(Posted at Gamefaqs as well)

I just built a computer, and the specs are:

Operton 165
ASUS A8N-SLI
OCZ Platinum 1GB [## CL 2-3-2-5 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) ]
eVGA 7800GT (haven't bother overclocking this...yet.)


On my CPU, I have a Zalman CNPS9500. I'm using an Antec P180 case, and a 460W Enermax PSU.


So, I'm trying to overclock it right now. I have never tried before. I currently have this really stupid settings:

CPU: 2860Mhz (357 x8)
CPU Voltage: 1.5v (is this too high?)
RAM: 180Mhz - 3.0v(nice..I want to get this back to 200Mhz+, but computer won't boot when I raise the divider from 200Mhz to 266Mhz)

Pictures of my CPU-Z:








My temperatures are 34C idle, and I haven't tested while playing a game. I'll test Quake 4 in a second...


How much should I expect to get out of this Opteron 165?
How should I get the RAM back up to 200Mhz(or should I go farther?)


Any suggestions/criticisms/etc are greatly welcome! This is my first time overclocking.

Im on MSN or Yahoo now and have time if you would like some live help

patdelaney36@yahoo.com

I'll edit this if you don't have time.

EDIT:

Raise that Multiplier to 9x and drop the FSB to achieve 2.6~2.8GHZ, I doubt you will get much farther than that once you have truely tested it's stability, unless you have a very good core.

1.5v should be fine if it stays under 50c with both cores loaded (Try Prime 95 and Folding@Home) but you will be shocked how much the temps rise once the second core kicks in!

Motherboard review with Bios pics

http://anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2589


I don't know if your memory will handle much more than 250-270FSB 1 to 1, you might be stuck with a divider, depnding on how high the CPU will clock.

You will want probably 3.2v if it's BH-5 (I'm pretty sure thats what it is) my BH-5 will run CAS 2-2-2-7 at up to 250FSB with 3.2v, and 270FSB with 3.6v (DFI LP only has that voltage option)

Try runing 2.5-3-3-7 or 3-4-4-8 with 2.8~2.9v if its TCCD based,

The NB Chipset and LDT voltage should be raised also, Asus does not allow much of a increase, so it should be fine to max them out.

LDT ratio should be 4x for up to 250FSB and 3x for up to 333FSB
(Stock is 5x200FSB=1000HTT, you want it to stay under 1000)

My X2 with 1.55v hits about 40 degrees full load on that 9500...you should be fine with that amount of voltage.

Run more voltage on the RAM (if it's BH5), and also, try loosening the timings for a higher 1:1 overclock. BH5 isn't exactly the best when it comes to clock speeds, but damn can it run tight timings if you tweak it right. RAM dividers may be required if you go over 250FSB 1:1.

2.86 is a VERY nice overclock! I should probably upgrade...