I have an unlocked XP 2500+ Barton which i bought 2 Corsair CMX256A-3200C2 modules to run in dual channel with. I ran them at PC2700 for a long time because i was unable to get my computer to run properly with the ram/FSB at 200mhz, EVEN at 5:200:200. Im trying again and asking for help.

It dosnt seem to be unstable, but i still fail prime95 tests. I can run the small fft test for 3 hours or maybe more, but i cannot run the blend or the large fft test for more than 15-30 mins without an error usually. But the system seems stable otherwise.

Recently i ran a blend test using 11*190:190 (MP*FSB:RAM) with a vcore of 1.675 for over 22 hours. I would call that stable, i did other things during that time too, i did not notice any instability. Thats roughly 2090mhz, CPUZ reports it as 2101.6 or so.

However, i also ran 9*200:200 at the same vcore and i failed the large and blend tests.

As best i can tell, it *seems* to fail the prime95 tests which also test ram, but it does not seem to fail the ones which do not (small fft.) I have run memtest86 through its cycle a time or two and never come up with any memory errors.

There are a few things that i think could be causing the problem, but its hard to rule anything out exactly, so im going to ask you guys first, see what you say. It could be related to my power supply, which is an Antec PP352X 350 Watt, supposed to be a good power supply, but under a load, the voltages fluctuate quite a bit from the 'default' settings. At this time i do not have a log of voltages not under load.

If you guys have *any* suggestions i might try, i would be thankful. I cant afford any new hardware for the time being so im just trying to make due with what i have. Built this thing to run @ 200mhz FSB, dont see why it dosnt run so without erroring myself. For some reason i just cannot run my ram without prime95 errors at pc3200 even at rated & loose timings in prime95. Even when i do not run 1:1. I have long tables of tests i have run and moderatly well documented, if more info is needed i can provide it without any trouble.


Ratha

-

Below is a voltage readout from motherboard monitor, a few current/nonrecent tests, and my system specs.


Default Vcore: 1.675
Default Vdimm: 2.6

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Total number of readouts: 215 CPU Speed: 2060 MHz |
|Running from: 12/18/04 3:53:30 PM until: 12/18/04 4:28:35 PM |
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|Sensor | Current | Low | High | Average |
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|Case | 27° C | 27° C | 27° C | 27° C |
|CPU | 42° C | 42° C | 43° C | 42° C |
|Sensor 3 | 0° C | 0° C | 0° C | 0° C |
|Core 0 | 1.62 V | 1.62 V | 1.66 V | 1.63 V |
|Core 1 | 2.69 V | 2.67 V | 2.70 V | 2.69 V |
|+3.3 | 3.26 V | 3.22 V | 3.28 V | 3.25 V |
|+5.00 | 4.95 V | 4.92 V | 4.95 V | 4.95 V |
|+12.00 | 11.67 V | 11.61 V | 11.80 V | 11.71 V |
|-12.00 | -12.19 V | -12.19 V | -12.11 V | -12.18 V |
|-5.00 | -5.19 V | -5.24 V | -5.19 V | -5.20 V |
|Fan 1 | 4017 RPM | 3924 RPM | 4066 RPM | 4000 RPM |
|Fan 2 | 0 RPM | 0 RPM | 0 RPM | 0 RPM |
|Fan 3 | 2163 RPM | 2149 RPM | 2177 RPM | 2165 RPM |
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+


-------------CL/RCD/RP/tRAS----------VCORE 1.675v----------Corsair DC Mode-------
MP FSB RAM - Timings - VDIMM (real) - Test HRS:MINS (# Pass) - [Tries]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 190 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Blend - 22:14 - (74) - [1] 42C

11 200 - 2.5-3-3-8 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Blend - <0:21 - ( 0) - [2] 43C

10.5:195:195 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Blend - In Progress 42C ***

9 200 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Blend - <0:09 - ( 0) - [5] 42C
9 200 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Small - 2:51 - (10) - [1] 41C
9 200 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Large - <0:14 - ( 0) - [5] 42C

Not Recent:

9 166 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - Stop Blend - 21:36 - (64) - [1]
10 166 - 2-2-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Blend - 21:15 - (69) - [1]
11 166 - 2-2-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Blend - 28:55 - (90) - [1] - DEFAULT SPEED
11 200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Blend - <4:00 - (10) - [8]
11 200 - 2.5-3-3-8 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Blend - 10:30 - (33) - [1] - Fluke?

