GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

[allanmejia]

Hi guys

I need some serious help, I have some issues with my GA-EP45-DS3L and my Intel Quad Q9300, i'm overclocking from 2.5 to 3GHz and it works very stable when it first boots into the OS, I do what i have to do etc etc, but once I shutdown the computer or simply do a restart, system has problems booting from the BIOS and goes straight to the backup bios after a couple of times.

I dont have all the BIOS setting with me since i'm at work, I can provide them later, but can anyone share with me stable settings for 3GHz overclock or 3.5GHz if possible?

It is very inconvenient to have to go into the BIOS to reset the overclock settings the way they were, work on the PC for hours without crashing, and then go back to the same thing every time i shut down or restart.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

PS: Brand new build, RAM was fully tested individually with no problems.

[Nickel020]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Can you list all your hardware please?

You can save the BIOS settings to a profile by hitting F11 in the main screen and load those settings again with F12, this makes it a lot easier to try different settings.

As for BIOS settings, it's easiest when you just post your current settings and we tell you what settings you should change then.
You can also look around a bit, there are quite a few other people overlocking that CPU and the BIOS of the P45 boards are all nearly identical.

[allanmejia]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Thanks nickel020

I will post my bios settings and my hardware configuration in a couple of hours after i get home, thanks for the F11 tip.

Thanks again!!!

[allanmejia]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Here is my BIOS Configuration, Bios was updated to F10

[Nickel020]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Try setting the system memory multiplier to 2.0D, you can always icnrease it agian alter on but first you should figure out whether it's the RAM or the CPU causing this.
You should also increase VCore. Your value will be like 1.16V real in CPU-Z and that's probably not enough to keep the CPU going. Try bumping the VCore in BIOS to 1.30V, this will probably result in a real value of about 1.23V.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

I think you need much more vcore, and possibly a little more MCH Voltage (Maybe 1.22-1.24).

And I have to warn you now, leaving these in auto will kill your CPU Very fast overclocking >>>
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: Auto << Set 1.2-1.34 (Keep at least .1 under vcore)
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: Auto << Set 1.5-1.58

Other then that, I do not see any Major issues. Setting those and raising your vcore may fix you right up. However, until then I would advise you raise these a bit until you get squared ways >>>

tWR............................................ 6-8
tRFC........................................... 54-56

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ << Set 1066

[allanmejia]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

nickel020 and Lsdmeasap, thank you so much, i will go ahead and try to tweak the vcore and the MCH voltage.

Thanks for the warning about the Auto seettings on CPU Termination and PLL Lsdmeasap, i have had those set on auto for a while.

Also, i have seen on my research on overclocking this CPU, most people recomend to disable this function "CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disable]" so i when ahead and did, just wanted your input on that.

I will report the results later tonight when i get home, thanks again for your help, this is my first time overclocking and i build this PC for that purpose, i'm getting a better understanding on it thanks to you guys.

Allan.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Anytime man! Hope your CPU is ok, it likely is fine if you have not noticed anything funky yet.

Ya, if you want to overclock and find stability the easiest you will have to disable C1E and EIST

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[allanmejia]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Ok, it does not matter what i do, it keeps doing the same thing, i will go step by step in regards to the symptoms, mind you the BIOS is already set with the overclocking settings that i will display below so you guys can revise them with the updates i made;

1. I turn on the PC, the POST screen comes up.
   
2. When it performs the Memory Test part there is a time delay when it gets to it, it displays "Memory T" (The letter "T" for test is not displayed for a few seconds and them it completes the message with the amount of memory and the "OK", after that it restarts the computer again for some odd reason, but this time it reverts back to the default BIOS settings.
   
3. When that happens, i get into the BIOS, i select the option "MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)", it displays a message telling me that there was an error due to overclocking, i press enter and i leave all the settings as they were when i last saved them.
   
4. I leave all the overclocking settings set, get out, save and it restarts.
   
5. This time the POST is completed without any complains and my OS loads without any problems at all with no errors or crashing any applications.

I tested my Ram once again individually and both together with MemTestx86, it showed no errors!,

There is something missing, something is triggering the BIOS to reset, but when I set the settings the same as before it works!.

Any more ideas of what it could be causing this?? i dont want to give up on this, correct me if I'm wrong but since the system restarts itself when the Memory Test is performed when I first turn on the computer, that tells me it that the problem is more than likely the ram settings.

Thanks in advance again!!!

My Bios Settings Updated:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: +0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.00GHz ( 400x7.5)
*
*
Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 400Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100
*
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]
*
*
Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 50ps
*
*
DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400MHz
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
*
Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'........................................... 5
tRAS.......................................... 15
*
Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3
tWTR.......................................... 3
tWR............................................ 6
tRFC........................................... 54
tRTP........................................... 4
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2
*
Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ 1066MHz
*
Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:8
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.........................:8
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
MCH/ICHDRAMAdvanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Enabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC
*
Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Enabled]
*

[kick]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Im just posting my differences to your settings.Components are a bit different of course
They work ok for me,Nothing is in the danger zone as far as I can determine and it has passed all tests at these settings.Well actually its done 24 hr tests at either 490 or 500fsb,more on the 500 as 3.5G was my aim.It doesnt hang or fail to reboot.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: n/a
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.43GHz ( 490x7)
*
*
Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 490Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100
*
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]
*
*
Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 0ps
*
*
DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 980mhz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
*
Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'........................................... 5
tRAS.......................................... 15
*
Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... [auto]
tWTR.......................................... [auto]
tWR............................................ [auto]
tRFC........................................... 48
tRTP........................................... [auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2
*
Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................
*
Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:Auto
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.........................:Auto
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….……….........................: 1.38-1.39375V
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: Auto
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: Auto
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto
*
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.36V
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: Auto
*
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.08V
*
Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Enabled]
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]


