AMD 64 X2 5000+ BE & ASUS M3A78 different overclock reports

[perisho@gmailcom]

I am a little confused and I hope someone can tell me what is going on. I really have two issues that I will try to keep separate.

Question #1:

My motherboard's (ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI) bios (AMI 0501) has a menu for the CPU clock multiplier. When I change it the bios reports the new speed while booting up but windows and CPU-Z don't see any change. The ASUS utiliy sees it (see picture below, notice difference between current speeds), but benchmarks stay unchanged when I run them. It makes no difference if I change the over clocking preferences to manual, auto, or standard.

BUT when I change the Bus Speed it works just fine (still ignoring the multiplier setting)

My question is; WTF is going on here? Why does the bios report a higher speed when it obviously isn't working, and why isn't it working? I'm nut sure where the disconnect is. Doesn't Windows get it's info from the Bios? Is the Bios lying?


Question #2

Will I harm my proc, Ram or MB by using the settings below? I ran a stress test for an hour with %100 CPU util. The Asus util never reported a CPU temp of higher than 55c and there were no errors from the benchmarking software. I don't completely understand the implications of increasing the Bus Speed but it seems to work fine and my benchmark scores improved.



My attempt at overclock (from cpu-z) I've since bumped it to 233 Bus Speed with no prob.
Processors Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1 (ID = 0)
Number of cores 2 (max 2)
Number of threads 2 (max 2)
Name AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (the stock core speed is 2600) cp
Codename Brisbane
Specification AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Package Socket AM2 (940)
CPUID F.B.2
Extended CPUID F.6B
Brand ID 4
Core Stepping BH-G2
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 2990.7 MHz (13.0 x 230.1 MHz)
HT Link speed 1150.3 MHz
Stock frequency 5000 MHz
Instructions sets MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, x86-64
L1 Data cache 2 x 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 2 x 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 2 x 512 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
max FID 25.0x
max VID 1.350 V
Features XD, VT
K8 Thermal sensor yes
K8 Revision ID 6.0


The strange differences
In this particular photo I had set the multiplier to 13.5 in the Bios. The MB software sees it (left) but cpu Z doesn't (right) and benchmarks are unchanged. confused.

 

[tekzor]

HT Link speed 1150.3 MHz
is tough on your mobo as most mobos don't go over 1000.
Thats why raising bus speed is increasing your HTT. You will be very lucky is you run stable at 1200mhz.

Id recommend lowering your HTT multiplier and then pushing your ram as far as it can go.
And judging from your pic, your HT link has been reset by your mobo( prob as a safety measure) bc it went above 1000.
I believe CPUZ is the correct reading

 

[perisho@gmailcom]

Hey thanks tekzor,

I set the multiplier down to 1 just to see what would happen.. My computer crashed just after logging in. I bumped it back up tho and everything seems okay...

I pulled back the HT and its running at 931 Mhz, so that should be okay now. My lousy mb doesn't seem to allow me to fiddle around with the ram speed tho.. It is running at 432Mhz according to CPU-Z, but it's rated for 800 so no worries there. I'm quite happy that I have a 3 Ghz chip and I can run the Crysis demo respectably. This is my first computer build in about 10 years so 400 Mhz ram seems fast to me.. and a 3.02 Ghz proc seems insane!

I couldn't help trying to bump the bus speed a little to 140- bad idea. Prime 95 reported an error less than two minutes into a stress test. I pulled it back to 233. I think I'll keep it there provided the system is stable for several hours of stress testing.

Again, thanks for your help...


I still don't know why my clock multiplier refuses to work tho.. if anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them. I also noticed that the clock multiplier bios setting is not listed in the MB manual. Maybe this is added by the BE chip? Is that even possible?

c-

 

[tekzor]

glad to hear it worked!
your ram is running 432x2= 864mhz DDR2 so thats a respectable memory OC imo.

you could check your mobo manufac website for a BIOS update, some mobos need extra update for BE cpus.

 

[virux]

just wonding why your upping the FBS and not the muliplyer when you have an unlocked chip. try something like 15x @ 200fsb and you might get better resulets or be able to take it higher (16ish). overclocking by the FSB ups everything else on thet FSB(pic-e, ram, HT) wich can casue instability. though keep in mind going above 15.5 usually requires more voltage. also make sure your cool and quiet is disabled.

 

[perisho@gmailcom]

virux,

That is part of the problem I am having, upping the clock multiplier doesn't seem to do anything (see earlier post). I don't really know why. I wanted to overclock this thing so I upped the FSB kind of in desperation. It seems to work fine, Prine 95 runs for 8 hours with no errors and the temp stays low...

