OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L & Q6600

[zoneblitz61]

Ok, I currently have my Q6600 OC'd from 2.4ghz stock to 3.0ghz. I have my hardware in my sig (sig is probably looks jacked up, would appreciate help with getting into a nice table-ish form instead of a big list ) I'm looking for advice and pointers on my BIOS settings to maximize my performance with my current overclock, and maybe ways to get my vcore lower. I have a 1.325 VID Q6600 so my voltages are already higher than most. I filled out that template that LSD has an attached it, I can post it in the thread too if thats easier.

Also, at the end of this week or early next week I should be getting my new ram which is G.SKILL PI Black 8GB (4 x 2GB) PC2 6400. Cas: 4-4-4-12, Test Voltage 2.0v ~ 2.1v (though most people in the forums run it at approx. 1.9v). Once I get that ram I would like to strive to achieve a 3.6ghz OC if I can keep the temps down considering I'm air cooling with my Tuniq Tower. If not, I would be happy with a 3.4ghz OC.

So please help me maximize my current OC, and give me pointers on how to set up my future overclock. Thanks!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L & Q6600

Yes, please just post the template here copy/paste, as I do not use office on the PC I am generally on

3.4 on air should be easy, 3.6 maybe not so much though


Without a link to the ram you are using now I cannot advise you really. You do know that you are running it at 667 right?

[zoneblitz61]

Newegg.com - CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Corsair Value Select Pc2-5300

New ram awaiting arrival:
Newegg.com - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
G Skill Pi Pc2-6400


The ram I got now should be running at 668 due to my FSB being at 334 instead of 333, right?

My temps right now are 30, 26, 23, 25 and during small fft's in prime core 0 was at 57 rest were below that, so I'm hoping I can get to 3.6.

[zoneblitz61]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L & Q6600

oh yea, forgot to mention that the ones marked with n/a are ones that arent available in my bios. tried the ctrl+f1 too. dont think it did anything

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L & Q6600

Ahh, Ok see without a link to your ram I thought you had 800Mhz ram from your Doc file I think is why I made that note.

Control +F1 must be done on the MAIN Screen, and then the screen will flash and all hidden settings will be shown. But in your board you should only have hidden settings on the IRQ screen (PnP/PCI Page). Not all boards have all features in my templates, and some settings are CPU/Ram Dependent so you can ignore most settings you do not have unless I note you should for sure have them

Ya, all looks good then for the ram you have now. When you get your new ram let us know if you need help.

Here is some general settings for you for 3.4 with 8GB of the ram you have on the way >>>

Are you using the latest BIOS, if so you did load optimized and save/apply after your flash right? If not to any of that, please see here >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: AUTO or fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.4ghz(425x8)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100

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


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 800mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 0ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: N/A
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: Auto
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00B or 2.00D (More stable)
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 850
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 4/5
tRCD ......................................... 4/5
tRP'........................................... 4/5
tRAS.......................................... 12/15

^^ At 850 Mhz you may or may not be able to use 444-12, if not try 544-12 first and so on ^^^

Set all Suggested below to highest Values first. Then later you can lower, one at a time, testing as you go

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3-4
tWTR.......................................... 4-8
tWR............................................4-10
tRFC........................................... 65-75
tRTP........................................... 4-7
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................800/1066 (Test/Bench Both last, set 800 Now)

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: 6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< 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.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< 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….……….........................: 1.375v (1.3250v VID) More of course, all up to your CPU and board's vdro/vdroop. You may need 1.35-1.425 or so actual for 3.4, which may be more then that as a actual BIOS setting to get those actual voltages in windows

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.2-1.5
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << 1.5-1.65

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< 0.762v

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< N/A

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.2-1.35
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< AUTO
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< N/A
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.50-1.55
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< 1.14-1.12

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

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.........................: [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

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

[zoneblitz61]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

im running the f9 bios. i know f10 is ou but im hesitant to upgrade because i read that updates can sometimes mess up your stable oc settings and i dont really have problems now. you recommend testing mem settings with memtest? also how do i know when to change all those extra voltage settings other than vcore, like cpu pll?

[zoneblitz61]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

CPU Vtt (Termination) and PLL should be set manuall anytime you are overclocking!

Settings above look good, you can likely use less Vtt and PLL at those clocks though, just so you know

XMP Disabled, Write Training leave on Auto or you can try enabled. Do you need more Ram voltage, just asking?

72 is ok temps for 65NM. I have ran my 45 and 65Nm ones into the high 80's for long times without issues. Of course temps are all up to what you accept of course. See if lowering the Vtt and PLL helps the temps any

Have you tried less MCH, just wondering

[zoneblitz61]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

CPU Vtt (Termination) and PLL should be set manuall anytime you are overclocking!

Settings above look good, you can likely use less Vtt and PLL at those clocks though, just so you know

XMP Disabled, Write Training leave on Auto or you can try enabled. Do you need more Ram voltage, just asking?

72 is ok temps for 65NM. I have ran my 45 and 65Nm ones into the high 80's for long times without issues. Of course temps are all up to what you accept of course. See if lowering the Vtt and PLL helps the temps any

Have you tried less MCH, just wondering

When you ask about the ram voltage, are you meaning that insufficient ram voltage might have caused the BSOD kill when I was going for 3.4ghz?

