Hit a brick wall with my 146.

[Matt H]

So, I FINALLY got my Opteron 146 rig built, and have been trying to overclock it like a madman. After one night, I got it up to 2.6, stable. It ran Prime95 overnight, runs like a dream.

The problem is, I want 2.8, and if I change anything right now, the computer just won't start at all. It won't POST, no display on the monitor, nothing. If I turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on, I guess it auto-resets the CMOS, and it boots.

The reason I got this chip was so I could overclock to an FX-57.

My system is in the My System tab. I've got the RAM running 1:1, which I have a feeling could be the problem.

No volt changes, all voltages at stock. Temperature is NOT a problem, unless Uguru states the temperature incorrectly. I'm always under 30C idle, and usually get up to around 36C under load. So, I could definitely try and change the voltage. (I have...went to 1.45v on CPU, still wouldn't boot at 261)

Any suggestions? I'd really like to get the most I can out of this CPU, especially considering I'll be using it for a decent while.

[zetachi]

IMO run the ram at a divider and increase the voltage a bit and see if that helps

[Matt H]

That's the weird thing...my motherboard's BIOS has really odd settings for memory dividers. Instead of fractions or ratios, it uses DDR speeds. Then again, maybe all A64 mobos use this...honestly, this is the first time I've overclocked on an A64 platform, the only experience I have is my old Athlon XP 2500+ rig.

But anyway, it has different DDR speeds, and you have to pick a specific speed. So, I guess I just set it to something like DDR400 and go for 3ghz ^_^

[TheGlasMan]

It doesn't work that way.
200 means the memory will run at 200 when HTT is 200 ie 1:1
166 " " " " "" "" " " 166 or lower when HTT is 200 5:6
133 etc. When you raise HTT memory speed will increase as well. All dividers wil not exceed the speed indicated by the divider, which changes to match the multi, both whole #'s only.

[TBird761]

You'll always want more. It's the very nature of overclocking.

For example, I bought a C2D E6600 (2.4GHz) and wanted 3.0. That was my goal. However, after I saw it post at 3300, 3500, 3600, 3700, etc I wanted 3.8GHz. It isn't stable past about 3.65GHz.

[webwolf359]

U'd be unlucky if 2.6GHz is all the 146 can do, I messed with 20 or so and everyone has hit 2.7GHz as a minimum. Though most needed the vcore to be upped slightly to get there. reduce the divider to 100 and see how much the cpu can do without the RAM interfearing.

[TBird761]

Don't forget that power dissipated multiplies exponentially with voltage increase, so only raise it as much as you have to. Going higher than needed for a particular frequency can actually cause a negative return because of heat.

[Raybo]

That's the weird thing...my motherboard's BIOS has really odd settings for memory dividers. Instead of fractions or ratios, it uses DDR speeds. Then again, maybe all A64 mobos use this...honestly, this is the first time I've overclocked on an A64 platform, the only experience I have is my old Athlon XP 2500+ rig.

But anyway, it has different DDR speeds, and you have to pick a specific speed. So, I guess I just set it to something like DDR400 and go for 3ghz ^_^

Use the 133 divider.

[Matt H]

Okay, it just doesn't seem to want to do it.

I don't know if it's the motherboard, or what, but I set it at DDR266, 2T timing, stock memory timings (3-4-4-8), and ANYTHING above 260 doesn't boot. 261 doesn't boot.

I don't freakin' get it!

What's even weirder is that now, when it gets really cold, it won't boot 260. It's been pretty freakin' cold here lately, and I have a feeling it's not gonna get any warmer.

When I start the computer, there is no POST beep. The monitor doesn't display anything, but everything starts up, including the HDD. I wait about 30 seconds (letting it run), then I reset it. And it works. Sometimes I have to reset to 260, sometimes not.

I'm thinking it's getting too cold. I don't know how the hell that works, but maybe it can. Any suggestions?

[Craftwise]

Might be wise to post your specs... Kinda hard to tell whats wrong when we dont know your components...

[Brandito]

could be that 260 is all the mobo can do.

got a 170 yesterday same speed with dual core and it does 2.8 @ 1.4v. so i'd expect a single core for sure to get past 2.6

i dunno how well the board you have oc's but it is possible you have reached its limits, especially if increasing voltage by 0.10v doesn't improve oc.

what other voltage options does your mobo have?

[Matt H]

Might be wise to post your specs... Kinda hard to tell whats wrong when we dont know your components...

Under the My System tab, like I said in the original post

could be that 260 is all the mobo can do.

got a 170 yesterday same speed with dual core and it does 2.8 @ 1.4v. so i'd expect a single core for sure to get past 2.6

i dunno how well the board you have oc's but it is possible you have reached its limits, especially if increasing voltage by 0.10v doesn't improve oc.

what other voltage options does your mobo have?

Actually, I read quite a few reviews before I bought the board, and it seems to max around 300 HTT.

306 HTT
Max of 350HTT

So, it's definitely not the board.

Shots of the BIOS, from the review that gets 350HTT:

Page 1
Page 2

I figured it'd get pretty far too, especially with DDR500. I built this rig AROUND the Opty 146 getting to 2.8 and beyond, and it's incredibly disappointing getting to only 2.6.

[Brandito]

Under the My System tab, like I said in the original post



Actually, I read quite a few reviews before I bought the board, and it seems to max around 300 HTT.

306 HTT
Max of 350HTT

So, it's definitely not the board.

Shots of the BIOS, from the review that gets 350HTT:

Page 1
Page 2

I figured it'd get pretty far too, especially with DDR500. I built this rig AROUND the Opty 146 getting to 2.8 and beyond, and it's incredibly disappointing getting to only 2.6.

definately wouldn't say definately, try a lower multi and bump the htt as far as it will go and still boot.

[liquidsoul]

Make sure you drop your HTT from 5x to 3 or 2x.

[Matt H]

Make sure you drop your HTT from 5x to 3 or 2x.

Yeah, it's at four right now. I've tried dropping it to 3, but isn't there a certain limit to how low you drop it? It says so in the guide I've been reading... I've been using this for reference. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The thing is, 260x10 is (almost positive) prime stable. I tested it all day. It's ridiculous.

Yeah, I guess you're right Sub. I'll try that after school today.

Thanks for all the help so far guys