Unstable overclock after BIOS update...

[DVad3r]

Ok I got a big problem. I have a 3200 939 winnie and an Asus SLI deluxe mobo. I was running the 1008 bios and had the cpu at 2300 (230x10) and it was rock stable. 2 days ago I updated my bios to the latest one 1011 and my system became unstable. I think I may have messed around with the memory settings, or the bios changed them in some way. I am pretty sure that is whats causing the problem. I have 2x512 OCZ pc4000 gold rev 2 ram. It can be found here:

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/m...el_ddr_pc_4000_dual_channel_gold_rev_2

In cpu z, I also noticed that my part number for the ram does not quite match the one in the cpu z site...everything is the same, except for the -K at the end of the part number which I guess means kit? Would that show in cpu z?

Here are my current settings:

230x10...all voltages set on auto (was stable prior to bios update)

Memory settings:

CAS Latency: 2.5
Min RAS active time: 10T
RAS to CAS delay: 3T
Row Precharge time: 3T
Row Cycle time: 15T
Row Refresh cyc time: 17T
Read to write time: 3T
Write recovery time: 3T

1T Memory Timing

S/W Dram over 4G remapping: Enabled

Hyper Transport Frequency: 4x

What do you guys think? What can I change around? Also should I be running at specific voltages or is auto alright? Please help...thanks.

 

[DVad3r]

Whoa my computer just got crippled...won't even load into windows now...tells me I gotta run recovery :S

 

[bozicek]

Memory speed is not the problem. You have 500MHz ram, capable of 2.5-3-3 at this speed.
So try: HT change to 3x if this doest work than the new BIOS in not OC-frendly (new stuff does always not meat that is better)

 

[imported_wyrmrider]

4x ht should work to 250 but 3x would not hurt
agp/pci lock still working?
if SATA are they in correct ports for your mb
you've already reflashed by now- how's it going
any of the motherboard forums show anything?

 

[gbohn]

Once you get your system up again (presumably at closer to stock speeds) you could check that the HTF multiplier being used is actually following the BIOS setting. (You should be able to use Nvidia NTune or SiSoft Sandra for this).

It may or may not be your problem, but it's one of the things to check. On my Asus A8N-E, it looks like this is stuck at 5X with any of the later BIOSs (and my setup).

 

[sangyup81]

Solution: Don't buy ASUS anymore if you want to OC worth a dam.

 

[DVad3r]

Hey guys, I tried running win xp recovery with no luck, the system just got mashed up even more. Got really pissed off yesterday and just left it, but later today I am gonna try installing win xp without formatting so I can at least save some of my files on DVD backups. Then I'm gonna do a clean format.

The HD is 160 seagate SATA, as for the ports, I think they are in the correct ones, the system was working perfect until the bios update and till I messed around with the memory timings. AGP/PCI Lock? What does that do?

As for the Asus thing, I am kind of dissappointed, the motherboard comes with a sh*tty defective fan that is sooooo loud when it spins, which reminds me that I need to replace that with an aftermarket chipset cooler....

 

[imported_wyrmrider]

DVad3r
get to the motherboard forum and get these issues sorted out
or the AMDZONE ASUS forum or another good ASUS forum
the pci has to run at 33MHz and the AGP at 66MHz or VERY little above
get too high and your video can screw up and your pci peripherals can loose data IDE/ATA hard drives are especially vulnerable
when you push up your HTT your pci goes up also- just like on a K6 or Pentium-
hence you want to lock your pci so it does not change as you oc

Your HT= hypertransport does not want to run faster (safely) than 5x 200 memory bus = 400DDR
so when you oc you reduce your HT multiplier to 4x for up to 250Mhz and 3x which is good to 333mhz
(f your HT only goes to 800 then adjust accordingly 4x 200- 400DDR = 800 HT which is max at stock speed- drop to 3 NOW )

your sata also cannot be overclocked safely
some boards have both locked and unlocked sata ports- find about your boards

time for some research
you can also check out the chipset forums
wyrmrider

the bios update could have changed some settings back to defaults
check before complete boot

 

[majklus]

This can help: After flash a new BIOS, it is necessary to load the Setup Defaults.

 

[fluxquantum]

Originally posted by: sangyup81
Solution: Don't buy ASUS anymore if you want to OC worth a dam.

i'll have to politely disagree with you on that. look at my sig.

in regards to your issue, DVad3r, i always load setup defaults before i flash to a new bios and then i completely shut down the system. before doing this, make sure to record all your settings on paper. then i reset the cmos, startup the computer, get into the bios and load setup defaults again, and then start overclocking from scratch. i don't know why this works but it did it for me. i had stability issues when i flashed to the latest bios and then i tried the method just explained and it worked like a charm. best of luck!