xms3500 on a7n8x dlx2 with 2500+ (all stock)

[ginipig]

Hi! Newest member after Creep from cs introduced me to this site.

Yup. Mind you, I know diddly squat about overclocking irl, but I've been perusing a huge amount of info from different forums. So, in theory, I'm set.

Anyway, if I post incomprehensible questions plz don't flame the nub That said, I'ma get to the point of this thread:

I recently received my 2x512 sticks of xms3500, and I'm still wondering what to do next. In order to get the most out of this ram, and considering that I haven't o/c'd yet (900a+tornado92+nexus is on it's way,) how should I configure bios prior to installing these chips? Seeing how they're running @ 434mhz, while my barton is still at 333, should I set the ratio within bios, or run @ 100%? (in sync is supposed to be great)

Either way, should I just key in the timings that corsair recommends (they seem to have tested the 3500 extensively on the a7n8x, but not specifically the 2500+, so I'm at a loss,) or should I just set bios to optimum?

Also, with this extra bandwidth, will I expect any problems? That is, concerning agp/pci locks? Seeing how uber1007 has more options than the default bios I had, there seems to be more that I could tweak within bios, to get my system stable. I'm not interested in any o/c tweaks, as yet, since my cooling isn't up to par.

Any suggestions welcome.

Edit: Which slots have y'all used for stable dual channel?

[Bud]

Welcome to Short-Media, the first 2 slots closest to the cpu are for dual channel on ram, but in the maual for the mobo it lists which slots are for dual channel. install the fan and heatsink use artic silver 5. When your ready to o/c Go to the advanced chipset features menu.then, go to "System Performance"; change it to user defined then, change "CPU frequency multiple" to user defined" You've now enabled fsb and multiplier adjustments.
If you go farther down, you will see the "CPU vCore setting" label; change that to "user define" as well, and you will be able to adjust your CPU's voltage. Now you can adjust all the speeds of cpu in bios. what your stepping on cpu? do you know if its locked or not cause that determines how far you can go

[Templar]

If your CPU is locked, you'll only be able to OC via FSB, which means your RAM is now your limit, and not the actual chip itself. I'm thinking at least 2.03ghz (11x185) for you on air, and as long as you have a decent stepping. Might be able to get it to 200 FSB.

As with every operation that could fry $300 in parts, take it slow. Don't try to jump 30 on your FSB (I tried that once on an 1800+ out of curiosity and it hardly POSTed :) ). Going by 5's is usually good, and when you're unstable in Windows, up the Vcore a bit. Your Vcore roof should be 1.75 to 1.80, depending on your stepping. You can play it safe at 1.7 for nearly any stepping.

And watch your Temps. You should be able to run that Barton at 50*C to 55*C without any problems. I think you'll be too unstable to get that hot with that HSF, but keep an eye on it. The A7N8X should have some kind of shutoff feature if your CPU gets hot (The NF7-S does, and is practically the sister of the A7N8X, with a touch of Abit). You can get Motherboard Monitor and watch your Temps from your system tray. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=311

Good luck in your OCing. Before long, you'll want water. :p

[ginipig]

Seeing as how this was the least worrisome part of the o/c, I decided to do it first. As of right now, my 2 sticks are sitting in the 1st and 3rd slots. Bios seemed to have detected it properly (I've read elsewhere that people have had problems with spd defaults,) and the applicable timings (according to corsair @ 2,3,3,7) were coupled with sound dual channel operation.

Although I've received all of the cooling bits (900a,nexus,as5,) I figured it'd best to take the temperature readings first, and compare them to the readings post-hsf upgrade.

The ram has survived 3 passes of Memtest.

Currently, my memory is running in-sync with my 2500+ @166, and is currently working on the 1st test of the 3rd iteration set in prime95 (torture mode.) My temperatures on stock heatsink/fan ranges from 42-49 degrees on the diode. I'll give this test approximately 8-10 hours till completion, after which I'll probably repeat the process with the slk+tornado+as5 combination.

I'm documenting everything down as I go along, just in case any of you resident o/c-veterans need something tangible to help diagnose any problems that I may come across. I'm being as meticulous as humanly possible (if you haven't already surmised from the length of this post,) but hey, I figured it's my first tweak that didn't involve a car.

