GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

[sidekick96]

Hey folks,

I've been trying to OC my rig the past couple days and cant seem to get it stable My goal is to allow my ram to run at 1600mhz, 9-9-9-24 (recommended). i did manage to get close 1500mhz (settings shown below) but my Prime tests arent stable, (one core stops running during the TT)

Do you guys have any ideas on how i may be able to tweak my current bios settings? If you have similar components, do you mind posting your Bios settings,

Any help would be appreciated,

RAM
2x2gb = 4gb TW3x4G1600C9DHX

Thanks

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster .............: [ Auto ]
CPU Clock Ratio .....................: 7 X 
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.................: .5 
CPU Frequency .......................: 3.37GHZ (450x7.5)

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 [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive......................: [ 800 mV ]
PCI Express Clock Drive..............: [ 900mV ]
CPU Clock Skew (ps)..................: [ 0ps ]
MCH Clock Skew (ps)..................: [ 0ps ]

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance..................: [ STANDARD ]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [ AUTO ]
System Memory Multiplier ............: 3.33D 
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1500
DRAM Timing Selectable ..............: [ Manual ]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.....................: 9 
tRCD ................................: 9 
tRP'.................................: 9 
tRAS.................................: 24 

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD.................................: 5
tWTR.................................: 5 
tWR..................................: 10 
tRFC.................................: 70 
tRTP.................................: 5 
Command Rate (CMD) ..................: 2


Channel A
Static tRead Value...................: 8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ...............: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...............: 9 [ AUTO ]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...............: 7 [ AUTO ]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]

Channel B
Static tRead Value...................: 8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ...............: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...............: 9 [ AUTO ]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...............: 7 [ AUTO ]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]


Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type...............
CPU
CPU Vcore............................: 1.23725V
CPU Termination….....................: 1.200V
CPU PLL..............................: 1.570V
CPU Referen..........................: 0.760V [ AUTO ]


MCH/ICH
MCH Core.............................: 1.240V 
MCH Reference........................: 0.760V [ AUTO ]
MCH/DRAM Ref.........................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
ICH I/O......................….......: 1.570V 


DRAM
DRAM Voltage ........................: 1.800V
DRAM Termination ....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-A DATA VRef.......................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-B DATA VRef.......................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-A Address VRef....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-B Address VRef....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3...............: [ DISABLED ]
No-Execute Memory Protect...........: [ ENABLED ]
Load-Line Calibration...............: [ DISABLED ]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E).............: [ DISABLED ] 
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) .........: [ ENABLED ]
CPU EIST Function...................: [ DISABLED ] 
Virtualization Technology...........: [ ENABLED ]
Legacy...................: [DISABLED]

forgot to mention, my current bios firmware is 3

[Nickel020]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

Well you would have to further increase the FSB and overclock the CPU more to get to 1600MHz. You probably need more Vcore for that and I'd increase that and see if it makes your current settings stable.

On the other hand, there's very little benefit from running the RAM very fast, Core 2 systems don't benefit much (as in less than 5%) from faster RAM. Even Core i7 with it#s integrated memory controller doesn't benefit much from fast RAM:
AnandTech: Memory Scaling on Core i7 - Is DDR3-1066 Really the Best Choice?

I'd just overclock the CPU as much as you can and not worry about the RAM settings, you won't notice a difference anyway.

[Chike]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

My goal is to allow my ram to run at 1600mhz, 9-9-9-24 (recommended).

I realy wonder what it is recommended for.
IMO using DDR3 with C2D is a big mistake. Their only advatage is that they are cheaper, or at least should have been.

[sidekick96]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

bumpity bump

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

Can you please post a link to your ram, or give us the model # so we can best advise you.

Also please let us know the amount

[sidekick96]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

i just updated the OP with ram information, and my bios firmware version ( 3 ).

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

Try these and see how you get along. What you need to do really though, is Memtest86+ to see if the settings you have been trying are failing on the Memory side or not, and if not then you know you need to look at adjusting your NB or CPU Options and not the ram.

