System won't POST with a 200 Mhz FSB

I'm trying to overclocking my AXP 2500+ to a AXP 3200+. However for some reason I can't get my computer to POST using a 200Mhz FSB even with a low CPU Multiplier. I've upped the voltage a little and it hasn't helped.

7.5*200 wouldn't POST
12.5*175 POSTs and boots into Windows fine however I don't want to run a 175 Mhz FSB because I need to run my memory Synchronous.

Specs:
Asus A7N8X Deluxe Version 1.04, BIOS is version 1007
AXP 2500+ AXDA2500DKV4D AQXEA03235PDW
CoolerMaster Aero 7+
Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB
Antec TruePower 430watt
Corsair TWINX-3200LLPT

Would changing the FSB jumper from 333/266 to 200 and using a high CPU multiplier help?

I think it's your motherboard. Version 1 of the A7N8X Deluxe doesn't like 200MHz FSB. Unless there is now a fix (a new BIOS) you might have to upgrade your mobo. :(

You can still run your memory in sync at 175FSB, it just won't be at it's full speed. This would still be better however than using it out of sync.

Maybe your board can't handle 200FSB. I know Zak has the same board and he can't get 200FSB either. I also have the A7N8X 1.04 1005 bios and I can hit 217FSB before it's unstable.

What kind of cooling you using on the Northbridge?

I may try changing the BIOS later on to an earlier version to see if it helps.

well my ram posts gets to booting the os then halts no matter what ram timing i put ether it be optimal, aggressive or safe settings it doesn't work so im getting ram cos i remember reading that rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbishe ram will cause the os to crash on boot if running to agressivly so i'm off to get myself 1 stick of 512mb ocz ram for £85

There have been problems with running the A7N8X Deluxe at 200fsb. wouldnt have thought it was cooling as nf2 boards are meant to run at 200fsb arent they!?

Try changing the jumper setting, as the RAM actualyl is 400mhz, but i dont think it woud hlep.

I had a r1.1 nf7-s, which was slightly better at fsb than the asus one. The best way to get high fsb is to change the nb cooling, making sure the back fo mobo dont get tooo hot. then put chipset votlage as high as you can in bios, if that doesnt help have a look for a vmod for the nb. at max bios voltage i was able to get 210fsb and after vmod i could get 230fsb.

I would also suggest upping Vcore.
If you have to run below 200fsb you can run synch plus you can probably tighten the timings.

Setting it to 200mhz @ 1:1 and run memtest... could be the ram (unlikely but you never know).

I have seen alot of people asking what could be wrong when they are trying to get to 200 FSB with this mobo. It looks like is just wasn't in any way designed to run at 200fsb unfortunately. :(

Lexeus is indeed correct.

In the same scenario to the abit nf7-s, Abit brought 2 revisions of this board out, the latter using the nforce2 400 ultra chipset which allows the fsb to go to crazy speeds such as 225 whereas the first revision usually died off around 200 Mhz.

There is no real way you are going to get the CPU to 3200 Speeds with a 400 Mhz fsb unless you decide to change the motherboard to the lastest revision.

Lee

I've flashed the BIOS from version 1007 to 1004 and successfully POST-ed @ 200FSB.

Windows seems a bit dodgy. It BSOD of me a few minutes ago. Checking the Event log it appear its linked to my graphics card. Do I need to increase the AGP voltage or have a gone a little to far and perhaps need to pull back my FSB a little?

i doubt it would the the graphics card, as the pci/agp clocks are locked at 33/66mhz respectively, so i guess its the fsb :(

mark

I've lowered the CPD multiplier to 7.5. Giving me 1500Mhz. I'll test to see if its stable.

Nope. It wasn't stable. I had to go down to 185Mhz to get it stable for testing. And 178Mhz for stress testing.

I've decided to give up on the overclocking business for now. The gain of a 178Mhz FSB was only around 4% extra performance. Not sure its a price worth paying for the extra 5C of heat it generated :)

I had problems with version 1.0 board upgraded to version 2.0 and no problems