Opteron 170 OC to 2.3ghz
I am brand new to the world of overclocking and after reading a few posts, i have noooo idea where to start. Can someone help me overclock my system to 2.3ghz? No idea what settings to set to achieve it. Here is my setup.
Opteron 170
A8N32-SLI
OCZ Plat 2gb DDR400 2-3-2-5
ATI x800XL
Also should i use the stock cooling that comes with the Opteron or use my current Zalman 9500 for OC'n?
Thanks
Opteron 170
A8N32-SLI
OCZ Plat 2gb DDR400 2-3-2-5
ATI x800XL
Also should i use the stock cooling that comes with the Opteron or use my current Zalman 9500 for OC'n?
Thanks
0
Comments
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Welcome to Short-Media.
You are definitely in the right place. Your A8N32 is every bit as good as my A8R32-MVP and I would say 2.3GHz
is very doable.
As a matter of fact, you may well find a very comfortable spot at 2.4GHz.
Be sure to write down the letters and numbers off the face of your Opteron so you may be able to determine the stepping. This helps determine what your Opty is capable of- some are better overclockers than others and knowing is important. Still- I don't know the Opteron 170 that hasn't been able to do 2.3.
All I can say is ...
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "determine the stepping". As far as my processor, these are the numbers/letters i see...
OSA170DAA6CD
CCBWE 0609FPAW
What can be determined from that?
AMD Athlon 64 and Opteron identification
OSA170DAA6CD
CCBWE 0609FPAW
OS => Processor architecture => Opteron
A => Processor power => Standard
170 => Frequency/Model number => Dual Core Opteron (2.0ghz 10x Multiplier)
D => 939-pin lidded Organic mPGA (socket 939)
A => Max Operating Voltage => Variable
A => Max Operating Temp => Variable
6 => L2 Cache => 2 MB (1 MB x 2 for dual-core processors)
CD => Stepping E6, dual core, 0.09 micron, socket 939
CCBWE => CPU Stepping (core version)
0609 => Week of manufacture => 9th week of 2006
FPAW => ???
As for the heatsink, the 9500 is a good, but not stellar choice for your system. It will be outperformed by the Sythe Ninja (with a quiet 120mm fan), the TT Big Typhoon (with either the stock fan or a 120 mm Panaflo M1) and also the Thermalright XP90-C (with a 92mm Panaflo H1). I know because I've tested all of these on either an Opteron 170 or X2-4400. The stock heatpipe cooler with a better fan than the stock retail fan is also a good choice, close to the Zalman in performance.
48C at idle is far too high. I would expect load temperatures lower than that. I would try to re-seat the heatsink, and ensure that you have adequate case cooling. Be sure that you do not have automatic speed control set in the BIOS, and ensure that the fan is always spinning at maximum speed.
You should also pick up some arctic silver 5, or arctic ceramique. Remove the stock AMD thermal pad from the bottom of the heatsink using isopropal alcohol and use a very thin, even layer of the arctic variety.
Best of luck!
Ok well i tried the stock HSF, removed the stock thermal pad, put some arctic silver, and now i'm getting 45C at idle. Still high? This with my 170 OC to just 2200. My MB Temp is 44C at idle. Is it my case cooling? The stock CPU fan is spinning at 2700rpm. Should that be higher? THanks again for all the advice.
Also all i did to OC my cpu was increase the FSB to 220, is that the correct thing to do? When i try to go over 220, my MB sets the CPU multiplier down automatically to 9, hwo do you prevent this?
Hi mdalegre, I'd consider that case temperature to be too high. It should be about 10 degrees lower in my opinion. I'm certain that is the reason your CPU idle temperature is that high. CPU idle temperature is usually several degrees higher than case temperature. If you are going to OC beyond 2.3GHz, I'd recommend getting that case temperature lowered.
Could you provide some detail on your case and fan configuration? If you do not have any case fans, one or two can make a world of difference.
But you should have a setting for either an LDT or HTT multiplier - the normal setting is 5X. Lower the setting to 4x or 3x. Also you might also need to drop your Memory ratio from 200mhz (1:1) to 166mhz (5:6). With those changes and a small bump in Vcore to v1.5 - you should hit FSB 250 - 10X - 2.5ghz easily
As long as full load temps stay under 65C your OK.
Thanks for the OC tips, i'll let you know how it goes.
I can understand (since reading that guide) that for getting a nice table of data about your memory and processer you would use them - but for the final build i.e. what you use on a day to day basis; do you stick to 1:1?
I have a 2Gb OCZ PC4000 kit (or I will next week) its rated according to the website at DDR500 at 3-4-3-8 timings.
Would I be better off in the quest for higher clockrates for my Opty 170 (also next week) going up to the mem rated maximum 1:1 or would I get better performance with a memory divider and pushing the processor harder?
I know this is very much down to the individual bits - but I would appreciated more experienced comments. (By that I mean more than me!)
Look- I'm not going to pull any puches here- 48C at idle stock settings is wrong. Very wrong! 45C is not much better. I'm OCing my Opty 170 2.7GHz AT FULL LOAD at 52C with a motherboard temp of 35C (96F). My room temp is 84.
I would double-check and open up my case and put some air on it with a house fan and see if that doesn't improve things. If so, improve your air circulation. 44C motherboard temp is way high. An agressive OC could get too high.
