Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

[vizard]

Hi all, Might seem a bit rude to make a first post on the forum as a technical question, But im about 5 seconds away from taking this motherboard and smashing it across the wall. I find it rather ironic that something thats branded as an extreme overclockers board is so difficult to work with.

Anyway, My problem is this. When ever i change something in the bios related to overclocking it will shutdown, As soon as i hit "Save and exit" the pc shuts down. It does not turn back on unless i power off from the PSU's power switch, When it does turn back on it only is for a few seconds ( not even 2 seconds ) then it shuts down again, I then have to use the clear cmos button to get it to boot up normally.

( please note : It sometimes does this even when i change minor things, for example, enabling USB keyboard during boot, Or enabling smart fan, BUT, unlike the overclocking if i leave it off and turn it back on, it works normally. )

It works almost perfectly fine upto 3.6ghz, I had some problems to obtain 3.8ghz, But 4.0ghz+ is becoming impossible. I have followed the PDF guide EXACTLY to try to obtain 4.0ghz and have had no success, i have even tried going as high as 1.55v with no success.

Ive also tried leaving 2 ram dimms, then 1 ram dimm, and still no success.

Sorry if this post is long and may seem somewhat arrogant, But im extremley frustrated. Anyway, My system specs are below, Thanks in advanced for any help.

Cpu : Core i7 920
Ram : 6GB Corsair XMS3 1600mhz
PSU : Gigabyte Odin 1200W
HDD : OCZ SSD
Cpu Cooler : ThermalRight True 120
Motherboard : Gigabyte EX-58 Extreme
Graphics Card : Gigabyte 4870X2
Bios Version : F4A

[MarkJohnson]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Hi all, Might seem a bit rude to make a first post on the forum as a technical question, But im about 5 seconds away from taking this motherboard and smashing it across the wall. I find it rather ironic that something thats branded as an extreme overclockers board is so difficult to work with.

lol - I find it ironic you assume something labeled extreme would be easy. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Anyway, My problem is this. When ever i change something in the bios related to overclocking it will shutdown, As soon as i hit "Save and exit" the pc shuts down. It does not turn back on unless i power off from the PSU's power switch, When it does turn back on it only is for a few seconds ( not even 2 seconds ) then it shuts down again, I then have to use the clear cmos button to get it to boot up normally.

( please note : It sometimes does this even when i change minor things, for example, enabling USB keyboard during boot, Or enabling smart fan, BUT, unlike the overclocking if i leave it off and turn it back on, it works normally. )

It works almost perfectly fine upto 3.6ghz, I had some problems to obtain 3.8ghz, But 4.0ghz+ is becoming impossible. I have followed the PDF guide EXACTLY to try to obtain 4.0ghz and have had no success, i have even tried going as high as 1.55v with no success.

Ive also tried leaving 2 ram dimms, then 1 ram dimm, and still no success.

Sorry if this post is long and may seem somewhat arrogant, But im extremley frustrated. Anyway, My system specs are below, Thanks in advanced for any help.

Cpu : Core i7 920
Ram : 6GB Corsair XMS3 1600mhz
PSU : Gigabyte Odin 1200W
HDD : OCZ SSD
Cpu Cooler : ThermalRight True 120
Motherboard : Gigabyte EX-58 Extreme
Graphics Card : Gigabyte 4870X2
Bios Version : F4A

you must be extremely frusted, you're all over the place on your statements, but I understand your feelings.

Maybe try to list all your settings and any errors you encounter with those settings. Be as specific as possible. unplug everything except keyboard and mouse. most of all don't be too disappointed if you can't reach 4.0GHz. Not all CPUs can do it.

Here is a settings list I stole from lsdmeasap:

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: 
[URL="http://forums.tweaktown.com/#"]CPU Clock[/URL] Ratio ..........................: 
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 


[B][U]Clock Chip Control [/U][/B]
[B][U]Standard Clock Control[/U][/B]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: Mhz
[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...........................: <<< 
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 


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

[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

[B][U]Advanced Timing Control[/U][/B]
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................

