Well with the x2 put out to pasture I figured I'd start a new post to chronicle/ask for help with my new progect.
Here are the new specs:
Asus a8n-sli (the premium board is in RMA)
AMD skt 939 "Venice" 3500+ cooled with a Zalman 9500
1gb Corsair XMS "Pro" PC3200 (3-3-3-8)
(2) BFG 7900gt SLI


Well I took 5 min when I dropped my new processor in to overclock it (sad isn't it when I don't even run a new processor stock even once... )So here is where I currently sit:
CPU: 2976mhz @1.55v (Stable for games, I have to drop it to 2.95 to get it to run for any time in Prime95)
Ram: 420mhz (2-3-2-6) @ 2.9v
HT: 3x (little over 800mhz)
and of course my cards are overclocked to 550/1600, but they aren't really too important for this thread.

I haven't run any real benchmarks, just super Pi, ended up at (oddly enough) 33.5 seconds, my best time with the x2 at her prime.. I feel good things coming with this 3500+

I've been doing some serious thinking about volt mods for my mobo, and I may well end up trying to solder on a 1k ohms pot some time soon. (Man I want more than 1.55vcore!!!) So if anyone has any info on some soft mods (non-soldering) I would really appreciate it. AiBooster taunts me with options of vcore up to 1.65v, of course it doesn't actually work, and freezes when I hit apply.

Oddly my temps have been excelent, I switched my BT out for this Zalman purely on size, the BT with my Silverstone 120 fan on it were too tall to come out with my mobo tray in one piece (had to remove the fan from the heatsink EVERY time I pulled out the mobo tray.) But even with the IHS on and an un-lapped base, the zally is keeping my temps at load around 45-46c, a good degree or two BELOW the BT on the X2. I'm attributing this to the extra heat from dual cores. I may end up lapping/ removing and replacing the IHS on this 3500+ if I do the volt mod, I'm really hoping I can get it stable over 3ghz. I've had it half assed stable at 3ghz, but it freezes after a bit of CS:S, and windows starts having some troubles (any one else get the screensaver coming on in 10 sec instead of 10 min?!) I'm pretty confident that with more voltage I could get it up there.


*** Edit ***
I'm installing Photshop now, so I'll finaly be able to re-size my screen captures to resonable sizes for you normal people that don't dig 1600X1200 (also keeps those sizes down.) Photos on the way.

Good job with what you have done so far. Luckily you got the venice core and not the clawhammer. I have the clawhammer and with a Zalman 7000AlCu I hit a brick wall because of heat. I 'm sure if I got a new HSF I could get further...

Glitterkil has a board like that I think, and he did something (Not completely sureabout this though) to it that got him to a higher vcore.

Just click on his profile, and find all the threads he has started, I think it was using an X-2 3800 CPU too.

Or just do a search for you motherboard model number.

Also try xtremesystems, and do a search by your model number there..maybe add "Volt mods" if you get too many results.

Here ya go..have fun digging!

XtremeSystems Forums - Search Results

I expect to see some scores posted in the HWBOT threads too Mr.

We need to have some more heavy hardware up there to help boost out team ranking!

Oh..and yes, dual core CPU's run waaaay hotter!

Oh, and get image resizer from this thread, way quicker than photoshop for quicky posts!

http://forums.pcapex.com/anything_go...ctures_at.html

Yeah I've pretty well exausted the google search (only results come from soldering the pot, or using clockgen, which I have, but has nothing to indicate voltage increases.) Thanks for the image resizer tip!

Yeah..check out that Xxtremesystems link, they may have something..or maybe even VRZONE has a guide for it if you dig..maybe check the forums too..get good at using the forums search!

VR-Zone : Technology Beats - Guides


And you will love this link..almost every tool u will need for benching is in there, make sure you check out Sys Tool, it is an all in one OC ultility!

http://forums.pcapex.com/other_oc_ha...ollection.html

Weeeell It's running stableish at 3.0 now, stable enough for me to get some super pi times in, but my memory is holding me back. I don't really know enough to know what I should tweak to get more bandwith. I'm still in the 3000-4000 range in sisandra, which looks pretty lame compared to all the rest of the scores built in to sisandra. What can I do to increase bandwith? Is this a Mobo issue? The CPU is new, so I don't think that's the trouble, and the ram has bounced back to hitting past 198 (highest I could get it stable on my X2) I just did some testing on my PSU because I've been kinda worried it might be a trouble, but I haven't found any results online yet, once I do I'll let you know how my Enermax stacks up. Here are the OCCT graphs (I ran it at 2800mhz, I wanted it to actually PASS OCCT, I know 3000mhz would fail real quick, I can barely run super Pi at those speeds, but it did cut a full second off my time resulting in my best yet: 32.256sec!):

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Capt_cope, what PSU are you using for all of this, cause the tolerance on your rails maybe what is not allowing you to remain stable at 2.95GHz, also Its time to get H2O cooling, I can do 2.6Ghz on air with my 3500+(prior core to Venice) and 2.86GHz on my H2O cooling. This was done with the OCZ 520w PSU.

