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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: CyberHanz on February 10, 2004, 06:35:06 PM

Title: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: CyberHanz on February 10, 2004, 06:35:06 PM
Hi.

Simple question: is there any 'danger' in overclocking the a3400 030 board?
Is it possible to replace the 25 mhz crystal by a 33 mhz or 40 mhz one?
(i know the risks for the cpu).
Or is the mobo also affecte by the crystal on the cpu board (which imho it isn't)
Just checking if someone has done it before?
I'm waiting for a chance and the bucks to pick up a 060/ppc board...but 25 mhz is slooooow
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Dalamar on February 10, 2004, 07:18:12 PM
Ventilation is a big problem.  I've been tempted to try to step it up a bit, but the A4000D case has little ventilation, so I need to fix that first.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Joshua on February 10, 2004, 08:44:13 PM
Quote

CyberHanz wrote:
Simple question: is there any 'danger' in overclocking the a3400 030 board?
Is it possible to replace the 25 mhz crystal by a 33 mhz or 40 mhz one?

The speed gain of a few MHz on an 030 probably wouldn't be noticable -- not worth it IMHO.  Also, the support logic on the board may be more of an issue than the CPU with overclocking.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Plaz on February 10, 2004, 09:00:34 PM
Overclocking the 3640 is probably not going to work. Timing is really tricky with those. There are even different versions, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2... Mine was the latest but It didn't work for me. But others have had luck. This link is another option I know a few have had good luck with if you have the $$$ to spend. You may need to make some room and/or add some cooling too.

Sonnet Speed Doubler (http://www.sonnettech.com/product/quaddoubler.html)

Plaz
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: zipper on February 11, 2004, 06:45:52 AM
- probably not available anymore, no mention on the pricelist.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: CyberHanz on February 11, 2004, 07:00:17 AM
Oh well, it's a pity.

Then I'm stuck for a while with it till I get a 060 board.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: A4000Bear on February 11, 2004, 09:20:38 AM
The A3640 is easily overclockable by anyone who is experienced in soldering. I, personally have overclocked a number of these boards and they all worked well at either 30 or 33 MHz, depending on how you do the overclock. For more info, go to  www.starnet.com.au/davem/amiga.html

Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: bloodline on February 11, 2004, 10:39:40 AM
Why do people want to over clock their Amigas?

The performancd gain is negligable, an emualtor would out perform any Over clocked Amiga, and OVER CLOCKING REDUCES THE LIFE SPAN OF THE HARDWARE.

Amiga's are old they are nearing the end of thier lives, don't reduce that any furthur than you have to!

Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Framiga on February 11, 2004, 10:54:26 AM
Quote
by CyberHanz on 2004/2/10 19:35:06

Hi.

Simple question: is there any 'danger' in overclocking the a3400 030 board?
Is it possible to replace the 25 mhz crystal by a 33 mhz or 40 mhz one?
(i know the risks for the cpu).
Or is the mobo also affecte by the crystal on the cpu board (which imho it isn't)
Just checking if someone has done it before?
I'm waiting for a chance and the bucks to pick up a 060/ppc board...but 25 mhz is slooooow


The "a3400 030 board" is the CPU board that comes with the  A4000/030 (just here in front of me)

So it has a SMD plastic 68030EC CPU. that i highly reccomend to NOT O-C.

Ciao
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: A4000Bear on February 11, 2004, 12:18:41 PM
Ooops...

I just realised we were talking about the A3400 board, not the A3640.

In any case, the A3400 is also overclockable, up to 35MHz. I have had one working reliably at that speed for over 4 years now. There is a noticeable and worthwhile speed increase, especially as RAM access speed is also improved.

Since the surface mount CPU is of a later version, these usually more readily accept overclocking than the earlier PGA type 030s. In fact, I have found a heatsink is not required, even at 35MHz.

Information at www.starnet.com.au/davem/amiga.html

Click on the "A3630" link - its another name that the board is known as.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Framiga on February 11, 2004, 01:07:43 PM
A4000Bear

this model with a 68030 ceramic CPU (EDITED not ceramic one . . .sorry)

HERE (http://www.starnet.com.au/davem/overclock/A3630.html) can be easy OC.

But this one A3200/A3400 (http://www.amiga-hardware.com/a3630.jpg) it is another model/layout kind of card (the one that my A4000/030, had when i purchased it brand new)
It has a plastic SMD 030 . . . are you sure that you had OC to 33 Mhz those small card?

Let me know.

Ciao

EDIT- ops sorry :-)

the cards are  . . .the same :-)

Anyway, its amazing that those small card, could be O-C to 33 Mhz and without any coolings. . . sorry again A4000Bear, today i've learned a thing new for me.

Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Jagabot on February 11, 2004, 01:32:40 PM
Heck yeah I've overclocked  few of them just to see and have always been able to get 28MHz, almost always 30MHz, and frequently get 33% working stable (you'll want to stick a small heatsink on it if you overclock past 28, something meant for PC IO chips would work great (see www.1coolpc.com for lots of nifty heatsinks in all sorts of sizes).