When I was going for 3.4ghz, i originally didn't up VTT or PLL, and didn't touch the MCH voltages, but as my vcore kept creeping higher and higher, I eventually bumped all those up to the maximum ranges you gave me earlier in hopes of getting it stable.

The only reason i quit at 72C was because I've read in other threads that you don't want to go outside of 69-71C range, but if going outside of that isn't a problem, then I'm fine with it. I really didn't know except for what I've read others say. I just don't want to damage my chip trying to get bonus speed.

When I asked about knowing when to change CPU PLL and VTT before, I meant at what point do you know that you need to up the other voltages besides vcore, and how do you decide what to change them to?

My temps at 3.3ghz now are fine, but if you think its ok to go above 72C at full load with my Q6600, then I may go for 3.4ghz again. Will I notice a significant difference between 3.3 and 3.4ghz?

Thanks.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

Yes, if your ram is rated for higher then 1.9V (Which you may actually be getting less than) then it can cause BSOD for sure. Check in PC health page and see what 1.9 setting is giving you. I would personally still set 1.95 or 2.0

Those voltages at max I suggested may also cause you issues, Those would be max needed (possibly) at higher clocks then you are running

Ya you are fine with your temps, 65NM CPU's are Strong!! And as I said you only have it in the 70's for tests anyway not during normal use. You would be fine with 70-80 as load temps, but keep in mind that would be about the limit I would keep as far as voltages go. Meaning if you are reaching 80 then you likely are at your limit or you need to lower vcore and try something else

Setting Vtt and PLL is all a trial and error thing. I would start with Vtt at stock and then raise Vcore a bit and as you go if you feel more and more vcore is needed then try adding Vtt and see if less vcore is needed. PLL you can set to 1.45-1.59 and see how that works for you. More then 1.59 would likely not be needed until you pass 3.6

Na, the difference between 3.3 and 3.4 would be negligible and likely not worth the temps. If you can get your voltages down though it may be worth it. Have you redone your thermal paste? Do you think you used to much?

[zoneblitz61]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

i actually went back and tried for 3.4 after reading another thread u helped a guy with and i managed to get it stable for about 3 hours of prime 95 small fft testing. ill post my settings when i get home later, but i had to use a vcore of 1.6v due to vdroop. cpuid has my vcore at 1.504 under full load when testing at 1.6. lower vcores were 1.488 or lower which wasnt enough. is it a huge deal that it crapped out after 3 hrs in testing? i havent maxed out all the other voltafes yet so i might up those for stability. temps were only around 70℃ from what i saw. now i.d try for 3.6 but the onpy higher vcore setting i have is 1.8 and i doubt 3.6 will run at 1.6 vcore if 3.4 barely does. any suggestions and is it safe to run 24/7 with 1.6 vcore if vroop makes it lower and temps are ok? thanks for all your help

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

Wow, at only 3.4 you should not need 1.5 actual voltage. So you may need to be adding more Vtt or PLL

What is your full settings for the above tests?

[zoneblitz61]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

Here's my current settings that I have been testing in prime95 small fft's:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: FAST
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.4ghz(425x8)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:102

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


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 800mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 0ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: DISABLED
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400MHZ
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 826
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 4
tRCD ......................................... 4
tRP'........................................... 4
tRAS.......................................... 12

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3
tWTR.......................................... 4
tWR............................................4
tRFC........................................... 65
tRTP........................................... 4
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Channel A & B Driving Strength ............................800

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: 9
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.........................: 9
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….……….........................: 1.600v
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.56v
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << 1.65

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< 0.990v

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Not available

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.260v
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< AUTO
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Not Available
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.550v
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Not Available

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 1.94v
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Not Available
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Not Available
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Not Available

Advanced Settings
CPU Multi-Threading………………………….: Enabled
H.D.D. S.M.A.R.T. Capability…………….: Enabled
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: Not Available
x C4/C4E State Support..................: Not Available
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: Disabled
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

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



My vdroop is horrible, its about -.096v under load. Vcore at 1.6v and cpuz reads 1.504v during testing. Its about 1.538-1.552v just sitting at the desktop. Hope you got some ideas to get this vcore down, i've been seeing threads about people with Q6600 and the same 1.325 vid and they're running 3.6ghz at 1.5v vcore. I'm running 1.6v vcore and its crashing around about 3+ hours in prime95 using small fft testing. You know of any safe ways to adjust the vdroop with this board?


*I'm also using bios F10*

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

Vdroop Mod I linked here tonight for another user >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/will-pencil-mod-work-my-board-29764/

Try this, remove a set of ram so you only have 4GB so we can rule that out as a issue making you feel you need so much Vcore. Ya, some chips need more then others but this is looking a bit extreme

CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.600v << Less...., maybe try 1.525
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.56v << Set to 1.425-1.45
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << 1.65 << Set to 1.55-1.59

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< 0.990v << Set to Auto



MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.260v << Set 1.22-1.24

[zoneblitz61]

Re: OC Help/Advice with GA-EP45-DS3L &amp; Q6600

probablthout a set of ram till this weekeny wont be able to try wid, but lets say when i do try it my system tests stable with the voltages u posted. does that mean im out 4gb ram to run it at those settings or is there a way to do it? also what happens if the ram is not an issue? i read that some people say quad/dual cores sometimes have fsb "holes" where they might not run at 400 mhz but do fine at 399 or 401. is that a possibility?