GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

[orlywutlol]

1. What is the rating of the cpu fan header? I'd like to get a high performance fan for my cpu cooler. Either a Panaflo or San Ace H1011 if I can get my hands on one. I'd like to plug it into the mobo's fan header if possible.

2. What is the ball park overclock can I get with a Q9550 and the EP45-DS3L? Is 3.8-4ghz feasible? Has anyone seen any overclocks with this setup?

[Salty]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions



Your fan header should cope fine with any fan. Usually only sysfan2 header is lower volts. A fan heater I don't know about.

Ball park figure? Some of these 9550s overclock to 4.2GHz, and some won't overclock at all. Depends how lucky you are with your particular processor.

There are a few 9550 posts current, and probably a number of older posts findable with the forum search function. You may want to check out some of those to view other people's bios templates.

If you want overclocking advice, to quote ProfJim:

Q9550 and EP45-UD3P overclocks up to 4.20GHz is doable, but at a price.
Overclocks up to 3.80 - 3.90GHz aren't very hard, but pushing higher takes a lot more effort.

Which stability tests have you run? How long were the tests?

If you want specific bios suggestions, we need the following:

1) List your system components in your signature.
--> User CP tab (upper left corner of web page)
--> select Edit Signature
--> enter your hardware components (brand, model, etc.)
--> include your bios version
--> preview
--> Save when complete
Be sure to include your bios version, motherboard version, power supply, cpu heatsink/fan setup and the model numbers of all components.

2) Link to your ram's full specifications.

3) Include a screenshot that displays:
Memset using the SPD and ">>" tabs
cpu-z CPU and Mainboard screens (several instances can be run at the same time)
EasyTune6 --> TUNER tab --> ADVANCE tab --> VOLTAGE tab (only the Voltage tab is needed)

Following these recommendations will eliminate possible errors and allow us to better help you.

Also:
http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/giga...ettings-33613/

Get a template from above link and fill in all settings entered in bios. If it is on auto, say auto and do not bother including underlying values as it merely confuses ppl as to what u have set.

[orlywutlol]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

I'm not too sure what a fan heater is either! =] I did go to MicroCenter today and picked up a Q9550. I made sure I got myself an E0. I cant find anything about the batch number though.

S-Spec: SLB8V
Batch# L847C084

As for my cooler I have the older version of the hyper 212. Not the plus version. I was going to swap out the stock fan with this one. I have read they do really well.

[nate42nd]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

God I wish I had a MicroCenter here in UT.

I have a friend who has ABOUT the same setup. He has a EP45-DS3P and runs his 9550 at 3.5 stable. He can't get much more (with his knowledge, which is pretty good) As the poster above said, it will vary from chip to chip.

[orlywutlol]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

God I wish I had a MicroCenter here in UT.

I have a friend who has ABOUT the same setup. He has a EP45-DS3P and runs his 9550 at 3.5 stable. He can't get much more (with his knowledge, which is pretty good) As the poster above said, it will vary from chip to chip.

I am aware that overclocks do vary. Not every chip is the same. But I am more concerned about my motherboard. I have read a lot of success with reaching 3.8-4ghz on the UD3P and other flavors of my board but have not heard much about the DS3L.

[nate42nd]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

The power regulation circuitry and 4 pin instead of 8 pin CPU power, number of power phases and cooling will be issues. You will have to see what it can do. It will not do what a EP45-UD3P could do but you may be surprised what it will do. It is just not as "beefed up" as other boards. The power regulation and cooling may be your main issues. I would not let that stop you from trying. It will overclock.

[orlywutlol]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

I would like 3.6-3.8ghz. I guess we will have to see what I can do. I do know my board doesnt have LLC. So thats one feature I am not able to take advantage of. And my board does have some nasty vdroop. I am not brave/know enough to volt mod my board either so this is just kind of a stab in the dark with this quad and board.

I was thinking about trying to squeeze in a 40mm fan on my nb heatsink but I dont think it would fit since my hypercooler 212 overlaps the nb heatsink. So I was looking into this This might work.

[Chike]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

Not enogh space between the Hyper 212 and the NB heatsink for a 40mm fan?

[orlywutlol]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

Not enogh space between the Hyper 212 and the NB heatsink for a 40mm fan?

Hard to tell. I havent exactly opened my case yet to measure but it would be real close i think.

[Chike]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L a few questions

Yeah seems pretty tight. I got the same NB HS and just have a low rpm side intake that blows directly on it, only 400FSB though.