[B]Channel A[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 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.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 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]
Voltage Type.���... Manual
[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore�.���.........................:
CPU Termination�..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL�������....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Referen.����....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2���,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core�����.....1.100V...........: << 
MCH Reference�.��.0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.�......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O������.....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core����...��1.100V............: <<< Leave

[B]DRAM[/B]
DRAM Voltage ��....1.800V............: 
DRAM Termination .�0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[B][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/B]
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]
[URL="http://forums.tweaktown.com/#"]Virtualization Technology[/URL]................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

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

[vizard]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

what do you mean my statements are all over the place, ive giving a tonne of info, what more do you need.

theres no point in that list and posting up the settings as ive already said ive done exactly as the pdf guide sais.

the problem is NOT the system being stable, the problem is the system NOT EVEN TRYING to boot or get into windows, it doesnt even stay on long enough for the boot screen to come on, just a few seconds then "BANG" it shuts of.

will never buy a gigabyte motherboard again once i get rid of this crap.

[MarkJohnson]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

I'm sorry, but I can't help you without knowing your system. You forgot to link this PDF file and I see no, "getting 4GHz on an X58 Extreme" thread/PDF file anywhere.

also, guides are just that. a guide. All systems will need fine tuning. I think your biggest problem is changing too many settings at once and that will leave you in a, "I don't know which setting caused it" scenario.

Please help us to help you by filling in the list.
-=Mark=-

[vizard]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Hey mate thanks for trying to help, here are the settings i used to try to obtain 3.8ghz, if theres anything ODD in there that looks like its not supposed to be there please give me your opinion. Thanks again for taking the time to help :)

And this is the PDF i followed to try to get to 4.0ghz

http://www.overclockers.com.au/files/Core%20i7%20920%20oc%204G%202008.12.12_(ENG).pdf

///////////////////////MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)///////////////////////

Cpu Clock Ratio :: 20 x
Cpu Frequency :: 3.80ghz ( 190x20 )

>> Advanced Cpu Features
Cpu Clock Ratio :: 20 x
Cpu Frequency :: 3.80ghz ( 190x20 )
Intel(r) Turbo Boost Tech. :: Disabled
Cpu Cores Enabled :: ALL
Cpu Multi-Threading :: Enabled
Cpu Enhanced Halt ( C1E) :: Disabled
C3/C6/C7 State Support :: Disabled
Cpu Thermal Monitor :: Disabled
Cpu EIST Function :: Disabled
Virtualization Technology :: Disabled
B-Directional PROCHOT :: Disabled

QPI Link Speed :: x36
QPI Link Speed :: 6.84ghz

>> Uncore & QPI Features
QPI Link Speed :: x36
QPI Link Speed :: 6.84ghz
Uncore Frequency :: X13
Uncore Frequency :: 2470mhz
Isonchronus Support :: Disabled

Base Clock(BCLK) Control :: Enabled
BCLK Frequency(mhz) :: 190

>> Advanced Clock Control
Base Clock(BCLK) Control :: Enabled
BCLK Frequency(mhz) :: 190
PCI Express Frequency(mhz) :: AUTO
C.I.A.2 :: Disabled
>>>>>Advanced Clock Control
CPU Clock Drive :: 700mv
PCI Express Clock Drive 700mv
Cpu Clock Skew :: 0ps
IOH Clock Skew :: 0ps

Performance Enhance :: TURBO
Extreme Memory Profile ( X.M.P ) : Disabled
System Memory Multiplyer :: 6.0
Memory Frequency :: 1140
DRAM Timing Selectable ( SPD ) :: AUTO
Profile DDR Voltage :: 1.5v
Profile QPI Voltage :: 1.15v
CHANNEL A
CAS Latency Time :: 8 - auto
tRCD :: 8 - Auto
tRP :: 8 - Auto
tRAS :: 20 - Auto
CHANNEL B
CAS Latency Time :: 8 - auto
tRCD :: 8 - Auto
tRP :: 8 - Auto
tRAS :: 20 - Auto
CHANNEL C
CAS Latency Time :: 8 - auto
tRCD :: 8 - Auto
tRP :: 8 - Auto
tRAS :: 20 - Auto

