Running my AMD Athlon XP 2500+ at 1.46GHz - Why?

Ok I'am running my AMD Athlon XP 2500+ at 1.46GHz, I would like to be at atleast 1.8, is it really a big difference if I switch over? I remember at one point I switched over and I was having troubles, why is this? Here are my computer specs:

AMD Athlon XP 2500+
400w PSU (Just Upgraded - could this be the reason?, because I had low watt PSU before...)
40GB WD HD 7200RPM
e-force 6600GT
1024GB Generic RAM (Quality) PC 2700

is that the 333 barton core?

if so the default is 1.83 gig

was it an overheating problem or maybe a bios problem where it kept saying you were setting it at the incorrect speed?

not that I know of, amd athlon xp 2500+ ... maybe it is the barton core? not sure where I can find out, bought it last year though.

I think the problem was overheating, because awhile after I put it to 1.8GHz it started to just randomly shutdown, then a few days later I checked out my thermal paste job and it needed some intense care. So I fixed that, you think it is safe to try to run it at 1.8 now?

Ok here is the warning I get in BIO's when I put it on 1.86GHz:

Caution: According to CPU external frequency setting, system memory can only operate at frequency higher than or equal to 333MHz, please make sure the DRAM max frequency is not less than 333MHz

2700 ram is 333

an inadaquate power supply can do weird things

which thermal paste? Artic Silver5?

the only way is to try it but watch the ongoing temps carefully with the utility that came with your motherboard

i have my ram set to 166/33 in bios, should i change it?

Wait. Before you just start changing things can you give us some info?

Motherboard Type?
Is the RAM 2700 or above?

The motherboard type is to know whether it has an auto-watch ability (where if you set the RAM to 333, the computer doesn't work, then on restart it comes back saying incorrect settings). If it doesn't have this (and some don't), then you'll have to clear CMOS.. and we'd need to know the motherboard to see where this is at. You SHOULD be able to change it to 333 if the RAM is 2700 or above.

Lansing Kai Don

166... The RAM is DDR right? Also, you can check your CPU and other system specifications with CPU-Z (Found at http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php). Motherboard model would be nice.

Yeah I have 1024GB of DDR 2700+ RAM. The mobo is a Asus A7V8X-X. My RAM is generic quality ram, so it is not the greatest (could this be an issue?) it is still great ram dont get me wrong - I paid lots for it, but it isnt corsair...

So a Via Chipset, with 8x AGP, and an ASUS. Not bad, go for it. I'm familiar with the boards. I only use ASUS.

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. Wow, brain fart. Ok, if it doesn't work don't worry about it. Keep restarting the computer (sometimes several times). Till the BIOS goes into a kind of safe mode. If this doesn't happen after let's say 30 restarts. Then check your Motherboard manual for the CMOS settings (usually DIP or jumper). Then simply turn it off, set the switch (or change the jumper), turn it on, turn it off (reset the switch or change the jumper back to original). And turn it back on again (this will go to default settings).

P.P.S. If it doesn't work, then try changing the settings slowly (i.e. 200, 233) and get it as high as you can w/o problems. Repeate steps above if computer glitches.

Ok I will try...if my comp blows up will you reimburse me? JUST KIDDING!

OH and can you tell me what to input for these if I want to run at 1.8GHz?


CPU Speed - Manual?
CPU Frequency Multiple
CPU External Frequency (MHz)
Memory Frequency (MHz)

That board has a bios update.

1006 Date 2004/12/13

If this is not your bios date then you will need it for your cpu to read correctly.

Just check it out.

Something I forgot to mention, the speed setting for DDR is actually dual channel. So, you need two sticks of identical memory (not technically true but suggested), to reach the 333 setting. If you only have one stick, your going to be stuck with 166.
CPU External Frequency --> The clock generator speed (how fast it oscillates).
CPU Frequency Multiple --> Multiply the external freq. (or the bus speed) to achieve the internal frequency of the CPU

So. CPU External Freq * CPU Freq. Multiple = 1800 we know we want the External Freq. to be 166 (333 for dual channel, but the mobo will run them in parallel on a 166 freq)
So. 166* CPU Freq. Multiple=1800
1800/166=CPU Freq. Multiple

You need to set your Freq Multiple to 10.84 ( I think their in half increments), so 10.5 first... if it works it will be 1743 Mhz, then try 11 and if it works you'll get 1826 (this is what you want). But if it blanks out, set it back down to 10.5 (by following previous thread). Hope this helps.

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. Basically to achieve 1800... External Freq=166, Multiplier=11

Ok that worked, thanks alot bro...I got one more question: does AMD Athlon 64 work for my mobo? the A7V8X-X? Appreciate any info you give me btw - it has all been valid and helpful. Oh and if the AMD Athlon 64 doesnt work, is it worth it to upgrade from a AMD Athlon 2600+ to a 3200+? would I notice a big difference?

No, the Athlon 64 processors actually use a different socket type not compatible with the XP series (939 and 754 whereas XP uses 462). The biggest difference in this upgrade would be the front side bus speed upgrade to 400 Mhz (i.e. you gain from 333 to 400 or 66Mhz (or 33 Mhz in single channel)). This would also require the purchase of PC3200 RAM. BUT your motherboard doesn't support anything higher than a 333 Mhz FSB (front side bus)... so it kind of is pointless, this means that you cannot get higher than a 2700 processor also. You can use PC3200 RAM if you wanted but it would be running on the 333 bus (so no performance increase there either). You're definitely going to have to pay more if you want a performance boost (new motherboard/processor especially). And you might as well wait a couple of months after the Venice core for AMD comes out (this will drop prices on the other 64 cores).

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. Did you get the 1800 to work then? And I'm glad to help (gives me a warm feeling inside)

When i got my AMD XP 2500, i had to set it up to 1.83 because it was down at the lowest it could go, wicth was around 1.2ghz I am running an A7V8X so it must be the motherboard, it runs nice and cool at 1.83 youll most likely be fine.

Actually almost ALL motherboards ship like this (ASUS is pretty good about automatically adjusting settings), but if the mobo doesn't automatically adjust. Then it picks default settings, that means a 100Mhz FSB and you'd have a multiple freq. of 12. But I'm glad it runs nice and cool, I was worried about overheating. Are you using the Heatsink/Fan that came with the retail package?

Lansing Kai Don

you might wish to change that

DDR is Double Data Rate not dual channel

you can use DDR memory in dual channel mode on supported motherboards

the actual clock speed of 333 mhz memory is actually 166 mhz double pumped

using it in dual channel mode will not allow it to reach an actual clock of 333 mhz it will still be 166 mhz

before i got another stick of 400 ram i was using a single stick at exactly the rated speed without using the dual channel

Sorry I was referring to his case. Your absolutely right about DDR. Although, when you say you were using 400Mhz RAM at the rated speed w/o using Dual Channel how?

Basically, can you be more elaborate, in the beginning you say using it in Dual channel mode will NOT allow it to reach an actual clock of 333, it will still be 166. Then you say that before you got another stick of 400Mhz RAM you was using a single stick at the rated speed of 400MHz?

Let me specify my impression on how DDR works.

Your FSB speed should only be 200Mhz (as mine is), I was under the impression that using both edges of the clock cycle to r/w data is where they come up with the 166/200 as it is, Dual channel is just the ability to r/w from two sticks in parallel(essientially doubling the bandwidth, i.e. 333/400Mhz). I may be wrong in this (and it is a dumbed down version), but lord I hope not.

Lansing Kai Don