Here would be suggested for your setup and 1600 Mhz, that CPU's Multi. If you want to run 450 or above FSB let me know and I will give you some other things to try out.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster .............: [ Auto ]
CPU Clock Ratio .....................: 7 X
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.................: .5
CPU Frequency .......................: 3.00

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control...............: [ Enabled ]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 401 or 399
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100
C.I.A.2 .............................: [ Disabled ]

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

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance..................: [ STANDARD ]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [ AUTO ]
System Memory Multiplier ............: 4.00B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1600
DRAM Timing Selectable ..............: [ Manual ]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.....................: 9
tRCD ................................: 9
tRP'.................................: 9
tRAS.................................: 24

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD.................................: 5
tWTR.................................: 5 << Try 8 here for now
tWR..................................: 10 << Try 12 here for now
tRFC.................................: 70 << Try 82 here for now
tRTP.................................: 5
Command Rate (CMD) ..................: 2 << You can likely use 1T, programs may not pickup the setting properly but it will be working if it boots.


Channel A
Static tRead Value...................: << Set 9 for now
tRD Phase0 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ...............: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...............: 9 [ AUTO ]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...............: 7 [ AUTO ]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]

Channel B
Static tRead Value...................: 8 << Set 9 for now
tRD Phase0 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ...............: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...............: 9 [ AUTO ]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...............: 7 [ AUTO ]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]


Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type...............
CPU
CPU Vcore............................: 1.23725V
CPU Termination….....................: 1.200V << Try 1.225-1.32
CPU PLL..............................: 1.570V
CPU Referen..........................: 0.760V [ AUTO ]


MCH/ICH
MCH Core.............................: 1.240V << You may need more, try 1.26-1.32 and see if it helps any, if not back down to this again
MCH Reference........................: 0.760V [ AUTO ]
MCH/DRAM Ref.........................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
ICH I/O......................….......: 1.570V


DRAM
DRAM Voltage ........................: 1.8V-1.84 (May be a droop, have you checked with Everest or the BIOS Health page when set to 1.8?)
DRAM Termination ....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-A DATA VRef.......................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-B DATA VRef.......................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-A Address VRef....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-B Address VRef....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]

[sidekick96]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

Thanks, i will give it a try as soon as i get off work and update ya. i do prefer to get above 450 FSB though, do you mind posting what you recommend for that as well?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

K, good luck!

Here is 450 as well for now, later I can help ya with more once you get this going

You may need to run ram at 1500 (3.33D) instead of 1600 4.00B

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster .............: [ Auto ]
CPU Clock Ratio .....................: 7 X
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.................: .5
CPU Frequency .......................: 3.6

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 [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive......................: [ 800 mV ]
PCI Express Clock Drive..............: [ 900mV ]
CPU Clock Skew (ps)..................: [ 0ps ]
MCH Clock Skew (ps)..................: [ 0ps ]

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance..................: [ STANDARD ]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [ AUTO ]
System Memory Multiplier ............: 4.00B Or 3.33D (1500)
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1600
DRAM Timing Selectable ..............: [ Manual ]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.....................: 9
tRCD ................................: 9
tRP'.................................: 9
tRAS.................................: 24

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD.................................: 3-5
tWTR.................................: 4-6 << Try 8 here for now
tWR..................................: 6-8 << Try 12 here for now
tRFC.................................: 64-72 << Try 82 here for now
tRTP.................................: 3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ..................: 2 << You can likely use 1T, programs may not pickup the setting properly but it will be working if it boots.


Channel A
Static tRead Value...................: 7-9<< Set 9 for now
tRD Phase0 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ...............: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...............: 9 [ AUTO ]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...............: 7 [ AUTO ]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]

Channel B
Static tRead Value...................: 7-9<< Set 9 for now
tRD Phase0 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ...............: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...............: 9 [ AUTO ]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...............: 7 [ AUTO ]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]


Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type...............
CPU
CPU Vcore............................: 1.23725V << MORE
CPU Termination….....................: 1.200V << Try 1.225-1.32 (1.28-1.32 should be good, but you may need more)
CPU PLL..............................: 1.570V
CPU Referen..........................: 0.760V [ AUTO ]


MCH/ICH
MCH Core.............................: 1.240V << You may need more, try 1.26-1.32 and see if it helps any, if not back down to this again
MCH Reference........................: 0.760V [ AUTO ]
MCH/DRAM Ref.........................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
ICH I/O......................….......: 1.570V


DRAM
DRAM Voltage ........................: 1.8V-1.84 (May be a droop, have you checked with Everest or the BIOS Health page when set to 1.8?)
DRAM Termination ....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-A DATA VRef.......................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-B DATA VRef.......................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-A Address VRef....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-B Address VRef....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]

[sidekick96]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

I ran some tests last night, memtest passed 20 tests according to the settings below BUT under prime95, 2 of 4 cores error'd within minutes.