>>Advanced DRAM Features
Performance Enhance :: Turbo
Extreme Memory Profile ( X.M.P ) :: Disabled
System Memory multiplyer :: 6.0
Memory Frequency :: 1140
DRAM Timing Selectable :: AUTO
Profile DDR Voltage :: 1.5v
Profile QPI Voltage :: 1.15v

>> Channel A Timing Settings
Cas Latency Timings :: 8 - Auto
trcd :: 8 - Auto
tRP :: 8 - Auto
tRAS :: 20 - auto
>>>>> Channel A Advanced Timing Control
trc :: 27 - Auto
trrd :: 4 - Auto
twtr :: 4 - Auto
twr :: 8 - Auto
trtp :: 60 - Auto
trfc :: 4 - Auto
tfaw :: 20 - Auto
Command Rate (CMD ) :: 1
>>>>> Channel A MISC Timing Control
Round Trip Latency :: 51 - Auto
Load-Line Calibration :: Disabled
CPU Vcore :: 1.40000v
QPI/VTT Voltage :: 1.400v
IOH Core :: 1.100v - AUTO
DRAM Voltage :: 1.500v - AUTO

>>Advanced Voltage Control
CPU Vcore :: 1.40000v
QPI/VTT Voltage :: 1.400v
CPU PLL :: 1.800v - AUTO
>>> MCH-ICH
PCIE :: 1.500v - AUTO
QPI PLL :: 1.100v - Auto
ICH / IO :: 1.500v - AUTO
ICH Core :: 1.100v - AUTO
>>> DRAM
DRAM Voltage :: 1.500v Auto
DRAM Termination :: 0.750v AUTO
Ch-A Data V-ref :: 0.750v AUTO
Ch-b Data V-ref :: 0.750v AUTO
Ch-c Data V-ref :: 0.750v AUTO
Ch-A address V-ref :: 0.750v AUTO
Ch-b address V-ref :: 0.750v AUTO
Ch-c address V-ref :: 0.750v AUTO

///////////////////////Advanced Bios Features///////////////////////

Limit CPUID Max. to 3 :: Disabled
No-Execute Memory Protect :: Disabled
Delay For HDD ( Secs ) :: 0

[MarkJohnson]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Everything looks fine. Just need more fine tuning. Most likely though you'll need to enable Turbo to reach 4GHz as most 920 users are getting it this way with a BCLK 190.

another thing you may try is lowering your multiplier to around x12 to see how high you can get your QPI/Memory Frequency.

once you've found your max BCLK and QPI/Memory Freq. you can just balance them with your multiplier to get your best overclock.

I just hooked up my waterblock last night and I'm in the same boat as you. I tried that guide with no luck at all. I had vcore to 1.45 and decided to give up on the guide and do it the old fashion way. Trial and error. Right now I'm trying to get BCLK 180 stable.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

[rge]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Vizard,
your cpu clock drive should be 800, pcie 900. Only a few beta bioses had weird clock drives with 700. Also whenever you flash with a bios, make sure you hit "load optimized settings", because until you do so, you are still using previous bios settings, and not doing so is another way to get weird clock drive values like 700.

What is your mem rating. most are using 1600 rated mem and using 8x mem divider and 17 uncore. This is important b/c mem volts necessary for near 1600 is 1.65volts. And mem/dram volts also feeds unclock/mem controller. In other words your mem voltage at 1.5 may be in part responsible for not being able to OC to 4. DRAM has to be in 1.6's usually to get to 4.

I would flash to F4j. Load optimize defaults (that will fix your clock drives), etc. ENABLE LLC, you wont get anywhere with that disabled, the vdroop is to large. DRAM volts to 1.66 (will give you 1.65v cpuz). If you have 1600 rated ram then use 8x mem and 17 UC, if 1333 then use 6x and 13-15 uncore. I would load 8,8,8,24 default timings manually on all 3 channels (or whatever your default mem timings are. Keep Vcore 1.4, and vtt/qpi same. But I and some others have found my system is more stable using 8/17 for mem/uc versus 6/13-15 for mem/uc, but that requires 1600 rated ram, though that is what most have. None of the bioses are correctly picking up either my OCZ or corsair ram specs, not surprising though with early bioses, I have to take everything off auto and manually enter.

