OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

[SCTony]

Hello LSDMEASAP and everyone. This is my first time overclocking and I am looking for advice on bios settings. I have q9550 C1 and it seems to be somewhat stable so far at 3.8 (450 x 8.5). It is running 7.5+hours now of Prime95 small (finally! ). I dont know how stable the ram is yet...will test later. Thank you much.


MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: AUTO
CPU Clock Ratio ...........................: 8X
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: +0.5
CPU Frequency ............................: 3.82GHz (450x8.5)

Clock Chip Control

Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 450
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ........: 100
C.I.A.2 ........................................: [Disabled]

Advanced Clock Control
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 900mV
PCI Express Clock Drive...............: 900mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 50ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 0ps

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.......................................... 15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................: 5
WTR............................................: 6
tWR.............................................: 6
tRFC............................................: 65
tRTP.............................................: 6
Command Rate (CMD) ..................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................: 800 MHz
Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: 11
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
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Channel B
Static tRead Value............................: 11
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
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Motherboard Voltage Control
CPU
MCH/ICHDRAM

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support.....................: [Disabled]
C4/C4E State Support.....................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor ......................: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function..........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization..................................: [Disabled]

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

[Chucko]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Nice work so far! What are your CPU and MCH temps? Did you brute-force overvolt it to get to this point or are those the lowest stable voltages?

Static Trd looks kinda high for 5-5-5-15, but since I'm a fellow n00b I'll let the real experts tell you how to get it lower.

[SCTony]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Hi Chucko! This is the first combination of settings I have found to be prime-stable but I would like to lower the temps some if possible. Core one hitting around 65 and core 2,3,4 around 60. I dont know about the NB temps. Hopefully it can be tweaked down some. Thanks.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

can you use less Vtt? For sure you can lower many of those memory timings now, that should for sure be stable ram as it is very loose timings

If you are just trying to bring down temps you will need to lower voltages, I would start with Vtt a bit, then try on Vcore. MCH ref can come down as well, try .68%-.72%, wont affect temps much but you are using way more then you need

[SCTony]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Thanks for your time LSDMEASAP... I don't know how you manage to help so many people.
You are much appreciated. After another day and a half trying to lower my cpu Vcore,
I am back where I started with it (1.3875). Core one tops out about 65 degrees.

Q. The System temp reported in EZTune HW Monitor... is that the northbridge chip?
Q. When voltages are recommended. are they the BIOS settings or the run-time voltages reported in EZTune?
Q. Is there a relationship between CPU core and MCH core or is it trial and error?
Q. Does a system freeze point to any particular area, ie memory, cpu, mch settings? How about BSOD? System reboot?

I know you are busy and these are noob questions but thank you for any advice.

Here is where I am now...

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)

Robust Graphics Booster ......: AUTO
CPU Clock Ratio ..............: 8X
Fine CPU Clock Ratio..........: +0.5
CPU Frequency ................: 3.82GHz (450x8.5)

******Clock Chip Control
>>>Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control........: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) .....: 450
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ..: [100]
C.I.A.2 ......................: [Disabled]

>>>Advanced Clock Control
CPU Clock Drive...............: [800mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive.......: [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew (ps)...........: [50ps]
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...........: [0ps]

******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..........................: 15

>>>Advanced Timing Control
tRRD..........................: 4
tWTR..........................: 4
tWR...........................: 8
tRFC..........................: 62
tRTP..........................: 4
Command Rate (CMD) ...........: 2T

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength (CH A & B)...: 800 MHz

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
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.:Auto
DDR Write Training............: [auto]

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
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.:Auto
DDR Write Training............: [auto]

******Motherboard Voltage Control

Voltage Type.........: Manual

>>>CPU
LLC..................: Disabled
CPU Vcore............: 1.3875 (1.296/load in EZTune HW Monitor)
CPU Termination......: 1.320
CPU PLL..............: 1.500V
CPU Ref..............: .906 (.830 in EZT) (68.6% Vtt = .906)

>>>MCH/ICH
MCH Core.............: 1.34
MCH Ref..............: .916 (.840 in EZT) (69.4% Vtt = .916)
MCH/DRAM Ref.........: 1.04 (.900 in EZT)
ICH I/O..............: 1.570
ICH Core.............: 1.200

