Radeon 9800 falls over when system RAM is at 400mhz

[Caroline]

Hi.

My Crucial RAM (512mb x 2, dual channel) is 3200 RAM but is currently
running at 333mhz to match the FSB of my Athlon 3000 on A7N8X Dlxe.

After careful perusal of this group (!) I started messing with my
settings to get 400mhz FSB on the Athlon. Tried this with 10.5x
multiplier and 11x multiplier and, in general, it seemed fine (though
both ran a good 5 - 7deg C warmer). However, any attempt at running 3D
graphics fails with various errors (depending on the program) - so, for
instance, 3D Mark 2001 says that it "failed to initialise" the Radeon.
This was exactly the problem I was having when I was running the RAM at
400mhz and the FSB at 333mhz, which was why I dropped the RAM to be in
sync. However, it's now looking like the 400mhz speed is the common
factor, no matter what the FSB. I'm not sure I understand why the memory
speed is affecting the Radeon - it's a Dabsvalue Radeon 9800 non-Pro,
BTW. Dunno who actually makes it (I'm in the UK) but it's performance
otherwise is excellent and pretty close to the Pro's.

Anybody able to cast any light on this mystery?

TIA

Caroline

Caroline Picking, (e-mail address removed)
Milton Keynes, England.

 

[Elmo]

I don't think the problem is with the video card. I had the same problem
with my XP3000 and my ATI 9800 Pro. I could overclock it but not run any 3D
applications. I solved this by raising the vcore voltage to 1.85v. Now all
is stable and all 3D applications run with no problems.
What is the revision of your motherboard? The A7N8X Deluxe comes in 1.4,
1.6, and 2.0.
What bios are you using?
What is your vcore and memory voltages?
Depending on your cooling setup you may not be able to raise your vcore
voltage to the level necessary to run stable at 400 FSB.
I am currently running my XP3000 at 11.5 X 230 for 2645MHz and 460MHz FSB. I
am also overclocking the 3DConnect 9800 Pro. I have Corsair XMS PC3700
memory and Swiftech 22500 water cooling on the CPU and GPU. Prior to going
to water cooling I could only run stable at 12 X 200.

Hi.

My Crucial RAM (512mb x 2, dual channel) is 3200 RAM but is currently
running at 333mhz to match the FSB of my Athlon 3000 on A7N8X Dlxe.

After careful perusal of this group (!) I started messing with my
settings to get 400mhz FSB on the Athlon. Tried this with 10.5x
multiplier and 11x multiplier and, in general, it seemed fine (though
both ran a good 5 - 7deg C warmer). However, any attempt at running 3D
graphics fails with various errors (depending on the program) - so, for
instance, 3D Mark 2001 says that it "failed to initialise" the Radeon.
This was exactly the problem I was having when I was running the RAM at
400mhz and the FSB at 333mhz, which was why I dropped the RAM to be in
sync. However, it's now looking like the 400mhz speed is the common
factor, no matter what the FSB. I'm not sure I understand why the memory
speed is affecting the Radeon - it's a Dabsvalue Radeon 9800 non-Pro,
BTW. Dunno who actually makes it (I'm in the UK) but it's performance
otherwise is excellent and pretty close to the Pro's.

Anybody able to cast any light on this mystery?

TIA

Caroline

Caroline Picking, (e-mail address removed)
Milton Keynes, England.

 

[John Boy]

Have you tried the memory settings at "Optimal" and "Aggressive"?

 

[Caroline]

I don't think the problem is with the video card. I had the same problem
with my XP3000 and my ATI 9800 Pro. I could overclock it but not run any3D
applications. I solved this by raising the vcore voltage to 1.85v. Now all
is stable and all 3D applications run with no problems.
What is the revision of your motherboard? The A7N8X Deluxe comes in 1.4,
1.6, and 2.0.
What bios are you using?
What is your vcore and memory voltages?
Depending on your cooling setup you may not be able to raise your vcore
voltage to the level necessary to run stable at 400 FSB.
I am currently running my XP3000 at 11.5 X 230 for 2645MHz and 460MHz FSB. I
am also overclocking the 3DConnect 9800 Pro. I have Corsair XMS PC3700
memory and Swiftech 22500 water cooling on the CPU and GPU. Prior to going
to water cooling I could only run stable at 12 X 200.

Ah thanks .. that's given me some clues. Because my settings didn't
actually *overclock* anything I didn't think I needed to change vcore
voltages and I certainly haven't changed any memory voltages bc they're
*supposed* to run at 400mhz stock.
My A7N8X Deluxe is a revision 2.0 - hence also supposed to be fine at
400mhz. I've flashed the BIOS to 1005 (which seemed to cure some disc
corruption problems I was having)

I admire your setup! - but for myself, I don't really want to overclock
- quiet comes with at least equal priority to speed. Other posters on
the group reported doing the same as I was trying to do; up the FSB and
drop the multiplier so that board and RAM are both able to run at 400mhz
speed. Both are rated for this, of course, though the Athlon 3000 I have
is a 333mhz one.. In fact, using a 10.5x reduced CPU speed by around 2%
suggesting a marginal *under* clock. But I'm beginning to think I'm
missing/misunderstanding some vital point here! <furrows brow>

Thanks for responding

Caroline

Hi.

My Crucial RAM (512mb x 2, dual channel) is 3200 RAM but is currently
running at 333mhz to match the FSB of my Athlon 3000 on A7N8X Dlxe.

After careful perusal of this group (!) I started messing with my
settings to get 400mhz FSB on the Athlon. Tried this with 10.5x
multiplier and 11x multiplier and, in general, it seemed fine (though
both ran a good 5 - 7deg C warmer). However, any attempt at running 3D
graphics fails with various errors (depending on the program) - so, for
instance, 3D Mark 2001 says that it "failed to initialise" the Radeon.
This was exactly the problem I was having when I was running the RAM at
400mhz and the FSB at 333mhz, which was why I dropped the RAM to be in
sync. However, it's now looking like the 400mhz speed is the common
factor, no matter what the FSB. I'm not sure I understand why the memory
speed is affecting the Radeon - it's a Dabsvalue Radeon 9800 non-Pro,
BTW. Dunno who actually makes it (I'm in the UK) but it's performance
otherwise is excellent and pretty close to the Pro's.

Anybody able to cast any light on this mystery?

TIA

Caroline

Caroline Picking, (e-mail address removed)
Milton Keynes, England.

Caroline Picking, (e-mail address removed)
Milton Keynes, England.