~Bob

Well I'm running an Enermax 535W (doesn't have a cool name like "noisetaker" or "liberty") And as to H2O... Hell no I won't go! First and foremost H2O costs too damn much to start out, it costs more to maintain, and if I manage (and belive me when I am involved anything is possible) to screw something up the replacement parts in my computer cost too damn much. And when you weigh all that cost with the *possibility* of slightly cooler temps... not a chance. I'm OCCT and many hours of CS:S stable at 2.96 right now and my load temps are only 48c. If I ever got REALLY concerned about temps I'd put my Big Typhoon/SilverStone 121 combo back on, since that gets far better temps than this zalman does. (As you might be able to tell temps don't scare me after my X2 3800 OC, That beast got HOT compared to this single core, and I got that bad boy up to 2.85 stable and could hit 3ghz for cpuz, all with the temps under 50c on my Big Typhoon.) *I just re-read this, and while it sounds kinda confrontational I don't know how else to say it, even though I appreciate your input. Not trying to start an argument, just showing my stance.*


A quick update on the ram situation: I've got it running nice and stable at 424mhz, nothing spectacular, but far better than before (and this is with both processors) suprisingly even at the wall, speed wise, I can drop the timings to 2-3-2-5 and my load/Pi times have gotten back down (about 32sec. for both processors)

My newwest project for the 3500+ computer is my video cards, I've replaced the stock coolers with some lightly modified TT fanless heatpipe coolers. They are kinda crappy but the temps aren't terrible (considering it's passive and they are running SLI) But the price was right ($15 for both NIB) I had to dremel off a couple chunks where my SLI bridge sits. I can't even describe how nice and quiet this rig has gotten, from switching out my silverstone (GREAT fan, but it's LOUD at 2400 rpm) and ditching both those stock 7900 coolers, they sounded like two rc cars racing and the temps were still roughly equivilent to my passive solution.

Ok just had one freaky experience. I just dropped my Big Typhoon on my 3500+ to see how much lower the temps would be (a whole lot) and after checking temps in OCCT I decided to play some CS:S. Here's where it got funky. My computer has started speed hacking, I know for a fact noone but me has touched my computer, there are no actual programs running any hacks, but everything in game was faster (execpt for other players) it's like my speed limiter was removed or something (I had my friend get in game to verify it wasn't just me and my computer acting funky, he confirmed I was moving faster than anyone else, and my weapons were in fact fireing faster) I just re-booted to see if it went away, but in the event that it hasnt... anyone have any ideas short of re-installing windows?

Quote: Originally Posted by capt_cope Well I'm running an Enermax 535W (doesn't have a cool name like "noisetaker" or "liberty") And as to H2O... Hell no I won't go! First and foremost H2O costs too damn much to start out, it costs more to maintain, and if I manage (and belive me when I am involved anything is possible) to screw something up the replacement parts in my computer cost too damn much. And when you weigh all that cost with the *possibility* of slightly cooler temps... not a chance. I'm OCCT and many hours of CS:S stable at 2.96 right now and my load temps are only 48c. If I ever got REALLY concerned about temps I'd put my Big Typhoon/SilverStone 121 combo back on, since that gets far better temps than this zalman does. (As you might be able to tell temps don't scare me after my X2 3800 OC, That beast got HOT compared to this single core, and I got that bad boy up to 2.85 stable and could hit 3ghz for cpuz, all with the temps under 50c on my Big Typhoon.) *I just re-read this, and while it sounds kinda confrontational I don't know how else to say it, even though I appreciate your input. Not trying to start an argument, just showing my stance.* A quick update on the ram situation: I've got it running nice and stable at 424mhz, nothing spectacular, but far better than before (and this is with both processors) suprisingly even at the wall, speed wise, I can drop the timings to 2-3-2-5 and my load/Pi times have gotten back down (about 32sec. for both processors) My newwest project for the 3500+ computer is my video cards, I've replaced the stock coolers with some lightly modified TT fanless heatpipe coolers. They are kinda crappy but the temps aren't terrible (considering it's passive and they are running SLI) But the price was right ($15 for both NIB) I had to dremel off a couple chunks where my SLI bridge sits. I can't even describe how nice and quiet this rig has gotten, from switching out my silverstone (GREAT fan, but it's LOUD at 2400 rpm) and ditching both those stock 7900 coolers, they sounded like two rc cars racing and the temps were still roughly equivilent to my passive solution. Ok just had one freaky experience. I just dropped my Big Typhoon on my 3500+ to see how much lower the temps would be (a whole lot) and after checking temps in OCCT I decided to play some CS:S. Here's where it got funky. My computer has started speed hacking, I know for a fact noone but me has touched my computer, there are no actual programs running any hacks, but everything in game was faster (execpt for other players) it's like my speed limiter was removed or something (I had my friend get in game to verify it wasn't just me and my computer acting funky, he confirmed I was moving faster than anyone else, and my weapons were in fact fireing faster) I just re-booted to see if it went away, but in the event that it hasnt... anyone have any ideas short of re-installing windows?

