935Mhz OC with 8RDA+ Vdd mod

[boead]

XP1700+ (JIUHB 0304)
I'm really impressed with this CPU. After trying everything including a few boards and a couple of other CPU's I got one that’s ok and was only $56 at Newegg.com

Vdd mod was the clincher. Can grab well over 200fsb but I'm getting a good balance of clock to CPU with plenty of bandwidth from this system.

Thanks to the AOA staff and Epox techs, you guys are all right.

http://208.185.94.62/ 2.4Ghz(200x12)-all.jpg

[Holst]

Nice one

You might want to tone down your VDD, you shouldnt need 2v to run 200, 1.8 should be plenty.

[boead]

Originally posted by Holst
Nice one

You might want to tone down your VDD, you shouldnt need 2v to run 200, 1.8 should be plenty.

Yeah, I tried to lower Vdd as much as possible. I was cruising at 1.85v but could not pass a Prime-test especially with a 12x multiplier. At 210Mzh (X 11x) it would not pass anything in Windows under 2.0v. As I raised the multiplier I also had to raise the Vcore substantially. At 210 or above, cold boots were setting off alarms and required clearing CMOS. Disconnecting PSU power is still resulting in the same behavior sometimes. BTW: I have an older ‘APC Backup 280 (280VA)’ UPS with a brand new battery. While I was testing (clocking) and running benches, the units internal breaker was tripping off, not my home power! It happened two or three time so I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I had a new off-brand “Powercom” 575VA UPS laying around, I swapped it out and its hasn’t done it again. Voltage across the board hasn’t changed – what do you think about that?

This board was the third 8RDA+ I bought. The first one was definitely not very good. A friends using it now and its not doing a Mhz over 180 with 210Mhz proven components.
What happened to me was that I got a not-so-good board and tested two CPU’ (a 2400+ and a 2600+ - the only two TBred B’s available at the time) one of which was also not-so-good – Neither did more than 180. I kept the 2600+ and tried another 8RDA+ with the same results, then I tried another (found homes for them, thankfully) – I then final tried a Abit NF7-S with the same 180’ish stable result. Started thinking it was the CPU at this point, tried this XP1700+ and BAM!! 200+ FSB no problem. However I still have no idea how good this board is. With the 2600+ the Abit was MUCH better than this 8RDA+ without Vdd mod. The NF7-S booted to 200 and actually ran for a while, none of the 8RDA+’s would even post at 190 no less 200. The Vdd mod is certainly doing something. This 8RDA+ may still not be the best since its taking 2.0v on both the NB and CPU to get it to run at 200 X 12.

I mounted a Zalman on the NB and then mounted a 60mm fan over it hanging off the backside. There is a torrent of air ripping across the board and over the mosfet’s but still they are really hot! What do you think the effects of 2.0v will have on the board? What else should I cool besides the mosfet’s.

[m1ke101]

thats a nice oc but if I'm correct, I'm seeing that you're running your cpu at 2.1v with air cooling and your board is taking 2vdd....I'm thinking thats a bit dangerous, your cpu and/or board are going to have an untimely death at those voltages

[boead]

Originally posted by m1ke101
thats a nice oc but if I'm correct, I'm seeing that you're running your cpu at 2.1v with air cooling and your board is taking 2vdd....I'm thinking thats a bit dangerous, your cpu and/or board are going to have an untimely death at those voltages

After letting it break in for a couple of days I can now drop the Vdd to 1.9v, anything lower is just not stable.

VCore can also come down a bit to 2.0v too.

I just got a 8RGA+, its sitting next to me waiting to be installed. Maybe tonight if I get a chance.

[Darkest]

How did you get your system temps down so low? Is that an accurate reading?

[boead]

Originally posted by Darkest
How did you get your system temps down so low? Is that an accurate reading?

Good question. I don't know but I am inclined to say yes. My prior CPU (2600+) that was in this same system ran in the low 50º at load with 2.1v. Same system, same board.

I'm swapping boards today with a 8RGA+ so we'll see.