Besides, if you ruin yours (or even think you might ruin yours), why not pick one up from my auction for ~$10 (I have 5 NOS 3400's listed on eBay right now as "spares" or for experiments).   :-)
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Plaz on February 11, 2004, 04:12:32 PM
Opps sorry I missed the 3400 also (not 3640)
I did overclock my old 3400 and it worked intermittantly. I had a heatsink, but maybe it wasn't enough or maybe just a particular cpu on my card.

Plaz
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: DanDude on February 11, 2004, 04:18:01 PM
I bought someone else's computer that had an overclocked accelerator board.  Turned out that a number of chips had their lives shortened.  After much investigation and different repair cost estimates, I decided to scrap the accel. board.  You're better off with a faster accel. board.  Or for some people who'd stay cheap and do the "half-fast" way, use an emulator.  :-P
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Dalamar on February 11, 2004, 05:29:06 PM
Heheh.  I think a lot of us missed the 3400 part.  I was thinking 3640.  Whoops.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: on February 11, 2004, 05:42:06 PM
Only stupid people over-clock a CPU.  Smarter folks buy a faster processor and a new crystal to go with it, but only if the board will support it.  I can now see why most of you people are always having problems with your Amiga computers.  I NEVER have any problems with my Amiga computers, because I do not do stupid things like over-clocking a proccessor or trying to install a PPC board in an Amiga.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Piru on February 11, 2004, 05:47:53 PM
@DoomMaster

Ah right. I knew it was wishful thinking.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: CyberHanz on February 11, 2004, 06:18:00 PM
@1200guy

There's nothing wrong with overclocking.
And I don't like being called stupid thank you very much.
I've used a 16mhz 68881 at 33 mhz for over 2 years in my 1200.
Reason I didn't use it anymore? I bought a 4000.
Which I didn't overclock because it wasn't really  any usefull.
There is a differency between over-overclocking and squezing a little more power out of it.
Most cpu/chip manufacterers sell chips below their actual speed, just for safety precautions.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Framiga on February 11, 2004, 06:43:06 PM
hi CyberHanz

don't care, CyberHanz.

If "he" is who Piru and me thinks to be . . . .it is in his habit to troll.

Ciao

Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: CyberHanz on February 11, 2004, 06:46:31 PM
Framiga,

aha..... okay... np then...
Usually I'm not that easily offended btw... (i'm dutch..hey... :-D )
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: on February 11, 2004, 07:49:35 PM
Hi CyberHanz,

Quote
There's nothing wrong with overclocking.


YES THERE IS !

Quote
And I don't like being called stupid thank you very much.


Then stop doing stupid things like over-clocking a processor.  Only stupid people do that.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: iamaboringperson on February 14, 2004, 04:38:50 AM
DoomMaster, you're a wanker
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Cyberus on February 18, 2004, 11:55:00 AM
:lol:
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: CyberHanz on February 23, 2004, 03:30:20 PM
Well, all the hassle for nothing. No overclocking the poor 030 :)
As of yesterday the 4000 is powered by a CyberStorm MK-I 060/50 mhz.

Maybe that one is easier to overclock? ;-)
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: adolescent on February 23, 2004, 05:45:22 PM
Quote

CyberHanz wrote:
Well, all the hassle for nothing. No overclocking the poor 030 :)
As of yesterday the 4000 is powered by a CyberStorm MK-I 060/50 mhz.

Maybe that one is easier to overclock? ;-)


Well, if it's like the Mk2 then it's pretty easy (if the crystal is socketed it's trivial!).  I have one running at 66MHz, only needed to add a heatsink and fan.  

BTW, don't listen to the "overclocking is stupid" guy.  He's just jealous.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Effy on February 24, 2004, 10:17:21 AM
Found this Speedmaler (http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2789548055&category=8142)  Amiga TuningKit, translated to English it sounds a bit like :

In each processor are power reserves, which are expenditure-provoked with this equipment, without destroying the processor. The Speedmaker is adjustable a clock generator from 0,5 to 120 MHz, in 0,5 and/or. 1 MT steps. Operating sector with the digital geschwindigkeitsanzeige fits into 3.5"a module. An Amiga 4000/40 with normally 50 MHz ran with me with the Speedmaker without problems and crashes with 66 MHz. On the average achievement paste run output of 25-30% possible possible equipment is is further at nearly each turbo-map (A1200, A2000, A3000, A4000) e.g. Blizzard, Apollo, Commodore, m-Tec, as well as at PCS, DraCO, Acorn or Atari computers applicable-screw for operating sector, a radiator box with exhaust for the processor, as well as a detailierte assembly and operating instructions (natural into German) participate also.
Title: Re: Overclocking the A3400 cpu board
Post by: Framiga on February 24, 2004, 11:57:33 AM
Hi Effy,

interesting . .  .i ever thought to a similar gear.

If i understood well, this is an adjustable quartz with a sort of connector, plugged to the original quartz socket.(or where the socket was soldered).

Nice idea, for testing pourposes too.

Ciao