9 :200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Blend - <0:08 - ( 0) - [2]
9 :200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - Fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [4]
9 :200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.8v (2.9) - Fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [15]
9 :200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.8v (2.9) - Fail LARGE - <0:08 - ( 0) - [14]
9 :200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.8v (2.9) - Fail Small - 2:07 - ( 7) - [1]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OS: Win98 SE
MB: Abit NF7-S 2.0 - (Bios 2.3)
Processor: AMD XP 2500+ Barton
Ram: 2x 256 Corsair PC3200 @ 2-2-2-6-1 @ 333mhz (CMX256A-3200C2)
Video: ATI Sapphire Radeon 9500np (128 bit)
Sound: Creative Soundblaster Live
HDD1: Western Digital 120 w/8mb cache
HDD2: Western Digital 120 w/8mb cache
DVD: Samsung - DVD SD-608 - 40x8
CDRW: Lite-On - LTR-52246S - 52x24x52 - (204310007215)
Case: 3DCOOL Tornado 1000
Power: Antec - PP352X 350 Watt
Monitor: Cybervision - 15" C50
Keys: AT&T - RT101 - 120275-101 Rev B - (52250188)
Mouse: Logitech TrackMan Stationary Mouse - T-CC2-9F (LU069305378)
NIC: Linksys - NC100U Ver 2 - (213005699-E57U-AB-D)
Router: Linksys - BEFSR41 Rev 2 - (Bios 1.45.7) - (C2122034371)
Heatsync: Thermalright SK7
Thermalgoop:Arctic Silver Ceramique

BARTON:
27488
axda2500kv4d 9581488270946
aquca0306tpaw

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Ratha on 12/18/04 06:40 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

My rails are much worse than yours. I don't think its your PSU.

My 2500 will only do 3200 with 1.725Vcore.

Increase your Vcore - for this is the key.

__________________
<A HREF="http://www.moviewavs.com/MP3S/TV_Shows/Simpsons/flanderssong.mp3" target="_new">Audio Sig</A>|<A HREF="http://community.tomshardware.com/images/logo_black_xmas2.gif" target="_new">I made this!</A>

Increase Vcore, even when underclocking to achieve a 200mhz fsb? Even with +Vcore ive not had any luck reaching 200mhz that dosnt fail prime under any multiplier.

I dont have temps for those overclocks (or underclocks) but i will probably re-duplicate them over the next month of trying to figure this out. I am CERTAIN that they were under 60C when loaded.. in fact, i believe they were under 55C. I think thats the limit i set for myself.

Sometimes i think its the ram that dosnt like 200mhz, other times i think its the FSB.. sometimes the vcore, ive tried to isolate and figure out whats causing the problem.. but nothing seems to fit. Hell, it could be motherboard voltage for that matter, thats something ive not ever changed though.


Ratha

-

-------------CL/RCD/RP/tRAS----------VCORE 1.650v----------Corsair DC Mode-------
MP FSB RAM - Timings - VDIMM (real) - Test HRS:MINS (# Pass) - [Tries]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [15]
5:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - fail LARGE - <0:00 - ( 0) - [15]
5:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - fail Small - 0:51 - ( 3) - [ 1]

VCORE 1.75
11:200:166 - 2-2-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [1]
11:200:166 - 2-2-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Small - 0:05 - ( 0) - [1]
11:200:166 - 2-2-2-6 - 2.7v (2.8) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [1]
VCORE 1.775
11:200:166 - 2-2-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [1]
11:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-8 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - 9:00 - (31) - [1] - Fluke?

Ive tried running my ram at .SPD ive tried running it at rated speed, ive tried with tight and loose timings, ive even run it at the slowest possible timing. Still dosnt explain why i am unable to hit the 200mhz mark :\

My ram is rated to run 2-3-3-6 @ PC3200. It runs 2-2-2-6 @ PC2700, possibly even 2-2-2-5, ive never tried. In all of my recent tests ive run it at a CAS of 2.5-3-3-*.

So... im kinda stumped, entirely.


