Hey all. I was messin around with my BIOS config last night and this morning, trying to get a bit more performance out of my machine. I am runnning a MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum mobo with a 3500+ venice. The ram is OCZ Performance PC3200 (3-3-3-8 @ 200mHz). After reading a few overclcoking guides on the net, I finally got my pc stable at:

CPU Multi: 9X
HT Mutli: 3X
FSB: 272
RAM: 133mHz (runs at 174.9Mhz according to everest)
Timings: 2.5-3-3-5
New CPU clock:2448mHz (original: 2200mhz)
CPU voltage: 1.602v (bios and 1.55v-1.57v in everest)
Memory voltage: 2.75v
Chipset voltage: 1.65v

It has been running Prime stable for about an hour so far and still going strong. Idle temp of the CPU is 34 degrees Celsius with the max observed temp thus far of 43 degrees Celsius, using the stock AMD heatsink. I was wondering if this is a decent overclock on air? Is there anything I can tweak? Would an aftermarket cooler (TT Big Typhoon) help at all? Aftermarket chipset cooler? Any input is greatly apreciated. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: the bios on the mobo is 1.B with the latest being 1.D. Would an update help? Thanks again.

Id try a different RAM divider to get your RAM up to speed a bit more.

Also, I thought the 3500+ has a 11x multiplier... lower multis allow higher FSB, but at the moment its holding back your RAM speeds.

You also might want to lower the the CPU volts, If you have a good chip you might even be able to hit 2.4Ghz at stock Vcore

Thanks for the reply. Yes the 3500+ does have a default multi of 11x. So you're saying I should bump up the speed of the ram to 166mhz and try prime again? Or are you saying that ram is holding me back and I should get new ones? Sorry for being a noob. Thanks again.

EDIT: ok, I'll try lowering the voltage of the CPU. Thank you.

See if you can run your RAM to about 220Mhz (440DDR). My budget GeiL stuff will do 230Mhz and a little higher with a voltage bump.

I would set the multi to 10 and try 260FSB with a divider that keeps your RAM around stock or slightly higher, then try upping the FSB and see how far you can get on the RAM, since you know you can get your FSB to around 270.

Failing that, or you have no idea what im talking about, wait till Necro gets here, he'll sort you out

Ok I'll try that right now. As for the voltage, I kept getting BSODs with anything lower than 1.603v. Thanks again for the help.

Quote: Originally Posted by Nav As for the voltage, I kept getting BSODs with anything lower than 1.603v.

Are you talking about CPU or RAM volts?

That is the CPU voltage. btw I tried what you said earlier. I set the FSB to 250, the CPU mulit to 10x and the ram speed to 166mhz. This made the new cpu clock 2550mhz, and the ram running at 212.5mhz. Unfortutanely, it cant pass prime, showing an error after 1 minute. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks again.

What voltage are you supplying the ram? I think most mobo's
default at 2.6v. But I think OZC recommends 2.8v. If you have
good air flow in your case you could push it up to 2.9 or 3.0v.

1.6v on a socket 939 Athlon?! Sure thats not right...

The ram is being supplied with 2.75v when they are rated for 2.6v. @ Dex, if the voltage to the CPU is reduced to anything lower i.e. 1.587v, it doesnt boot up sometimes, like 1 outta 3 times it does. At 1.6v it boots up everytime.

EDIT: I think I have good airflow in my case. I have a 120mm intake at the front, 120mm exhaust, 2x 80mm intake on the side and a 80mm exhaust up top. Is this adequate?

1.6v's is fine for an Athlon64... I used to bench my Venice @ about 1.7v's on Air and its still going 1.5 years later.

@ Zaltan- you only had it at 1.7v for benching? Does that mean not during gaming? Sorry, I'm new to overclocking.....

Used to run @ 1.5v-1.55v 2.7GHz 24/7.

Thanks everybody. I'll keep tryin until Necro (or anyone else) comes around and sets me straight. Thanks again.

Dunno If anyone said this but, I would suggest you get a better cooler like the TT Big Typhoon before pushing the vcore higher the 1.6v

Yes definitely. The TT Big Typhoon is in my shopping cart right now, just waiting for parent's permission to use their credit card . Now, only if the Jing-Ting chipset cooler was available in Canada, that would really make my day (shipping it in from the States is too expensive).

EDIT: messing around some more this afternoon and I found that the system liked this config:

CPU: 10X
HT: 3X
FSB: 245
Ram: 204.2Mhz
CPU clock: 2450mhz
timings: 2.5-3-3-5

I know it isnt the greatest overclock ever but its a start. I'll keep messing around with it, hopefully i won't blow anything up!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nav hopefully i won't blow anything up!

Just set your bios to shut off your computer at 60C or 65C and your good

i'll do that now, thanks for the tip!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nav I found that the system liked this config: CPU: 10X HT: 3X FSB: 245 Ram: 204.2Mhz CPU clock: 2450mhz timings: 2.5-3-3-5

I'd find out the max HTT of the board, the max speed of your CPU, and the max speed of the RAM - once you know these it is fairly easy to figure out a good OC. You might be able to lower your multi, run a different RAM divider, and increase your OC - it all depends on your processor.

Also with the config you listed above, I'd try the HT at 4X since your FSB(HTT) is only at 245. This may allow you to increase the HTT as well.

As far as vcore goes, I run 24/7 at 1.58 volts with a max temp of 49 degrees celsius under load (prime95). I also agree with the other guys, if you want to increase your overclock, you should definitely think about an aftermarket cooler - the Big Typhoon is a great choice.