All in all, I'm glad that I didn't rush into this head first.

I'll keep you all posted :tongue:

[Geeky1]

Bud, I'm afraid your mistaken. Dual channel is only enabled with one ram stick in either of the first two slots (the ones that are close together) and the other in the third slot that's separated a bit from the other two.

Sync/Async doesn't really matter ATM, I don't think. PERSONALLY, though, since it's PC3500, I'd run it sync with the CPU @ PC2700 speeds, and use the most agressive timings available. I think that would give you better results than running it at PC3500 with the default timings.

[TheLostSwede]

Oh my!

First of all, you need to tell if the cpu is locked or not. If it is locked, the limit will be the cpu and not the ram. There is no way the chip will do default multi and Pc3500 speeds on air. Can you boot with lower multi?

ALWAYS run Sync as the speed increase will be enormous in memory bandwidth. Run 100% and lower the multi to 9 to start with. Put the modules in the 1:st and 3:rd slot for dual action. Use rated timings and rated voltage to start with at 200 fsb. Leave the voltage on the cpu at default.

[ginipig]

?
Did you guys skip my post altogether?
I thought that I was doing the right thing..

[SimGuy]

ginipig had this to say
Hi! Newest member after Creep from cs introduced me to this site.

Yup. Mind you, I know diddly squat about overclocking irl, but I've been perusing a huge amount of info from different forums. So, in theory, I'm set.

Anyway, if I post incomprehensible questions plz don't flame the nub That said, I'ma get to the point of this thread:

I recently received my 2x512 sticks of xms3500, and I'm still wondering what to do next. In order to get the most out of this ram, and considering that I haven't o/c'd yet (900a+tornado92+nexus is on it's way,) how should I configure bios prior to installing these chips? Seeing how they're running @ 434mhz, while my barton is still at 333, should I set the ratio within bios, or run @ 100%? (in sync is supposed to be great)

Either way, should I just key in the timings that corsair recommends (they seem to have tested the 3500 extensively on the a7n8x, but not specifically the 2500+, so I'm at a loss,) or should I just set bios to optimum?

Also, with this extra bandwidth, will I expect any problems? That is, concerning agp/pci locks? Seeing how uber1007 has more options than the default bios I had, there seems to be more that I could tweak within bios, to get my system stable. I'm not interested in any o/c tweaks, as yet, since my cooling isn't up to par.

Any suggestions welcome.

Edit: Which slots have y'all used for stable dual channel?

Welcome to Short-Media. Hopefully we can help ya out :)

1) Dual Channel DDR is enabled on the A7N8X by installing your RAM into the first 2 memory banks closest to the processor (the top 2), shown in this picture.

http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socketa/a7n8x-d/a7n8x-d_l.jpg

2) Since your FSB is running at 333 MHz and your memory is capable of running faster than 333 MHz, run the memory divisor at 1:1, or 100%.

3) Corsair (and all memory modules) are pre-programmed with default timings (like 2-3-3-5), and are detected by the motherboard with something called SPD (Serial Presence Detect). What that does is detect the pre-programmed timings from the memory modules and programs them into the BIOS.

Since the Corsair XMS3500 can do low timings, you are best to go into the BIOS and set the timings to something lower than the SPD values (which are 2-3-3-7). The lowest possible timings available on memory modules are 2-2-2-5, however you may need to increase the voltage on your memory modules to get that low.

However, if you just want to stick the modules in and go to town, install them, go into the BIOS, set the memory divisor to 1:1 or 100% and leave the timings set for SPD. :D

Dual-Channel DDR is not a requirement for extreme performance on the Athlon XP platform, as the memory bandwidth requirements of the 400 MHz FSB can be filled with PC3200 DDR memory in single channel (offering 3.2 GB/sec memory bandwidth). You will notice a slight performance increase in benchmarks, but nothing that you can really see during normal day-to-day usage.

With those Corsair XMS3500 modules, stability will not be an issue. As long as the modules are not damaged, your system will be stable when running dual-channel mode :)

[Geeky1]

SimGuy... it is not enabled by putting the ram in the two slots closest to the CPU.

I've got an A7N8X-Deluxe; Dual-channel is enabled by putting the RAM in the third slot (bottom most one in that pic), and either one of the other two slots.

