Mikeinho

Hi there. I'm a total newbie at the overclocking game, so please help with a specific query...

Aim: overclock Q6600 on ASRock 4CoreDial-SATA2, ATI Radeon HD2400
Issue: no video output after CPU overclock attempt

From a default BIOS setting, all I change is Advanced > CPU Config > CPU Host Freq: new value 333, save changes and exit (no other BIOS values altered after CPU Host Freq). However, when it reboots, I get no video output.

Then to regain control, I need to jumper the CMOS to default.

The system works fine with no overclocking using default settings across the BIOS, and temperature read OK - CPU and mainboard less than 35C.

I've studied loads of tutorials and watched overclocking videos on youtube, etc. However, I just can’t seem to get anywhere with this BIOS. It has built in 'Hybrid Booster', which apparently makes overclocking easy (or at least protected).

I can't seem to find the BIOS area where I'm supposed to alter the CPU VCORE value, so I'm assuming this is controlled by the 'Hybrid Booster'. The official manual doesn't even give any hints regarding this.

Your help would be much appreciated. Does anyone have any suggestions?

awdrifter

That board doesn't have Vcore adjustment. If you just changed the fsb to 333mhz, your ram is probably running too high, change the ram speed to 533mhz (either in the Bios or using the jumper, my ASRock board use jumpers). Turn off C1E and SpeedStep, disable spread spectrum. And don't just change the fsb to 333mhz in one step, do it slowly in 10mhz increments. Also, check to see if you can change the PCI-E bus speed in your bios, if you can, change it to 107mhz.

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Mikeinho

Excellent, thanks for the tips.

I've run some testing in the meantime and managed to tweak the FSB (pre-multiplier) from 266 to 280 using trial and error, and in smaller increments (as you also noted). System is stable, and 100% CPU use-test on core temperature is still below 50C.

You suggest leaving the RAM at 533Mhz, but the physical RAM is DDR2-6400, which I believe goes upto 800MHz. The BIOS allows three settings: AUTO, 533, or 667. Which do you suggest I use when ramping up the FSB?

I have seen Spread Spectrum, which is currently set to ‘enabled’, so I’ll try switching this off. However, please explain what are CE1 and SpeedStep? I’ve not seen either of these in the BIOS under those names. Perhaps SpeedStep is the RAM speed test on startup, but I’m not sure. I’ve no idea what CE1 is though.

I can change the PCI-E, but the BIOS limits this to either 100MHz or ‘sync’. What do you suggest?

awdrifter

If your rams are DDR2-6400 you can just leave it on the DDR2-667 (PC2-5300) divider.

Here's a screenshot of my Bios (the date is wrong, I forgot to set it). Enhanced Halt State is C1E. Intel Speedstep Tech is the Speedstep that I was taking about. If you can only have 100mhz or sync for the PCI-E bus, set it to 100mhz. Hope this helps.

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Mikeinho

Thanks for the advice and screenshot.

Unfortunately, my BIOS doesn't have Enhanced Halt State or Intel Speedstep Tech. I tried again changing as many things as you mentioned, but upwards of 280MHz (pre-multiplier) it just stalls at Windows boot screen.

Thanks for all your help, but I think I'm just going to have to get a new mainboard that's a bit more overclocking friendly.

awdrifter

Yeah, unfortunately if your bios won't let you turn off those options your oc will be limited.

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Mikeinho

Upgraded mobo to ASRock P45TS - all is well with the world.