No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

[hostile]

Yesterday I spent the better part of 2 hours trying to get some kind of overclock out of my rig and so far I'm having absolutely no luck.

Specs:
E6550 2.33GHz Conroe w/ Xigmatek Dark Knight
EP5-UD3R Rev1.0 F12
8GB G.Skill F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK (5-5-5-15)
PCP&C 750W Silencer

Memory timings are entered manually, voltage is set to 2.1v, MCH Core is 1.4v and tRFC is set to 80 - all per G.Skill's recommendation.

From reading around on the net I shouldn't have any problems breaking 3GHz on air but I couldn't even get to 2.8GHz with a 400MHz FSB. I used the 2.00D memory multiplier to keep my ram at 1066. I also upped the vCore to 1.4 since I'd seen that 1.45v seems to be common place for 400+ FSB oc's.

With the above settings I wasn't even able to get to the POST screen without the system rebooting 2-3 times or beeping incessantly at me for about a minute then it rebooting back to stock settings.

What info do you need from me to help?

thanks!
iain

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

The 8GB of memory may be holding you back, you will have a tough time running 8GB at 1066.

Try running your memory at 800-1000 and see if you have better luck that way, if not please grab a template from my signature and give us the full settings you are trying and we will advise back.

Multiple fast beeps means your tRD (Static tRead Value) is set to low, by you or Auto, if that is what you meant by incessantly (23 multiple fast beeps)

[Chike]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

Memory timings are entered manually, voltage is set to 2.1v, MCH Core is 1.4v and tRFC is set to 80 - all per G.Skill's recommendation.

Probably could get them work with lower MCH Core and tRFC.
Read this post, follow steps to provide additional information.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

I agree, that is too much MCH Core, missed that thanks Chike!

I still say you will have a much easier time at a slower speed, SPD Timings and official specs are per kit

[hostile]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

Thanks for the quick replies guys! I'll see what I can find tonight when I get home.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

Good luck, keep us posted.

[hostile]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

I used the suggested settings in Chike's thread and I also set the RAM to 800MHz instead of 1600MHz (using 2.00D) to get to 2.8GHz. When I exited the BIOS and the computer restarted it did this thing where the computer came on, the CPU fan did not spin, it powered down, then it came back on and booted into windows at 2.33GHz.

Everytime I make changes in the BIOS my computer seems to do this little "soft boot" all the time, regardless of stock or overclock settings. When I went back into the BIOS MIT the little red screen popped up showing that my system experienced boot failures.

Here are my BIOS settings as they stand after this last failed attempt:

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: [7X]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:. N/A
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.80GHz ( 400x7)


[B][U]Clock Chip Control [/U][/B]
[B][U]Standard Clock Control[/U][/B]
CPU Host Clock Control..................:[I][B] [Enabled][/B][/I] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: [I][B][400][/B][/I]
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: [I][100][/I][/B]
C.I.A.2 .........................................:[I][B][Disabled][/B][/I]


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


[B][U]DRAM Performance Control[/U][/B]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [I][STANDARD][/I][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: [B][I][Disabled][/I][/B]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: [I][B][2.00D][/B][/I]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................ 5 [I][B][5][/B][/I]
tRCD .........................................  7 [I][B][5][/B][/I]
tRP'...........................................  7 [I][B][5][/B][/I]
tRAS.......................................... 20 [I][B][15][/B][/I]

Set all Suggested below to highest Values first.  Then later you can lower, one at a time, testing as you go

[B][U]Advanced Timing Control[/U][/B]
tRRD........................................... 4 [Auto]
tWTR.......................................... 4 [Auto]
tWR............................................ 8 [Auto]
tRFC...........................................68 [I][B][80][/B][/I]
tRTP........................................... 4 [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 0 [Auto]

[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................

[B]Channel A[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................: 8 [Auto]
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto] <<< Leave for all below as well
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]
DDR Write Training..........................:  [Auto]

[B]Channel B[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................: 8 [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto] <<< Leave for all below as well
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]
DDR Write Training..........................:  [Auto]

[B][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/B]

[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore�.���.....1.35000V .....: [I][B][1.35000V][/B][/I]
CPU Termination�.....1.200V..........: [I][B][1.200V][/B][/I]
CPU PLL�������.1.500V..........: [I][B][1.500V][/B][/I]

CPU Referen.����.0.760V...........: [Auto] 

CPU Reference2���0.800V*.......: N/A

[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core�����.....1.100V...........: [I][B][1.200V] [/B][/I]
MCH Reference�.��..0.760V...........: [Auto]<<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.�.......0.900V...........: [Auto]<<< Leave
ICH I/O������.....1.500V............: [1.500V]<<< Leave
ICH Core����...��1.100V............: [1.100V]<<< Leave

[B]DRAM[/B]
DRAM Voltage ��....1.800V............: [I][B][2.100V][/B][/I]
DRAM Termination .�0.900V............: [Auto]<<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: [Auto]<<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: [Auto]<<< Leave

[B][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/B]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [I][B][Disabled][/B][/I]
C2/C2E State Support....................: N/A
x C4/C4E State Support..................: N/A
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [I][B][Disabled][/B][/I] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

[B][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/B]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[I][B][Disabled][/B][/I] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

Settings in Italicized Bold are settings that I manually adjusted.

