EP45C-DS3R overclocking

[pasty2k2]

Hi guys,

I am having trouble overclocking my Q6600 (G0).

I know it could be that I have a chip that isnt that good at oc'ing, but I want to prove this rather than assume.

I can get it to 3.4GHz stable, but thats on 1.45V in the BIOS. I am aiming for 3.6GHz.

I have a GA-EP45C-DS3R board. I can't find much info for this board on the net, it seems to have been ignored for the most part. Knowing that I would have gotten a different board, but it was part of a deal that was too good to miss.

The RAM I have is 2x2GB Corsair XMS2 4-4-4-12 PC6400 2.1V. Again I would have gotten PC8500 stuff, but this was part of that same deal.

Ive read up a lot on these forums for other P45 Gigabyte boards, and they seem to have almost identical BIOS settings as mine, possibly a few more than in mine but nonetheless, Ive based much of my overclocking off of these settings. Alas, I feel I must post as my board isnt covered here.

I have very limited understanding of all of these more recent overclocking settings I can use, things like GTL Voltage, PLL voltage and the like. I dont really understand it nor want to, I just want to know what voltages roughly I need to set, and what I can get out of raising/lowering them alongside the Vcore and DRAM Core. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Like I said I can get it to boot and bench fine at 3.4 (378x9), but would like if I can get it to 3.6 (either 450x8 or 400x9 if I understand).

I think Ive found the upper limit of my board FSB-wise, 475. I set the multi to 6, Vcore at 1.53125 - this results in about 1.48 idle when in CPU-Z due to VDrop/VDroop, so am confident in it not hurting my chip. I am not sure if this limit is because of the RAM or the board though, as the RAM is only rated to 800MHz. I have used the 2.00D (1:1) setting throughout all my testing, and lax timings of Auto on all the advanced options, and 6-6-6-21 on the standard four. No dice.

I also notice that Vdroop is very bad on this board. 1.35 Vcore results in something like 1.26 when under load - pretty bad! I know the Q6600 can run as low as about 1.16 if undervolted, but I still dont like this. Is there anything I can do to make this better?

Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks for reading

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45C-DS3R overclocking

Your boards FSB Limit is 600+ so it is all about your voltages and your CPU

YA, Vdrop/Vdroop is pretty bad on the P45's NON UD3 variants. I am trying to find why they did not add LLC or if they will soon into the BIOS's for these boards.

Vtt and PLL would for SURE Need manually set to get at 3.6, Auto will/is WAY Overvolting your CPU for sure. Ref voltages are important, but not so much so when it comes to just booting in at 3.6

You may very well need 1.45-1.5 Actual to get 3.6, not all chips will do it with less

What is your full settings you are trying that fail for 3.6 and I will advise back >>>

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

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: 
CPU Clock 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][u][/u]
[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..........................................

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

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

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................

[b]Channel A[/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

[b]Channel B[/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

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
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][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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

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

[pasty2k2]

Re: EP45C-DS3R overclocking

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: 
CPU Clock 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) ............: 3600Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: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)....................: <<< 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 0
 
 
[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 ..............: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
 
[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................ 4
tRCD ......................................... 4
tRP'........................................... 4
tRAS.......................................... 12
 
Set all Suggested below to highest Values first.  Then later you can lower, one at a time, testing as you go
 
[B][U]Advanced Timing Control[/U][/B]
tRRD........................................... Auto
tWTR.......................................... Auto
tWR............................................ Auto
tRFC........................................... Auto
tRTP........................................... Auto
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: Auto
 
[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................ 1066MHz (Both channels)
 
[B]Channel A[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................: Auto
 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
 
[B]Channel B[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................: Auto
 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
 
[B][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/B]
Voltage Type.���... Manual
[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore�.���.........................: 1.53125
CPU Termination�..... 1.200V*.......: Auto
CPU PLL�������....1.500V*.......: Auto
 
CPU Referen.����....0.755V*.......: Auto 
 
CPU Reference2���,,0.800V*.......: DOES NOT APPEAR IN EP45C-DS3R 
 
[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core�����.....1.100V...........: << Auto
MCH Reference�.��.0.800V...........; <<< Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.�......0.900V...........: <<< Auto
ICH I/O������.....1.550V............: <<< Auto
ICH Core����...��1.100V............: <<< DOES NOT APPEAR ON EP45C-DS3R
 
[B]DRAM[/B]
DRAM Voltage ��....1.800V............: 2.1V - RAM is XMS2 PC6400, [EMAIL="[email protected]"][email protected][/EMAIL]
DRAM Termination .�0.900V............: <<< Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Auto
 
[B][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/B]
CPU Multi-Threading.......................: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Disabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Disabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]
 
[B][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/B]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Enabled]

Like I said above, my RAM is OK to go at 4-4-4-12 if I set it to 2.1V. This shouldnt be affecting my progress should it?

Also at 1.53125V, my temps are 20, 20, 13, 12 at times (winter here in the UK, very cold house), so heat shouldnt be a problem either.

Thanks for doing a table-job, was kind of hoping someone would ask me to fill one in! Much better than trying to decode what all of the names for the different voltages are, as almost every manufacturer calls each one something slightly different I find!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45C-DS3R overclocking

Well 444-12 is only going to work for a while, normally 800-850 is ok, above 850 and you may need to start loosening that up

See if this helps you get at 3.6 any better >>>>

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.609


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 401Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: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
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 0


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00D or 2.00B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 802MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

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.......................................... 3-6
tWR............................................ 4-6
tRFC........................................... 52-62
tRTP........................................... 3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ 1066MHz (Both channels)

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….……….........................: 1.53125
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.25-1.55 (Keep .1 under vcore at least) Auto is WAY Overvolting this and PLL, so please do manually find and set stable voltages. Likely 1.35-1.45 would be good starting area here

CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.5-1.6

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto


MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.2-1.3 (1.22-1.24 should be good)
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.55


DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.1V - RAM is XMS2 PC6400, [email protected]
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Auto

Advanced Settings
CPU Multi-Threading.......................: [Enabled] << ??? you do not have a HT CPU ???
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Disabled] << Can/Should be enabled
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Disabled] << Enabled
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Enabled] << Disable for now to rule out as a issue (Must be re-enabled to Qflash if you ever want to do that so keep that in mind)

[pasty2k2]

Re: EP45C-DS3R overclocking

Tried those settings - they seem to be the stable-est yet... Although as soon as I start priming, core 1/2 dies almost instantly. no reboot but it failed a rounding check.

More Vcore? Thats what I would initially think but this thing is running at 1.488 idle in CPU-Z, dont really want to push it too far over.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45C-DS3R overclocking

Yeap, more vcore or Vtt/Pll. What was you using for each of those last two?

Some Q6600 need 1.5+ to do 3.6. How is your temps at that, I guess you cant really say though huh. Well try more vtt and or Pll and if that does not help you may need to push the vcore.

Have you tested the ram to be sure it is stable at the settings you are using? Normally though quick crash is CPU voltages, but just thought I would ask if you had tested you ram yet to be sure it is not the issue