Overclocking Opteron 185

[Caios]

I just upgraded to a 939 Dual Core Opteron 185 2.6 out of the box. Lots of people seam to have them overclocked to 3ghz but I cant seam to get anywhere near that. Ive never tried to overclock anything before which I suspect is the problem.

The best I can get is 2.836

Setting are 218x13 @ 1.45v

RAM 2.5, 3, 3, 7 218mhz * 2.85v

(ram is corsair 2-2-2-5 3200xl)

The standard volts for the processor is 1.3 to 1.35. Most people seam to have it overclocked to about 3ghz on 1.4v. If I try to go any higher Prime95 fails, "got 5 expected less than 4".

My northbridge fan is broken at the moment and a new one should arrive soon but my motherboard temps are fine. Could this be the problem?

Some CPUz images of the settings that worked before I upped it a bit a tightened up the memory.

[deksawyer]

Try reducing your multuplier to 9 and raise your FSB to 250.

Also make sure your ram is set to 166 - since raising the FSB will up it anyway. Stock voltages should be fine as well.

I'm no expert either BTW, so there may be some better advice added after me!

D.

[r4zb3rry]

The major restrictor of your OC is that RAM, its recommended Mhz running speed is 200Mhz and even with a 166 divider that equates to a 'safe' maximum of approx 250FSB.

In my experience the best way you will realistically get to 3Ghz will be by using DDR500/PC4000 RAM which runs @ 250Mhz as standard.

However, you could try a multi of 12 and FSB of 250 with a 166 divider on the RAM, this will run it @ 208Mhz but, your already exceeding that speed at it stands anyway so...

I presume your OC is already stress tested for a significant enough period and OK so, start with the 12x Multi and 235FSB to take you just above your current speed then continue working in 5Mhz increments with stress tests in between.

This is obviously just a quick reply and there are a multitude of other settings to contend with on the way to 3Ghz.

Btw the Prime error tends to make me think its the RAM.

R4z

[Caios]

Thanks for the advice, but I seam to have ruined my motherboard today installing a new northbridge cooler. Ive know idea how, Ive left the cmos jumper set to reset and the battery removed and will try again tomorrow. Gutted as Ive got Raid setup and recovering my data could be difficult.