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Subject: excellent post

Author: Mr j smith

Date: 12:40:39 07/08/03

Go up one level in this thread


On July 08, 2003 at 15:30:26, Aaron Gordon wrote:

>On July 08, 2003 at 09:48:26, Rajen Gupta wrote:
>
>>i have noticed on all 3 of my overclocked computers that certain chess engines
>>don't run well, in particular junior 8/ hiarcs8 & shredder 7/704.
>>
>>on a single overclocked comp if any of the above engines are running; the
>>computer will either reboot/ freeze/ crash or give an error meesage, after
>>playing only for a few hrs.this happens each time i have tried to play eng vs
>>eng matches using any of the above engines.
>>
>>these comps have been stable for all other programmes, inculding chess
>>programmes; i have been able to play the following engines-the king engines
>>(both 3.12d and 3.23); fritz8/7 df7/ the tigers for weeks on end in eng vs eng
>>matches without the above problem;
>>
>>initially i thought that the problem was with the software but after setting the
>>hardware to default settings; junior8 vs f8 are running smoothly for well over a
>>week.
>>
>>i am particularly interested with AMD overclocked systems as i plan to buy an
>>overclocked modified dual (XP modified to MP guaranteed to run at 2400 mhz)
>
>Just sounds like you're overclocking too much. Could be you need more voltage to
>the cpu, you need better cooling, the chipset/ram can't handle the FSB you're
>trying to do, your PCI/AGP could be too far out of spec, etc. Could be a number
>of things.
>
>If I were you I'd grab CpuBurn @ http://users.ev1.net/~redelm/cpuburn4.zip
>Also get Prime95, available at ftp://mersenne.org/gimps/p95v2212.exe
>
>Run each of these for 24 hours at the speed you believe is unstable. Also, test
>your memory at... http://www.memtest86.com
>
>If you're pushing the chip higher via FSB you could be keeping your ram timings
>too tight and while the ram may be able to do the speed you're running, the
>timings may just be too low. Try testing with Memtest86. If you get errors relax
>the memory timings and retest. If you still get errors drop the fsb or up the
>voltage to your memory (if you have that option). Don't go above 2.9v for 2.5v
>DDR. People have run 3.0-3.5v.. but 2.9v is the maximum 'safe' voltage for
>extended operation (years & years).
>
>Also if you want to get accurate temperature readings get one of these:
>http://www.bestbyte.net/Product.cfm?ProductID=525&CategoryID=8&Keyword=nurse
>
>Motherboard sensors are more often than not very wrong. I have 11 operational
>computers in my house that tell CPU/board temp.. and not a single one is
>accurate (not even within 5C). The one with the most difference is the Asus
>A7V266-E, which shows 21C too high.. followed by two Abit KT7a boards that are
>both 15C too high. Just slide the comp-u-nurse sensor between the PGA of the CPU
>and the heatsink up against the side of the cpu core. This will give you a very
>accurate reading.
>
>Basically, just play with your hardware (not like that) and see what can do what
>speeds. When I first build a computer I like to see what the CPU can do, the
>ram, chipset, etc. Once you figure out the limits you can then figure out the
>best multiplier/fsb combination to get maximum performance. If you want to keep
>it simple just run BurnK7 and Prime95 (not at the same time of course) and if
>you get errors, lockups, reboots, etc.. keep backing off until you can get it
>stable for 24 hours.
>
>If you want to put your hand (or a book or something) over the fan to
>artificially increase the temperature of your CPU that would work as well. If it
>runs seemingly stable at 65C (even 10 minutes of Burnk7/prime95) it'll
>definitely be rock solid at 40C. Just make sure you keep the heatsink free of
>dust and etc, or you'll be visiting 60-70C again. :)


The only thing I would add is that playing with a chessprogram stresses a cpu
more than Prime95 or any of the other stress utilities.  If your computer can
play an 80 move game of at least an hour to an hour and a half with any of the
commercial engines and not reboot, then you have proper cooling and the system
is stable.



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