Guide to OCing Opteron 2210 socket F (please help)

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spectrumbx

[H]ard|Gawd
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Apr 2, 2003
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While waiting for barcelona, I will run a single opty 2210 socket F.
I have not had an AMD chip since Socket A.

RAM: 4x 4GB 667mhz ECC REG (16 GB)
Mobo: ASUS KFN5-D SLI
Heatsink: Zalman CNPS9500 AM2
Video card: Radeon X300
PSU: FSP FX 700-GLN

Will I be able to OC this chip?

If yes, what should be the settings? (HTT, FSB, voltage, etc.)

Thanks.
 
same as overclocking any other K8, but you just have two cpus now...

have a look at my sig, we can extend on that guide to clarify any questions you still have after reading it ;)
 
The guides Eclipse suggested are great starts! It has been a while since I tried any overclocking, and I just went through those guides today.
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
same as overclocking any other K8, but you just have two cpus now...

have a look at my sig, we can extend on that guide to clarify any questions you still have after reading it ;)
Click to expand...

pimp it like you do!

Eclipse's guide is excellent OP, give it a look over.
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
same as overclocking any other K8, but you just have two cpus now...

have a look at my sig, we can extend on that guide to clarify any questions you still have after reading it ;)
Click to expand...

Read it... still don't get some points...

Here is what I have as of now (made a few changes in the hardware):
2x 2212 opterons (2.0Ghz)
1x ASUS KFN5-D SLI Dual Socket 1207 NVIDIA nForce Professional 3600 Extended ATX Server Motherboard
4x 4GB DDR2 667mhz ECC REG

Now, I don't want to overclock the RAM (I don't even think it is even possible with those fat sticks).
At stock what would be:
- HTT settings
- the corresponding RAM clock setting
- the divider
 
stock settings for that...

htt is 200mhz. ht link multi is 5x for an ht link speed of 1000mhz
memory ratio would be ddr2-667 or 333mhz. which is a 5:3 ratio... which in turn gives a memory divider of cpu/6. 2000mhz/6 = 333mhz :D

if you want to overclock the cpu without changing memory speed, you don't have many options.

the next lower memory ratio is 266mhz, 4:3. that will give a cpu/8 memory ratio.. to keep the ram at 333mhz, this means you need a 2664mhz core clock.

option 1:
htt = 266mhz
cpu multi = 10x
memory ratio = 266mhz/DDR2-533
ht link multi = 3x, though 4x will probably work fine

the next lower memory ratio is 200mhz, 1:1, gives cpu/10. apply similar math as above and you get a 3330mhz cpu clock to get the ram at stock speed

option 2:
htt = 333mhz
cpu multi = 10x
memory ratio = 200mhz/DDR2-400
ht link multi = 3x


if you were willing to oc the ram a bit (i don't see why not, as it should be possible, even with buffered ram), a tweaked version of option 1 might be the best option, just with the htt as high as you can get while retaining stability
 
I am trying to be realistic with the RAM. We are talking about 4x 4GB ECC REG sticks... soon to be 8.

One thing I am realizing now is that the CPU is really rated for DDR2-400 (minimum supported RAM speed). :eek:

Is this correct?
option x:
htt = 200-250mhz (4:3 to 5:3 dividers):
cpu multi = 10x
memory ratio = 333mhz/DDR2-667
ht link multi = 4x

I take it that the CPU multiplier cannot be changed and that HTT should be 1000 or less. Right?
 
spectrumbx said:
That should be:
option 2:
htt = 333mhz
cpu multi = 10x
memory ratio = 333mhz/DDR2-667
ht link multi = 3x
Click to expand...

no, because then the memory would still be at cpu/6, giving a ram clock of 555mhz. a lot more than you want, no? ;)

the memory speed option isn't a defined speed, it's a ratio to set the memory divider with from the cpu multi :D
 
I think I got it now.

Questions:
1. HTT = RAM speed. Right?
2. It is safe to assume that "low CPU multiplier + high HTT" > "high CPU multiplier + lower HTT". Right?

Edit: just saw your reply and now I am confused. Grrr!
So, "no" to question 1.
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
htt is what most people still call the fsb.

ram speed is ram speed :D
Click to expand...

In other words, I have to set the "DRAM Frequency Set".

