Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

[kawai]

Hello,

After sitting at 3.6Ghz I've decided to take another shot at overclocking to 4.0Ghz. Looking for some advice, please see my sig for specs, my bios is F10

Currently I am running at 3.707Ghz and here are my current settings following some recommendations of Lsdmeasap from another post which said to set things higher then tighten them up (lower) them later. I have a feeling it could be my ram holding me back (5-5-5-18, 2.1v) :

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.7


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 412Mhz
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)...................: <<<


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [400]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 824
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................5
tWTR..........................................12
tWR............................................14
tRFC...........................................62
tRTP...........................................6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ 800

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
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.........................:12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
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….……….........................:1.3625
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.34
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< 1.59
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< 0.818

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

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.1
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Auto

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]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Those are VERY loose ram timings, so they should not be holding you back at all unless that ram is just not too good or is Going bad.... Which I doubt

Try this for 4Ghz. What you do need to do so you know, is Set a voltage in the BIOS for Vcore and then go in windows and see what CPU-z shows for Vcore at idle and Load. So you can keep that in mind when setting voltages in the BIOS.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 4ghz


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 450Mhz
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)....................: <<< 0-50
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 50-150


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [400]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 900
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................3-6
tWR............................................4-6
tRFC...........................................52-62
tRTP...........................................2-6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ 800 << Set to 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:8-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
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.........................:8-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
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….……….........................:1.38x
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.34
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< 1.59
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< 0.818

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1-.2-1.3
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Auto
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Auto

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.1

[kawai]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Thanks for the suggestions, here are my findings by experimentation. I first started with the settings you suggested as follows:


MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 4ghz


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 450Mhz
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)....................: <<< 0-50
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 50-150


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [400]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 900
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................4
tWTR..........................................6
tWR............................................6
tRFC...........................................62
tRTP...........................................6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
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.........................:10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
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….……….........................:1.381
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.34
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.59
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: 0.818

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

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.1

Results: numbers mentioned is usually cpu host freq

450 - Did not Boot, BSOD before windows load bar
449 - same as above
448 - same as above
447 - same
445 - same
445 @ 1.387 - see loading windows bar -> BSOD
445 @ 1.39 - same as above
445 @ 1.4 - same as above
440 @ 1.38 - loading windows bar - > see user accounts -> BSOD
435 @1.38 - loading windows bar-> BSOD
442 @ 1.381 - loading windows bar -> BSOD
443 @ 1.381 - BSOD before windows loading bar

All the following results are @ 1.381 vcore
402 - load bar - > login screen -> windows desktop
410 - load bar - > login screen -> windows desktop
420 - load bar - > login screen -> windows desktop
430 - - load bar - > login screen -> windows desktop - > fails orthos testing , 6 sec
440 - load bar -> see user login screen -> BSOD

Currently i am running at 420 testing orthos...8 minutes and counting..

Either my ram wont budge or my mobo or my cpu.. no idea

Temperatures + Vcore readings

Idle load temps @ 420 + 1.381vcore - Core temp reads 44/44
Idle CPU-Z vcore reads 1.328V

Temps + vcore with ORTHOS
Core temp reads 52/53
Cpuz Vcore - 1.312v/1.328v

aand orthos just failed @ 420 + 1.381vcore :*( 11 minutes running orthos

Seem to be stable @ 415 + 1.381vcore for now...

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Try the higher 400-450 FSB with MORE vcore. 1.38 may only be about 1.32 in windows

Put your reference voltage back to Auto and see if that helps as well, and maybe less Vtt, and for sure stock PLL manually set, as I dont think it is the ram.

The settings you posted should boot (you did not say if you tried MCH Skew or not?) Unless you need to try first >>>
tWTR..........................................12
tWR............................................14

[kawai]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Here are my sad sad results so far i've already hit 1.5v vcore and am probably at dangerous levels already :(

First of all i changed twtr - 12 and twr -14 as you suggested



Starting to wonder whether pumping 1.5vcore is worth it for 4.0. 3.6 i can leave everything at auto :S

[kawai]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

1.5v bios failed orthos after 35 minutes

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Put reference voltages back to Auto and use 1.34 Vtt and see how that does. PLL on STOCK 1.50. That is likely causing your errors, and possibly incorrect reference voltages, Auto will set them properly.

