nForce overclocking database

[saturnotaku]

I wanted to put a list together for all nForce/2 owners to see what kinds of overclocks you're getting on your systems. Put in your motherboard, processor, HSF, FSB and any voltage or memory tweaks you've done to get the maximum performance out of your system.

Although I'm still experimenting with mine, the highest stable OC I've been able to achieve thus far has been getting my Abit NF7-S/2400+ up to 2200 MHz on a 176 fsb. My RAM is set to 6-3-3-2.5. CPU is at 1.75V and RAM is at 2.8V. Since I've upped my voltages, I'm going to try and get the FSB higher, especially since I have access to a 12x multiplier. But I want to run some more tests to make sure my system is stable at the speeds I have it now.

This is all using Shin-Etsu thermal compound with a Thermalright SLK-800A heatsink and an Enermax variable speed 80mm fan. With 7 total fans (including the CPU and 2 on my power supply) going, the system is surprisingly quiet. I'd bet I could get some more out of my processor if I put on a more powerful fan, but I'm quite happy with what I have now.

[SnakeEyes]

Nice overclock. I wish my 2500+ was living up to its expectations, but I think I'd need to do some volt mods to my motherboards to go higher:

Asus A7N8X Deluxe
Athlon XP 2500+ (retail)
Swiftech MCX462 heatsink / delta black label fan
Corsair PC3200LL 256MB DIMM (x2)

2059MHz (179MHz fsb, 11.5 multiplier)
1.825 volts CPU
2.6v memory
memory running synchronously (179/179), 5,2,2,2.5
AGP locked at 66MHz (supposedly also locks the PCI bus, but I'm not sure, based on WinXP file errors at higher fsb speeds)

I can actually boot at 2150MHz (187MHz fsb, 11.5mult), and I've tried various combinations of higher / lower fsb and multiplier settings, but this seems to be the maximum stable speed I can get. I can even post at over 2200MHz, but Windows XP Pro insists that there are file errors and won't load at anything over 2150, and is very unstable at over 2100 right now.

Unfortunately the max vcore with the Asus is 1.85 volts (which is what I have to have to even boot at the 2100MHz or higher clocks). In my past experiences with overclocking, if I could post but Windows was unstable or had trouble booting, adding some more CPU vcore usually got me further, so I'd bet that if I could get 1.9 or 1.95 volts, I'd be stable at 2200 (assuming the PCI bus really IS locked).

As far as the fsb speed goes, I can't go over 193MHz no matter how low I clock the CPU (really low multipliers tried with no success). From all the reading at AMDMB.COM forums, I could fix that if I was willing to 1) volt mod the chipset itself, and 2) glue some active cooling to the northbridge and southbridge chips. But I'm the type of guy that pushes what I've got as far as I can stably get it without mods, mainly because I lack the resources and training to make the changes needed for the mod to be successful, and I'm too chicken to risk damaging the board itself to learn. :p

Edit: knew if forgot something (added heatsink / fan info)

[saturnotaku]

I can post at a 185 fsb, but Windows just doesn't like it. I either get a BSOD when I launch any program or my system will automatically reboot after getting past the loading screen. I'll try some more voltage tweaks, though because my system only runs at about 43-45 degrees under load with this overclock. Long as I can stay under 50 I'm a happy camper (especially since my room has a tendency to get hot in these coming summer months).

I'll also try to get my RAM down to 5-3-3-2.5, but I'm not hoping for any miracles. Overclocking is so much fun on this motherboard. :D

[ricercar]

The nForce2 Shuttle SFF BIOS is dismal for overclocking. The SN41G2 has no voltage or multiplier adjustments, only the FSB and DDR settings can be tweaked.

FSB 180 MHz - POST OK, bluescreens WinXP before Win logo
FSB 178 MHz - POST OK, boots WinXP, bluescreens @ desktop load/audio greeting
FSB 177 MHz - POST OK, boots WinXP, desktop loads, bluescreens halfway through 3DMarks.
FSB 173 MHz - POST OK, boots WinXP, stable for all experiments

All the above are 2-2-2-5 DDR settings.