>>>DRAM
DRAM Voltage ........: 2.08 (2.064/load in EZT)
DRAM Termination ....: 1.04 (.900 in EZT)
Channel A Ref........: 1.04 (.900 in EZT)
Channel B Ref........: 1.04 (.900 in EZT)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Thanks for the kind words man! I do try my best to keep up with everything, some days though as you know can get me very behind

65C is not too bad for a Load temp, do keep in mind you never run your system that hot anyway except under full load stress tests

System temp is the board temp, close to the NB but no it is not the MCH Chip temps. There is no sensor for that only your finger on the NB heatsink when the system is under stress testing. If you cant keep your finger on it for more then 10 seconds then it is too hot

Before I answer your voltage question I have to tell you this. Easytune ONLY reports the actual voltages you set in the BIOS, you will need to use everest to see other voltages at idle and load. You can use CPU-z to watch idle and load CPU Voltages though very easily

When you see recommended voltages by me they are often optimal ranges, with higher being the upper limit of what is safe. Now when it comes to CPU Vcore, I usually recommend voltage ranges based on what may be needed as a actual shown in CPU-z. What you need to get stable may be a much higher voltage setting in the BIOS as depending on your board you may have a large vdrop and vdroop.

If you are unaware of these things, Vdrop is what voltage you get at Idle shown in CPU-z Vs. what you set in the BIOS and Vdroop is what you get from that Idle Voltage Vs. what you get under full load shown in CPU-z. These are per Intel Design

MCH Core and CPU core, yes are kinda related in the sense your FSB is controlled by the MCH and controls CPU Speeds. But mainly if your CPU is unstable it is due to CPU ralted voltages and not MCH unless you do have that set to low to begin with. So, yes in a way alot of trial and error with some thought put into it. More MCH is needed based on what strap/multi you are using, ow much ram you have, and FSB Speed. But mainly the ram factors mentioned there

Q. Does a system freeze point to any particular area, ie memory, cpu, mch settings? How about BSOD? System reboot?

Could be anything, even driver and programs or spyware/viruses. And of course yes all or any one of the above. If you are getting BSOD's knowing the error # (0x000000) or the name of the BSOD (Such as Bad_Pool_Header or IRQ_Not_Equal_To_Or_Less_Than) that helps alot. Those mentioned above are very often ram related

As for your settings as of now I would make these changes myself testing for stability as you go >>>

CPU Clock Skew (ps)...........: [50ps] << I would be coming off this at your low FSB, should only be needed at 533+ FSB and even then likely does more harm then good. I used to think this and the below helped but have since found otherwise

MCH Clock Skew (ps)...........: [0ps]

******DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...........: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile X.M.P. : [Disabled]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch........: [400] Auto
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..........................: 15 << Try 12

>>>Advanced Timing Control
tRRD..........................: 4 << 3 should work fine
tWTR..........................: 4 << 3 may work
tWR...........................: 8 << 5-7 should work fine
tRFC..........................: 62 << 52-54 should work fine
tRTP..........................: 4 << 3 should work fine
Command Rate (CMD) ...........: 2T

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength (CH A & B)...: 800 MHz << you may have better luck with 1066, I know I do even at 800Mhz

Channel A
Static tRead Value............: 10 << This can for sure come down to 8-9 depending on ram quality. 9 Should for sure work

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
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.:Auto
DDR Write Training............: [auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value............: 10 << This can for sure come down to 8-9 depending on ram quality. 9 Should for sure work

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
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.:Auto
DDR Write Training............: [auto]

******Motherboard Voltage Control

Voltage Type.........: Manual

>>>CPU
LLC..................: Disabled
CPU Vcore............: 1.3875 (1.296/load in EZTune HW Monitor)
CPU Termination......: 1.320 << You should be able to use less, but maybe not with quad. I would be trying to get at 1.22-1.28

CPU PLL..............: 1.500V
CPU Ref..............: .906 (.830 in EZT) (68.6% Vtt = .906)

>>>MCH/ICH
MCH Core.............: 1.34 << I would shoot for 1.22-1.24 as 1.34 is for sure not needed and can cause instability for sure

MCH Ref..............: .916 (.840 in EZT) (69.4% Vtt = .916)
MCH/DRAM Ref.........: 1.04 (.900 in EZT)
ICH I/O..............: 1.570
ICH Core.............: 1.200

