Problems OC'ing

[skoreanime]

Specs are as follows

E6600
Asus P5W DH Deluxe BIOS 1707
OCZ Platinum XTC Rev2 DDR2 6400 RAM
2x320Gb Barracuda 7200.10RPM in RAID0
Scythe Ninja RevB
Radeon x800xt

Now, I currently have my system OC'd stable Orthos at 370mhz FSB with 1:1 ratio with my RAM. Pictures are a thousand words, so here are my BIOS specs.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/skoreanime/04-1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/skoreanime/03-1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/skoreanime/02-1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/skoreanime/01-2.jpg


My problem is... I can't go any higher then 370FSB. Any higher and the system won't post. I have tried upping the CPU voltage to 1.575v to no avail...and I don't want to push it any higher. Funny thing is, BIOS says 1.575v while CPUZ says 1.213v =/ ? I idle at 36-38 at these settings, so cooling isn't an issue. Any suggestions? Will I have to do a pencil mod? I really do want to hit 400FSB to go 1:1 ratio with my RAM.

Thanks.

 

[abs0lut3]

Loosen your timing buddy.

Looks like this is the limit of your chip.

You have to remember that not all overclock are the same so unfortunately this is as far as the memory can go at that timing.

 

[skoreanime]

Ouch, so my RAM is whats screwing me up? I'll give it a shot, thanks.

 

[jattdb]

The P5W DH has an issue with using manual memory timings with some types of RAM above 365-370 FSB. I have the same board and RAM, but I'm using an E6400. I can't post above 368MHz with manual timings. Set your timings to Auto and you'll likely be able to boot at 400MHz+. I've been running mine stable at 410MHz (3.28GHz) now for a couple months using the Auto setting.

The problem appears to stem from not being able to set tRFC in the BIOS. This thread is a really great resource for P5W DH owners...this issue is discussed several times: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=110193

Hopefully Asus will release a BIOS update that allows direct configuration of more memory parameters including tRFC.

 

[abs0lut3]

Originally posted by: skoreanime
Ouch, so my RAM is whats screwing me up? I'll give it a shot, thanks.

It's not your RAM that is screwing you.

I am just telling that for what you were trying to accomplish, you just cannot have fast timing and high overclock. One or either has to give.

You don't have to look far for what I am talking about.

Just look at Anandtech motherboard reviews.

They usually show how far can you go with a fast timing and what kind of timing you need to achieve high FSB overclock.

Now, as far as discrepancy between CPUZ reading and BIOS reading, you might want to record the voltage at stock settings first to see how far are you from your actual reading. Sometimes a board can be slightly undervoltage and the option you chose do not necessarily reflect the actual number.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: skoreanime
Ouch, so my RAM is whats screwing me up? I'll give it a shot, thanks.

No, your motherboard's memory "strap" is what's screwing you up. Well, that and probably your vcore, unless you're giving your processor 1.475-1.50v, actual. Anyway, the memory strap-- you have to completely skip ~370-399. Just go directly to 400 Mhz FSB, skipping every frequency between 370-399. Of course, your processor may just not be a 3.6 Ghz-capable processor, also. The average person with an E6600 is only getting 3.3-3.4 Ghz with air cooling.

 

[skoreanime]

Thanks for the replies guys, I think I got it now. Currently at 3.6Ghz with Memory set to automatic. Idling at 43ish degrees on air .