I need help on how to overclock a P3 700E 100mhz processor going into a Via VT6X4 MOBO with 133mhz fsb capability with softmenu II? I have read many forums stating that these have been clocked up close to 933mhz running on the 133fsb. I know how to access the bios, and am not sure how to increase the speed. In the processor section, the only choice for the 700e is 100mhz. DO I HAVE TO CHANGE THE MULTIPLIER SETTING, AFTER USING USER DEFINE IN THE PROC SELECTION, OR MEMORY TIMING OR WHAT? I need someone to guide me along step by step. I also know that the voltage has to be increased somewhat. This is an old computer that I am trying to give a little more ooompah... Please help.. Thanks p.s. Memory is 1.5gb pc2700 333 sdram

Roy Richey

Have you read the Abit VT6X4 Manual ??

All you have to do is increase the FSB from 100MHz to 133MHz.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...

"p.s. Memory is 1.5gb pc2700 333 sdram"

No, it's most likely PC133 SDR-SDRAM.

I am still not sure how to do it. Okay let's try this: the first option in soft menu II is cpu op speed, the two most obvious choices would be 700(100) or 733(133) or user define? I have left it on 700(100). Next, only way to change any other settings following proc speed, is to use "user define". Next, is the external clock pci setting which goes from 66mhz(1/2), 100mhz(1/2),133MHZ(1/4), 150MHZ(1/4), 140MHZ(1/4), then a whole slew of other settings that decrease in mhz value down to 75mhz(1/2). Now, the only way to change this value, is to set proc speed to user define. If you set the proc speed to 700(100), the ext clock is not adjustable, the scroll arrow just jumps over it. Now, if I set it to 733(133) which was my second choice, the mach won't boot. Third entry is multiplier factor, which begins at x2 all the way up to x8 in .5 increments. Once again, this setting is not adjustable, unless the proc speed is set to user define. Voltage varies from 1.30v to 1.85 volts in .05 increments. This value is non adjustable unless proc speed is set to user define. Now really I'm trying here, everyone says adjust the fsb to 133mhz...Where is that setting? Is it on another screen, or what? Please reply, I"m actually somewhat savvy, but not lame. What am I doing wrong? Thanks

Roy Richey

When overclocking you have to use "user defined". You can NOT change the multiplier on a P3...it's locked. In your case, 7.0x. Like I said, all you have to do is change the FSB from 100MHz (1/3) to 133MHz (1/4). Spread Spectrum should be disabled & the AGP Aperture should be set to 128MB. Increase the CPU voltage only if necessary, but don't be surprised if you have to crank it up to 1.8v or higher to stabilize the overclock. If the system becomes unbootable, don't panic. Just unplug the power cord, use the ClearCMOS jumper (or remove the battery for a minute), then start from scratch.

Do you have a copy of the manual?

ftp://ftp-usa.abit.com.tw/pub/download/manual/english/vt6x4.zip

Thanks for the lead. No manual, I am downloading it now, and then I am gonna give it a try. I think I have it now. Anything else I need to know? I am running the stock cooler, is that okay? I do have an extra case fan running though.

Roy Richey

Well jam, I tried and it didn't work. Set proc speed to user define, set bus speed to 133mhz, left voltage at 1.65, and set agp to 128. Monitor would not lite up and boot into windows. Light stayed amber on monitor. Tried it again at 1.70 and different combos with agp at 64. Still did not work. (Has only rage 2x pro video card). Reset cmos on both occasions. I put my old proc back in and reset softmenu and booted right up. Don't know what the issue could be. Whats my next step? Thanks in advance

Roy Richey

Like I wrote, "don't be surprised if you have to crank it up to 1.8v or higher"...you apparently quit at 1.70v.

Try raising the FSB in increments instead of jumping straight to 133MHz. Start at 112Mhz.

Make sure you have pc 133 memory for all your sticks and not pc 100, as you cannot have ddr ram in that board.

Memory is pc133.. Made all adjustments in Soft Menu II: Proc user define, 133 fsb, mutiplier 7, voltage user define, had to crank up to 1.85v (max setting), and AGP aperture to 128mb... Question? Should this setting be 128mb, or 64mb, due to the fact it is a stock 2x card (Rage pro turbo) ? First attempt at boot produced a single beep, then post test and it did recognize proc as 933mhz and 1.5 gb of ram. It then booted into a screen stating: "Windows could not start because an error in the software. Please report the problem as: Load DLL's for Hal, please contact your support person to report this problem". Reset all, the second attempt, went into post, everything looked ok, until it got tho the point, "Verifying pool data_, where it freezes at that point with the underscore blinking....... Repeated a third time with the same result. Fourth time, reset system and set parameters to 700 (100) and applicable default stock settings. At "Verifying pool data_, the system then responded with "update success" and windows loaded normally. I am running this proc currently at its stock setting. What's my next step? I think we're getting closer........
MY APOLOGIES TO JAM, I OVERLOOKED YOUR PREVIOUS SUGGESTION TO START IN SMALLER INCREMENTS AT THE FSB IE: 112MHZ, NOT JUMP STRAIGHT TO 133... I will try that next, will get back later. Have to run out for a time......

Roy Richey

Best I could do was do was 124mhz(1/3) setting which gave me a top speed of 868mhz.. This worked at both the 1.65v as well as the 1.70v setting. I left it at 1.65v, is that ok? I tried the 133mhz(1/4) setting at voltages thru 1.85v,which is the top setting.. I however left the multiplier at 7 which would give me a top speed of 933mhz. I am still not clear what the (1/3) and (1/4) settings after the mhz rating stand for. Should I be content with 868 MHZ at 1.65v, or should I continue to attempt 933mhz. Is it really that much of a difference? Thanx

Roy Richey

"I am still not clear what the (1/3) and (1/4) settings after the mhz rating stand for"

Sorry, I thought I explained that. It's the divisor to determine what speed the PCI bus is runnng at. The default speed is 33MHz, 37.5MHz is generally considered to be the safe max. At 124/3, your PCI bus is running at 41.3MHz. Some PCI devices can handle that, some can't. The IDE devices also run on the PCI bus so you run the risk of data corruption on your HDD or producing coasters with your burner. You may also encounter problems with the sound & video. If you develop problems with any hardware that was working fine before the overclock, lower the FSB to 112 or 115MHz, possibly 120.