EP35C-DS3R/ Q9450 Overclock

[Pez]

Hello, all.

I was doing random searches on the 'Net concerning my Gigabyte EP35C-DS3R motherboard and my Intel Q9450 quad processor, and the problems I've been having in getting a stable overclock.

I'm new to overclocking, but I had heard that the Q9450 is easy to overclock.

During my random 'Net search, I came across this post on TweakTown forums:

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/gigabyte-ga-ep35c-ds3r-oc-attempt-27884/

The person being helped out seems to have the same MB and processor that I do (and possibly similar RAM?).

Here are my pertinent system specs:

Intel Q9450 Core2 Quad Processor
Gigabyte Motherboard, #EP35C-DS3R
PSU, a Corsair TX750
Corsair RAM, Twin 2 x 4096-6, 6400C5DHX (2 x 2GB), Speed 800MHz, 5-5-5-18
BFG GeForce 9800 GX2 nVidia Graphics Card, PCI-e
Western Digital 300GB SATA HDD

I would like to go to 3.2GHz with the Q9450. I have heard that you basically just need to raise the FSB in the BIOS until you get the desired CPU speed (and I believe this comes out to 400FSB to get 3.2GHz). Then it's been said that you sometimes need to raise the voltage to the CPU too to help compensate for this; not too much, though, because this also raises the temps, correct?

Anyway, sometimes I've been able to get to my desktop, but when playing an intense app like the game of Crysis, my system crashes out and automatically reboots.

On other attempts at overclocking, my system freezes at the Windows XP booting screen (where you see that little "blue caterpillar" crawling across the screen). Other attempts, my Post screen seems to post twice (like cycling), and then it goes to that "error" screen that says that Windows did not start properly on the last attempt, and then the choices of Safe Mode. Normally, etc. ...........

From some researching I've been doing, I think my problems might have something to do with the RAM settings in the BIOS when attempting this overclock. From my RAM type/ speed I've listed above, do you think this is correct? Would voltage to the RAM also need to be adjusted?

And just to let you know, I've got the latest BIOS version for my board, the F3e.

I'd surely appreciate any help or suggestions you could send my way. I mentioned the game of Crysis (perhaps you've heard of it?). With my CPU and GPU, I've been getting some pretty decent FPS, but I know I could do even better with a higher clock speed tweaked out on my Q9450.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Pez

[Tweaker_08]

Re: EP35C-DS3R/ Q9450 Overclock

That automatically reboot is a "feature" in XP and Vista that prevents you from seeing a BSOD. You can check your event viewer's system log for the save dump error to get the code.

Windows XP Shut Down and Automatic Reboot Problems

The BSOD could be software/RAM or other hardware failure.

I hope you take some time to read and learn how to overclock. Try not to focus on what other people claim they can/have done or the numbers. You have a great proc and mobo for overclocking so take the oppurtinuity to learn not just press buttons.

Your proc has an 8x multipler so a 400 bus (CPU Host Frequency in the BIOS) will get you to 3200 (8x400=3200) Your CPU FSB will be 1600Mhz Its quad pumped (4x400=1600)

A 400 bus (CPU Host Frequency in the BIOS) will also affect your RAM. You may need to adjust your System Memory Multiplier SPD so your OCing your RAM at the same time. DDR2 800 really runs at 400mhz so you would need to set your SPD to 2

http://hardwarelogic.com/news/127/ARTICLE/2646/2008-02-01.html

X-bit labs - Newbie Overclocking Guide
HOWTO: Overclock C2D Quads and C2D Duals - A Guide v1.0 - [H]ard|Forum

I hope your using the BIOS to overclock. If not then now is the time to start.

(Power Management Setup)
ACPI Suspend Type: [S1 (POS)]
HPET Support: [Enabled]
HPET Mode: [64 bit]

(Advanced Features)
CPU Enhanced Halt (CIE): [Disabled]
CPU EIST (Speed Step) Function: [Disabled]

(Intergrated Peripherals)
SATA RAID/AHCI Mode : [AHCI]
SATA Port 0-3 Native Mode: [Enabled]
USB Keyboard Support: [Enabled]
USB Mouse Support: [Enabled]
Azalia Codec [Disable] You have an addin card.
I also disable the Serial and parallel port because I never use them. USB rocks!

(PC Health Status)
You may want to change the Smart Fan Control method and mode.
Read your User's Manual.

(M.I.T.) Press Ctrl+F1 once on the main screen to get all of the options.
CPU Host Control: [Enabled]
CPU host: 400
PCIEx Frequency: [100mhz] Prevent the system from OCing your video card
Performance Enhanced: [Standard] (Turbo is the Default).
C.I.A.2: [Disable]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) 2
Manually set the memory timings

FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1-2V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1-2V]
CPU voltage control___ I don't know. Raise it in small steps

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP35C-DS3R/ Q9450 Overclock

Please read the pinned guides so you are more familiar with overclocking, it will help you alot.

Here is some suggested settings for your hardware at 3.2 >>>

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.216


[b][u]Clock Chip Control [/u][/b]
[b][u]Standard Clock Control[/u][/b]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 402Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100[/B]

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


[b][u]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/u][/b]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 50-150
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 100-250


[b][u]DRAM Performance Control[/u][/b][u][/u]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [400] << Set voltages, this, and Static Tread of 8 only, then reboot.  Then you may work on the rest
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 804
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

Set all highest below, then later lower and test one at a time

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................3-6
tWTR..........................................3-6 (Will need 8-12 to boot thru first)
tWR............................................4-6 (Will need 8-14 to first boot thru)
tRFC...........................................52-62
tRTP...........................................3-6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................ 800 or 1066, higher is often better

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:8-10
 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

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:8-10
 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

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.325-1.35, What you set in the BIOS will be about .6 less actual in windows.  So you may need more or less.  Set high first, then lower later

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.25-1.35
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< 1.5
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above)
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above)

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.2-1.25
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.55
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< 1.2-1.3

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 1.9-2.0
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
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]

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Pez]

Re: EP35C-DS3R/ Q9450 Overclock

Tweaker_08 & Lsdmeasap:

Thank you both for your suggestions! I've printed it out and then I'm going to give it a go. I'll get back to you and let you know how it went.

Thanks again!
Pez

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP35C-DS3R/ Q9450 Overclock

Good luck, and post back with some results. Dont let it frustrate you either, if you cannot get it then load up a stable profile and do some surfin and work on it later on