Thinkin of pushing my OC'd 3700+ further. Recommended?

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do you have cpu-z?

if so check the timings in it and the htt and everything else.

and when you go into the bios dont change a lot of settings at once
just one at a time.




this is my x2 dual core but is the same as a singlecore prettymuch.

the mem timings say 180 something but in the bios my timmings
are at 166mhz.
Right heres the main info from CPU-Z

Clocks:
Core speed - 2420MHz
Multiplier - x11
Bus speed - 220.0MHz
HT Link - 1100.0MHz TRY TO GET THIS DOWN

Memory
Frequency - 220.0MHz AND THIS AT OR BELOW 200MHZ
FSB DRAM - CPU 11
CAS Latency - 3.0 clocks
RAS to CAS delay - 3 clocks
RAS Precharge - 3 clocks
Cycle Time - 8 clocks
Bank cycle time - 11 clocks
Command Rate - 1t
DRAM icle timer - 16 clocks

Thought it might be better if I just gave you the exact details. So what exactly do you say I should change? Memory to 166MHz? Then increase the CPU frequency to 230 (i want 2.5 for now)?



yes set your memory in the bios to the next lower setting
184 or 166mhz. and your htt to x4 instead of x5.
Okay thanks I'll have a go at it tomorrow, right now I gotta get some sleep. That should work though right?
 
Okay thanks I'll have a go at it tomorrow, right now I gotta get some sleep. That should work though right?

it should but after you set those in the bios keep it at 2.4
then check that your timming in cpu-z

is htt is below 1100 and your memory is under 200mhz

then raise the fsb a little higher to say 225 or 230 max
dont go more than 10mgz at a time.
 
I got the same 3700 san diego core and I cant get it past 230 FSB.


I have MSI K8N Neo4-F mobo
Crusial Ballistix 1GB (512 x 2)
After 2.50 Ghz I get the BSOD or its not stable
Any tips on how to push this to the max would be great.

I also have a 430psu by thermaltake http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023

I was thinking of getting a new mobo. I want to push it to its limits on air.


*UPDATE*
I lowered the ram speed from 200fsb to 166fsb, I also lowered the HTmultiplier Link from 5x to 4x. I have my Crusial Ballistix at 2.8volts, and FSB speed at 240
Here are some bench marks and cpu z pics
2-2.jpg

2-1.jpg

2.jpg

cpuz.jpg

The bench marks are for 2.60ghz, 2.62ghz, and 2.64ghz
This cpu has a lil more juice, and its HOLDING IT DOWN at 2.64Ghz! 😛
 
Right im now trying to set the RAM speed and im a bit confused with the setting in the BIOS (memclock index value). Okay default appears to be 400MHz. When I select it to change I dont the 184 or 166MHz option. The only next lowest option is 333MHz... Do I change to that? Thats ddr333 right? Also my Vcore seems unusually high compared to what most of you guys have. Its at default 1.48V :?


(UPDATE): Alright guys I got a successful OC to 2.5GHz! (2531mhz) Sirhek, followed just what you said and everythings going fine, got a 35 overall score increase in 3dmrk06 and running stable (for now).

Using CPU-Z here are the new values just to make sure everythings safe:

Tech Volt: 1.488(vcore)
Clocks
Core speed - 2531MHz
Mulit - x11
Bus speed - 230.1MHz
HT Link - 920.5MHz

Memory timings - (new) Frequency - 180.8MHz, FSB😀RAM - CPU/14
rest of timings the same.

So what do you think? Everything seem a okay? Plz let me know if isnt.
 
everything looks great, and it should work ok keep an eye on temps

if you want to go higher say 2.6 all you need is 237x11

goodluck and glad i could help.
Great! Im gonna stick with 2.5 for now but will probably boost it up to 2.6GHz when I really need the extra speed. Also I think I might get a good cooler soon so I'll probly do it then. Maybe 2.7. Thanks once again for all your help! I appreciate your patience :)
 
Just one more thing. For some reason my CPU (and mobo) temp is exactly the same (if not a little cooler) as before I did the 1gb OC! Dont know how thats possible but my CPU is idling at 29C! 30C Highest! :? Do you think this is odd? Will I try OCing some more? :) Remember I do only have the stock cooler so what do you think?

Sorry about this. You've helped me loads already. Last thing I promise :)
 
my 3700 is currently in a msi mobo and oc,ed to 2.4
it has the stock hsf and very little or i should say not enough
thermalpaste and idles at 29c and loads at around 35c

when i took it out of my asus mobo it had the acfreezer pro
hsf which covers about 80% of the cpu, the stock hsf covers
all of the cpu.

all i did was put the 3700 in the msi mobo and slapped the stock hsf on it.
didnt clean $hit or add any more paste.

and the asus currently has a x2 4400 which all i did was slap the
acfreezer pro on it didnt add any paste or clean anything either.
it is oc,ed to 2.6 and idles at 37 to 39c.

your temps are fine.
 
my 3700 is currently in a msi mobo and oc,ed to 2.4
it has the stock hsf and very little or i should say not enough
thermalpaste and idles at 29c and loads at around 35c

when i took it out of my asus mobo it had the acfreezer pro
hsf which covers about 80% of the cpu, the stock hsf covers
all of the cpu.

