First home-built pc, First overclock

[fudgam]

Here are my system specs.
Abit nf7-s
2-512 corsair xms 3200
2600+

I think thats all you guys need to know.....Right now I have my processor running at 10.5x209. At 11x208 and greater, my computer closes the more intensive programs by itself(benchmarks wont finish and halo will just close). At 10.5x 211 and greater, my comp wont boot/I'll get an error message that tells me that a folder has gone corrupt. When I lower my clockspeeds, messages go away. Now... can someone fill me in on ram timings and do I need to up my voltages for my processor and ram when overclocking? I dont know enough about voltages to just wing it.

[GnomeWizardd]

whats the voltage ? stock? up it if its crashing but dont go to high

[fudgam]

My Cpu is running at 10.5x210.
Cpu core voltage-1.65v.
DDR Sdram voltage-2.6v.

Edit:\\ My cpu is at 32C and system is at 20C.

[GnomeWizardd]

try 10x220 @ 1.75 or 1.8 then up the multi if it worked

[fudgam]

Ok. Ill be back with the results. :)

[TheLostSwede]

Stable at 10.5 multi? We need to see how much fsb the setup can take first. Lower the multi to 9 and set the fsb to 210. Use 1.75 volt on the vcore and 2.9 on the vmem.

Set the timings to 11,3,3 cas 2.5 to start with (we'll change that later) and go up on the fsb 3 steps at a time. Use a program called memtest or even better Goldmemory to test the ram. Those programs creates a bootable floppy that you run the program off. Each test takes about 12-13 minutes so run 2 tests (i'm not saying it's stable after 2 tests but it will give you a hint). When you know the max fsb, let me know and we'll take care of the timings and max cpu speed.

[fudgam]

I'm back. Im running at 10x220 right now. Im gonna run Aquamark and see if it crashes or not.

[fudgam]

Ran Aquamark 3 fine.

[fudgam]

Mackanz, talk to me buddy. You want me to lower the multi to 9 and lower the fsb to 210? I already have it running at 10x220 fine. Do I need to to adjust ram timings?

Edit:// And is AGP arperture supposed to be at half your system memory? If it is, is there a big difference in performance after switching?

[Straight_Man]

Run at the lesser of:

1\2 system RAM, or;

Twice card RAM. For gaming adn 3D benches. For other things, 1\3 system RAM,roughly, or 1.5 card RAM, whichever is less.

Given you are a first timer, watch your temps with MBM if you can.... Try alarming at 57 C and see if you get alarms. If you do, then try Macanz's trick with stock voltage for CPU, which will use less voltage and make CPU heat a bit less.

Also, my cheaper corsair cmx runs at 2.7 volts, and behaves fine. I have it OC'd also, but not by much. RAM can take higher voltages easier than CPU, and some folks run your kind of RAM at 2.8 Volts. If you can OC RAM also, a bit, things will be more stable with CPU pumped a bit.

DO CPU first, then play with RAM and then see if you can edge the CPU up a bit at same voltage you have now. Most folks who use 1.8 V or 1.85 V for CPU use very heavy duty cooling stuff.

John.

[TheLostSwede]

You jumped ahead of me, didn't know you where at 220 already ;P

Ok, back down to multi 9 so you know that the cpu isn't the limit when you test the memory. Just use 2.9 volt on the memory and 1.6 on the chipset. Make sure to run the memory SYNC, as in 1/1, 3/3, or 6/6. Let me know the max fsb.

[fudgam]

Sorry for not responding for a while. I was doing benchmarks using different agp arperture sizes. I got the best results using 128. Ill conitnue this tomorrow.

[csimon]

why not 1.7v on the chipset?

[TheLostSwede]

why not 1.7v on the chipset?

As long as it isn't needed, there's no point using too much voltage.