. Please attach them as separate images. You can attach three at a time per post but can go back and add more with the Edit button.

There are two temp you want to track when you do torture tests: core temp and CPU temp. Cpu temp is actually a temp measure from the socket area of the motherboard rather than the processor itself but it give us an idea of how hot the VRM components are getting.

No, you don't want to be increasing the ht-link frequency. That's not what you use to overclock the CPU. You haven't found the primary adjustment yet and that's what we have to do. What you want is the CPU frequency adjustment, aka: FSB, HT Reference.

trents · Dec 27, 2013

I've been trying to download your user manual from Foxconn Support but either something is wrong with the web site or it isn't compatible with my browsers.

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

Everything is taken off of auto except the timings of my RAM and the refrence clock is still sitting at 200mhz , listed as the bus in cpu-z and no matter what I do its always greyed out.

Im starting to think that unless I buy a Black Edition my motherboard wont allow me, or unless I buy a motherboard my CPU is going to continue being a bottleneck on my life. I cant even find a place to change the voltage by 0.01v up to 1.36

http://www.foxconnchannel.com/ProductDetail.aspx?T=motherboard&U=en-us0000493

Multiplier is also manually set to x15 and the refrence / bus is 200mhz and greyed out. Even tried to check AMD Overdrive and it shows my sliders as maxed out voltage with greyed out everything

Thank you for all the help btw, at 4am yesterday I was a little in over my head with all of this.

Edit 1 - Computer will boot with any setting in bios as long as RAM is 1033 or lower , still no option for the refrence clock of 200mhz. I'll turn the ht-link back down to 1000mhz. Re-linked SS, again, haven't used AMD overdrive to change anything.

RGone · Dec 27, 2013

Even tried to check AMD Overdrive and it shows my sliders as maxed out voltage with greyed out everything When you see that it normally means the bios does not allow hardly any overclock settings to be made. OEM laptops and Dells such computers with a proprietary bios show grayed out adjustments in AOD and not adjustable. Strange.
RGone...

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

They told me foxconn was a bad brand but I didnt listen lol, in the market for something with a 970,980,990fx chipset then! I love buying new things anyway gonna aim for a crossfire setup.

trents · Dec 27, 2013

Yeah, I was beginning to wonder if there actually was a reference clock (FSB) adjustment in your bios and if it's grayed out in Overdrive that probably means there isn't one. The odd thing is that is usually one of the first tools a low end board will give you rather than the other adjustments you do have like HT Link frequency and such. I would strongly recommend getting a better board before you get a black edition CPU. A good motherboard is a foundational component you can build a good overclock on. I can just about promise you that even if you did get a black edition CPU your current motherboard will let you down. Stay with Asus, ASRock, and Gigabyte. Stay away from Foxconn, ECS, MSI and Biostar. They just don't make good aftermarket motherboards.

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

Im going to grab Asus's crossfire mobo with a 970 chipset theres alot of options so no point in linking and a EVGA supernova 750 gold modular , if you could see my processor cluster with the water hose, 2 fan lines , the 4 pin molex, and the 120mm case fan above it, you'd cry. Reviews never account for much and the only brand im familiar with is EVGA since I buy 99% of my product from them.

ShrimpBrime · Dec 27, 2013

Did you try a bios update?

I think its time to upgrade to 965 black edition =\

Not entirely a bad idea..... BUT I don't see it on the support list for this board. No 125w support

I'd upgrade the board and Cpu.... FX-8 something and a 990FX something.

If stuck with this board, I've highlighted the cpu's I'd keep an eye out for.