[SimGuy]

My mistake. Seems like I can't remember **** lately...

I blame old age :D

[ginipig]

My bios reports it as being setup in dual channel; cpu-z's readings seem to concur.

I'm just glad that everything has proceeded smoothly. Currently, I've adjusted my timings to 2 2 2 5 (as you suggested,) with both prime95+sandra04's torture tests showing no real signs of instability. My voltage is set at default across the board (apparently the xms3500's require less V's than comparable brands,) and temperature readings show no real signs of danger.

Currently I'm on my Dell pIII 500 laptop, with my main rig benching pi's and 'Mark suites. I'll compare these readings to the feedback I received prior to installing the ram, to see if any bottlenecks had surfaced.

Tomorrow, after allowing my computer too cool down after an overnight prime95 torture test, I'll attempt to install the: 900a, 92mm Tornado, alongside the 205spec Nexus controller.

I can hardly sleep, but this could be attributed to my girlfriend's terrible mood.

Till then.

[keto]

Ur doing great. Slow and steady is the best way to finding the fastest setup. I wish everyone who posted here was as methodical and analytical as you are - we'd spend a lot less time troubleshooting for others :eek2:. You're gonna have a rockin system:thumbsup:

[Geeky1]

It may run it in dual-channel that way too; I know that if you populate all 3 slots with identical modules, it still runs dual channel. But according to the manual, you have to use the third, separate slot and one of the other two to run dual channel mode.

[Creep]

man, that was the greatest first post I have EVER seen! At least you KNOW what's going on unlike most of the "I want to OC my Stuff! How?" That's mostly what we get around here. Welcome to SM and don't let thrax bite you, he has rabies......

[Templar]

Mackanz had this to say
Oh my!

First of all, you need to tell if the cpu is locked or not. If it is locked, the limit will be the cpu and not the ram. There is no way the chip will do default multi and Pc3500 speeds on air. Can you boot with lower multi?

ALWAYS run Sync as the speed increase will be enormous in memory bandwidth. Run 100% and lower the multi to 9 to start with. Put the modules in the 1:st and 3:rd slot for dual action. Use rated timings and rated voltage to start with at 200 fsb. Leave the voltage on the cpu at default.

:banghead:

[ginipig]

ehhe :buck:

[TheLostSwede]

The single ram slot on NF7 boards are actually the dual slot itself. That's why i always suggest 1:st and 3:rd. Can't miss that way.

Ginipig, what's the situation? What multi/fsb do you run at now?

[ginipig]

I'm glad I made it this far, considering the only mod that I've been doing to computers involved a few RA's and a few M's.

So far, the o/c gods have treated me right. As I mentioned in the subject line, my air-cooled setup is complete. I'm in the process of running a few burn-in tests, prime95'ing till my readings indicate a steady high-load temperature, and intensely researching all possible scenarios given my system specs.

Also, judging by other's experience with the arctic compound, it seems that I should give my rig some time to soak in all the goodness that is as5 ("break-in period" - someguy; circa sometime ago.)

My 2500@166 will see rises in fsb in small increments. Multiplier settings remain at 11, as I've yet to figure out the highest fsb possible on my barton revision. For those of you with the rare ability to decipher incoherent alphanumerics, heres whats tagged on my cpu:

AXDA25000KV4D

Y859278270068

AQXEA0327MPMW

From what I can gather, 0's tend to pair with other 0's, and W's are too chubby to be first in line, hence the last position. :crazy:

It'll be a while before I actually start modifying values within bios, though. I'd like to get it right the first time round.

Will keep y'all posted.

[TheLostSwede]

WOW!

I can tell that is a great cpu!
Try to lower the multi if you want to find the highest fsb. Or do you want to find the highest clock first?

[ginipig]

I'm trying to get the highest fsb at the moment, so that later on, I can find out the right balance between the two.

Just an update for you: I've been slowly raising the fsb to 200, with no adverse effects. I started with a 10mhz increase, then +5 +5 +5 +5 +4. Right now, my specs are (with adequate sandra burn-ins and prime95 torture tests) :

2500@200x11 1.65v
xms3500@200 (in-sync) 2 3 3 7
temps@idle:28 load:34 (with load stemming from prime95)
92mm Tornado@3200 rpm (nexus controlled)

I'll try lowering my multiplier to ~8.5-10.5, and maybe loosening my memory timings. I'd like to be able to end up with insync memory @ dual channel, but I'll test with single-slot configurations too.