I think maybe I just have a crappy MB, I have the latest Bios, and I am downloading beta Vista drivers for the chipset in case that makes any difference. I can't complain too much since the MB only cost me $89.

I am still trying to figure out why the clock multiplier doesn't work. If i figure it out i'll let you know.

c-

 

[virux]

silly question but are you positive its a Black Edition? I though if you upped the multiplyer on a non-BE chip it would just ignore you and run at default.

did it come in a box? from a reputable store?

 

[perisho@gmailcom]

Just a quick update. Using AMD's Overdrive program I can change the multiplier no problem and benchmarks go way up. It doesn't stay on a reboot since the bios resets everything but at least I know it works. It's just I have a crappy MB for overclocking.

This works out okay for me tho. I can just tune my processor when I want to play a game and just let it run at stock speed the rest of the time. I don't really even reboot that often.

It's cool that I can change it on the fly too without rebooting. I never knew that was possible.I highly recommend doing a google search for "AMD Overdrive download" if you have an AMD chip especially a BE chip.

Thanks all.

Now if I can just figure out how to get Hybrid Crossfire to work...
and get rid of that high pitched whine coming from my computer.

 

[tekzor]

back again!
I looked deeper into the OC issues(I got me my own 5000+ BE).
I noticed that changing the multiplier on my mobo(biostar) will display my CPU @ 3.1GHZ but in CPUZ I am still at 2.6GHZ with the multiplier unchanged.
Snooping around I found out that biostar mobo users have had that issue - leading to AMD Cool n Quiet being the culprit. Disabling it in the BIOS seems to solve the problem. Unfortunatly my mobo has no such option in the BIOS so I will have to play with my power options and AMD drivers.
Since CnQ does not change the fsb, you can get an accurate read out from CPUZ on your fsb OC, as you tried.

 

[mayene]

If you are using Windows XP you can toon CnQ off by going to Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> Power Options. Set the Power Scheme to "Always On".

I am trying to OC my non-BE. I understand that upping the vcore will allow me to raise the FSB but I also read about people raising the Northbridge voltage? What does that do exactly and will it be necessary? On paper 12 multi with a 250 FSB would be ideal (3.0ghz) 4x HT with RAM just under 800mhz. I chose 12x250 instead of 13x230 becuase of the way I "believe" the HTT multi works and setting the RAM to 667 speed will overclock to basically where I am right now.

I currently have all the voltages set to "Auto" is that bad?

 

[tekzor]

raising vcore is usually needed when you can't get past the winxp screen on 3GHZ. You are raising the voltage of the cpu to level where it can perform again. At auto vcore, your cpu voltage should be at 1.3V.
It took me vcore of 1.45V to reach 3.2GHZ on a BE.

You said you have a non BE, so how will you change from 12 to 13 multiplier?

I can only see you raising your fsb and lowering your HTT.

 

[mayene]

Sorry, the default multi is 13. I was going to lower it in order to get a higher FSB.

 

[tekzor]

that will work as long as your ram can handle it. Be aware that ram does get VERY hot.

 

[mayene]

I was going to change my RAM to 667. With the overclock at 12x250 it would bring it back up to 375->750MHZ. I belive the DDR800 divider is 7 and the 667 is 8. That will work right?

 

[Gezza]

If you are using Windows XP you can toon CnQ off by going to Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> Power Options. Set the Power Scheme to "Always On".
Thank you Mayene, I have a Biostar and a 5000+ BE and Have been looking for the answer for the past 3 days to why the bios would not change the multiplier. I was ready to send it back as a defective 5000+ BE. I did find SyS Tool that allowed me to change the multiplier, That really confused me! So I needed to find the real answer. You solved it for me. Thanks again.

 

[gowens]

I've got this CPU with American Megatreends v02.58 and when I hit "Delete" to enter setup, then go to "Advanced" > "CPU Configuration" all of the values above "GART Error Reporting" (set to disabled) are greyed out and not selectable...including Current/Max FSB Multiplier...how to I get in there to change the multiplier?

Also, Cool 'n Quiet is disabled...is that recommended?

 

[gowens]

Please disregard my question on how to unlock the multiplier...didn't realize i could page down in those settings to find an AMD Overclocking option. Good grief!

...now i've got to hunt down the answer to the cool n' quiet. isn't that just for laptops?

 

[dokk2]

no cool n quiet is also in the bioses of amd systems,should be turned off if overclocking,otherwise will interfere with same..:>)