Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

[Nova Phoenix]

Hello again. I managed to go from 3.2 to 3.4 successfully, but I'm having trouble getting to 3.6 and above. My recent attempts have all failed, and one almost made the PC inoperable.

My motherboard is still a Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4, and it's BIOS (F6a) is unchanged from my 3.2 attempts (see my other topic), except for the following...

Vcore: 1.28v
CAS: 5
tRD: 8 (3.4 likes this setting, just as 3.2 liked 7)
FSB: 425 (obviously)
Mem Frequency: 850 (as a result of the above)

What else will I have to change to achieve 3.6Ghz that will at least boot into Windows Vista?

By the way, the system is well cooled by a fair few fans. The CPU, in particular, is cooled by a TRU120E with two Scythe S-Flex SFF21F fans attached in the correct orientation.

[Nova Phoenix]

Re: Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

UPDATE: I got 3.6ghz to boot, but I'm unsure what setting did it. Here is what changed...

FSB Frequency = 450mhz
Primary Timings = 5-5-5-12
tRC = 10 (9 may still work)
Vcore = 1.321something volts
Dimm = +0.40v (2.2v?)
FSB = +0.20v
MCH = +0.300v

Something within this list caused 3.6ghz to boot OK into Windows. Anyone got any ideas? I still need help on this.

[VorLonUK]

Re: Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

UPDATE: I got 3.6ghz to boot, but I'm unsure what setting did it. Here is what changed...

FSB Frequency = 450mhz
Primary Timings = 5-5-5-12
tRC = 10 (9 may still work)
Vcore = 1.321something volts
Dimm = +0.40v (2.2v?)
FSB = +0.20v
MCH = +0.300v

Something within this list caused 3.6ghz to boot OK into Windows. Anyone got any ideas? I still need help on this.

If the memory is the limitation, backing off tRD (ie incrementing it) will help with stability. You might achieve more raw CPU power by the overclock, but having to relax the memory timings in the process (which is often the norm) you'll see your memory performance drop.
tRD plays a big part on Memory Read and Memory Copy. Lowering the setting improves memory throughput dratically, but also affects system total stability.
You could have a low tRD that passes memtest and prime95, but still find the PC locks up now and then.

[Nova Phoenix]

Re: Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

The above settings no longer work. I made adjustments to Vcore (back one level) and tRD (forget its name, anyway I made it 9) and the system did not boot. Right now I'm back on 3.4Ghz, which I know for sure boots and works.

tRD was at 10 when I had the successful boot - perhaps changing that is what caused the boot failure?

Will keep trying.

[cdelong]

Re: Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

keep everything the same as your last 3.6 boot except bump the CPU up to 1.35- 1.375v. You just need a little more juice if your temps can handle it.

I'm aiming for my best OC @ 1.38125v- 1.3875v max. So far I've hit 4038mhz at 1.3875v in Bios (1.35v in XP). These boards seem to undervolt on the CPU a tad.

[Nova Phoenix]

Re: Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

4Ghz? I suppose that's more possible on a dual than a quad. I've thought about it but I'm not sure my equipment could handle it.
I will attempt this again in a few hours. My Panasonic BD35 Bluray player came back today, modded to be region free, so I'll be enjoying that for a while. :)

UPDATE: Still not having any luck. The latest attempt passed the Vista start button boot thingy, and then did nothing but sit at a black screen. Back down to 3.4Ghz again.

[Nova Phoenix]

Re: Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

I though this update deserved it's own post.

As of posting, I've achieved 3.52Ghz/440FSB by adjusting the following:

FSB = 440mhz
tRD = 9
Vcore = 1.30625v (comes up as 1.28v - 1.29v in CPU-Z)

I will keep trying for higher goals. If I reach 4ghz, then WOW!
UPDATE: I attempted 450FSB again but had multiple, various failures. My setup doesn't seem to like anything at or above 450 FSB.
Currently, I'm at 445 FSB or 3.56Ghz.

[soldier]

Re: Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

If you can't increase the FSB, did you try to increase the multiplier?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Need help achieving 3.6Ghz+ on Q9450+EX38-DS4

From what I see you are just not pushing enough vcore into your CPU for 3.6, after 3.4 it seems you need a bit larger step then you are used to giving.

Just give it some more, since you almost made it to windows sounds like you are close

Post your full settings if you are still having issues and I can try to help

This is Just a template I use to ask people their settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [450] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ ?
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ ?
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______?
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ ?

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ ?
Rank Write to READ Delay________ ?
Write to Precharge Delay_________ ?
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ ?
Read to Precharge Delay__________ ?
Static tRead Value_______________
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V] 
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V] 
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V] 
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB