I seek help ! Related to over-clocking !

[Zenoth]

What's up guys ?

It's my first post here, and I think I've found ze place to talk about over-clocking stuff. And it was quite obvious with this web-site's name !

First of all, I wasn't sure where to post this, either in Processors or Memory. Because I believe (or in fact) that what I want to discuss about can linked to both categories.

My system specifications as follows:
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CPU: Intel Pentium IV 2.6C 800 Mhz FSB with H-T
Motherboard: ASUS P4P800
Memory: Dual-Channel 2 x 512 Mb Kingston DDR PC-3200
GPU: ATi Radeon 9800 Pro 128 Mb 256-Bit
PSU: Okia 420W ATX
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Now that the basic specifications of my system are shown, we can start to discuss. So, the discussion will be based, mostly, on the Motherboard here. Because all I want, pretty much, is to modify the voltage settings from the BIOS features / options.

Please guys, keep in mind that I know how to work around in my Motherboard's BIOS general interface. It's not entirely new to me. The only things I haven't touched nor ever modified are the things I'll discuss here. But already saw those features / options both live in my own BIOS at home (of course) and on pictures on the web, explaining "how to's", but it wasn't clear enough for me.

Of course this is mostly dedicated to anyone who've at least one time changed something in that specific Motherboard, related to manual over-clocking. But of course, anyone experienced enough will be able to deliver facts / comments in this thread's subjects.

And, yes, I've just tried the Search engine, and I did found many, many threads related to ASUS Motherboards, to the P4P800 / Deluxe model(s), to over-clocking, to the PAT / MAM technology. I also found threads with very similar subjects than the ones discussed here.

But...for example, none of the threads I've set eyes and attention in, had their creator's system specifications (when well specified) exactly the same than mine.

So...I decided to create this thread.

Now on the main questions, finally...

Basically, I want to know simple things, that are done in somewhat complex interfaces.

According to my system, specifically, what should I set the settings at, to reach a stable-enough state of over-clocking, from my Motherboard's BIOS (of course) ?

Sure, it's a flat question, and it needs more information, as to what exactly I want to achieve here. Basically I just want to over-clock my CPU, while changing / over-clocking my Memory timings as well. And some other stuff, too. I've learned the names / abbreviations of basic things, during the my epic travel within the abyss of my Search results, which are: CAS - tRP - tRCD - tRAS / vCore - vDIMM - vAGP - Divider - Timings.

These are a few examples. And I'm not posting them just for the heck of it. I know they all got a role upon manual over-cloking. I think I know where to find all those in my BIOS, but I think I'll have to check that out a few times to be sure. But still, I got a good idea already.

What you guys must take into consideration, too, is the fact that, so far, all I've been doing in relation to over-clocking to this day has been to simply use my ASUS P4P800's AI Over-Clocking feature, which does pretty much everything automatically. Such as simply selecting to 'over-clock' the CPU by pre-set %'s, such as 5% - 10% - 20% and 30%.

There's also some features like Memory Acceleration Mode (or well known as the PAT technology) and the Performance Mode.

I've also done some very simple and basic GPU Memory Frequency over-clocking via Rage 3D's Tweak application.

With that said, now the goal is simple. I want to achieve my first manual over-clock, of "them all", which means here AGP-PCI / CPU and Memory (and you can add anything I forgot which could be needed or useful for a successful over-clock).

Again, I'll ask, all that, please, according to my system specifications. I don't want to get examples from higher or lower frequency CPU's or Memory modules. I'm a very visual person...so often I ask for pictures actually showing where do I need to change stuff exactly. But I can usually figure out by myself over time.

Back on the subject at hand...

I must say that, at the moment, my H-T is set to Enabled. And what I mostly use my PC for, is gaming. Recent 3D games, mostly (but not only), which potentially can use a lot of CPU and Memory. So I don't want to over-clock just to get some experience in the domain, I'm doing it to ensure I can get that extra 3% to 10 % performance 'boots', if physically and / or humanly and / or technically possible.

I think I'll shorten this post, and I'll just ask right away...

What are you guys suggesting me to set my Memory timings at ? (i.e 2 - 2 - 2 -5, which means CAS - tRP - tRCD - tRAS in a respective order, I think)

What should I set the vCore - vDIMM - vAGP and Divider at ? (though I don't even think there's anything to change about the 'Divider' at all, but of course I think I'm wrong heh)

Should I disable H-T ?