Ratha

-

I can run these:
-------------CL/RCD/RP/tRAS--------------------------------Corsair DC Mode-------
MP FSB RAM - Timings - VDIMM (real) - Test HRS:MINS (# Pass) - [Tries]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11:166:166 - 2-2-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Blend - 28:55 - (90) - [1] - DEFAULT SPEED
12 166 - 2.5-3-3-8 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Blend - 15:13 - (50) - [1] Vcore 1.650
10:200:166 - 2-2-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Blend - 21:15 - (69) - [1] Vcore 1.675
11 190 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Blend - 22:14 - (74) - [1] 42C Vcore 1.675
10.5:195:195 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - In Progress 42C Vcore 1.675

But i cannot run these?

5:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [15] Vcore 1.650
5:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - fail LARGE - <0:00 - ( 0) - [15] Vcore 1.650
5:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - fail Small - 0:51 - ( 3) - [ 1] Vcore 1.650
8:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - 0:08 - ( 0) - [1] Vcore 1.650
9:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - 0:04 - ( 0) - [ 1] Vcore 1.675
9:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - 0:08 - ( 0) - [ 1] Vcore 1.675
9:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.7v (2.8) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [ 4] Vcore 1.675
9:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.8v (2.9) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [15] Vcore 1.675
9:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.8v (2.9) - fail LARGE - <0:00 - ( 0) - [11] Vcore 1.675
9:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.8v (2.9) - fail LARGE - <0:08 - ( 0) - [ 3] Vcore 1.675
9:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-11 - 2.8v (2.9) - fail Small - 2:07 - ( 7) - [ 1] Vcore 1.675

These tests were conducted using a 512 meg Kingston HyperX PC3200 2-3-2-6 module. I could only use this stick for a few days, and here are the tests i was able to perform while i had it.

When i say its unstable, various programs would crash or not load, or just disappear entirely after launching them. For the most part, i learned absolutly nothing with this ram, except that the problem does not appear to be the ram i have. None of the attempts in this table have been published in my previous posts.

-------------CL/RCD/RP/tRAS----------VCORE 1.650v----------Kingston SC Mode-------
MP FSB RAM - Timings - VDIMM (real) - Test HRS:MINS (# Pass) - [Tries]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 200 - 2.5-3-3-8 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop Blend - 1:00 - ( 3) - [1] 41C
10 200 - 2.5-3-3-8 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop Blend - 1:16 - ( 4) - [1] 42C
10 200 - 2 -3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [2]
10 200 - 2 -3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [2]
10 200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop Blend - 1:13 - ( 4) - [1] 42C
10.5:200:200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - 0:17 - ( 0) - [1] 43C +Vcore?
10.5:200:200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop Blend - 0:19 - ( 1) - [1] 44C +Vcore?

CL/RCD/RP/tRAS VCORE 1.675v
10.5:200:200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - 7:35 - (27) - [1] 41C +Vcore?
10.5:200:200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop Large - :35 - ( 2) - [1] 41C +Vcore?

CL/RCD/RP/tRAS VCORE 1.700v
10.5:200:200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - CRSH Blend - 1:13 - ( 5) - [1] 43C Unstable

CL/RCD/RP/tRAS VCORE 1.725v
10.5:200:200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop Blend - 1:30 - ( 3) - [1] 44C Unstable

CL/RCD/RP/tRAS VCORE 1.750v
10.5:200:200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop Blend - 0:08 - ( 0) - [1] 45C Unstable
10.5:200:200 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - fail Blend - 4:13 - (14) - [1] 45C Unstable

CL/RCD/RP/tRAS VCORE 1.650v
10 200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Stop Blend - 2:58 - ( 9) - [1] 41C Unstable
9 200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - CRSH Blend - : - ( 0) - [1] Unstable

11 200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop Blend - 0:05 - ( 0) - [1] 40C Unstable
11 200 - 2.5-3-2-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - stop small - :31 - ( 1) - [1] 41C Unstable

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by ratha on 12/18/04 09:23 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

Wrote that stuff all down when i first got my CPU, was at the bottom of my original post, but there was a lot of information there so it could have been missed easy. I tried to look up some info on it a time or two, but really never found out anything.

