Hey guys, I was wondering for the longest time if I would of been able to use a 333MHz chip on my 266MHz motherboard (MSI KT3 ULTRA) and it works fine so far. I replaced my Athlon XP 1700+ with a 2500+ and overclocked my 2x256MB KINGSTON VALUERAM (with WINBOND chip) memory to 166MHz bus, ran series of benchmarks and everything works great. But, I am concerned about the following:

1.)I am using the stock HSF that came with the 2500+ chip rather than my VOLCANO 7, and its running at approx. 50C. With my 1700+ and the V7 it ran at 45C, should I bother putting the V7 back on? This stock one is so much more quieter, but I don't want to burn out my chip.

2.) Since my motherboard doesn't technically support 333MHz chips, should I be worried about anything breaking down? Like my ram going out on me, or my video card blowing up? I haven't changed anything except the the BUS speed from 133MHz to 166MHz. btw I heard that this board automaticlally switched the AGP divider back to normal after 152MHz bus, is that true?

3.) My ram timings are pretty good, they are all set to the highest @ CAS 2 & 2-5-2 except for the FAST COMMAND set to NORMAL (wouldn't POST at FAST or ULTRA). What would be the best config for the ram timings, would it be faster if the FAST COMMAND to be set at ULTRA and everything else at the lowest speeds? eg CAS 2, 3-6-3?

I would appreciate any feedback thanks,....

RaZoR

1)

It will run stable as long as it is not oc'ed, so leave the stock HSF.

2)

Only thing that can go down on you is the mobo, but i don't think it will, had the same one when they came out and ran fine 166. It's true that after 152Mhz the 1/5 divider kicks in.

3)

Try and see! As simple as that, do a test.

You should be fine. Do you have any case fans? If not get some, this will help your temps.

RAM timings...download SiSandra and run the memory benchmark. Then change the timings and reboot and rerun it. For instance, you would think 2-2-2-6 would be faster than 2-2-2-11, but over at nforcershq.com we have found that with nforce boards in dual channel running @ 400 FSB 2-2-2-11 gives better scores than 2-2-2-11.

Good Luck. BTW, i have a MSI KT4 Ultra that i just sold on ebay, 2 days ago, but the dude has not contacted me at all for payment. If he doesn't contact me soon(i need to read the ebay terms), I'll be reselling it.

I think it sold for like $43. It's used but its rock solid, and i used it with my XP2500 barton until I bought a new abit nf7-s.

Shoot me an email or PM and ill let ya know if the buyer ever contacts me.

MSI KT3 Ultra does support 333FSB. The other thing is that put on your Volcano 7 ++ but make sure you apply some thermo paste on it, this make sure it wouldn't burn out. I have kill one of my 2000+ cause i didn't apply the thermo paste cause it didn't come with volcano 7 ++. If you don't have the thermo paste don't try to put the V7 on. it will works if sufficient thermo paste from the original Heatsink stick on the processor. If you do have thermo paste it is best you put it on cause it cool better.

Hey guys, thx for the reply, i am sticking with the stock fan cause its so much more quieter than the Volcano 7, and on idle its about 47C hot and on workload its aout 51C, so i guess thats not too bad with 2 case fans blowing the air out, 1 pci case fan and one case fan in the front blowing the cool air in (thinking about puttin another one in the front).... btw the MSI KT3 ULTRA does not officially support 333MHz bus, only 266MHz.

thanks

RaZoR

great choice,razor_ro.

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