Well after some problems with RAM and stuff i finally got my machine running
I'm overclocking an E2180 on a P35-DS3L......and the best I can do 3.0 Ghz @ vCore 1.3875
Any higher (320 or 333) and it won't open windows or post all the way up to 1.45v. That's where I stopped and went back to 3.0)

PCI-E is 100, everything else is stock except for RAM which is +0.4 to make 2.2v for Crucial Ballistix
Now I've seen people getting 3.0+ with the E2160 at stock voltage
My RAM is DDR2800 and is clocked at 750 w/ 4-4-4-12 timings (tightened them after stabilizing 3.0)

Is there something I'm not getting or is my processor just a lemon (and RMA it if I can)?

Also, will I really see a difference in performance of games (no benchmarking) between 3.0 and 3.4+?

To be honest thats a really good overclock as it is. I doubt if you got it past 3Ghz you'd see much more game performance.

As for making it faster have you tried loosening ram timings, NB/SB voltage increase. Whats the maximum FSB your board supports with that chip?

Well it has a 10x multiplier......so 333 FSB to give 3.33
the DS3L has a rated 1333 FSB so I dont think I have to raise those voltages.

The timings for RAM were 5-5-5-18 (rated 4-4-4-12)

Your CPU has more room to overclock and you've lowered the RAM:FSB ratio. Only thing that could hold you back is mobo. Soz last question was meant to be whats the highest FSB you've had with that mobo via lowering multi i.e is it stable past 320Mhz with lower multi (9*333=3Ghz).

idk......I'll try it

Was is it ok?

not sure........doing something right know.....give me a sec.

did 9x333 @ 1.35 and got in windows
restarted on P95 (better than before)

Try 333x6 or 7.

Not 100% but i think avg of vcore @ 3Ghz is 1.4 and 3.2Ghz is 1.45 avg from reading around

Well I tried 333x9 at 1.38125 i think
restarted at test 4........tried again and its still running

If it will boot and then just restarts give it more voltage.

Well I gave it another go, reset at test 2 10k, upped to 1.3875 (same voltage as 10x300)

Will there really be a difference using a 10x vs. 9x in overclocking potential?

No.. but if your motherboard will do 333x9 then 300x10 shouldn't be an issue and would be a CPU issue.

Well I got 300x10 @ 1.3875, any higher (10x320 or 10x333) nothing works all the way up to 1.45 which is a lot more vCore but I get nothing

Edit: by changing the multiplier to 10, why is that causing a problem?? Does higher multiplier need more voltage (I'm assuming so)?

Well I was testing at 9x333 @ 1.3875 and at about 14k it failed even though it appeared to run fine........any ideas?.........its like at 333FSB it wont work (running now at 2.66 at stock vCore)

Increase the FSB voltage to +.1 or +.2.

Here are my 3.2Ghz results:
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview [...] zb&thumb=4
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview [...] yt&thumb=4
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview [...] vw&thumb=4
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview [...] s3&thumb=4
http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=282308

I have also been trying to get to 333FSB but seems like the CPU has a FSB limitation.

Have you tried increasing the PLL?

Well I am testing 7x333, like u said cnumartyr, seems fine
It's when I put the multiplier back up, do I encounter major problems

Shadow703793, mine needs 1.38+ to get 10x300, how is yours on stock
Mine really does suck

On the DS3L, there is no PLL setting (unless its a different name), only RAM, FSB, vCore, and one other. i think its NB