What kind of increments do you suggest?

I will keep my memory running @ 2 3 3 7, until I manage to go past 434 fsb (if that's a reality.) I'll be benching in sandra02/4, 3dmark01 and pcmark02/4. Realisticly speaking, I'd like to find a nice compromise between Ghz and day-to-day usage, as this rig will probably be passed on to my younger sibling. That said, I'm still curious about the potential of this thing.

Any suggestions welcome.

//Edit: Googling gave me some mixed results. While most people were fine with lowered multipliers, it seemed that a handful of people had trouble setting their multipliers to ~8-9.5. This may or may not be applicable to me, but seeing as how I'm on a forum, I'd like to see if any of you ran into this problem.

[Thrax]

Creep had this to say
man, that was the greatest first post I have EVER seen! At least you KNOW what's going on unlike most of the "I want to OC my Stuff! How?" That's mostly what we get around here. Welcome to SM and don't let thrax bite you, he has rabies......

/me foams at the mouth

//EDIT:

Set it at 2/2/2.

[TheLostSwede]

Lets say you find out that your cpu can do 2.2 gigs at max stable. All you have to do then is to lower the multi to like 8 and start raising the fsb until that gets unstable. Then you know the limit of the ram as well as the cpu. Use the calculator to match the best combo. If your memory can do let say 220 max, then 10X220 is obviously the best combo. This is just an example as i am sure your cpu does much more.

Edit, Thrax is right about the timings, but let's worry about that later when we fine-tune the stuff.

[Creep]

Told ya this was the place to come for answers!

[ginipig]

Well, I'm taking a break from any modifications.. for now. I'll give that arctic silver compound some time for it to achieve maximum conductivity.

Right now I'm researching airflow basics. Backpressure, blowholes, convections, induced pressures.. all that neat stuff. I'd like to install a few more intake fans to cool down my 9800pro, as well as to feed that 92mmTornado.

Will write.

[SimGuy]

Nice PSU.

/me drools...

[TheLostSwede]

I noticed that as as well. Ginipig, those Turbo Cools...did you get it from PC Power directly?

[ginipig]

I got it for $100 from a close friend who decided to move back to Australia. He was selling *Everything* than meant anything to him. Kinda sad really :(

I later found out that it was a bargain.

[TheLostSwede]

Bargain?

Damn, that's half the price.

[ginipig]

ehhe :buck:

That was the first piece of computer hardware I bought; I usually had preassembled Dell's.

Then the Chieftec Dragon DA-01BD and VantecTornado/ThermaltakeSFII from Directron (whose warehouse was 5 minutes from where I lived.)

Then the mobo, cpu, ram, and Nexus controller from newegg.com.

So far, it's costing me (in total) less than that of any Dell system I've purchased in the past.

It's an alright deal.

[ginipig]

Mac, I've been meaning to ask you something for a while:

Who are the guys in the avatar? Is that some sort of actor/body builder/celebrity? It's not too clear.

[TheLostSwede]

rofl!

It's me and Shorty, the administrator of this place. He is a very good friend of mine and we met once. That's where the picture is from.

[ginipig]

Just an update:

I installed the Iceberg on the Nb+Sb. Instead of using the given paste, I used some of the left-over AS5 from my hsf installation.
The removal of the heatsink wasn't really that hard. I just flipped the mobo over, and 'hairdry'ed it at the low heat setting for about 2 minutes.

Little 2 degree twists in counter/clock direction took most of the pink gum off. 99% isoprop + q-tips took off the rest.

I know that there are better nb coolers available for the deluxe, but I figured that the 92mm Tornado (that sits on the 900a) provides extra airflow to surrounding components.

I'll probably look into cooling for my 9800 pro in the future. I'm still looking into setups that won't overtake most of my pci slots.
I read a thread here on short-media, that addressed coolers, but it was inconclusive. I don't know if y'all chose the grey one over the gold one, or vice versa.

Any suggestions welcome.

[edit] After extensive reading on the topic, I've settled for Zalman's 80a + Zalman's 123fanbracket.

Thus concludes my first overclocking adventure.

Come back now, y'hear?