Unlocking Multiplier

[ajbrun]

I've been told (on another thread) that the muliplier setting thing (I'm new to this) on my XP 2600 CPU is locked. I would like to know if there is any way to unlock it.

In case you need it, here is a page with my processor on:

XP 2600

Thanks

[ajbrun]

I've heard about shorting pins on the CPU and something about "L1". But I don't really want to be messing about with the hardware in case a make a HUGE mistake. Can the bios or something else change the "locked" status?

[CrapshoT]

What mobo do you have?what is your multiplier locked at?have you got the codes off your cpu handy?
I'm sure you have to connect a couple of bridges with a pencil line.
try here http://www.ocinside.de/go_e.html?/ht..._painting.html

[ajbrun]

My motherboard is a MSI K7N2 Delta-L SKT A 8xAGP DDR400 Nforce2 6ch Sound LAN USB 2.0 Motherboard

It's locked at 11.5 and I don't know what these CPU codes are - should I?

I really don't want to be drawing pencil lines anywhere if it can be helped in case something goes wrong.

[CrapshoT]

what memory do you have and have you tried raising your fsb in your bios?

[ajbrun]

I have raise my FSB, but I don't know how much it is safe to raise it to. Is it however much the memory/mobo/CPU can hold?

[Zak33]

I THINK that the cpu you have there is set as high as it will go

Its a Thorobred core, and they went to a maximum of 12.5 x multiplier....to get it to go UP to 13 or higher wuold involve a little bit of work and some luck, with silver paint to close some bridges...or maybe with a knife to Cut a bridge.

Multipliers work in binary.....so lets say 5 bridges, some closed some open, in different combos right up to a maximum amount of permutations...THEN another bridge needs adjusting for the next lot above (so 13 x and higher)

might not be worth it to be honest...that core might only go a tad higher and its a lot to risk for not a lot of speed.

As said before, maybe raise the Front Side Bus with better memory speeds

[ajbrun]

OK, but i can still raise the FSB up more. It's at 166 now, and I think it'll go up to 200 (I think those figures are right). Is it safe to bring it up more?

NOW - 11.5 * 166 = 1.92 GHz
MAYBE - 11.5 * 200 = 2.30 GHz

Is this safe - i think it would be because I have a 400 MHz mobo and memory, yes or no?

The memory is 1 x 512MB DDR PC3200 400MHz + Alum. heat spreader (branded Geil) (the link might not work - it didn't in my browser)

[myth]

You can buy trace tape that will unlock the mutiplier! they coast like $5 dollars! I'll post a link soon...

Edit: foud one but wont work on your model... There are newer ones.. But it will take me a while to find one..

This is the stuff I was thinking about..

http://www.xoxide.com/cputracetape.html

I need to find the newer pin ones... err where did I dee them at

[ajbrun]

Does that involve taking off the heatsink and stuff because it's attched on quite tight, and I'd rather not be going taking it on and off.

Will my above suggestion work, or don't I have good enough parts for that?

[myth]

Does that involve taking off the heatsink and stuff because it's attched on quite tight, and I'd rather not be going taking it on and off.

Will my above suggestion work, or don't I have good enough parts for that?

If you wish to unlock the multiplyer .... Yes!

Edit: well I'm not an AMD fan.. So I cant coment on the parts.. Is it stable? Does it hold well under strees?

Edit 2: http://www.the-console-corner.com/tw...verclocker.htm

[ajbrun]

Hang on, I think I've found what I'm looking for. I've just looked in the mobo manual, and it says this:

CPU Ratio/CPU Vcore Select
The settings are used to adjust the CPU clock mutipiler (ratio) and CPU core voltage (Vcore). These settings offer users a tool to overclock the system.

MSI Reminds You...
Changing the CPU Ratio/Vcore could result in the instability of the system; therefore, it is NOT recomended to change the default setting for long term usage.

Is this what I need to change to change the mutiplier, and is it safe (see MSI warning)?

[Zak33]

it is what you need...but that cpu wont go higher on the multiplier...I'm sure it wont.

It might SHOW in BIOS as 13x and 13.5 x...in fact I'd bet money on them showing...BUT next to them will be some LOWER numbers....

your chip will either do the higher or the lower...my money, sadly, is on the lower ones...

so you'll get a lower speed CPU not a higher one.

Next....FSB..yes the memory is good for it....BUT the motherboard might not and same for the CPU.

IN FACT this is what to do.....

move the multiplier DOWN from 12.5 (which is what its on to be a 2600) down to 10.

that gives you a DROP in CPU speed from 12.5x166 = 2075 (thats an AMD XP2600) to a 1600 speed (10x166)

THEN raise the fsb gently....run it for a while...then a bit more....

so 10x175
then 10x180 .....

se if its stable.

Some chips wont do 200 FSB...nor will some mobo's.

and IF it crashes or gets unstable BELOW the 2000 cpu speed that we know it will reach at 166 fsb, then you have to decide which is better....

a higher fsb...or a higher clock speed

Dontcha LOVE PC's ?

[Rave]

He has a Barton 2600, not a Tbred. There's a good chance it's 'superlocked' if he bought it recently- that means you can't adjust multis in the bios. He may well be able to get the FSB up close to 200 if the CPUs a good 'un, though.

Rich :¬)

[ajbrun]

OK, but I'm sure the mutiplier is set at 11.5 right now because I've changed the FSB a few times, and from the amount of GHz is gave me, I worked out the mulitplier.

[BUFF]

If your XP2600 was made after about week 40 of 2003 then it is "superlocked" & you can't change the multiplier.
You can however, raise the fsb & most Bartons will do 200fsb as long as supporting hardware can also cope. You may also have to raise the Vcore to hit 11.5x200 & that will increase heat output so make sure that your cooling is up to it.

Barton 0.13 Micron Cache Size = L1-128KB & L2 - 512KB = 640KB
Model Name PR Rating Actual MHz multiplier FSB V-Core Thermal Power Max Temp
Athlon XP 2500+ 2500 1833 MHz 11 x 333 1.65 v 53.7 W 85c
Athlon XP 2600+ 2600 1917 MHz 11.5 x 333 1.65 v 53.7 W 85c
Athlon XP 2800+ 2800 2086 MHz 12.5 x 333 1.65 v 53.7 W 85c
Athlon XP 3000+ 3000 2167 MHz 13 x 333 1.65 v 58.4 W 85c
Athlon XP 3200+ 3200 2200 MHz 11 x 400 1.65 v 60.4 W 85c