Hi all,first of all, here's my specs:AMD Athlon 3000+ (333MHz FSB)Asus A7N8X Deluxe1024MB PC2700 RAM (Kingston)Enermax 460W PSRadeon 9700 ProAfter having gotten my graphics card to run stable at 9800 speeds, I have now turned my attention to the CPU. Here, I ran into some problems - while the CPU runs quite happily at the default voltage (1.65V) if I increase the FSB speed, it doesn't do so if I increase the multiplier. As I'd prefer to run the CPU and RAM in sync, and overclocking the RAM is likely to lead to disaster, I would have to overclock the CPU multiplier only. At the default VCore voltage, it would only go up one notch from 13 to 13.5, giving me an increase from 2.16GHz to 2.25GHz clock speed. However, if I increase the voltage, it will go higher - at 1.7V it ran quite stable at 2.4GHz (14.5 multiplier), albeit with a notable increase in operating temperature.So, the question is, how much can I safely increase the voltage without drastically reducing the CPU's life (I'd like it to run for another year or so)?The next question is, how much of a temperature fluctuation is acceptable? As an example, at stock speed, my CPU normally runs at around 53-55 degrees Celsius and stays there, no matter what I do, or how long the computer is on. When I ran it at 2.4GHz with increased voltage, it started at 56 degrees and after half an hour of running Photoshop, FS, 3DMark, Antivirus and browser (all at the same time), it was up to 62 degrees. At default speed, this onslaught has no effect on temperature, so should I be worried about that as well?Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Cheers,Gosta. http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Gosta,These are the specs for your CPU:Athlon XP model number: 3000+Cache Size: L1 - 128KB and L2 - 512KB = 640KB Total CacheFrequency / Bus / Multiplier: 2.167GHz / 333FSB / 13.0x multiplierInfrastructure Support: Socket A motherboardsProcess Technology: 0.13 micron copper process technology Die Size: 101mm^2Approximate Transistor count: 54.3 millionNominal Voltage: 1.65VMax Die Temp: 85 degrees CelsiusTypical Thermal Power: 58.4 WMax Thermal Power: 74.3 WAs you can see the max die temp for it is 85c. Would I run it at that? Absolutely not. As far as voltages go, the safest way to up your Vcore is to do it in the smallest increments allowed by your MB until you reach the point of stability. I have seen Vcore voltages as high as 1.8+ but this is with very good aftermarket cooling.The AMD HSF combos are not the best in the world. Invest in a good HSF combo before going any higher or farther than you are right now.Why not try the FSB OC? The main purpose behind OC'ing is to achieve Max performance. By only OC'ing the Mult. your not really increasing your bandwidth any. The performance gains would be greatest with a Mult. and FSB OC. FSB OC would be my second choice and a multiplier OC would be my last.Like I said the XP are VERY heat stability related. You'll probably find that with a high quality HS and some Ceramique from AS, your XP3000+ will run a 14.5 Mult. at stock voltages due to the temp drop.Bobby

Hi Bobby,thanks for your advice, it's much appreciated.The reason why I didn't try FSB overclocking is the RAM. I upgraded my computer bit by bit, so after I got my current motherboard and RAM, I ran it with an Athlon 1GHz for a while. I found that I got the best performance by running RAM and CPU in sync, as opposed to running them at their stock speeds (200MHz CPU and 333MHz RAM). Eventually, I overclocked it to around 1.3GHz, by changing both FSB and multiplier as you suggested. There were no problem, as the RAM was still not running at full power (no temperature issues either, but I used third-party cooling). So, the question is - how well will the RAM cope with increased FSB speed? Increasing the FSB only on the CPU seemed to have no discernable effect on temperature at stock voltage (I didn' go very far, though), so I'd definitely like to follow your suggestion, provided the RAM can handle being overclocked as well...Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

G,I can't tell you how well the ram will cope w an increase in FSB. Kingston is funny. I've had some that run like a scalded cat and some that were just plain C***. Try it and see. I believe you can up the DDR voltage with that MB correct?. If so try upping the voltage a tad along with the FSB increase and see what you get. Keep upping till you run into trouble than back it down 2 Mhz. At this point you know the limits of the ram. Than go in and up your Mult. in steps till you run into trouble. Back it down by a half and that's your OC limit with your current cooling and Mem.The 3000+ are nice and will take a nice OC. The issue is heat. An alpha or the new Coolermaster Blower type fans work extremely well when paired with some ceramique from AS. For about $35 US you could pick up a CM and some Cer. From Newegg and probably run it at 2.4 at or near stock temps.I run something similiar for my P4 and it dropped CPU temps 12 Degrees at idle with AS Ceramique.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/43830.jpgKeep in touchBobby