Should I enable Memory Acceleration Mode ?

Should I enable Performance Mode ?

Also...I've read a lot about 'locking' the AGP / PCI at '33 / 66'. What does that mean more exactly ? Where do I technically change that / those setting(s) in the BIOS ? Why should I change them ? (performance boost ? stability ?) More information on that subject would be appreciated.

About the CPU now, should I set it automatically ? Or manually, along with my Memory settings ? (of course I thinkt the logical answer here is to set stuff manually for the CPU, but I just want to be sure) What should I change the voltage at ? What's the actual name of the settings seen on-screen, in the BIOS, to change the CPU voltage safely ?

I got so many questions, but I fear not many persons actually reached this very line either still alive or not bored. Sorry for the long post !

I'll ask more questions if necessary after the first replies.

But for now on I'll be patient and just wait for facts / comments.

Thanks guys. Thanks to everyone involved in the creation of this web-site / discussion forum. Such a place is a technical marvel !

I got to go now

But...I'll be back ! (of course you need to read this with the voice of the Terminator in mind, mwuhahahaha !)

 

[Know Nuttin]

set your memory to manufacturer's rated timings, test to make sure it is 100% stable, then you can decrease as you go along. It really is a crapshoot when it comes to lowering timings. Try and lower each setting manually. Model number of your ram would help us to know what your timings are supposed to be, and we can see what has potential to be lowered.

leave all voltages at stock unless overclocking proves unstable.

Leave HT enabled.

Locking the bus ensures that you're not stressing out your video card/hard drives/pci slots. Devices on these buses tend to not like being overclocked. Locking them ensures that they stay within specification and you are isolating CPU/Memory/Northbridge chipset (mainly memory controller) when overclocking.

CPU should be set manually. Multiplier is locked. FrontSide Bus will be stock at 200, increase from there. Increase voltage only if necessary. You'll also have to figure out if it is your memory or your CPU that is unstable. To remove memory from the equation, set the memory speed to 320mhz, which puts the memory running at a 5:4 ratio (250FSB would be 200mhz memory). When your overclock is done on your CPU, you can try for a 1:1 if your resulting memory speed would be under 230. I wouldn't think your memory can do over 230mhz but results vary.

Good luck and welcome to the forums.

 

[grimm003]

Hi and welcome to the forums. There are some great guides(at overclockers.com if you didnt start there) that really helped me when I did mine.
Only increase voltages if you really want to push your system and have adequit(sp?) cooling. You don't want to fry anything.

 

[Aphex_Tom_9]

hoo boy, that's a long post, welcome aboard! im really tired right now, so im not gonna read the whole thing now...maybe tomorrow...it helps us if you keep the posts and questions short good luck

 

[Zenoth]

Hey guys !

Thanks for the fast replies !

Ok...ok now...

Here's much more specific information.

I've looked at my Memory packages / bills, and I guess the most complete 'name' of it I can get is the following:

Kingston Non-ECC KVR400X64C3A/512
DDR0330 - 7929KVR

So, that, x 2, set as dual-channel, for a total of 1024 Mb.

I hope this help you guys determine what's the potential of that Memory (if it can be determined from that anyway heh).

And now, on to the BIOS settings...

The following information (I just want to make sure it's clear) is based and according to my Motherboard's BIOS interface. The name of some (if not many) features and / or options may not be the same compared to other Motherboard models / series (of course).

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Legend:

Under the following: (Name of the feature / option, followed by the default setting between a 'star' symbol like this "*", then, followed by the other settings the feature in question could be set at)

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ADVANCED > CHIPSET

DRAM Idle Timer: *Auto* - Infinite/0T/8T/16T/64T

DRAM Refresh Rate: *Auto* - 15.6 uSec/7.8 uSec/64 uSec/64T

Spread Spectrum: *Enabled* - Disable

ICH Delayed Transaction: *Enable* - Disable

MPS Revision: *1.4* - 1.1

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ADVANCED > PCI / PnP Settings

PCI Latency Timer: *64* - 32/96/128/160/192/224/248

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ADVANCED > JumpFree Configuration