And like Mark said, use turbo to get 21 multi for 4ghz.

[vizard]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

hey thanks guys i will give it a go, and yeah i do have 1600mhz corsair ram. Thanks for the replies, will post up reports later on.

Thanks again.

edit : quick note, i havent finished messing around yet but now i keep getting this error after bios screen where it has to re-install my bios or something :(

[vizard]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Ok seems im not completley unable to do anything with this board. i keep getting that cmos error when ever i try do something. i have to turn the pc off and clear cmos for it to boot into windows normally.

thanks to everyone that helped, i hope one day gigabyte release a working bios for this board so everyone can actually use it.

anyway, thanks again, ill be selling this board off now.

[MarkJohnson]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Sorry I haven't responded in a while. been busy here.


you may want to be a lot more specific on the error you're getting. If it is scolling by too fast you can hit your pause/break key to look at it.

but it may be it is erroring on your overclock and resets for safety.

I just got my waterblock on and I'm having the same issues as you at trying for 4.0GHz. I hit 180 Bclk for a couple hours before I stopped it. 190 won't run anything and will even lock up with a few minutes of idling.

I see lsdmeasap is back and hopefully he cannhelp on bios settings as I don't know Gigabyte settings well and I returned my Gigabyte board and got a DFI. (my gigabyte seemed to short out when I put on my waterblock, I heard some boards had a bad solder joint so I just refunded and got a different one) I wish they'd make a bios standard so all bios would have the same naming for all settings.

anyway, post a more detailed error result and what you were doing/changing when it happened. maybe post up a new bios setting or post only the settings different from the last one. People usually cut copy the previos one and highlight/bold/underscore the ones changed.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Wish I could offer some help, but sadly I cannot.

Thanks to all X58 users who do offer their thoughts and try to help!!!

[MarkJohnson]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

OK, I got 4GH finally. I'm prime95 Blending at the moment, but passed SuperPi 32M and Memtest86+ tests so far. A few things I did were:

CPU Clock Ratio X19
BCLK Frequency(MHz) 211
CPU vCore 1.3975
QPI/VTT 1.41

I've been finding VTT needs to be higher than vCore. About 0.02-0.03 or so.

remember I'm on a DFI board, so you may need to tweak these a little.

Good luck
-=Mark=-
dang, Prime95 blend failed after 10minutes. Pretty good since I've been having a hard time passing for 1 minute- lol Testing 1.4 vCore and 1.42 vtt now.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Vtt should always be 0.1V or less below Vcore

But hey, All I know is NON X58, so That may not apply. I can say higher Vtt then vcore in previous chipsets will kill your CPU

[MarkJohnson]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

as you already know the old vtt applies to the FSB, and the X58 now has a QPI bus and it's a while lot different. I did mis write it though and it should be within .02v-.03v. Some CPUs like it a little high, while some a little low. I think the good chips like it low, I find most chips that run higher seem to be the ones that won't clock well. Only time will tell before we know the true nature of the beast.

Right now I have my clock back to 180BCLK, 20x multi, and Turbo enabled and most things on auto. I set my Vcore and VTT to same setting and VTT fluctuates from .01v - .03v higher while folding.

I never could get 4.0 stable. I kept pumping volts and gained little stability. I hit 1.5vcore and stopped. I started at 1.3125v vCore and passes SuperPi 32M and memtest at the above clock and nerver got it stable up to 1.5v. I was afraid to go any higher.

I don't know if it's my CPU limit or some setting. These are all new settings and I have no clue what most do. I even installed my good water cooling system to cool this better and got temps down around 73C, but didn't give me any stability. My PWMs were sky high at 80C and put a fan on them to get them down to 60C. These are digital PWMs on my DFI and they are suppose to handle the high heat, but I cooled them to be safe.

I'm taking a short break from OC. Probably next weekend before I try more. That'll give me more time to read up some more on these things.

-=Mark=-

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Problems Overclocking With Ex-58 Extreme

Ahh, ok thanks for the info! Ya, I have not even held a X58 myself yet.... So I am clueless about it

Thanks for chiming in on these boards, as All the X58 help we can get around here is needed until I decide to upgrade