I can't get a stable OC... :(

[CrazeD]

Maybe someone can help me sort this, it's bugging me.

Aight so I have an AMD A64 3200+. It's 2.0GHz stock. I've got it to 2.35GHz but it isn't stable. Prime95 lasts about 2 hours until it crashes and my BF2 keeps freezing and crashing my computer.

Now, I have crappy DDR400 RAM. It only runs at 166MHz anyways for whatever reason, but I put it down to 133MHz for the OC, so it should be around 166MHz if I could get the FSB that high. Right, so, I can't...

I'm at like 2.27GHz right now, that's stable..but anything 2.3 or higher is not.

RAM timings are 2.5-2-2-6 (at 150MHz).

HTT link is like 940MHz or so (set at 800 for the OC). Spread spectrum is disabled (I read somewhere to disable that, I don't even know what it's for but mmkay).

Temps are fine, 35*C or so at idle and like 43*C or so at load.

I tried upping the voltage one step higher than stock (like ~1.47v).

So what gives here? I hope I didn't just get a lemon. Some people on here have these chips up around 2.9GHz.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Trotter]

I'm at 2.35 right now, myself.

I have my voltage set at 1.5 (I think), FSB at 235, multiplier at x10, memory a 2.5 - 3 - 3- 6 (but you put it in the BIOS as 2.5 - 3 - 6 - 3), I think my divider is either 1:1 or 1:2, leaning more towards 2.

I'm running at 48-49C, but I keep Folding@Home running when I'm not gaming (=100% CPU).

[CrazeD]

I'm thinking it may be the RAM timings. Though where it's at such a low frequency, I wasn't sure. I really have no idea what I'm doing with RAM timings.

I'm hopefully getting a Zalman 9500 something (forgot the exact name lol) soon.

I'll try the timings you have Trotter, anyone else got some advice?

Thanks.

[Trotter]

I was wrong... my voltage is at 1.45.

Don't thank me, thank Nubius. He's the one who clued me in about changing the timings to make it stable.

[CrazeD]

Ok I'm at 2.3GHz @ 1.47v. Going to run Prime95 now.

I put the timings at 3.0-3-3-8 (the timings for the stock DDR400 speeds). We shall see if this makes a difference.

Any other help in the meantime would be great.

Thanks.

[CrazeD]

Well Prime95 has been going for about 6 hours on 2.30GHz.

I think the timings was it. Thanks.

[Nagasama]

yep probably so crazeD.
i have to relax my timings to get a reasonable (500+) overclock.
glad you figured it out.

[CrazeD]

Prime95 has run for 13 hours at 2.4GHz, 1.47v, timings are 3-3-3-8 2T at 160MHz....no errors.

Awesome