Yes I can get the 2:00D and 2:66D multiplier to work ,but it needs a lot of tweaking of settings.The exact settings above would underclock your memory a bit.
My gskill wont go above1000 stable.Best I could manage was 1066 with 2.66D multiplier but had to use standard performance and all sorts of tweaking with settings .
I dont see any reason why above settings shouldnt work for u for 24/7 use and u could try different settings in the meantime.
Your memory is better, and hey that extra .5 multiplier would help too.
Your cooler isnt standard otherwise I wouldnt have posted these,cpu might get too hot with intel one.
500mhz fsb is very similar just needs near 2.2 v for memory so i dont run it for now.

Before trying these settings,if you are going to:
Save the ones that are working..or at least that you think are working .
Then load the optimum defaults then press f10 and hit enter.
Then when the machine posts again.You can enter the above settings when they are in press f10 again hit enter and they should be saved.

On your problem:
If you get the error message when you enter mit,the settings you see arent loaded.
The mbrd will enter a default type state so you can "fix the problem"by putting in the correct values instead of having to clear the cmos by shorting the pins or whatever.
If the warning screen comes up u should be putting in the right values and saving those.
I dont know if you are actually saving the values shown or just hitting esc and "not saving changes" or what but if the warning is there.. you should be changing a setting and saving it,or reload and save defaults and start again.

Sometimes if you save settings that are too extreme,the machine will go into a continuous "trying to post" loop.Hd will spin up lights come on then it shuts down for a second then it starts trying to post again.
The soln for that (or at least that works for me and others) is hold down the power button until the machine stops trying to reboot.
Then turn off the power supply switch. Leave it a minute or so just to be sure there is no residual current.
Turn on the power switch and then hit the power button.You should get to the bios screen after 2-3 cycles.Then you can "fix the problem".
Gigabytes dual bios in action ( I assume).
It saves a lot of time pulling off the case cover and prodding around trying to short out the cmos jumper.
Ive never had to do that yet on this board!

Yours could be different on the above tho..since i dont have that board:0

The actual board owners settings may be what to go for.. its just I had an urge your cpu is fairly close to mine.What is the real difference on these compared to ud3. is it just a bit of extra copper in the pcb?

[allanmejia]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Well, right now I'm writing from the PC that i'm having problems with, and it is working flawlesly as far as stability goes once you pass the POST screen and the OS loads with the overclock settings, but if i dare to shutdown the computer and turn it back on, then the problem starts, it does not go beyond the Memory Test, it reverses back to "Default State", i have to get into the bios and load the same overclock settings and THEN it works, the funny thing is that, when i do a restart it does not have problems going through the POST screen, only when i shutdown and power on.

I could not tell you exactly the difference in between your board and mine, one thing is that this board can overclock ram to up to 1333MHz with the F10 bios update.

Right now i'm shooting for 3GHz, yes the little extra 0.5 multiplier helps a little bit with the heat since you add less FSB, i originally wanted to go to 3.5GHz which i have read it is very possible with this Q9300 CPU, thats why i have this BIG cooling heatsink installed, with workload at 3GHz max temp is 41C which is really good.

GOD!!!! if i could only get pass the POST screen without any errors!!!!

[allanmejia]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Well, i found another recent thread with similar issues as mine [Link] and for the looks of it updating BIOS via Qflash worked for him.

Could it be that because i used @Bios software for windows from Gigabyte to update my BIOS to F10 that it messed up something in it, my problem is when i Cold Boot just like on the link i posted for the other thread? if so, can i flash my bios with QFlash with the same F10 version since for what i read is the most secure way and see if that works?

Any more ideas? this is driving me bananass!!

Thanks again!

[Nickel020]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Trying to flash with QFlash might fix it, sometimes a BIOS flash does go a little bad, not brikcing the whole board but causing weird behaviour. Try flashing and if you still have issues we can try other things.
Do load optimized defaults and save them with a reboot before and after you flash!

And never use @BIOS again!

[allanmejia]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Thanks nickel020 for helping...

Ok, here is what i have tried, i when ahead and flashed the BIOS with QFlash, i made sure i loaded the "Optimized settings" before and after, and this time i left the stock settings alone without overclocking or changing anything on the BIOS, and it is still doing the same thing, every Cold Boot it restarts itself right after the "Memory Test" on the POST Screen.

Its obvious that the issues is mainly with the RAM passing the POST Screen, not even with stock settings works, had to adjust the timings to the ones specified by manufacturer (5-5-5-15) because "Auto" changes them to other values (which is weird because at first they were set correctly automatically).

Right now the only changes i made are on the timings and voltage on the RAM, once again currently are at 5-5-5-15 and V is at 2.10v. I'm going to play with the tWR (6-8) and tRFC (54-56) values as previously stated on this post.

Any other sugestions?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L Help Overclocking Intel Quad Q9300

Did you try MCH Voltage yet? Performance Enhance on standard?

Can you load windows? If so, please post me a screenshot of this program running so I can see if tRD is getting set to low by Auto >>>
Tweakers.fr