[thanhhaimai]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

Did you try to load Optimized Settings?

Also, why don't you use 8x CPU clock ratio. It allows you to have higher clock without stressing your RAM much.

I also suggest you to increase your MCH core to 1.28-1.32V. You also may try 2.00B and loose the tRead Value a bit to 9.

[hostile]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

Did you try to load Optimized Settings?

Also, why don't you use 8x CPU clock ratio. It allows you to have higher clock without stressing your RAM much.

I also suggest you to increase your MCH core to 1.28-1.32V. You also may try 2.00B and loose the tRead Value a bit to 9.

I loaded optimized settings first, then applied the changes recommended in Chike's thread.

My cpu clock ratio options are 6 and 7, 7 is stock.

I set the memory multiplier to 2.00B (even though it puts my ram at 800 just like 2.00D) and also raised my MCH Core to 1.280.

When I exited the BIOS the system did that soft reboot and when it came back up the second time it was back to 2.33GHz.

[thanhhaimai]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

try to set your FSB to 350 and see if it boots. Work step by step until you get to higher clock, 10MHz increase at a time. It will be easier that way.

[profJim]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

MCH Core that is too high or too low will cause boot loops and/or instability.
If your system can't boot using your bios settings, it will usually reset some bios settings to "safe" default settings when it finally boots.

I suggest that you try the following settings at 400MHz:
System Memory Multiplier ---------: [2.00B] <--- try 2.00D if the B-memory strap fails
Primary memory timings = 5-5-5-15
tRFC -----------------------------: [72]
Static tRead Value ---------------: [8] <--- for both memory channels, 7 will probably work once your system is stable
note: if you are using the 2.00D memory multiplier, Static tRead Value (tRD) will need to be one step higher (looser).
CPU Vcore --------- 1.35000 ------: [1.3625]
CPU Termination --- 1.20 ---------: [1.24]
MCH Core ---------- 1.10 ---------: [1.32] <--- 1.30 or 1.34 might be required
---> Some setups using your memory would only work with MCH Core = 1.05, but these were only using 2x2GB of memory.
DRAM Voltage ------ 1.80 ---------: [2.12]

Let us know which bios version you are using and your motherboard's revision number.
Your E6550 should be able to overclock 45 - 50%.
Let us know which stress test programs you are using and how long each test lasts.
If there are any testing errors, post the error message details.

[hostile]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

MCH Core that is too high or too low will cause boot loops and/or instability.
If your system can't boot using your bios settings, it will usually reset some bios settings to "safe" default settings when it finally boots.

I suggest that you try the following settings at 400MHz:
System Memory Multiplier ---------: [2.00B] <--- try 2.00D if the B-memory strap fails
Primary memory timings = 5-5-5-15
tRFC -----------------------------: [72]
Static tRead Value ---------------: [8] <--- for both memory channels, 7 will probably work once your system is stable
note: if you are using the 2.00D memory multiplier, Static tRead Value (tRD) will need to be one step higher (looser).
CPU Vcore --------- 1.35000 ------: [1.3625]
CPU Termination --- 1.20 ---------: [1.24]
MCH Core ---------- 1.10 ---------: [1.32] <--- 1.30 or 1.34 might be required
---> Some setups using your memory would only work with MCH Core = 1.05, but these were only using 2x2GB of memory.
DRAM Voltage ------ 1.80 ---------: [2.12]

I'll give those settings a shot tonight.

Let us know which bios version you are using and your motherboard's revision number.

It's in my first post, BIOS = F12 and it's a Rev1.0 board.

Your E6550 should be able to overclock 45 - 50%.
Let us know which stress test programs you are using and how long each test lasts.
If there are any testing errors, post the error message details.

I have yet to even get the system to boot into Windows with any overclocking. Every OC attempt results in that "soft boot" I described earlier (maybe "false boot" is a better description) and when it reboots itself again I get into Windows but I'm back at 2.33GHz. If I restart and go into the BIOS all my settings are still fixed but I get a red warning popup saying that my settings are bad.

[Chike]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

Get the system stable at stock FSB first.
I recommend setting XMP manyually wether timings are left auto or manually. This is my opinion, other may think different.

[hostile]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

I figured I'd ask GSkill tech support what they'd suggest for memory settings so I posted in their forums, here is there response:

CPU Host Clock Control - Enabled
CPU Host Frequency - 333
Performance Enhance - Standard
System Memory Mulitplier - 3.20B
DRAM Timing Selectable - Manual
CAS Latency - 5
tRCD - 5
tRP - 5
tRAS - 15

Advanced Timing Control (submenu)
tRRD - 4
tWTR - 4
tWR - 8
tRFC - 80
tRTP - 4
Command Rate - 2

MCH Core - 1.40V
DRAM Voltage - 2.10V

This motherboard will have no problem with 8GB DDR2-1100.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT
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[hostile]

Re: No luck OC'ing EP45-UD3R w/ E6550

profJim, those settings you suggested didn't work. This time the CPU fan actually came on, but then the computer turned off, came up and did that boot where the CPU fan doesn't come on and then turns off again, then the computer came on and the post screen showed it back at 2.33. I played with the MCH Core in both directions (1.30 and 1.34), no dice. When I upped the RAM voltage to 2.12 I got the 23 beep salute.