SoftMenuIII Question

[mayostudent]

I am wondering if anyone has knowledge of Abit's SoftMenuIII. I want to step up my FSB and core voltage but everytime I try the computer goes into a constant error beep.TH7II, Pentium 2g, FSB 140, Multiply 16, Core 1.95. Is there a setting in the menu that needs to be changed? thanks mayostudent [img]smile.gif[/img]

[DeviLduck]

mayostudent,
Currently, I have the Abit TH7II board running with 2ghz cpu, 2X512 modules RDRAM, WinXP, GF3. Here's what I've learned:

Begin by adjusting the FSB to 105 (easy) & keeping the multiplier at 20X. Your AGP setting should be set at "fixed", not 2/3 or 2/4, at this point.
Later, when you determine a stable point, you can experiment with 2/3, but I found "fixed" useful, keeps bus very stable. Of course, ocing the bus up to 40/80 instead of the 33/66 normal, can work & will boost game scores, depending on the video & other cards you use.

The first v-core setting you try should be the cpu default, which is 1.75 in the case of 2ghz cpu.

The RDRAM "differential current" multiplier defaults at 6X, but you can adjust it to 4X later on, after ALL other adjustments are final, for a small kick up in mem performance. (In this case, 4X is highest tweak, other choices > 6X are tweaks downward.) This tweak is for stability issues & default is fine.

You probably will not be able to cold boot with a significant OC. Some have reported that the newest bios upgrade for the TH7II, gives them "better oc ability", but I think the only real change is for the RAID driver. If you have the TH7II, as opposed to the TH7II-RAID, then the bios upgr should be your very last concern, if at all.

Back to the OC process: if you cannot boot at 105, then up the v-core one value at a time, e.g., 1.75 to 1.775 to 1.80 etc.. Always keep the v-core as low as possible to do the job (to boot correctly). Once you have a starting point, then increase 1 value at a time, using WARM BOOTS, each time, & increasing the v-core only when needed. Keep the 20X multiplier for all tries. (Right now, I'm running, e.g., 110/v1.85/RDRAM 4X, oc'd to 2200, very stable, & this setup passes ALL 3DMark2001 benchmarks without glitches.)

2240 is reported to be about the stable max without EXTRA COOLING. I managed to boot up to 2300+, using stock cooling & 1 extra slot exhaust fan in case, but it wasn't stable, & never did boot at 2400. With a better cooling HS/fan, e.g., AVC Sunflower, using thermal paste instead of stock cpu thermal pad, or water-cooled case system, you can push it much higher.

We're dealing with a clock locked cpu, unless you're lucky enough to have an unlocked one. My interest is in a moderate stable OC, without extra cooling.

With this process, you'll reach an OC point for your system, but don't expect it to cold boot. The TH7II will automatically boot at default values upon cold booting, & you'll have to readjust. Once runing, it's ok.

[ November 30, 2001: Last edited by DeviLduck ]

[ November 30, 2001: Last edited by DeviLduck ]

[ November 30, 2001: Last edited by DeviLduck ]</p>

[mayostudent]

Thanks alot DeviLduck, yeah I have the TH7IIRAID...Things look to be running quite nice!! mayostudent [img]smile.gif[/img]

[DeviLduck]

mayostudent,
Received your PM. Thanks.

A "cold boot" would be when you boot up from the power-off position, i.e., after powering down completely, your machine is OFF, nothing running.

A "warm boot" is when you've powered up, running, & say push the "reset button" on your box (if it has one), use ctrl-alt-del, or "windows restart" button to re-boot.

Since the better OC settings are lost/not recognized when you power down for the night, e.g., here's what you can do.
When you power up (first time for the day), you'll get the beeping from the TH7II mobo. If you push the "reset button" immediately, it starts to boot again but you'll have the opportunity to hit DEL when appropriate & reach the SoftMenuIII dialog. Then you can set the cpu for 2000/100 (normal default), hit F10, you'll reboot to windows normally.
(In the absence of a reset button, just shut totally down immediately using power button. Restart (repower) & it will give you the opportunity to get back to SoftMenuIII, without the beeping.)
Now, REBOOT (any of several ways) & get back to SoftMenuIII & readjust settings as discussed or put the ones you want. Now, after reboot, you're set. When you power off completely, you'll have to reset the OC values over again.

It takes 1 boot into windows, using default settings, to get started each day, with this mobo & current bios. Hopefully, with a future bios update, we won't have to go through this. Right now, there are 2 TH7II bios files available, the original (what I use now) & the new minor update file which doesn't address this problem.

If I come across a way to get around this, you'll hear from me.

Good luck, let me know how successful you're able to get a steady/stable OC.

[ December 03, 2001: Last edited by DeviLduck ]</p>

[Dave]

Great posts DeviLduck!
I got the TH7II-Raid w/1.9Ghz and was wanting to try to bump it up a little.
Thanks for your excellent info and tips, looks like it may have saved be a bunch of time and frustrations.
Dave

[DeviLduck]

Another comment on "cold booting" the box, which may be useful:

Once you have determined the final OC settings that work for you, change the AGP setting back to 2/3 (from fixed66). The default values (pci33/agp66) will now be changed, e.g., to 38/76, & MAY work just fine. (Greatest stability IS with the setting at Fixed66.)

With this setting at 2/3, your box WILL cold boot usually, or require only 1 reboot, with no readjustments needed. It's worth a try, if the previous procedure is a hassle.