ASUS P4C800E- Deluxe
2.6C cpu
OCZ EL4200 (2x256) RAM
2x WD Raptor 36.7GB HDDs (boot OS and apps only)
IBM 30GB Ultra ATA-100 HDD (long term storage/usage only)
Pioneer DVD-116 (player only)
floppy
ATI Radeon 64MB DDR AGP4X VIVO
SoundBlaster Live 5.1 pci
3com 2976 FD voice modem pci
Enermax EG465P-VE FC psu
Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu cpu cooler
4 80mm Vantec Stealth case fans (F,S,R,T)
40mm fan on ICH5R stock HS
Side blowhole window, gold wire and Cr laser cut fan grills, 8 cans of spray paint, coloured knurled head screws
Vantec Nexus NXP-305-BK Fan(3) & Light(2) Controller
WinXP Pro
MBM5
HD Tach
SiSoft Sandra 2004
CPU-Z
I am just now big on hardware, low on knowledge.
I have been succesful with the 5%, 10%, and 20% AI Overclock, and tried the 30% , but after Win2K loads, I start getting problems as soon as MBM5 starts to load (at start-up time).
I get 5, 10, 20% boost in both GHz and FSB (eg 3.12 & 240.1/480.2/960.4 @ 20%)
This AI Overclock is my first attempt at OCing anything. I didn't even know what to expect. cpuz.exe tells me my GHz, FSB, and timings, and MBM5 tells me my temps on the systray.
I've read all about what to expect, but now I don't know how to get there. In fact if I stick with the 5/10/20/30 I won't even have the same overclock as everyone else who uses theses exact same products in every review (with some exceptions).
How do I even get the RAM set to the 266/533/1066 @2.5-4-4-7 @2.8V rated level MANUALLY, because I think that is the only way I'm going to get the rated performance. Could it be my cpu won't go there? Or is my graphic card holding me back? Or should I put the DRAM freq to 400, or auto?
And I'm just talking about with Turbo and performance(s) off.
I tried setting the AI overclock tuner to manual, and with the + key I set cpu external freq to 266.,, but then I changed the DRAM frequency to 266, from 400 or auto, or whatever it was.
I disabled the SPD and tried to set 2.5-4-4-7 @ 266 @ 2.8V.
The 2.8V is another thing. Options are 2.85V, 2.75V, 2.65V, 2.55V. Does this matter.
I'm not complaining yet, but MOST folks get a rig like this close to 280 don't they, with everything on: at least to the 266 its rated at. I can't get to a 260, with everything off. I've been to 240, and thats 3.12 GHz out of a 2.6C, however I haven't really put on PAT, Turbo, or PAM. I've read every review I can find many times. Starting with the ocztechnology.com site, and using their review links from the product. Do reviewers have special cpus?
Must be my technique right.
I know I've asked you to tell me how to go beyond the 30% ever so slightly which had already failed to achieve the reated specs. But it's rated to do this. What do I try next: for instance 400, not 266 (there are a limited number of options here)- I'm too scared I'm gonna fry something without advice.
HOW to get EL4200 to rated specs
My experience with the 2.6c's are hit and miss as far as overclocking so I don't really have a high confidence in that CPU. But I would suggest you set your timings manually and forego using the pre-defined OC settings.
Lock your AGP/PCI bus to 66/33, manually set your memory frequency to 400MHz. Also it's possible that you'll need to increase your VCORE to as high as 1.75 (start at 1.675 and go up from there, you want the lowest setting that it will run stable at to keep the heat down).
Also, use Memetest86 ( found at http://www.memtest86.org ) while you search for the highest stable OC so you don't trash your OS.
Lock your AGP/PCI bus to 66/33, manually set your memory frequency to 400MHz. Also it's possible that you'll need to increase your VCORE to as high as 1.75 (start at 1.675 and go up from there, you want the lowest setting that it will run stable at to keep the heat down).
Also, use Memetest86 ( found at http://www.memtest86.org ) while you search for the highest stable OC so you don't trash your OS.