Anyway, heres what it is:

BARTON:
27488
axda2500kv4d 9581488270946
aquca0306tpaw

Did a few more tests while waiting for more replies, im working on my third test of this set. First one failed before a minute was up. Second one failed after just over an hour, and the third one thats going now (exact same thing) is nearing about an hour now.

It dosnt feel unstable, it just fails prime tests, but i have not tried to run a game with these specs either, so it might have some issues there too.

By the way, thanks for lending a hand with atleast listening to what ive got going on and offering a few suggestions. I have posted MANY times about this on various forums and its rare that i even get a reply at all. :\


Ratha

-

-------------CL/RCD/RP/tRAS----------VCORE 1.675v----------Corsair DC Mode-------
MP FSB RAM - Timings - VDIMM (real) - Test HRS:MINS (# Pass) - [Tries]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 200 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Blend - <0:00 - ( 0) - [1] 41C-44C 27-29C
10 200 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Blend - 1:08 - ( 3) - [1] 41C-45C 27-30C

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by ratha on 12/19/04 00:09 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

I have two more things i wish to try before i do that. I am running a test right now with 10:198:198 and its about three hours in, and seemingly prime stable so far, but when/if it hits 15-20 hours i will call it one way or the other. Need to push it to its limits see if i cant lock it up a time or two during the testing. First comes the idle testing while i sleep.

If i can run 10:198:198 and 11:195:195 then there should be no reason i cannot run 10:200:200 without failing prime tests. It would seem that the 200 barrier is just that, a solid barrier. No matter what multiplier. The 5:200:200 tests show that.

Do you think that if either the northbridge or the southbridge were 'overheating' that it would cause prime instability, but not system instability? Do you think the margin between 198 and 200 could really trigger that? To me it just seems unlikely, but what do i know.

Keep the ideas comming in, ill put em on the list and start working against them to see if i cant break this barrier. You know, im half tempted to try something like 10:205:205 just for the fact that with my luck, 200:200 is just not possible for me to be prime stable on, but 205:205 could be. X_X

Lol.


Ratha

Really wondering what my 2500+ is capable of. As I posted in my A7V600 post the multiplier is unlocked for some strange reason. Right now it's up to 2153 MHz on stock corevoltage (1,648 V) and rock stable. Temperature will only exceed 50C if I get the ambient temperature above 25C.
I only use a crap PSU, one casefan and a Coolermaster CP5-8JD1F-0L. Really wondering what it can take, gonna try FSB 200 MHz anytime soon.

My processor did not like 13:166:166 for some reason at all. Wasnt heat related, it just did not like it, even at 1.725vcore

An update as to the tests over the last day or so. 10:198:198 failed after 5 hours. I started a test 10:205:170 6/5 ratio, and so far its been running nearly 10 hours. Will put some outside stress on it in a little bit to see if i can cause any problems in the testing or stability.

Whats this say to you guys? Ive used two types of PC3200 ram that have REFUSED to run prime stable @ 200mhz, but i can run 22 hours prime stable @ 11:190:190 and 15 hours stable @ 10.5:195:195, yet i cant run 5 hours stable at 10:198:198.

After reviewing all of the tests ive done, again, with all the new data ive collected in the last week, i am starting to think its something related to ram. 11:200 is too much using near stock voltage settings for my cpu it seems. However the tests i have done which were 9:200:166 and 10:200:166 both came out above 20 hours stable.

I have multiple tests with 11:166:200 which were not prime stable for more than 4 hours except for one, which was ten and i think that was probably a fluke. I think the next test i should try is probably a 10:166:200 just to be sure. I believe that will fail pretty quickly because of the ram being run at 200mhz.

What would cause there to be a problem with both the single channel 512 meg stick of kingston, and the two 256 meg dual channel sticks of corsair in this thing?

Ive tried upping ram voltages before, that didnt seem to help, tried vcore voltage, that didnt seem to help. The only thing i have not tried is upping the chipset voltage. Do you think that could/would be the cause of this problem? I know nothing about chipset voltage and have no way of measuring its temps so im not so likely to play around with it.


