Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

[GaryR]

Building a new system;
Antec Tower with Antec True Power 850W
GA-EP45-DS3R
4GB (4x1GB) Mushkin XP2-9200 5-5-5-15 2.1V
Intel E8400 3.0Gz
Sapphire ATI 4870 1GB

I'd like to run the CPU at 3.6Gz and everything else optimized for speed and reliability. One piece of advice (for the CPU bump) was "simply do this: FSB 423 and all else set to auto. No voltage boost or any other tweaks." Seems too easy..

Thanks for any help!

[arctia]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

First of all make sure you're using the latest BIOS!! (F10 works for me)

Then go into advanced options and disable EIST and C1E.


Set the following:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 400Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]

Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [333] << 400 may work as well
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15

Motherboard Voltage ControlCPUMCH/ICH

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

Here is a full set of timings for 3.6 with the ram you listed at highest speed you can use it at.

Set Mch latch and save and reboot, then set Static tread and save and reboot, and then move on to the rest.

I would use Driving strength profile of 1066 or above as well

E8400 @ 3.6Ghz W/ 4x1GB @ 1070 (watch the CPU Multi)

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.618


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 402Mhz << Use just above or below 400 as it is the strap line and you do not want to use it exactly

PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<<
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 50-200


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [400]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1069
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................12/15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................8-12
tWR............................................8-14
tRFC...........................................52-65
tRTP...........................................4-7
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:7-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.3x <<< You will have to find the best spot for this, P45 has large Vdroop so 1. 4 is normally around 1.35 or so. Just keep that in mind. Most 8400's need around 1.3 actual to run 4Ghz so you will likely need less actual voltage to run 3.6, but I would start at setting around 1.35 in the BIOS

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.34
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< 1.56
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .61% Of Vtt (Termination above)
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above)

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.2-1.3
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1 << Mushkins normally run better at lower then spec, so try 2.0 or 2.05 first

DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

____________________________________________

Or

E8400 @ 3.6Ghz W/ 4x1GB @ 1130 (watch the CPU Multi)

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.613


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425Mhz

PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<<
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 50-200


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [400]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1130
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15/18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-5
tWTR..........................................8-12
tWR............................................8-14
tRFC...........................................52-65
tRTP...........................................4-7
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:7-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.3x <<< You will have to find the best spot for this, P45 has large Vdroop so 1. 4 is normally around 1.35 or so. Just keep that in mind. Most 8400's need around 1.3 actual to run 4Ghz so you will likely need less actual voltage to run 3.6, but I would start at setting around 1.35 in the BIOS

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.34
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< 1.56
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .61% Of Vtt (Termination above)
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above)

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.2-1.3
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1 << Mushkins normally run better at lower then spec, so try 2.0 or 2.05 first

DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

[GaryR]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

Thanks guys, mobo and CPU arrived today, Mushkin will be here tuesday!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

Good luck, and keep us posted!

My New Mushkins will be in wed!

[GaryR]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

I now *may* be building this system for a friend and re-ordering. Is there an advantage of going with a DDR3 setup using the same CPU? I was thinking of this -

GA-EP45C-DS3R - GIGABYTE - Product - Motherboard - Specification - GA-EP45C-DS3R (rev. 1.0)

Mushkin 4GB DDR3 1600 - Newegg.com - mushkin XP 4GB &#40;2 x 2GB&#41; 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 &#40;PC3 12800&#41; Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

You want my real opinion? DDR3 is not worth the money yet. It still has much to be improved design-wise, and you might as well just hold off for socket 1366 before making the switch to DDR3

[GaryR]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

You want my real opinion? DDR3 is not worth the money yet. It still has much to be improved design-wise, and you might as well just hold off for socket 1366 before making the switch to DDR3

Worked out well and I built the original system with the addition of a 4870 1GB as I sold my old stuff as a set.. All went great, no issues at all. I went right to 3.6GZ using your suggested settings for a 9X multiplier. One thing is strange though. CPUID shows it as running at 6X (2.4GZ) but if you watch it it changes to 9X (3618MZ), then changes back and forth every 10 seconds or so! Nothing is changing on the system, running smooth as silk. Vista reports it at 3.6 all the time... Is it a Vista 64 glitch in CPUID?

Big thanks for your help!!


Follow up - I found the Intel CPU ID Utility and ran it. It reports Core 1 and 2 both at 3.61GZ and the system bus at 1607Mz...

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

You have speedstep on is why! Disable EIST and C1E and it will stay where you set it

Nice to see you got all built without issues!

[GaryR]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

You have speedstep on is why! Disable EIST and C1E and it will stay where you set it

Nice to see you got all built without issues!

Done, CPUID reports correctly and all seems perfect!

Thanks again!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

Nice to hear it, People do often overlook this so dont feel lonely

Congrats on the build again, how is it all working out now? Still good I hope

[GaryR]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

Nice to hear it, People do often overlook this so dont feel lonely

Congrats on the build again, how is it all working out now? Still good I hope

Flawless and fast! Unfortunately my old Viewsonic P225fb appears to be on it's way out. For a while when I boot up it kicks out of sync (turning the monitor off/on fixed it) but it ran fine after that, never doing it during normal use. Today while typing an email it did it, and the old on/off fixed it but it doesn't look good....

This site is fantastic, glad to see Gigabyte appreciates you!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

Great to hear it!

Bad Viewsonic eh? How old is it? I am looking to get me a new monitor, is this a brand to avoid then? I am using a 20" Dell now, left by a customer, but just want a nicer one. Any suggestions on what are the good, decent priced brands? I haven't a clue about monitor as I do not game so Have not had much need for a nice one.

[GaryR]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

Great to hear it!

Bad Viewsonic eh? How old is it? I am looking to get me a new monitor, is this a brand to avoid then? I am using a 20" Dell now, left by a customer, but just want a nicer one. Any suggestions on what are the good, decent priced brands? I haven't a clue about monitor as I do not game so Have not had much need for a nice one.

It's about 3-4 years old I think. I have an old Viewsonic G800 (19") running next to it that is at least 2 years older, no issues. I'll go LCD next.

For under $300 I like the 2ms Samsung 22" - Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 2232BW+ Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 8000:1(1000:1) - LCD Monitors

Sub $500 the 5ms 25.5" (if you have room) - Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 2693HM Glossy Black 26" 5ms DVI HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height/Pivot Adjustments 400 cd/m2 DC 3000:1 Built in Speakers - LCD Monitors

[BroncoBob9]

Re: Initial O/C settings for GA-EP45-DS3R?

I need settings for the same motherboard, but a different processor and RAM:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Antec NeoPower 650 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Micron D9 Chip Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10662GK - Retail
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
XFX PVT98GYDLU GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail


I've tried to simply push the CPU host freq to 400, but it won't boot. I'm trying 366, but with no other changes it locks up occasionally. Help! I'm looking for a mild OC - maybe in the 3.4Ghz range?