Shuttle nForce2 SN41G2
AMD Athlon 3000+ XP "Barton"
Shuttle SFF heatpipe CPU cooler with unknown thermal paste, no shim
Corsair TWINX pair of 512MB 2-2-2- PC2700
PNY GeForce FX 5800 Ultra
Western Digital 1200 JB 120G drive
WinXP Pro corporate

EDIT: memory run in sync with FSB.

[FastM]

Epox-8rda+

Best in windows 200Mhz FSB in sync 6,2,2,2 (but after 30sec the screen would start to flash and then it would freeze, goldmemory tester reports no cpu and memory errors at this fsb so i know its the Motherboard maxing out) Didn't try higher obviously

Best Stable... 195Mhz FSB in sync 6,2,2,2 with my 2100+ @ 2340Mhz (195x12) (that was done with a friends Kingston HyperX PC3500)

Running now 180Mhz FSB in sync 6,2,2,2.5 with my 2100+ @ 2340Mhz @ 1.775v (180xdefault multi 13) Full load is 38c. Memory voltage is 2.7 just to be safe, although it ran fine at 2.6 at this speed.

And just for fun here is my SuperGF4Cooler
http://www.magickrypt.com/matt/SuperGF4Cooler.jpg

[gokickrocks]

12x225 sync w/ 2.0-2-2-4 timings
1.8 vcore
2.7 vmem
1.7 vdd

[saturnotaku]

I've been able to break the magical 200 barrier. My system has been completely stable so far running at 200x11 with the vcore at 1.775 and RAM at 2.7. I had the core at 2.8, but that made my system a bit too hot. My CPU is going about 43-45 idle and 47-49 load. I played Quake 3 and UT2003 for over an hour last night at full details, 1280x1024 in both games, 6xAA/16xAF in Q3, 4xAA/8xAF in UT and my system didn't bat an eye. I could play a full match against bots on the nv15 map in Q3 and still maintain playability. I don't think I'm going to try and go any higher because I want to keep my temps under 50.

In Sandra benchies, my CPU and RAM are hauling and I couldn't be happier. :D

[butter]

asus nforce2 deluxe + 2400xp + hyperx 2700 ram

coolmaster hhc-001 heatpipe


195mhz * 12 = 2340mhz
1.775 v
ram 2-2-2-2
2.7v

[VeritechK7]

hey saturn, you're right where you shoudl be or so what i've seen from the folks at hardware central. Some too have reached an FSB of 200MHz .

[saturnotaku]

I read a review where 200 was the highest stable fsb they could achieve with the NF7-S. It was second only to the Soltek nF2, which hit, I want to say something like 223. :eek:

[mariuz]

Originally posted by saturnotaku
I read a review where 200 was the highest stable fsb they could achieve with the NF7-S. It was second only to the Soltek nF2, which hit, I want to say something like 223. :eek:
wow :eek: that's good news for soltek
Yah that's my next *board :)

[-=Gib-McFragger=-]

I just jammed a Barton 2500+ (166mhzx11 = 1.833GHz) onto my Asus A7N8X and now I am running stable at (183mhzx12.5 = 2.288GHz) at 35c idle and 41c load. :eek:

I only have one thing to say. If you want a processor that is relatively cheap and overclocks like a mutha, get the Barton 2500+. :afro:

http://www3.telus.net/gib_mcfragger/Barton.JPG

[VeritechK7]

Nice results gib !

[volt]

Jeebus Gib! Nice one :)
Can you try 190 ? :D

BTW, you just saved 150 bucks haha

[-=Gib-McFragger=-]

hehehe If I increase it even a few more mhz to 2300, it boinks. So I am living on the edge at that speed, but I can't complain. That is faster than a $1000can Barton 3000+ :D

I saved more than 300. The 2500+ is $250 canadian and it is now clocked faster than a 3000+ which is about $1000 can. :eek:

[VeritechK7]

I know what you mean gib. That's the only reason why I don't like the PR model. The products will be priced according to the model and not the actual core speed of the chip. so something that is about 100 or so MHz higher, it will be increased 200 to 300 bucks. But I guess it's to make sure that the everyday consumer will only see the model to compete with the p4.