CPUName CpuNo CpuL2 CpuCore Wattage Result
Amd AM3 AthlonII 2.0G 170U 1024KB Sargas 20W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 2.7G 235E 1024KB*2 Regor 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 2.8G 240E 1024KB*2 Regor 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 2.9G 245E 1024KB*2 Regor 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 3.0G 250E 1024KB*2 Regor 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 2.7G X215 512KB*2 Regor 65W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 2.7G X215 512KB*2 TBD 65W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 2.8G X220 512KB*2 Regor 65W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 2.8G X240 1024KB*2 Regor 65W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 2.9G X245 1024KB*2 Regor 65W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 3.0G X250 1024KB*2 Regor 65W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 3.1G X255 1024KB*2 Regor 65W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×2 3.2G X260 1024KB*2 Regor 65W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×4 2.2G 600E 512KB×4 Propus 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×4 2.3G 605E 512KB×4 Propus 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×4 2.4G 610E 512KB×4 Propus 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×4 2.6G X620 512KB×4 Propus 95W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×4 2.8G X630 512KB×4 Propus 95W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×4 2.9G X635 512KB×4 Propus 95W P
Amd AM3 AthlonII×4 3.0G X640 512KB×4 Propus 95W P
Amd AM3 AthlonIIx3 2.2G 400E 512KB×3 Rana 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonIIx3 2.3G 405E 512KB×3 Rana 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonIIx3 2.5G 415E 512KB×3 Rana 45W P
Amd AM3 AthlonIIx3 2.7G X425 512KB×3 Rana 95W P
Amd AM3 AthlonIIx3 2.9G X435 512KB×3 Rana 95W P
Amd AM3 AthlonIIx3 3.0G X440 512KB×3 Rana 95W P
Amd AM3 AthlonIIx3 3.1G X445 512KB×3 Rana 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×2 3.0G X545 512KB*2 Callisto 80W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×2 3.1G X550 512KB*2 Callisto 80W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×2 3.1G Z550 512KB*2 Callisto 80W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×2 3.2G Z555 512KB*2 Callisto 80W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×3 2.4G 700E 512KB*3 Heka 65W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×3 2.5G 705E 512KB*3 Heka 65W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×3 2.6G X710 512KB*3 Heka 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×3 2.8G X720 512KB*3 Heka 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×3 2.8G Z720 512KB*3 Heka 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×3 3.0G Z740 512KB*3 Heka 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 2.4G 900E 512KB×4 Deneb 65W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 2.5G 905E 512KB×4 Deneb 65W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 2.5G X805 512KB×4 Deneb 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 2.6G X810 512KB×4 Deneb 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 2.8G X820 512KB×4 Deneb 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 2.6G X910 512KB×4 Deneb 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 2.8G X925 512KB×4 Deneb 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 3.0G X945 512KB×4 Deneb 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 3.2G X955 512KB×4 Deneb 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×4 3.2G Z955 512KB×4 Deneb 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×6 2.6G T35T 512KB×6 Thuban 95W P
Amd AM3 PhenomII×6 2.8G T55T 512KB×6 Thuban 95W P
Amd AM3 Sempron 2.7G X140 1024KB Sargas 45W P
Amd AM3 Sempron 2.8G X145 1024KB Sargas 45W P
Amd AM3 Sempron 2.4G X180 512KB Sargas 45W P

GLHF

ŞɧʁɨmǷβʁɨmЄ

trents · Dec 27, 2013

Most of us on this forum recomend PSUs made by either Antec, Corsair or Seasonic. A 970 chipset board woud be adequate for your current CPU but woud not afford you much headroom for upgrading to the higher end FX CPUs. The power phase components just aren't beefy enough.

anton3 · Dec 27, 2013

If im not mistaken I dont recall the Corsair enthusiast or builder series using high quality Japanese capacitors ill look into it though and keep an eye on prices. Antec earthwatt series uses low quality ones and I've never looked into sea sonic.

There is an Asus board with a 99FX chipset but I dont think they support the Phenom II series, at the moment the FX dosent really warrant upgrading to. 945/955 or a X6 are on par with the FX in game performance untill you hit the 8xxx vishera. Physical cores are stronger then virtualized cores for the time being. Im not againts upgrading to the x6 thuban or any FX-vishera model though depending on how well it can OC

My biggest thing was not bottlenecking any 2 SLI config with my older processor

When I was using 2 9800gx2's my phenom x4 was bottlenecking them and I had to drop it down to 1 just to play games at modest settings

trents · Dec 28, 2013

Thubans are very hard to come by anymore.

SOLVED Phenom II x945 & Foxconn Intelligent stepping

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