Now, I realize... I skipped the section "RAM SETTINGS" from the guide. :eek:
I think your first response should have been: Did you really read the guide? :D
 
spectrumbx said:
I think your first response should have been: Did you really read the guide? :D
Click to expand...

nobody reads it through the first time, i know that, so i assumed you didn't and just laid out the info anyway, just to see how quickly you would get confused :D
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
nobody reads it through the first time, i know that, so i assumed you didn't and just laid out the info anyway, just to see how quickly you would get confused :D
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, I actually took a nap first.
Then I read the guide.

How high do you think the 2212's can go under some Zalman 9500's?

Thanks bud!
 
depends, do you have the full OPN and stepping on hand? if it's F3 silicon, probably 3.1-3.3ghz, if F2, 2.7-3.1ghz ;)
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
depends, do you have the full OPN and stepping on hand? if it's F3 silicon, probably 3.1-3.3ghz, if F2, 2.7-3.1ghz ;)
Click to expand...

The chips were adverstised as OSA2212GAA6CQ, which is F2.

Now which is better and by how much?

2.66Ghz
HTT = 266mhz
CPU multi = 10x
Frequency Set = 200mhz/DDR2-400 | 1:1
HTT link multi = 3x

vs

2.66Ghz
HTT = 333mhz
CPU multi = 8x
Frequency Set = 200mhz/DDR2-400 | 1:1
HTT link multi = 3x
 
the latter, it has faster ram.. though the difference will only be like 1-2%.

though why not:

2.66Ghz
HTT = 266mhz
CPU multi = 10x
Frequency Set = 266mhz/DDR2-533 | 4:3
HTT link multi = 3x

would put the ram at the 333mhz like option 2, but without cranking the htt up so high ;)
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
the latter, it has faster ram.. though the difference will only be like 1-2%.

though why not:

2.66Ghz
HTT = 266mhz
CPU multi = 10x
Frequency Set = 266mhz/DDR2-533 | 4:3
HTT link multi = 3x

would put the ram at the 333mhz like option 2, but without cranking the htt up so high ;)
Click to expand...

Isn't option 1 better than that since it is 1:1 vs 4:3?
How low is too low for HTT?

Here are my mobo options (from outdated manual):

CPU Frequency: 200.9 to 300 Mhz
Memory clock: Auto | Manual or Limit -> 200/266/333 Mhz (available options)
MCP55(SB) to K8(CPU): Auto | Manual -> 200/400/600/800/1000 Mhz (available options)

So:
HTT: 200.9 to 300
HTT multi: 1 to 5
Freq set: 1:1 / 4:3 / 5:3
CPU multi: 10... cannot be changed :eek: ... I hope I am wrong on that...

- 5:3 => this is out since I don't want to overclock the RAM
- 4:3 => I am forced to do exactly 2.66Ghz (266 HTT, 3 HTT multi, 10 CPU multi)
- 1:1 => 2.0-3.0Ghz with RAM 200-300Mhz

So the 4:3 route vs the 1:1 route.
2.7Ghz_270Mhz RAM vs 2.66Ghz_333Mhz RAM? (assuming the chips can do more than 2.66Ghz)
 
you can't go too low on htt

and no one ratio is better than the other. don't focus on the ratio itself, but the final mhz instead ;)


but given the options you gave me, the last choice i posted would probably be ideal, assuming of course that the cpu can do this arbitrary 2.66ghz goal :p
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
you can't go too low on htt

and no one ratio is better than the other. don't focus on the ratio itself, but the final mhz instead ;)


but given the options you gave me, the last choice i posted would probably be ideal, assuming of course that the cpu can do this arbitrary 2.66ghz goal :p
Click to expand...

So, why not just set the HTT multi to 1 and be done with it?
Then Max HTT speed will be 333Mhz.
 
you're getting the terms confused

htt = base clock speed for everything else (aka fsb, but it's technically correct term is htt. do you want me to just call it fsb from now on?)
ht link = htt * ht multi, it's the bus between the cpus and chipset
 
(cf)Eclipse said:
you're getting the terms confused

htt = base clock speed for everything else (aka fsb, but it's technically correct term is htt. do you want me to just call it fsb from now on?)
ht link = htt * ht multi, it's the bus between the cpus and chipset
Click to expand...

My mistake for not being clear with the question.
I was talking about the HTT link (HTT x multi).
How low is too low for the link?
I thought the ideal is 1000Mhz.

So, ....