[-=Gib-McFragger=-]

Yea man, it's just stupid. You are paying literally hundreds more for a few extra mhz. :lame:

[john19055]

I should be getting my ASUS A7N8X-Deluxe by Tuesday and I have a XP2400,Does the A7N8X unlock all the multiplers.I have heard it does on some and others say it just unlocks the upper multiplers.

[-=Gib-McFragger=-]

there is a long winded explanation about how the mulipliers work on XP's, but this is the short version.

Since they share the same registers, you cannot have the full range of mulitpliers work at once. The processors come with the L1 bridges connected, which means you get 13- working.

If you connect the last bridge on L3, you LOSE the 13- mults and gain the 8-12.5, which people use to overclock by raising the FSB.

Make sense? Long story short, you should have the higher mults working. :afro:

[john19055]

On the AnandTech Review on the ASus A7N8X-deluxe and a XP2400 it said you can put your locked XP2400 and it automanticaly unlocked the multiplers,They said they used the 8x multipler and up the FSB. I guess I will no for sure Tuesday when I get mine.

[bootboy]

asus a7n8x dlx
amd 2600+ xp t-bred
2 512 samsung pc3200
I've tried different combos of lowering the multiplier and increasing the FSB.
11*200 would post but 3dmarks would lock.
sweet spot was and still is
184 fsb
12.5 multiplier = 2.3 :) cpu 1.775
memory is in sync 184 at
6 3 3 2.5T DDRv 2.7
agp locked at 66
used sisandra for quick cpu reference
dhrystone ALU 8583
multiM Interger aEMMX 12669 both of these were above
a stock 3000xp tbred (no o.c.)
this is all air cooled 44c w/load
is the cpu reference here worth checking against?
http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=553542
cheers

[-=Gib-McFragger=-]

Originally posted by john19055
On the AnandTech Review on the ASus A7N8X-deluxe and a XP2400 it said you can put your locked XP2400 and it automanticaly unlocked the multiplers,They said they used the 8x multipler and up the FSB. I guess I will no for sure Tuesday when I get mine.

Hrm, maybe. Mine was one of the original T-Breds, maybe the newer ones they are. :afro:

[CaptNKILL]

Hey guys, I plan on getting myself an Epox 8RDA+ pretty soon because they are so cheap (only $102 at newegg!) so I can overclock my XP 1700+ JIUHB 302.

Ive got a Thermalright SK-7, which is an awesome heat sink, but I need a really good fan if Im going to do some serious OCing. What would you recomend? Im on a tight budget, so it has to have a decent price (no $20 fans... screw that!). I want the most effective fan I can get, without sounding like a leaf blower :)

Also, where is a good place to buy it? Newegg is ok for that kind of thing, but you have to pay individual shipping charges for each fan if you get more than one... kinda stupid. You buy two $3 fans and end up paying $20 with shipping.

EDIT: Forgot to mention: I prefer an 80MM fan.

[-=Gib-McFragger=-]

That heatsink should be fine. You have to remember that the newer processors run cooler overall than the older ones. I have an aging Volcano 7 and it cools my 2.2 just fine. I get 35c idle, 41c load. :angel:

[CaptNKILL]

Originally posted by -=Gib-McFragger=-
That heatsink should be fine. You have to remember that the newer processors run cooler overall than the older ones. I have an aging Volcano 7 and it cools my 2.2 just fine. I get 35c idle, 41c load. :angel:

I want a better FAN tho... for the heat sink :)

My 1700+ (1466Mhz) is OCed to 1702Mhz (136x12.5) with no Volt adjustments, and right now its at 37C. Ive had it on for about 4 hours (ive restarted twice, but never shut down), and played CS for about an hour and a half. I would OC it more now, but my mobo or my ram just cant take it. My comp is reasonably stable right now because my FSB is barely OCed.

I just want to get a good nForce2 (A) for the sound and (B) so I get use 166Mhz FSB. 166x12.5=2075Mhz..... thats plenty :)

... of course 170x12.5= 2125Mhz.... *drooling*.... I cant wait to get a new mobo..... plus, ive got 2 sticks of PC-2700, so I can get dual channel.....
*drooling*

How much do you think the temp would rise if im already getting about 40C during load? Im really enjoying these low CPU temps, I dont want to go back to the 52C days (stupid 1800+ Palimino).