>>>DRAM
DRAM Voltage ........: 2.08 (2.064/load in EZT)
DRAM Termination ....: 1.04 (.900 in EZT)<< I would get all these back on Auto (.5%) in the BIOS (You will have to set dram voltage back to 1.8V then lower these back to .9)

Channel A Ref........: 1.04 (.900 in EZT)<< I would get all these back on Auto (.5%) in the BIOS (You will have to set dram voltage back to 1.8V then lower these back to .9)

Channel B Ref........: 1.04 (.900 in EZT) << I would get all these back on Auto (.5%) in the BIOS (You will have to set dram voltage back to 1.8V then lower these back to .9)

[Signal9]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Excellent post. This is the same exact setup I have,

Same motherboard, memory and CPU Fan.

My temps with Everex is tad different however. 51, 45, 48, 49

I used a Xigmatic cpu mounting bracket instead of the plastic pushpins.

Here's my setup.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:..5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.82 x 450 x 8.5


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 450 Mhz
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)...................: 50


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..........................................12


Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3
tWTR.......................................... 3
tWR............................................5
tRFC...........................................52
tRTP...........................................3
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

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

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:9 (<=8 won't post)
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 (<=8 won't post)
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….……….........................:1.275
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.200
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.500v

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

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:Auto

MCH/ICH
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............: Auto

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.100v
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]

Q9550 E0
GA-EP45-UD3P bios F6
2x2GB G.Skill 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

[SCTony]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

LSDMEASP Thank you very much for that lengthy reply. You are right on with the memory settings. Appreciate the hard work.


Thanks for posting that Signal9... I was wondering what your settings were. I am trying to tighten my memory settings now... getting close to what you have. I know I won't be able to lower my CPU Vcore though. Maybe that is the difference between the C1 step and the E0 step.... E0 less voltage?

[Signal9]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Next questions, once you stabilize your cpu oc speed and get your memory tight, whats next time?

Buy faster DDR2 memory?

Bump OC on Cpu to 4 ghz?

With the current specs of both our riggs, is the most we can expect?

[SCTony]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Lol I would like to go for 4..... I am pushing 1.31 v CPU Vcore so I have some to play with but it is the heat that is concerning me most. After I reseat the HSF with better thermal paste and double-check my thermal paste application method I will probably try for 4ghz. I need to find a faster way to check stability :)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Signal you may be able to boot tRD 8 or even 7 if you add some MCH Voltage and get the 2.00B Multi working for you.

Yeap, sorry guys 4Ghz is all you can hope for without Ln2

Faster way to check stability.... Hmm, you guys tried Intel Burn Test? It will get HOT, but your CPU will live and you find out very fast if it is stable or not. You can find it here with Tons of other apps >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/intel-burn-test-27994/#post262787

Good luck guys!

[SCTony]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Thanks again LSDMEASAP. You must type very fast :)

Signal9- What case are you using? Which way did you set your HSF - exhaust out the back or the top? I am considering a faster fan but I love how quiet the OCZ fan is. Looking at maybe a Cooler Master Blue LED (Y720DCD-25T1-GP) 110 CFM 38.0dBA at 2500RPM... R... a SilverStone SST-FM121 110 CFM 39.5dBA at 2400rpm. Either one about $20 plus ship.
What SuperPi 1M result? I am around 12.3

[Signal9]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

SCTony,

My case is a Cosmos 1000. It came with 4 120mm fans. 2 on top, 1 in back and 1 on bottom. Bottom sucks air in, while the rest blow air out.

My cpu fan blows air through the heat sinks and out back of the case where just perfect location is another 120mm fan sucking that hot air outside of the case.

I used artic silver and i swapped the plastic pushpin mount for a xigamatic metal mounting plate.


I did recently add another 120mm fan for the hard-drive cage area since Coolermaster included a spare fan mounting assembly for this.

[SCTony]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Signal9 - our memory timings are the same, just as LSD recommended. Seem to be working fine. I changed my clock skew back to 0 with no problems so far. I have lowered some of my voltages a bit. It helps to have comparable systems. Still tweaking Some settings will pass IntelBurnx5 and fail Prime.

[Signal9]

Re: OC Q9550 on EP45-UD3P GSkill ram @3.8

Let me know how things go for you when you get Prime stable.

Mine passed intel burn as well.