Nothing much on the speed hack, other than reinstalling the game, looking for a new patch, checking for a virus, or maybe a run to PCPITSTOP and running the full tests...it sometimes catches odd things you might not think of. Are the motherboard, vid card drivers,and DX-9 up to date?
If you have gotten a few BSOD's when overclocking, it may have borked you windows install like you are suspecting.
Welcome to PC PitStop!

Did the Big Typhoon allow you to get that 3GHZ stable?

I'm with you on the watercooling, I have only seen 50-100MHZ increases over top of the line air cooling, hardly with the expense or hassle unless you demand a dead silent PC.

The ram....what voltage? Does loose timings and increased voltage help getting over that 424MHZ wall? Check out the SPD tab on CPUZ, and possibly try AMD64 tweeker (In my "Ultimate links collection" along with other usefull tools) and what kind of NB voltage and LDT settings are you using?

http://forums.pcapex.com/other_oc_ha...ollection.html

Got pics of your new passive vid card coolers you can post?

Ok lots to respond to: No I'm still not quite stable at 3ghz, prime dies after about half an hour, though my load temps are redicoulous now, even at 2.97 (my DD speed) full load temps never get higher than 42c. and it takes only two minutes to go from 42c back down to 34c (idle temp) As to the ram... I'll try the lower timings again, but I've tried the voltage before and it seems to like lower (2.85-2.95 is where I usually run it) much more than 3.0, even 2.95 makes it kinda grumpy. I've had the timings up to 4-4-4-9 and still couldn't boot past 212mhz, so I have kinda given up until I try my new board and new ram, as it is I've now hit under 32sec. on super pi with this 3500+, my timings are lower than sin, so I'm happy.

I restarted and the speed went away, so I'm all good on that front.
As of yet no pics, but I'll see if I can borrow a digital camera, not that there is much to look at, these are kinda ghetto, I slapped a 120 mm fan (Fit PERFECTLY over the top of them so what the hay) and am able to keep the temps low enough that hours of gaming are no problem. Without a fan the heat tends to build between the cards and the bottom card gets far too hot, fine for browsing and light word editing/ PS work, but for 3dmode I need some more airflow.

Ok..Yeah, watch the voltage levels on the ram, 2.8ish should be plenty, I was just making sure it wasn't at default!

3v or more will probably end up killing it in a short time...

I'd say you have probably gotten about all you can get from that ram, PC3200 doesn't always reach crazy speeds espeically the larger 512MB and 1GB sticks, the default timings I saw you post at the top lead me to believe it's kind of midrange stuff to begin with, so go for the tight timings and don't worry about massive FSB.

And as far as the "Gheto Rig" pics, go..you should see my test rig, it is functional and fast for swapping hardware, I don't realy care what it looks like to an extent....I do have a decent looking Antec case I normally keep looking halfway decent though, and plan on bulding up good looking rig down the road for the hell of it using a Thermaltake Armor case to start with.



Normally this hardware sits in my Antec, but when I sold my 939 DFI and X-2, but I had to play with something until I get my AM-2 DFI setup, Below is my "Daily Driver" settings, and can bench at 2.7GHZ+

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Lol yeah no just the cuts look ghetto, kinda sexy in a big aluminum way, and my stuff is all in my coolermaster praetorian, so I try to keep it as nice looking as possible. Just have to get the measurments to cut a vent in the side window and the case will be done. Yeah I'm thinking the volts killed the ram to an extent, it's mid-range XPS pro (has the sexy LEDs, but it's a 1gb stick) not supposed to be low latency, and it did run at higher speeds, but I had it at 2.95v for a long time, I think that's what did it.

Yepper, anything more than 2.8v on most DDR-1 is going to cause problems over extended periods ,especially Samsung TCCD chips...