2.66Ghz
HTT = 333mhz
CPU multi = 8x
Frequency Set = 200mhz/DDR2-400 | 1:1
HTT link multi = 3x

... should be better than (solely based on HTT link 999mhz vs 798Mhz)...

2.66Ghz
HTT = 266mhz
CPU multi = 10x
Frequency Set = 266mhz/DDR2-533 | 4:3
HTT link multi = 3x

Now memory bandwidth vs tighter timings.
Which is better?
1. Of, 2.7Ghz_270Mhz RAM vs 2.66Ghz_333Mhz RAM? (same timings 5-5-5-15)
2. Of, 2.66Ghz_266Mhz RAM (4-4-4-12) vs 2.66Ghz_333Mhz RAM (5-5-5-15)?
 
well, doesn't the manual say you can't change the cpu multiplier in the bios? if so, then option one is out.
if you can, then option one will be better in one case: you have two cpus and are doing heavy multitasking. but even then, the difference should still be small ;)

and it's ht link by the way.. hypertransport link :D


also, for which one is better, it depends entirely upon the workload. in most cases, i doubt you'll ever see the difference between those 4 setups
 
Yeah, I have two 2212's with 8GB ram on each CPU.
The manual does not really say you cannot change the CPU multi. I just did not see the option documented.
I will know for sure once I am in the bios.

From reading the reviews, it seems like bandwidth vs timings depends on the application.
For instance, SuperPI prefers tighter timings (up 5.xx% gain / 3-4-4-7 to 2-2-2-6) whereas 3DMark01 prefers bandwidth (up to 5.xx% gain / 203Mhz to 290Mhz).

So, 266Mhz@4-4-4-12 ~= 333Mhz@5-5-5-15.
In all cases, it is clear that more CPU clock is better.

I will start here and see how high I can get by just playing with the HTT and HTT Link multi.
I am pretty sure I won't get very high since I want to run the CPU fans at no more than medium speed.

2.0Ghz
HTT = 200mhz
CPU multi = 10x
Frequency Set = 200mhz/DDR2-400 | 1:1
HTT link multi = 5x
Ram timing: 4-4-4-12 / 5-5-5-15 at above 2.66Ghz (if I ever get there).

Thanks for all the help. :)
 
yeah, it'll all come together when you finally get into the bios and start fiddling with stuff :D

good luck with it ;)
 
Update!!!

This really bites. :(

1. I cannot undervolt the CPU
2. I can only bump the CPU voltage by 0.1v
3. CPU freqency is limited to 200.9->210 range

So, after all that, the best I can do is 2.11Ghz. :mad:
 
spectrumbx said:
Update!!!

This really bites. :(

1. I cannot undervolt the CPU
2. I can only bump the CPU voltage by 0.1v
3. CPU freqency is limited to 200.9->210 range

So, after all that, the best I can do is 2.11Ghz. :mad:
Click to expand...

How bout inside windows with something like clockgen? It may not support your ICS but its worth a shot.
 
Jakalwarrior said:
How bout inside windows with something like clockgen? It may not support your ICS but its worth a shot.
Click to expand...

My system is not supported by Clockgen.

Nevertheless, I am now using RMClock to at least undervolt it.

I am doing some stress testing right now.
I will report more on it later.
 
Some data for those interested:

watts == total system consumption
Prime95 == torture test in-place large FFT
CPU temp == varies per core
CPU fan == Zalman 9500's
2x 2212 2.0Ghz socket F
Radeon X300
4x 4GB RAM
DVD-RW
80GB SATA
Forton FX700-GLN 700 watts

Power Saving:
-------------
[email protected]
Idle: 90watts
4 prime95 instances: 113watts / 36-42c@lowest-cpu-fan-speed@30c-room-temp(hot room)
more prime95: 3 instances->108watts | 2 instances->103watts | 1 instance->97watts

Maximum Performance:
--------------------
[email protected]
Idle: 119watts
4 prime95 instances: 170watts / 45-50c@lowest-cpu-fan-speed@30c-room-temp(hot room)
more prime95: 3 instances->159watts | 2 instances->148watts | 1 instance->134watts

I could go lower on the voltages, but below these I get "recoverable Machine Check Exceptions" (still stable but not ideal).
This is much better and more stable than what the AMD PowerNow! software was able to do. Plus, I dislike "performance on demand".

Clearly the CPU is capable of a lot more.
Even the RAM can do more since it is doing 16GB@[email protected] MemTest86+ rock stable.

The mobo is the limiting factor here. :mad:
 
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