Ok, got a new case today (RaidMax Scorpio). All else being the same, my CPU now idles around 32-33 C and loads at 46-48C. Much better. On to the overclocking...
I now realize that I should have done some more research before buying the Abit VT7 as it seems rather limited in the overclocking area. My main problem is that there does not seem to be an AGP/PCI lock. I can adjust ratios, but cannot lock PCI to 33 anywhere. Elsewhere on this forum other VT7 users have said the same.
Here's what I see:
CPU FSB - I can set this from the stock 200 up to 255.
Multiplier (locked at 12x)
DRAM RATIO (DRAM
CI) - 3:1, 4:1, 5:1 (default), and 6:1
AGP RATIO (CPU:AGP
CI) - 3:2:1, 4:2:1, 5:2:1, and 6:2:1 (default)
This gives me a 200/166/66/33 ratio by default with the P4 2.4C and PC2700 RAM. Increasing the FSB also increases the AGP/PCI frequencies. For example, I can run a 5:4 CPU/DRAM ratio with a 250 FSB and get the following: 250/200/100/50. From what I understand, the AGP
CI needs to remain at 66/33...I can't find a lock for this. However, I've found on the net that if I run my RAM dual channel (2 x 512 MB instead of 1 x 512 MB) that the AGP/PCI lock is enabled. I don't see this as likely...
I bought the VT7 at Fry's less than 14 days ago...Should I return and exchange for an IS7 ($40 more)? Any suggestions if I decide to keep the VT7?
tomorrow will return the VT7 for the IS7.
