Struggling

[planetgong]

I am currently playing with my new P4 2.8C setup. I was told when I purchased it that it was a good clocker, so I know if can go upto about 3.5. However, I am struggling to get it past 3.3. I currently have it on 1.7 volts. The RAM is PC4000, so it shouldn't be that holding it back should it?

Do you think it could be my power supply? I have the standard supply that came with my Chieftec Dragon case.

Thanks for any help.
Ben.

[Ethos]

You shouldnt need to be putting 1.7 volts through it at that speed really, check the voltages see how decent they are. Could possibly need a new psu, although depends what else you run in your rig.

[planetgong]

I run.....
Sony DVD writer
CD Rom Drive
Floppy Drive
Athlon 9500
Scanner & Printer via USB
4 case fans
PCI Adsl modem
Standard Modem
1 hard drive

[da_ging]

1 thing about the p4 is that you may well get a better overclock with lower volt increases ,the higher the volts the worse the overclock in some cases so back it down to say 1.550 and try it their as it really shouldnt need anything as high as 1.7 untill its approaching 4ghz

also what motherboard do you have and what r the psu specs/size ?

also what temps u getting?

[planetgong]

Hi there. My mobo is an IC7 Max3. My temps range from 40c(idle) to 58c(under load-very high I know)

The PSU is the one that comes with the Chieftec Dragon case. Don't know anymore about it really! What info would you like?

[Ethos]

58c loaded for a P4 is more than fine, they dont start throttling till ~69c

When you say your struggling what exactly happens, will it not boot at all.. or does it crash?

[streetster]

I run.....
Sony DVD writer
CD Rom Drive
Floppy Drive
Athlon 9500

athlon 9500 then? sounds good,

try setting the multiplier/divider on the ram to check that the ram works fine at 500mhz with the p4 at default clocks - not sure if you have to put 2.7/2.8 volts through the ram to acheive those speeds tho.. if it works fine at 500mhz ddr then i'm guessing you've reached the limit of the CPU.

mark

[Korky]

da_gings got it right there, my m8 "had" a 3.2c on the prommie and it did 4.2ghz, raising the vcore either didnt help 1mhz or ended up making it less stable at that speed :S

[Platinum]

Also consider that you may have hit the chips limit on that cooling, the old 2.8 I had on a IC7 MAX 3 toped out at 3.3GHz on water.

[Rythmic]

Probably already done this, but have you made sure that your PCI bus is locked? Also I've seen onboard sound cause probs - disable it for now.

Chieftec PSUs are normally absolutely fine, as are your temps. Abit's have a tendency to overestimate temps (where asus tend to underestimate - go figure...)

[planetgong]

58c loaded for a P4 is more than fine, they dont start throttling till ~69c

When you say your struggling what exactly happens, will it not boot at all.. or does it crash?

Prime95 conks out after about 5 minutes.

And I meant Radeon 9500

[planetgong]

Right tried what everyone has suggested, and still no luck. Temps are fine, and as the guy I bought the chip from said it was a good clocker, it must be either my RAM or my PSU I guess.

Ben.

[Mulda]

How much memory do you have and which version of Prime?

Versions of Prime below 23.8 can give false errors with 1Gb (or more) of RAM present.

Also, it could be the chipset - try it with GAT turned off (auto).

[planetgong]

How much memory do you have and which version of Prime?

Versions of Prime below 23.8 can give false errors with 1Gb (or more) of RAM present.

Also, it could be the chipset - try it with GAT turned off (auto).

I've got 1gb of RAM. Not sure what version of Prime I have, I will have to check when I get home.

What's GAT?

[Rythmic]

Think he means PAT

[planetgong]

Ok. What's PAT?