EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

[kely88]

Hi everybody!

Iam a beginnner in overclocking, and Im new here too. I came here to get an answer for my problem...
I havent seen too much threads with this kind of mobo, so i decided to start one!

My system:
GA-EP43-S3l
Core2Duo E6550
2X1gb kit of G.Skill rams (F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK)

I successfully OC-d my CPU to 2,94Ghz (415X7), but i cant go any further...
I did it with the following options: (just the important info)

CPU clock ratio: 7X
CPU host freq: 415
PCI express freq: 100
CIA2: DIS
CPU clock drive 800mV
PCI express clock drive 800mV

DRAM:
performance enhace: standard
extreme memory profile: DIS
MCH freq latch: 400
System memory multi: 2.0D
DRAM timing: 5-5-5-15 (advanced timings on auto)

Voltages:
CPU core: 1,35
CPU termination: 1,20
CPU PLL: 1,55
Reference: 0,805
MCH core: 1,10
ICH I/O: 1,55
DRAM voltage: 2,0

When I increase the fsb to 420, my system cant boot...
My question is: Is this the limit of my CPU or the mobo, or i did something wrong with the options?
I hope someone could help me out with this...

Thanx in advance!

[profJim]

Re: EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

The E6550 can usually overclock to 3.2 - 3.4GHz, with a maximum of 3.5GHz (7x500). It is my understanding that the P43 setup will not o/c as high as the P45 chipset.

Increase MCH core to: 1.22
Then increase CPU Termination to: 1.22

With your current settings, the Reference volts should probably be set to AUTO.

You can also try the 2.0B strap instead of 2.0D.
I would also manually set the Static tRead for both channels (A & B) to 7 or 8.

In order to help you, we need your full bios settings. Until then, skip the 420 setting and try 425, 430, 435, etc up to 450. There may be a FSB hole that won't let your system boot until you've raised the setting above the dead zone.

[kely88]

Re: EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

Thx for the reply and for the advices profJim! Ill check this tomorrow and reply as soon as I can!

[kely88]

Re: EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

Im here again! :)
So I tried out the advices with no success... I tried to increase the fsb, voltages, and nothing helped me out. I couldnt manage to get above fsb 415...
Im getting very sad because i think its a hardware limit, especially my mobo's limit. :(
Any suggestions? Is there someone who can help me out?

I took some photoes of my bios settings, maybe it can help:

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1240/20090317343.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9240/20090317344.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2382/20090317345.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7322/20090317346.jpg

[kely88]

Re: EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

So I got the answer:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-S3L | Motherboards | Reviews | Custom PC
The fsb limit for this mobo is 415 :S
So the thread can be trashed by an admin! Thx!

[Nickel020]

Re: EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

It can be that the board won't go higher, but newer BIOSes tend to increase the max FSB a board can achieve. So the max FSBs from early reviews may be lower than what the board is actually capable of.

So basically what I'm saying is that you should update the BIOS and try again :)

[profJim]

Re: EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

So I got the answer:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-S3L | Motherboards | Reviews | Custom PC
The fsb limit for this mobo is 415 :S
So the thread can be trashed by an admin! Thx!

Even if the FSB is limited to 415, you still have memory tuning options that will improve system performance.

1) With a memory speed of 830, you should be able to tighten your memory to run at 4-4-4-12 or maybe 4-4-4-10.

2) Using the 2.40B memory multiplier, your memory speed will increase from 830 to 996 with 5-5-5-15 memory timings.

3) Using the 2.66D memory multiplier and an FSB = 400, your memory will run at its rated 1066 speed.

4) Using the 2.66D memory multiplier and an FSB = 415, your memory MIGHT run at 1104.

I'm not familiar with the enhanced memory options for your mobo. With the current AUTO default settings, you're not getting the most out of your overclock. Let us know what options are available and we can advise you further.

[zeorsdfd]

Re: EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

I use this mobo with a e8400 and I can reach 419FSB!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP43-S3L OC problem! Pls help!

While I do not see a FSB Limit of 4xx on these boards officially I do see most only being able to reach 415-425 FSB.

Since your CPU multi is 7, you don't have much choice in getting a higher clock really. You will need to either pickup a P45 or P35. That would be cheaper then a New CPU for sure