The exceptions being some Micron based chips (Around 3v) and of course the legendary BH-5 based stuff can run up to 3.6v with a fan blowing on it.

Got any bh-5 laying around? For a brother in need?

Sold it unfortunately...I hated to, but needed cash for gas and smokes...

EBAY is a good place to find it, but you have to know what your looking for..it shows up in vaue ram ALOT, just have to check the model number and look for the "Dot" in the corner of the chips...can't say for sure what this stuff is below without a better pic and looking up the model number...but ya never know, and for that price (5$)...its not going to be a huge loss!

eBay: Kingston 512MB DDR333 2.5V CL=2 (item 170035984995 end time Oct-10-06 16:55:07 PDT)



My BH-5 came from Kingston Hyper X PC3000...lol
It ran 2-2-2-7 with 3.6v in NF-4 DFi LP with 3.6v!

I searched BH-5 at Xtremesys.org and this is just a fraction of the threads there!

the bh-5/bh-6 legend - XtremeSystems Forums
bh5 steppping database - XtremeSystems Forums
the BIG ode to Winbond BH5 - XtremeSystems Forums
New RAM List!!! (now with 1GB stick listing too) - XtremeSystems Forums
Xtreme Twinmos Memory! - XtremeSystems Forums
New OCZ BH-5 and VX , what to expect - XtremeSystems Forums
OCZ Value VX testing and results - XtremeSystems Forums

Also look for CH-5, very similar to BH-5
CH-5 benchies on Infinity - XtremeSystems Forums

New BH-5???(UTT is supposed to be the re-issue of it)

G.SKILL 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail at Newegg.com (130$)

Quote: Pros: First off no one really knows what type of modules are on these memory . Mainly b/c that is information companies do not like to give out. They are UTT modules though, not sure if they are BH-5 or CH-5. If you take off the heatspreaders and look at the modules very closely you will notice the signature two dotes on the surface of the IC, indicating that these were most definitely made from a Winbond die. Also looking at the serial # you see 8H-5 in the line up. Another indication that these modules are very likely made from the Winbond BH5 die. Cons: If you raise the voltage above you MUST have active cooling on the memory. they get quite hot above 3.0v Other Thoughts: Great for overclocking. Run well really only on voltage higher than 3.0v Timeings I've done: 1.5-2-2-2 @250mhz 2-2-2-0 @ 250mhz My specs. DFI LP UT Ultra-D AMD 3700+ SD @ 3.0ghz (Thats all that really matters)

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Ok I feel really really stupid here. I've bitched, moaned, and bought another processor just because my memory stopped clocking at it's old speed of DDR468. I got bored this morning, dropped my ram to 2.8v, and raised it to a 1/1 ratio. I then proceded to raise my fsb from stock (200) by 2mhz at a time, just for ****s and giggles... I'm now at a fsb of 256, and my ram is still at a 1/1 divider... my ram, which I thought was dead, close to death, or just plain slow is running at ddr 512 @ 3-3-3-8... I'm kinda pissed with myself to be honest, but I suppose you win some and you lose some, let this be a lesson to you new overclockers such as myself... when you think you've hit a brick wall... raise the numbers slowly. Don't know why this worked, but if I started out stock, and raised my fsb straight to 215... it wouldn't boot. Argh. Now to figure out the best divider/fsb/multi to get me back up into the 2.9 range with fast ram. my super pi is still only 32sec, and I had it down to 31 with my ram at ddr 400...

*edit*
I finaly settled on setting a cpu/12 divider and running a fsb of 298, lowering my multi to 10x. This gives me ALMOST ddr 500, while still giving me my 2.98ghz from my 3500+ I just hit my lowest super pi yet (31.015 sec) so I'm pretty happy with my night's work. (Oh yeah my sisandra memory bandwith jumped from 2900 to 3800 as well, can't beat free speed.)

I was thinking about this for a bit..do you have the "Comand Per Clock" (CPC) set to auto?

If so, it may be using "2T" timings, wich are very slow..but stable.

Try setting this manually to "1T" and watch those numbers jump acrossed all the tests!

Necro necro necro... I have never ever ever ever ever left my ram at 2t, I try it briefly now and then to see if I can get more speed, but it isn't any more stable for me, so I allways set it to 1t.

Welll..your missing SOMETHING!

You should EASILY be in the 5-6k range!

Chipset drivers? Dx-9c? Is the ram in "Dual Channel" mode? Cause I can get what you have with my single channel Sempron 754 rig!!!

Are you using the newest Sandra? Is the OS relatively fresh? Got the AMD CPU driver?

I bet if you start from scratch (Reset Bios to defaults) and install a fresh OS with all the proper drivers and all the latest updates, even at stock settings you will do better!