EP45-UD3R E8500 overclocking

[HyperEX]

Re: EP45-UD3R E8500 overclocking

2.00D would not post. Here's some benches with my current config.

[HyperEX]

Re: EP45-UD3R E8500 overclocking

Slight update, after some more consideration, I chose to go to my 9.5x444(4.21GHz) template, for long term use. I wasn't happy with having to keep my VCORE and CPU termination so high, for long term use.

My 4.21 template has now been modified, and tested 12 hours blend stable; also tested it's performance in IBT and the gflops look right.



Something interesting to note, looks like my 421 OC has higher memory read, and higher L1 and L2 cache performance. However, my 421 is using 8 tRead, vs 10 tRead on my 8x500 (4.0GHz).

Something else I noticed, it seems like you can't use as low tRead values if your system is running 1:1, seems like too much strain. This is probably common sense to most people, but I just found it interesting. (Which MAY mean if I ran my 8x500 template at something a little different, possibly a tad lower but at 5:6 ratio, I may have been able to use a lower tRead value - something I may experiment with in the future)

And just for the record, I couldn't get the tRead values any lower than the values I listed. The tRead for the Turbo setting in BIOS (while value set to AUTO) seems to be the lowest stable available.

P.S. The graphics corruption problem that I posted about earlier seemed to be a widely known issue with the 5700 and to a lesser extent 5800 series cards. A driver update may solve this problem, but I didn't have luck with it. It hasn't been verified if this problem is purely software related, or of faulty hardware/overheating may also have an impact.

[profJim]

Re: EP45-UD3R E8500 overclocking

Something else I noticed, it seems like you can't use as low tRead values if your system is running 1:1, seems like too much strain.

Yes, but......with some qualifications.
Your statement applies with high FSB speeds.
With 420 - 450MHz FSB, tRD = 8 or 9, and a 1:1 memory ratio is often stable.
With 400 - 420MHz FSB, tRD = 7 or 8, and a 1:1 memory ratio is often stable.

An interesting read is AnandTech's ASUS ROG Rampage Formula: Why we were wrong about the Intel X48 review that deals with memory straps, timings and related bios settings. Reading and understanding pages 4 - 10 qualifies you for a masters' degree in DDR2 memory configuration.

Page 4: The Basics of Strap Selections, Dividers and Derived Memory Speeds
Page 5: The Clock Crossing Procedure and MCH Read Delay (tRD
Page 6: MCH Read Delay Scaling and Default tRD Settings for Each Strap
Page 7: Real-World Results: What Does a Lower tRD Really Provide?
Page 8: The Rules of Working with tRD: What's Allowed and What Isn't
Page 9: How to Choose an Appropriate Memory Configuration
Page 10: Conclusions and Final Thoughts

Page 8 has a formula that lets you mathematically test potential configurations.

Another good read is AnandTech: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P - P45 at its Finest review.

Here are some general 400+ MHz P45 tRD guidelines using 4GB of DDR2 memory:

• tRD = 7, 2.00 or 2.40 B-memory strap is stable up to about 420MHz
• tRD = 8, 2.00 or 2.40 B-memory strap is stable up to about 460MHz
• The D-memory strap requires tRD to be 1 step higher than the stable B-strap setting up to about 470MHz.
• With ~480MHz or higher FSB, the D-memory strap usually can be set 1 step lower the B-memory strap.

P35, X38, and X48 motherboards use different chipsets so there will be some differences. As always, YMMV.

My 2x2GB setup is stable using:
492 FSB (7x492 = 3.44GHz)
984MHz memory @ 5-5-4-12 with tRD = 9

I'm sure that others would benefit if you posted your final (for now) bios template, "standard" settings screen-shot, and several benchmark windows.

[HyperEX]

Re: EP45-UD3R E8500 overclocking

Thank you for this goldmine of information, will be some good reading for later. I'll post the 4.21GHz template along with some screenshots after I get some Zs.

I Appreciate your input as always!

[HyperEX]

Re: EP45-UD3R E8500 overclocking

*12 Hour Blend stable template, 4.21GHz, 9.5x444

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster -------------- : [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ---------------------- : [9 X]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio ----------------- : [0.5] 
CPU Frequency -------------------------: 4.21GHz (444x9.5) 

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control --------------- : [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) --------------: [444]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ---------- : [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 -------------- : [2.40B]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ---------------- : [1066]
DRAM Timing Selectable ---------------- : [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time -------- 5 --------- : [5]
tRCD -------------------  7 ---------- : [5]
tRP --------------------- 7 ---------- : [5]
tRAS ------------------- 20 ----- ---- : [15]

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD ------------------- 4 ---------- : [Auto]
tWTR ------------------ 4 ---------- : [Auto]
tWR --------------------8 ---------- : [Auto]
tRFC ---------- --------80 ---------- : [80]
tRTP ------------------- 4 ---------- : [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ------0------------: [Auto]

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength --------- : Press Enter <--- press ENTER to modify memory sub-timings when overclocking

Channel A
Static tRead Value ------------8--------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment --------0--------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment --------0--------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment --------0--------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment --------0--------- : [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank) ---------8--------- : [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank) --------8--------- : [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank) --------7--------- : [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank) -------9--------- : [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value ------------8--------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment --------0--------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment --------0--------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment --------0--------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment --------0--------- : [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank) ---------8--------- : [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank) --------8--------- : [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank) --------7--------- : [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank) -------9--------- : [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto]

Motherboard Voltage Control
CPU
Voltage Types------------ Normal --------- Current -----
Load-Line Calibration -------------------- : [Enabled]
CPU Vcore --------------- 1.25000V ----- : [1.37500V]

CPU Termination --------- 1.200V* ------ : [1.300V]
CPU PLL ----------------- 1.500V* ------ : [1.570V]

CPU Reference ----------- 0.760V ------- : [0.823V]
CPU Reference2 ---------- ?.???V* ------ : [Auto] <- N/A

MCH/ICH
MCH Core ---------------- 1.100V ------- : [1.400V]
MCH Reference ----------- 0.760V ------- : [0.823V]
MCH/DRAM Ref ------------ 0.900V ------- : [Auto]
ICH I/O ----------------- 1.500V -------- : [1.570V]
ICH Core ---------------- 1.100V -------- : [1.200V]
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]