A couple of things to note which im sure you meant, 450 fsb sets my CPU to 3.37ghz, only 480 sets my FSB to 3.6ghz and on the 4.00B strap, it increased my frequency to 1800mhz, instead of 1600mhz so i tested @ 3.33D (1500) as none of the strap allowed me to get 1600mhz.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster .............: [ Auto ]
CPU Clock Ratio .....................: 7 X
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.................: .5
CPU Frequency .......................: 3.37

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 [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive......................: [ 800 mV ]
PCI Express Clock Drive..............: [ 900mV ]
CPU Clock Skew (ps)..................: [ 0ps ]
MCH Clock Skew (ps)..................: [ 0ps ]

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance..................: [ STANDARD ]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [ AUTO ]
System Memory Multiplier ............: 3.33D (1500)
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1500
DRAM Timing Selectable ..............: [ Manual ]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.....................: 9
tRCD ................................: 9
tRP'.................................: 9
tRAS.................................: 24

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD.................................: 3-5 tried 3-5
tWTR.................................: 4-6 4 & 8
tWR..................................: 6-8 6 & 12
tRFC.................................: 64-72 64, 72, 80
tRTP.................................: 3-5 3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ..................: 2 << You can likely use 1T, programs may not pickup the setting properly but it will be working if it boots.


Channel A
Static tRead Value...................: 7-9 10 (i tried 9 but thatll just cause my Pc to reboot)
tRD Phase0 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ...............: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...............: 9 [ AUTO ]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...............: 7 [ AUTO ]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]

Channel B
Static tRead Value...................: 7-9 10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ...............: 0 [ AUTO ]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment................: 0 [ AUTO ]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...............: 9 [ AUTO ]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...............: 7 [ AUTO ]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...............: 8 [ AUTO ]


Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type...............
CPU
CPU Vcore............................: 1.225
CPU Termination….....................: 1.260
CPU PLL..............................: 1.570V
CPU Referen..........................: 0.760V [ AUTO ]


MCH/ICH
MCH Core.............................: 1.240V << You may need more, try 1.26-1.32 and see if it helps any, if not back down to this again
MCH Reference........................: 0.760V [ AUTO ]
MCH/DRAM Ref.........................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
ICH I/O......................….......: 1.570V


DRAM
DRAM Voltage ........................: 1.80 (May be a droop, have you checked with Everest or the BIOS Health page when set to 1.8?)
DRAM Termination ....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-A DATA VRef.......................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-B DATA VRef.......................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-A Address VRef....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]
Ch-B Address VRef....................: 0.750V [ AUTO ]

According to Bios PC health and Everest, my Vcore was around 1.20 - 1.21v so i lowered it to 1.225v. Ram however, creeped at around 1.79v - 1.80v.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

Ya, sorry about the confusion on the settings I gave. Looks like I was sleeping at the wheel!! Sorry man!

Passing Memtest sounds good, looks like that part of things is ok for now.

Your cores failing means you need more vcore of course, are temps ok enough under load to raise the Vcore? If so raise this a few notches and if you still fail try a few more notches. Then if you still are failing post back your failed settings.

[sidekick96]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

thing is before OC'ing, my average temp ranges between 46-51 and on full load its around 57-63. those temps seem to be a little higher than expected but i am using an aftermarket heat sink (Tuniq). i'll raise the Vcore higher and report back my results.

Thanks

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

Hmm ya that is a bit high if those are stock temps.

You sure you did not use too much thermal paste? And you sure your cooler is fully and tightly connected?

Is this Tuniq Tower 120 or another one?

[sidekick96]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

yep im using a tuniq 120 and artic silver 5 TC. i dont think i used too much compound and ive tightened it to the point where my fingertips have blisters.. i thought about remounting it but...

[rumblpak]

Re: GA EP45T DS3R, Q9300, Corsair DDR3

Be careful of the dram voltage value on the p3 bios, there is a bug where the voltage basically lies to you. Also, the higher it gets the more incorrect it gets. Its much more noticeable at voltages past 1.7. It was the cause of many of my stability problems before I basically said f-that ran the memory at 1066 and overclocked my cpu. It ended up being faster and much more stable.