Hi Bobby,I'll try that. Maybe I can convince my wife to pick up some new cooling fan on her way home :).Yes, I can change the DDR voltage with the mobo. At the moment, it will go to 170MHz and 13.5 multiplier at stock voltage, before it reaches my self-imposed limit of 60 degrees. Cheers,Gosta. http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Hi Gosta,Like you, I'm using an A7N8X. Mine is Rev 2.0. I agree with all that Bobby has suggested here.I have my 2400XP running at 2700 speed (13.0 x 167). Good cooling and memory are what did it for me. I was running some Crucial PS2700 until I went to the Corsair a few weeks ago. The Crucial just would not get it done for me.I'm still running the Coolermaster Heat Pipe that I bought 18 months ago. I'm planning on upgrading to the 200Mhz Barton 3000 in a few weeks (waiting for the price to dip below $200.00 :-) ), and will also purchase a new heatsink at that time. The new Zalman looks very good, as do the Swiftech and Thermalright heatsinks in the $35.00-$50.00 range. I'm using an 80mm fan on my present heatsink, but I'll definately be going to a 92mm fan on the next heatsink. My goal in all my systems is to keep CPU temp under 50C under load. My challenge is related to my Lian-Li case... it's a mid-size, and I'm limited by how close the PSU is to the CPU socket.One thing you want to check in your BIOS is the AGP frequency... make sure you leave it at 66Mhz. The A7N8X/ATI combo just doesn't like seeing an increase in the frequency (not that there's a lot to be gained with an increase). Loosening up your RAM timimgs should help your efforts, too.I'm running my CPU Vcore at 1.725v and my memory at 2.7v. No problems there.I'll be following your progess with your overclock... I can learn how to do it when I receive the new CPU.Sys spec:AMD 2400XP @ 2700ASUS A7N8X Rev 2.0 1005 BIOS1Gig Corsair XMS PC3200 (stock timimgs)ATI 9700 Pro 350/330 Omega 2.4.96bMaxtor 40GB 7200 ATA133Sony 52x24x52 CD-RWIomega 100Mb ZipLian-Li w/Antec 430W TruePowerWinXP Home w/ SP1And a sweet flying FS!

Hi Greg,I think I'll get myself a good cooling fan. Fortunately I have a full-size case, so room shouldn't be a problem. Until then, I think I'll better play it safe - 2.3GHz isn't too bad with stock voltage and cooling :).I'll let you know how I get on, once I got the new fan.Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Welcome to s most addictive club boy's. Nice OC Soar :) G, even at 60 your still fine for a temp run. I would have to say to prevent shortening the life of the CPU stay under 65 under full load.Keep me posted boys.Bobby

When I was running my XP 2100+ I was running it at 1.8v. That was with the use of Artic Silver 3 & a Swiftech MCX460 Heatsink w/ 80MM delta. I found my overclock increased when I added a Zalman NB cooler to the NB. I could get a few Mhz more out of my FSB.

Hi Guys,I just did a flight from Paris to New York in the PSS/POSKY Airbus and the system remained stable throughout. I followed Bobby's suggestion and set the CPU temperature maximum at 65 degrees in the mobo monitor (I set the motherboard temperature to 40 degrees). When I finished the flight after about 4 hours (I used accelerated time over the pond and watched SNL :)), the CPU was at 61 degrees. So I guess I'll get some new cooling devices and see how far it can go. I'll let you know how I get on.Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Yesterday I added a Thermalright SLK947-U to my 2400XP running at 2700. I had been running a Coolermaster Copper Heat Pipe with a 80mm fan for the past year and a half. It did well, but this new heatsink and fan are amazing.I benched the Coolermaster before making the change. Checked all temps in the BIOS. Under load at 22C room temp the Coolermaster set-up showed a MB temp of 28C and CPU temp of 42-45C. The fan moved 35CFM at 2700 RPM and 35Db.I looked at the base of the SLK before installing, and wasn't all that happy with the surface finish. It is very good, but could be better. I used a Mitutoyo profilometer to check surface roughness at 16-20 RMS. I then started lapping. Took an hour, but when I was done the surface came in at 3-5 RMS. It looked like a mirror, with absolutely no machining marks. I used Artic Silver Ceramique during the install, and had none of the space problems with my Lian-Li mid tower that originally concerned me.At 22C room temp the new Sanyo-Denki 92mm fan moves 55CFM at 2900 RPM and 36Db. Under load I'm seeing 31-34C for the CPU! This mod was well worth the $60.00US it cost me.Cool is the rule!!

Hi Greg,very cool indeed! I'll keep that one in mind when I go to buy a new fan. At the moment though, the priority is to get our distinctly uncool car fixed before tomorrow :)...Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Greg,Just to help give you maybe a different perspective on the bang for the buck...take your new cooler back if you can and put the money towards a less than $100 XP2500-barton as it will overclock very easily to 2.2 with stock cooling and usually without touching the voltage at all. Most XP2500's will do 200x11 all day long, a real bargain.PS. If you do a lot of benchmarking with real aps. you will find AMD systems and chipsets are a bit more hungry for faster and tuned memory timings like 2-2-2-5 etc. vs. faster FSB that P4 systems like and then you balance that with all the extra heat noise and shortened life as well as the possibility of lost data

"...take your new cooler back if you can and put the money towards a less than $100 XP2500-barton as it will overclock very easily to 2.2 with stock cooling and usually without touching the voltage at all."Naw, Paul, I'm keeping that big *** heatsink and it's big *** fan! It's been polished and lapped to perfection. And it all works just the way I want it to on my system.I am buying one the 2500 Bartons next month. Gonna drop it and an A7N8X w/ 512Mb of fast memory into my wife's computer. I'll start it out at stock speed, and next year when she wants a faster computer I'll just start cranking on the system. :-) And she'll be a happy camper.

Well... Newegg had the 3000 Barton on sale for $199.99 last weekend, so I went ahead and ordered one (along with the 2500 Barton for the boss's computer :-) ).So far so good with the 3000. I have it clocked at 12 x 200. Very stable. Have spent a few hours playing with the FSB and mem timings, but can't get it stable over 205 FSB no matter what multiplier I try. Temps are still good... in FS9 MBM shows 39C CPU and 45C Diode @ 21C room temp.Specs:AMD 3000 XP Barton 400FSB 1.7vThermalright SLK947-U w/ 92mm fan (55CFM at 35db)ASUS A7N8X Rev 2.0 1005 BIOS1Gb Corsair XMS 3200 6,3,3,2 2.7vATI 9700 Pro 350/330 Omega 2.4.96bMaxtor 40Gb 7200 ATA133Sony 52x24x52 CD-RWIomega 100Mb ZipLian-Li w/ Antec 430w TruepowerWin XP Home SP1The tweaking continues...