Ratha

-

-------------CL/RCD/RP/tRAS----------VCORE 1.675v----------Corsair DC Mode-------
MP FSB RAM - Timings - VDIMM (real) - Test HRS:MINS (# Pass) - [Tries]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 198 - 2.5-3-3-6 - 2.6v (2.7) - Fail Blend - 5:45 - (19) - [1] 42-45C 27-30C

Now it really gets hard to figure out exactly what is wrong. Looking more and more like there's some hardware seriously malfunctioning, in which the motherboard (chipset) would be the usual suspect. If you have the possibility, you might try to use your parts on another mainboard. And the mainboard probably came with a three year warranty, maybe your retailer can test it for you.
Another thing which might be responsible (but normally doesn't happen) is Windows 98SE. It is of course quite outdated. I would advice to try some benchmarking in XP with newest drivers etc. but I don't think it would make much of a difference.
Don't know if it has been mentioned before (cause many people have posted) but just to test your RAM/memory controller also run some Memtest86 tests.
Chipset temp usually is what is displayed as system temp though I'm not sure about that.

And just make sure there's no dust in your ramslots...

Just checked Abit website, seems there have been some bios revisions, flash to the newest version. You can also find a memory compatibility list on the website.

Im running a couple of bios revisions under newest, the new ones didnt fix any problems i know anything about, so i was saving on that for awhile. Maybe ill update, but i have tried different bios revisions before, that didnt solve the problem either.

My case has gotten dusty before, but the ram slots seemed fine to say the least, plus i have tried switching dimms before even different sticks, and reseating. My motherboard does have a few issues, but my local retailer is a couple hundred miles away and RMAing the thing (again) probably wouldnt do any good. Not to mention i would be without a computer for a week or two.

I do have a problem with it that stops it from shutting down properly. It gets caught in a power loop of going on and off/on/off/on/off/on till i manually terminate the power to the computer via the PSU switch.

I *think* thats because of my videocard, which had trouble with my last motherboard too (was nearly impossible to get to post with the thing in, and now i cant shut my comp down with the new motherboard lol)

Ive not been able to track what causes the problem with this new motherboard, dont have a second videocard anymore so i cant test that, and i have tried re-mounting. That wasnt the problem either.

Anyway, the AGP is locked at 66mhz, i assume PCI is locked at 33mhz.

10:205:170 has been running for 15 hours now. Even played a game in the middle of it for an hour. Seems stable to me. So for the third time since i began trying to figure this out i have again come to the conclusion it has something to do with the ram, or atleast running the ram near 200mhz.

Memtest86 does not give any errors for my ram at 11:166:166 or at 11:200:200, atleast not during the last two times i tested it. And for the 11:166:166 i used very tight timings. Dosnt even give errors when i try 11:200:200 at stock vcore settings, which are unstable in windows.

If it was a northbridge problem, i wouldnt be able to run over 200mhz fsb, im doing that right now. The only time i get errors in prime is when im either overclocking too far for my vcore (and then my whole system is unstable) or when my ram is set at 198 or 200mhz.

Since i tried the kingston ram in my board and had the same problem, sure has me stumped. Being limited to 195mhz fsb really dosnt help me in the quest for the perfect overclock, since we all know AMD processors like 1:1 settings far better than not.

Wish i could figure it out. Its driven me nuts for nearly two years now.


Ratha

EDIT: BTW, these sticks are on the compatibility list. Atleast they were when i first looked. Plus its not like Corsair XMS and Kingston HyperX are not name and top quality brands.

I will try upping the voltage again. I dont know how far past 1.8 i want to try, but i will give it a shot depending on the temps i come up with. Im pretty certain i have tried that before.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by ratha on 12/19/04 11:10 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

Just to let you know ratha the corsair memory your using is rated for 2-3-3-6 @ 3200 on intel systems. It is only rated for 2.5-3-3-6 on AMD systems. I had similar memory in my system then I switched to Patriot memory for better timings. As far as your CPU goes it probably needs more voltage like most people have suggested already. I have a bad chip and I couldn't hit 3200 speeds until I put my vcore up high. Look at my sig for settings. Just remember that higher vcore will shorten the life of your CPU.

Xaser 3 case with 420W TT PSU
AXP2500 (11*200 at 1.85v)
9800 Pro 128MB (418/372)
NF7-S v2.0
PDP DDR400 1GB(2-3-2-5)2.6v
Lite-On SOHW-832S
WD 80GB 8mb buffer caviar edition.