I would not do a single thing more than stock settings until this is straightened out.
Jumperfree configuration
AI Overclocking Manual
CPU FSB Frequency 250 (start at this and only raise this value after testing for stability)
SB to NB Overclock Manual
SB to NB Frequency 200
Adjust PCIE Frequency 100
PEG link mode Normal
Over-voltage cpu vcore Enabled
Over-voltage NB vcore Enabled
Over-voltage SB vcore Enabled
Over-voltage Hypertransport Enabled
DDR VCORE 2.7
FID/VID Change Manual
Processor Frequency Multiplier: Max
Processor Voltage 1.325 (this gives you around 1.5 with overvoltage option enabled)
DDR Clock Skew Auto
Disable ECC
Memory Configuration
Memclock mode Limit
Memclock value 133
Timing mode Manual
CAS Latency 3
TRAS 5
TRP 2
TRCD 3
TRRD 3T
TRC 11
TRFC 16
TRWT 3 CLK
MCT Extra timing mode Manual
TREF 15.6
TWCL 1
R/W Queue Bypass 8
Bypass Max 4
Idle cycle limit 16
Dynamic idle counter Enabled
DDR driving strength Normal
Enable 32-byte Granularity Disabled
TWR 3 CLK
DDR input strobe skew Disabled
DDR Data driving strength: Default
User config mode Manual
Read Preamble 9.5ns
Asyc Latency 11.0ns
Bank Interleaving Auto
Burst length 4 beats
Hardware memory hole Disabled
Chipset
K8 to NB Frequency 3X
K8 to NB linkwidth 16/16
SB to NB frequency 3X
SB to NB Linkwidth 16/16
Thats 10X250=2500 mhz and a good ground to start on. Memory is running low for now, but we'll deal with that later.
Changed all the settings that you suggested and its now running 2500, still testing stability, and now its idle'n at 51C with the case open. Close the case and it rises to 54C
Could there be anything else that may be keeping these temps so high? And is 51-54C idle at 2500 reasonable or just way to high? This is all with the stock HSF.
Load is 58C.....
Picture : http://azn-rin.com/idle.jpg
I honestly dont know what kind of case it is. I got it from Fry's about a year ago. It is an all alum case, 2 intake fans, 2 out. Clear side with a fan, but that fan is not on. All cables are wrapped and ran very well, airflow should be great. I dont know what i'm doing wrong...
My numbers were based on my ASUS A8R32-MVP. Maybe it's the A8N32. However, my other AMD based ASUS boards (A7N8Xs) have only overclocked Bartons reporting this high idle.
My main concern is that an agressive OC- like 2.7 or higher with overvoltage (like someone may suggest) could push this over 65C. My board went delta 20-25C loaded @2.75-8 over mobo temp- we're pushing over 70C with where he's at.
mdalegre- it's your CPU. But before I go beyond what's suggested- I'd let the Arctic Silver set a couple of days and maybe try a loaded condition with Prime 95- watching that temperature closely. If you start going past 65C, I'd end the Prime95 session and go with a lower OC.
Still ... this just doesn't ...
Different mobos give different temp readings. Also the codes on the A64 and Opterons tell you that AMD allows Max operating temps of 63-70C depending in the CPU. Also I have been running Dual Core Opterons & A64s since AMD began selling them last year. My DFI Ultra-D (14 months old) runs my 6 month old Opteron 165 @ 2.5ghz HTT278 v1.50.
On its stock heatpipe cooler ide temps were in the high 30s, low 40s. Full load temps ranged between 58-65C. As the heatsink got dusty temps climbed into the low 70s. I recently changed to AMD's newest 4 pipe heatsink and temps are now Idle 38C - Load 55C
As I said before, if its stable and the Full load temp is <65C - dont worry about it.
Thanks for your input! I have decided to keep mine at 2300 until i need more from my PC. Everyone has been such great help. Lovin my Opt 170 =)
If you want to try another brand of premium air cooling, the Scythe Ninja and the Thermaltake Big Typhoon are both great choices, but are tall as hell and may give you problems with clearance in your case. The Thermalright XP90-C is also up there with the BT and Ninja in performance and isn't nearly as tall as the other 2, but to really perform you need a fan that puts out good static pressure too. Sidewindercomputers has 92mm Delta FFB0912HHE fan that would be a great choice, as it is the quietest of the 92mm FFB series. They also have a Delta EFB0912LE triple blade fan, which also looks to be a great choice for the XP90-C and quieter than a FFB. As a matter of fact, I think I am going to order the 92mm triple blade for my XP90-C and replace my Zalman 9500 with it in my main rig (clearance issues with the 9500 and my case side).
As far as your case temps go, if the reading that Asus Probe is giving is accurate then you definitely need to do something as that is way too high and is most probably your main cooling problem. Have you tried removing the side cover off the case and see if your mobo temp drops significantly? If not, then try that and see what the temps do. If they drop significantly then you will need to upgrade your case fans to something that moves more air and also check for obstructions that might be trapping stagnant air around the cpu area.
One other point, not about your rig but about posting images. If you can, shrink your posted images down a bit before linking to them as an image like you linked to makes it much harder to read a thread, since you have to scroll back and forth to read the posts. I'm running a 19" flat panel at 1280 X 1024 and I have to scroll back and forth to read the posts in this thread due to the extreme width of the image you linked to.