AI Overclock Tuner: *Manual* - Standard/5%/10%/20%/30% (That's the famous automatic CPU over-clocking done by this feature specifically, promoted by ASUS, and it works well, too, but if set to *Manual* it then allows the options bellow to be changed)

CPU External Frequency (Mhz): *200* (When selected, a pre-set message on the top-right says "Valid input value 100 - 400", but it CANNOT be changed, for some reason, a reason I don't know actually, it seems "locked" to me)

DRAM Frequency (Mhz): *Auto* - 266/320/400

AGP/PCI Frequency: *Auto* - 66.66/33.33 - 72.73/36.36 - 80.00/40.00

CPU vCORE Voltage: *Auto* - 1.6/1.5875/1.575/1.5625/1.55/1.5375/1.525/1.5125/1.5/1.4875/1.475

DDR Refenrence Voltage: *Auto* - 2.85/2.75/2.65/2.55

AGP VDDQ Voltage: *1.5* - 1.6/1.7/1.8

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POWER > Hardware Monitor (There's no variants here, the number you see is exactly what is shown on-screen of course, the three last options show an un-constant voltage, if it matters to mention, they were moving a bit between the minimal and maximal numbers show here)

vCORE: 1.536

3.3V: 3.248 ~ 3.280

5V: 4.919 ~ 4.972

12V: 11.856 ~ 11.795

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Ok, time to rejoice, I think it's over as for the BIOS settings

Now, guys, according to all this, what can be considered for a change ?

I'd appreciate any "how to's" or "why to's", basically. Any help, in fact. Hehe.

Thanks again guys for all the support !

 

[Know Nuttin]

stock memory timing is 3-3-3-8, 2.5v

ADVANCED > CHIPSET

DRAM Idle Timer: *Auto*

DRAM Refresh Rate: *Auto*

Spread Spectrum: Disable

ICH Delayed Transaction: Disable unless using RAID.

MPS Revision: *1.4*
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ADVANCED > PCI / PnP Settings

PCI Latency Timer: 32
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ADVANCED > JumpFree Configuration

AI Overclock Tuner: Manual.

CPU External Frequency (Mhz): stock is 200. increase for overclocking. do slowly.

DRAM Frequency (Mhz): 400 = 1:1. 320= 5:4. Use if your memory cannot do a 1:1 ratio. multiply FSB x 2 to get resulting memory speed for 1:1.

AGP/PCI Frequency: leave at 66/33

CPU vCORE Voltage: increase if necessary, default should be 1.525

DDR Refenrence Voltage: increase if necessary.

AGP VDDQ Voltage: leave at 1.5 unless you experience video problems and software does not resolve

 

[Zenoth]

Hey Known Nuttin, thanks for the reply mate !

But before applying the changes, I'd need still more information.

You're suggesting me to change the settings at the states you mention, but what I'd like to know is...why should I apply those changes exactly ?

I'm not saying I don't feel safe, or saying I don't trust your knownledge, but I'm just like that...I always seek the highest amount of information possible to get.

So, like I wrote in my 2nd post, I cannot change the CPU External Frequency, and I don't know why. The AI Overclock Tuner is indeed set at *Manual*, but it doesn't seem to have any impact on what I can change as for the CPU frequency. It seems locked. However, all other options can be changed. That's just weird.

And, about options like Spread Spectrum, it's set at *Enabled* by default, and you're suggesting to disable it. I'm willing to apply the change, but what I'd like to know more exactly is what is it going to technically change ? What it's going to do ?

I'm sorry, I know such questions make me a newbie around here in these forums. Most of you here guys aren't new I guess. It's the first time for me, manually changing stuff. Risky perhaps, but there's a beginning to everything, and I can afford messing around like that.

With that said, I'll need more information, I'm sorry to say.

Of course, I noted everything you suggested to do. And I'll apply the changes soon.

Another example about what you've suggested; You're saying "Increase if necessary" on the DDR Reference Voltage, but I'd like to know...how would I know if it'd be 'necessary' or not ?

It's details like that I'd need to know, on each changes you've suggested. Please.

I would also appreciate more comments perhaps, still, according to my system and my BIOS settings written in my 2nd post.

Thanks to everyone for your support.
Thanks Known Nuttin.

Peace !