all i did was put the 3700 in the msi mobo and slapped the stock hsf on it.
didnt clean $hit or add any more paste.

and the asus currently has a x2 4400 which all i did was slap the
acfreezer pro on it didnt add any paste or clean anything either.
it is oc,ed to 2.6 and idles at 37 to 39c.

your temps are fine.
Cool I think I might try 2.6GHz now then :) I was wondering isnt my RAM slower now though? I mean I did reduce its speed. Just curious.
 
yes it is at 180 if you go for 2.6 it might be at 192 or close to 200mhz.
if you oc to 2.6 go to cpu-z and it should be somewere close to that.
Oh I see, so as I OC higher the memory will gradually get back to its normal speed. Makes sense. I have a new goal now :twisted: :lol:
 
I was bored and I decided to push my 3700 a lil more, like 300mhz more :twisted:
Here are my results
2-4.jpg

2-3.jpg

I got 2.9 and its holding it down pretty good. 8) on air.
I <3 my 3700



*Update*

I pushed til the whole system crashed! :twisted:
I got to 2.99with a lil more juice. I raised the vcore by 6.6% and its running smooth.

2-6.jpg

2-5.jpg
 
Wow well done! Wish I had the guts to do that. 2.9!!? 8O

Why is my vcore so high at stock while yours, which you've raised, is still way lower?? Mine is and has always been 1.48 at default!! Is this a problem do you think? Why is it so high? 🙁
 
That is about the limit I found with my 3700 as well. Although, by lowering the memory quite a bit I was able to get up to around 3.07. The heat at that level still wasn't that bad (I don't think I had to raise my volts more than 2 steps up in the bios), it just wouldn't go any higher (and I didn't want to push the volts up anymore).
 
Thanks. I tried to keep it as simple as possible. Just a good starting point so the reader can move on and understand what everyone is telling him.
 
Ive been reading this thread and theres some really good info here. Just wondering, is the DFI infinity nforce4 SLI a good board for OCing? I'm thinking of getting it for my 3700 since I can get it pretty cheap here. Not trying to hijack or anything tho.
 
merc14, thanks for that guide! I've read through and its really clear and easy to understand. I've learned so much more from reading that! I am going to refer to it every time I OC. Thanks for posting it up.
 
Wow well done! Wish I had the guts to do that. 2.9!!? 8O

Why is my vcore so high at stock while yours, which you've raised, is still way lower?? Mine is and has always been 1.48 at default!! Is this a problem do you think? Why is it so high? 🙁

🙁 1.48 vcore? I had my x2 running @ 1.23 until I oc it, then @ 1.39 right now and I have mine @ 3ghz (x2 4000, pretty nice oc if I do say so myself)

Sounds strange, but try a new thermal grease, don't know why, but that got my vcore lower then the ee x2 modles
Okay im gettin a bit worried now... Is there any real danger in my voltage at 1.48? Whats the disadvantage of having a high CPU voltage (vcore)?

I will be getting a new CPU cooler next week and I will aslo be applying Arctic Silver 5 onto it. Maybe I understood wrong but are you saying that my vcore will auto change when I cool down the CPU more? Also looking at the vcore reading in CPU-Z it constantly fluctuates down to .47 briefly then back to .48... Is that normal?
 
Higher voltage increases signal strength and therefore stability. However, the downside is that it produces more heat and also degrades the circuits faster than at a lower voltage. This means a shorter lifetime for the components. The reverse is also true in that if you lower voltage below its default, you will likely increase lifespan and lower heat substantially. Now if you intend to keep to keep your pc for say 10 years, decreasing lifetime becomes a problem as it may not last that long at a high vcore. But most people in this forum anyway upgrade at least every 4-5 years, and unless your pushing 1.65-1.7V, it should still last that long. No guarantees tho since you are still running out of spec and every component reacts differently to more voltage. Which is why you are running yours at 1.48V and I_Love_Tacos can run his at 1.39V at 3GHz. The average cpu is designed to last 10 years approx. at STOCK voltage, and manufacturers make it quite clear that voltage increases decrease lifespan. So that is why it voids your warranty, manufacturers dont want people to keep returning dead components that have been OCed to the extreme with huge voltages.
 
I will be getting a new CPU cooler next week and I will aslo be applying Arctic Silver 5 onto it. Maybe I understood wrong but are you saying that my vcore will auto change when I cool down the CPU more? Also looking at the vcore reading in CPU-Z it constantly fluctuates down to .47 briefly then back to .48... Is that normal?
Got a bit carried away with lifetimes and forgot this part. 😳 No, vcore wont auto change when you cool the cpu more, BUT... it may allow you to drop the voltage a bit as it may be more stable with a lower temp. May be, ok, not definitely. The fluctuation is normal and is well within safe limits, and the readings are never perfectly accurate anyway.
 
Okay thanks for the help. I might try reducing the vcore a bit when I get my new Zalman installed. Not too bothered about it now though cause I dont intend to keep using my 3700 for 10 years lol! I will be getting a whole new Core 2 Duo system next May, I assume it will last till then!
 

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