A7N8X-D Overclocking. Need help!

[seanb]

Hi everyone! This is my second time posting here. The last time I asked a question here (which was over a year ago), I received very good advice. I'm not very knowledgeable, so if I ask stupid questions or phrase my post in a way that offends you, just bear with me. Also, if you respond, please try not to use syntax or shorthand, and speak to me as a layman (because I am). Thank you very much!

This is the computer I have. I put together everything in this computer myself, except the processor and mobo (which is the hard part). I am very happy with it, but I know I can improve it more. These are the specs:

* A7N8X-D mobo (I think it's the PCB 2.0, but I'm not sure)
* I have not flahsed the BIOS (I'm afraid to). In 3DMark03 it says "ASUS A7N8X2.0 Deluxe ACPI BIOS Rev 1002 Beta 012"
* 2500 Barton (Default in BIOS is 166 Mhz EXTERNAL FREQ. X 11.0 MULTIPLIER. I think that's 1.83 GHz.)
* 512 DDR400 PC3200 RAM (don't know the brand)
* 2 x 512 DDR400 PC3200 RAM Corsair "Value Select" (Total RAM is 1.5 Gigs)
* 40 Gig Maxtor Drive
* Geforce 4200Ti w/ 128 RAM Xtasy (only 4X AGP)
* I have 2 extra fans in my case. I think it has good circulation.
* ENERMAX, CSX305LS, Black Tower Case, w/ Window, 350W P.S.

I am interested in overclocking this computer. These are my current BIOS settings. When I say "(I think...)", I mean I don't know what the setting is at.

CPU EXTERNAL FREQ. [200 MHz]
CPU FREQUENCY MULTIPLE SETTING [USER DEFINED/MENU]
CPU FREQUENCY MULTIPLE [10.0X]
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE [USER DEFINED]
CPU INTERFACE [OPTIMAL]
MEMORY FREQUENCY [100]
RESULTING FREQUENCY 200 MHZ
MEMORY TIMINGS OPTIMAL [OPTIMAL]
SDRAM ACTIVE PRECHARGE DELAY 8
SDRAM RAS TO CAS DELAY 4
SDRAM RAS PRECHARGE DELAY 4
SDRAM CAS LATENCY 2.5T (I think... I could be wrong)
FSB SPREAD SPECTRUM [0.50%]
AGP SPREAD SPECTRUM [DISABLED]
CPU VCORE SETTING [AUTO] (I think...)
CPU VCORE ??? (I think it's 1.65V... not sure. What should I put it to?)
GRAPHICS APERTURE SIZE [512M]
AGP FREQUENCY [AUTO] (I think...)
SYSTEM BIOS CACHEABLE [DISABLE] (I think... what should I put it to?)
VIDEO RAM CACHEABLE [DISABLED] (I think... what should I put it to?)
DDR REFERENCE VOLTAGE ??? (I can't remember. I haven't changed it. What's a good voltage?)
AGP VDDQ VOLTAGE ??? (Same as above)
AGP 8X SUPPORT [ENABLED] (Although I only have a 4x AGP card)
AGP FAST WRITE CAPABILITY [ENABLED] (I think... what should I put it to?)

With these settings my computer runs stable. Please tell me if there are any other settings I haven't listed in other areas of my BIOS you think I should change/verify what they are (Basically, settings that are important that I should double-check). In your replies, if you could copy-paste my BIOS settings and redo them so they're optimal for my system, that's what I would most appreciate it.

However, I do have a few main points of interest:

1. Do you think it's safe to raise my multiplier to 11.0x?

2. I am most interested in my RAM settings:
MEMORY TIMINGS OPTIMAL [OPTIMAL]
SDRAM ACTIVE PRECHARGE DELAY 8
SDRAM RAS TO CAS DELAY 4
SDRAM RAS PRECHARGE DELAY 4
SDRAM CAS LATENCY 2.5T (I think... I could be wrong)
Those delays seem a bit high to me. Would it be safe for me to change them? For example:
6
2
2
2.5
?

3. Do I need to change my various voltage settings because I'm running my processor and ram at a higher speed? If so, what voltage settings do you suggest? (Again, if it's possible, please just copy-paste my BIOS settings and make the proper tweaks.)

I apologize for the length of this post. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[buiu]

seanb
i have the same mobo them you, and works fine with:
1- new 1007 bios
2- fsb at 200 mhz
3- memory at "agressive"
4- multiplier at 11x.
obs. go to the asus page and download the asus update program at asus utility, and update in the windows, using
the bios that you download at the menu in the asus update.
I get 3200xp barton in my mobo a7n8x de luxe rev 2.0 with this set.
Claudio

 

[Bosse]

this has to be a joke

AMD 2500+ @ 3200+ - Volcano 9 - A7N8X/DLX - Corsair XMS TWINX 3200LL 1024MB - GF 3 TI-200 - 2x WD Raptor RAID 0 - Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 120Gb 7200rpm Special Edition - Hiper 420w.

 

[folken]

It should work fine just as you have it. uping the multiplyer to 11 shouldn't hurt it, just make sure you have adiquate cooling. One thing you should definatly do though is disable the fsb spread spectrum, that could cause instability problems. Leave all of the voltages alone, especially the cpu voltage (vcore). Just leave that on auto. Disabling agp fast write could also minimize instability, but if your machine works fine with it on then just leave it on.

 

[buiu]

BoSSe
my hards
-asus a7n8x de luxe rev 2.0, with 1007 bios rev.
-aero 7+ cooler
-barton 2500xp made after wek 30 of the year
-512 mb corsair, 2 of 256 mb low latency LL, dual channel
chipset memory control.
- no changes in vcore or other voltage
The AMD have one foundry, for the bartons, and they test all barton , and those " not god", are sell with lower frequency.
the fact is the all "refuse" 3200xp (2500xp) are good chips and the demmand for lower mhz and price are biggest, so they label in deeper mhz.
My computer works fine .
Claudio