Once you do that please start with 1.38 or so in the BIOS or whatever is 1.325 actual for you, high voltages will also cause failures

Is your ram memtest86+ stable at the settings you are using?

[kawai]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Ram memtest at 444 x 9 = 3997 and it completed a full pass.

CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<<50
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 150

vtt set back to 1.340v
pll set to 1.50

mch core set to auto
orthos still failing within seconds no matter how far i push vcore.

[kawai]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

1.45 fails to run more than a minute of orthos.
Should i change mch core from Auto?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

A full pass is not a very good test. 10 passes minimal is suggested

Yes test less then stock MCH Voltage and then 1.2-1.3, also try no cpu skew and auto ref voltages

[Edisto]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

I hope I'm not displaying bad form by jumping on this thread, but I have the same motherboard and CPU, and I have been reading the guides and help offered by LSDmeASAP, and I think I'm getting closer to my goal, but I have a couple of questions.

Is there any rule of thumb for setting CPU Termination, CPU PLL and CPU ref relative to the set (or observed) Vcore? Same question for the settings in MCH/ICH.

I am running 2x2 G.skill ddr2 800Hz memory (2.1V 4-4-4-12 timings) in dual channel. I'd like to get to 3.8 GHz, but I allegedly built this computer "for my wife", and she'd kill me if I burned anything, so I'm trying to stay around 1.3V for Vcore, and 1.28V for MCH.

3.6 was easy, and puts me at my (overly?) safe core temp limit of 50 Cunder load (Prime95 small FFTs; AC Freezer Pro 7), but I can't get much past it without losing stability. How much voltage (measured, not BIOS) should 3.8 GHz take for the CPU, and what are the safe ranges of voltage for the P45? I have a 50mm fan stuck to the heat sink of the north bridge (with Gorilla glue of all things).

This is my first build, and I am having a lot of fun playing in the BIOS (F10). I owe a lot to you already LSDmeASAP. Hope I'm not being rude by posting on this thread.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Vtt may only be needed at High FSB. Auto will often work at 450 or less, but sometimes not it just depends on the chip I suppose. Rule is do not exceeed 1.4 for 45nm, so keep under 1.36 I say

IS that 1.3 actual or set in the BIOS cpu voltage? Do you run stock fan? CPU voltage is per chip, all chips are different so there is no normal. Safe ranges is 1.36, 1.4 max on air actual voltage (Not BIOS setting) You may need 1.32 or so actual for 3.8+

[Edisto]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Thanks! The 1.3V Vcore is actual...I have a Vdrop close to 0.05, and Vdroop is almost double that. My CPU is air cooled with an Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7, and airflow in the case is pretty good with a 120 mm in the front plus 2 40 mm fans in each of 3 drive bays, a slot fan next to my Gigabyte GE8600GT (passive cooled) and a 120mm pulling air out the back from the Freezer Pro 7. I also have an 80mm fan blowing air out the side, and a 40mm fan on the south bridge and a 50 mm fan on the north bridge.

What are the safe voltage ranges for the P45 MCH? I have it at 1.18V for 3.6, and have had it as high as 1.3V, but going above 1.26 makes me nervous because I have no idea what the max recommendation is. The Intel spec sheet suggests 1.21V as a mas, but it says with respect to Vss, and I'm not sure what that means.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

I would say keep MCH under 1.4-1.45 as a max without the chipset being cooled with water or better. Max of 1.25-1.3 should be good for 400-500 FSB, above 500 FSB you may need a bit more. Default voltage will work for under 400

Your are right though about the spec sheet it does saying 1.21 (this is a Max design spec though, so that cheap boards do not overvolt it very far), similarly with P35 with a max of 1.3x most used up to 1.5-1.55 max on air above spec without issue. Vss means ground in that sheet (incase anyone wants it) >>>http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/datasheet/319970.pdf

I found this for you, which seems to agree with me >>>
Intel P45 desktop chipset | Register Hardware


The value you need will also depend on ram installed and ram settings, so as you imagine you just have to find what works for you

[Edisto]

Re: Need Help Overclocking E8400 + GA-EP45-DS3R

Thanks a bunch! Now I can "play safe"!