FSB failing, need help

[RomeoReject]

So historically, my overclock had been done exclusively on multiplier. Using the multiplier, I could keep my CPU stable at 4.6Ghz in the summer (I did have it at 4.8Ghz in the winter, but it can't shed heat fast enough. I was reading the very thorough "Overclocking the AMD Bulldozer" guide, which said that overclocking the FSB is superior to overclocking using the multiplier. I was trying to follow the directions, the only problem being, I can't get anywhere near where I was before (I can't get it to even hold a 4.2Ghz clock, which is the stock clock). I'm an absolute rookie at this, so I'm sure I've done something wrong. I also tried adjusting the DRAM to get it near 2133Mhz (Which is what it was before I played with the clocks), and tried to keep northbridge and HT links equal at around 2500Mhz.

I know the thread says to just keep adjusting until it crashes, then back off, the only problem being my board makes it very difficult to reset each time (I have to take out my videocards, remove the BIOS battery, wait, then start over).

My specs are:

MB: MSI Gaming 970.
CPU: AMD FX4170 Black Edition (Waiting for the new generation of AMD CPUs).
PSU: Antec 850W.
RAM: 4x4Gb of G.Skill Trident 2400Mhz C10.
Video Cards: A pair of XFX R9 280X, Crossfired.
Cooler: NZXT Kraken x61 (With a push-pull setup).
Case: Zalman Z11+ (Five intake fans, five exhaust fans).


Any help, advice or solutions to what I've done wrong would be massively appreciated.

 

[RomeoReject]

Nobody has any advice to offer?

 

[1LiquidPC]

Could be that your particular CPU just doesn't like higher FSB settings. Votlage for HT/NB need increased for the higher FSB settings? Maybe just silicon lottery related.

 

[RomeoReject]

I had the voltage pushed up to around 1.42V on the multiplier from before, if my memory is correct. I kept it the same for the FSB (As I had been lowering the overall CPU clock quite a bit, I figured it'd be fine with the same). Northbridge I bumped up ever-so-slightly, don't remember what to, but I followed the guide for tuning Bulldozer-series.

I'm going to yank the video cards (AGAIN) and pull the battery one last time. Does anyone know how much of an advantage I would get (Generally speaking) from FSB instead of just Multiplier? From what I understand, more FSB speed means the RAM and Videocard can work a bit quicker, which for me is great, because both of those two parts are capable of a lot more than the CPU is letting them do.

 

[RomeoReject]

Well, I've finally set everything back to default values, but apparently I've wired something up wrong, because I'm getting the BSOD on startup now... Ugh...

 

[1LiquidPC]

Yeah, may want to reseat all the cards, ram, ect. and check power connections.