Hi, Guest
01-26-2007, 10:35 AM
Hmm... a few things need to be considered as you attempt to find the coolest and best way to overclock your PC.
RAM - it's not a bad thing that it doesn't have heatsinks, but it helps in real overclocking scenarios where the RAM overall speed is run beyond the spec it was rated for in the package (DDR-400, 433, 466, etc). As you raise the overall speed of the RAM (potentially, it looks like you lowered your RAM divider and for basic RAM that's a good thing), you might need to slacken some of those timings a tad.
2.5 is the CAS latency. It's the "middle of the road" for DDR RAM - CAS2 stuff is higher-performance RAM, and CAS 3 is bargain-basement / value-segment RAM.
3-3-7 are the numbers for TRAS, TRP and RAS-to-CAS delay. They're your "minor timings" but they play an important role. If you overclock your RAM out of spec, start by incrementing each by 1. If that fails, either lower the RAM speed by the divider (where you said you lowered the RAM to 166) or as a last-ditch (I'd recommend against it, really)... raise your CAS setting to 3.
Hynix RAM, unless it came with a "leet" name (like UltraFastMegaBad DDR400), is middle of the road RAM and I don't see it doing CAS 2. Your mileage may vary, however.
The CPU is a tad warmer than I'd like it, as my dual-core Opteron 170 idles between 31-33C in my basement (warmer than most, tho) and hits 50C at full-rip. When you say full-rip, I'm assuming that's with both cores loaded. If not, you're going to want to replace that heatsink and fan combo (likely the one that came with the processor, has a big AMD sticker on the fan, etc) with an aftermarket one. Zalman, Thermalright and Thermaltake all make great coolers. I'm partial to Thermaltake myself.
As far as automatic overclocking goes, I'm kind of against it. I've always been a hands-on kinda guy when it comes to ramping your CPU up.
One thing that would be interesting is for you to boot into Windows at your current settings, load CPU-Z and tell us what the BIOS has your core voltage running at. The voltage will be right under the processor (likely S939).
Otherwise, keep good ventilation going throughout the case and you're golden. A lot of folks forget that a well-tuned computer includes good case airflow, which lowers ambient temperatures inside the case. Lower temperatures ensure better performance and longer life for your components.
As for the final error message... it could well be a sign that your overclock is not as stable as you think it is. Download a copy of MemTest86+ and run that after burning it to a CD and rebooting... if your RAM clears 2 passes (about 15 minutes per pass) of testing... you can move on to Windows-based testing. Download Prime95, install it TWICE - one install for each core, to separate folders and run the built-in CPU-only benchmark. If you want a hand getting set up for Prime95, PM me or add me to MSN via the addy in my profile.
Good luck.
Adam
RAM - it's not a bad thing that it doesn't have heatsinks, but it helps in real overclocking scenarios where the RAM overall speed is run beyond the spec it was rated for in the package (DDR-400, 433, 466, etc). As you raise the overall speed of the RAM (potentially, it looks like you lowered your RAM divider and for basic RAM that's a good thing), you might need to slacken some of those timings a tad.
2.5 is the CAS latency. It's the "middle of the road" for DDR RAM - CAS2 stuff is higher-performance RAM, and CAS 3 is bargain-basement / value-segment RAM.
3-3-7 are the numbers for TRAS, TRP and RAS-to-CAS delay. They're your "minor timings" but they play an important role. If you overclock your RAM out of spec, start by incrementing each by 1. If that fails, either lower the RAM speed by the divider (where you said you lowered the RAM to 166) or as a last-ditch (I'd recommend against it, really)... raise your CAS setting to 3.
Hynix RAM, unless it came with a "leet" name (like UltraFastMegaBad DDR400), is middle of the road RAM and I don't see it doing CAS 2. Your mileage may vary, however.
The CPU is a tad warmer than I'd like it, as my dual-core Opteron 170 idles between 31-33C in my basement (warmer than most, tho) and hits 50C at full-rip. When you say full-rip, I'm assuming that's with both cores loaded. If not, you're going to want to replace that heatsink and fan combo (likely the one that came with the processor, has a big AMD sticker on the fan, etc) with an aftermarket one. Zalman, Thermalright and Thermaltake all make great coolers. I'm partial to Thermaltake myself.
As far as automatic overclocking goes, I'm kind of against it. I've always been a hands-on kinda guy when it comes to ramping your CPU up.
One thing that would be interesting is for you to boot into Windows at your current settings, load CPU-Z and tell us what the BIOS has your core voltage running at. The voltage will be right under the processor (likely S939).
Otherwise, keep good ventilation going throughout the case and you're golden. A lot of folks forget that a well-tuned computer includes good case airflow, which lowers ambient temperatures inside the case. Lower temperatures ensure better performance and longer life for your components.
As for the final error message... it could well be a sign that your overclock is not as stable as you think it is. Download a copy of MemTest86+ and run that after burning it to a CD and rebooting... if your RAM clears 2 passes (about 15 minutes per pass) of testing... you can move on to Windows-based testing. Download Prime95, install it TWICE - one install for each core, to separate folders and run the built-in CPU-only benchmark. If you want a hand getting set up for Prime95, PM me or add me to MSN via the addy in my profile.
Good luck.
Adam
Daily driver 1: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport "S"
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.