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**profJim** · 05-28-2014, 08:28 AM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

My Q9650 system is currently using 1.38750 for 4.005GHz.
1.40000 volts might work for you, but you might need a bit more voltage.
The best I could do on my system was 4.14GHz (9x460) and I think that my quick and dirty test used cpu vcore = 1.42500 volts.

Don't forget that this is my best 4.0GHz LinX test result:

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 08:35 AM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

System keeps freezing when I try to load windows at 421/422 FSB, 9.5 multi at 1.41250V.

Do you think this is a RAM issue?

What should I try next?

**profJim** · 05-28-2014, 08:44 AM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Based on what the Crucial reply was in your post in their forum, it might be caused by your ram.
Try loosening your ram timings from 5-5-5-18 to 6-5-5-20 or 6-6-5-20.
From your in-progress screen-shot in post #133, it looks like the DIMM voltage is already set to 1.9 or 2.0 volts.

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 08:53 AM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

I've got it set to +0.0 in the BiOS but it reads as 1.9 :/
Don't know what to do about that. I'm just going for a haircut but will try loosening the timings when I get back.

**profJim** · 05-28-2014, 09:05 AM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Another test you can try is to see if your P35-DS3L can boot with FSB = 422MHz:

Use 9.0 x 422MHz = 3.785GHz.

Your memory will still be at 2.0 x 422 = 844MHz.
Your cpu core voltage will probably need to be one or two clicks higher than your stable 3.90GHz cpu core voltage.

It's also possible that your 4.0GHz cpu core voltage will need to be even higher than 1.41250 volts.

I don't know what the maximum safe voltage is for your Xeon cpu.

Some use to say that up to 1.45000 volts was the maximum safe voltage for C2D or C2Q processors.

For everyday use, I want to be lower than 1.40000 volts, and the lower the better.

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 10:31 AM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

It froze when loading Windows at both 9 and 8 multi, 422MHz.

I have just loaded up at 9.5 multi, 415MHz at 1.38125V and will see if I can load at 418 next.

Baby steps...

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 11:30 AM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Been trying tiny increments and managed to load windows at 418 FSB but tried again and it failed.
Now at 417 FSB but haven't done any stability testing yet.

I remember back in post 8 I managed to load Windows at 422 FSB even if it was unstable.

When do we start to consider increasing FSB OverVoltage Control and/or (G)MCH OverVoltage Control? Should I see what the highest overclock I can run stable is first?

**profJim** · 05-28-2014, 12:03 PM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

It froze when loading Windows at both 9 and 8 multi, 422MHz.

I have just loaded up at 9.5 multi, 415MHz at 1.38125V and will see if I can load at 418 next.

The devil is in the details.
You need to provide a brief summary, such as:

9 x 422MHz, 3.798MHz, cpu core voltage = ?.?????, memory timings = ?-?-?-??, etc.
8 x 422MHz, 3.376MHz, cpu core voltage = ?.?????, memory timings = ?-?-?-??, etc.

and include any other bios changes for each failed test.

Is Performance Enhance still set to Standard?

BTW, in post #127 you have:

CAS Latency Time_______________5_[5]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay________5_[5]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5_[5]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________12_[12]

even though Memset shows your memory timings as 5-5-5-18

With Crucial's comment that your memory "can't" overclock, it might help if you use Static tRead Value = 9 instead of 8.

Additional possible tweaks:

FSB OverVoltage Control = +0.2V
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +0.2V <-- doubtful but maybe it will help

You are risking possible corruption of your boot partition.
If you have a recent full backup of your boot drive, this isn't a major problem, as you can do a full boot drive Restore if necessary.

I was about to post when I noticed your most recent post.
Can you post the full bios settings that you used in post #8?
In post #1 you had DDR2 OverVoltage Control = +0.300V and we now know that this is a no-no.
At that time, I assumed that your memory's maximum safe operating voltage was 2.10 volts (1.80 +0.30).

I'm pretty sure that you don't want your memory to become a shooting star and go out in a blaze of glory!!

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 12:38 PM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Details details...

Here are the BIOS settings I tried:

9.5 x 415MHz, cpu core voltage 1.38125V = Loaded Windows
9.5 x 422MHz, cpu core voltage 1.38125V = Failed to load Windows
9.5 x 422MHz, cpu core voltage 1.41250V = Failed to load Windows
9.5 x 421MHz, cpu core voltage 1.41250V = Failed to load Windows
9.5 x 420MHz, cpu core voltage 1.38125V = Failed to load Windows
9.5 x 419MHz, cpu core voltage 1.38125V = Failed to load Windows
9.5 x 418MHz, cpu core voltage 1.38125V = Loaded Windows once, failed the 2nd time
9.5 x 417MHz, cpu core voltage 1.38125V = Loaded Windows, currently running.

I left the other settings unchanged.

Sorry about the 5-5-5-12 post - that was a mistake by me using an older BIOS template that I had saved. I haven't adjusted anything other than vcore, FSB and the multiplier in a while!

Performance Enhance is still set to standard

The BIOS settings are:

Code:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Rev 2.0: BIOS Version: F9C
CPU: Intel Xeon X5460
RAM: Crucial Model: Ballistix Sport DDR2 800 Part#: BLS2CP2G2D80EBS1S00CEU (http://uk.crucial.com/ProductDisplay?urlRequestType=Base&catalogId=10153&categoryId=17510&productId=10743&urlLangId=-1&langId=-1&top_category=&parent_category_rn=17510&storeId=10153)
Power Supply Unit: Corsair HX520W
Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio __________________ [9]
Fine Clock Ratio __________________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control____________[Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)_________[417]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)________[101]
C.I.A. 2__________________________[Disabled]
Performance Enhance = ____________[Standard]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)_____[2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_____ SPD ___[Manual]
 
CAS Latency Time_______________5_[5]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay________5_[5]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5_[5]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________18_[18]
 
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________3_[Auto]
Rank Write to READ Delay________3_[Auto]
Write to Precharge Delay_________6_[Auto]
Refresh to ACT Delay____________52_[Auto]
Read to Precharge Delay__________3_[Auto]
Static tRead Value_______________8_[8]
Static tRead Phase Adjust_________0_[Auto]
 
System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.38125V]
Normal CPU Vcore________1.23750V

Hard Disk Boot Priority.....: [Press Enter]
1.	Kingston SV300S37A240G
2.	ST3500320AS
3.	ST3500320AS
First Boot Device...........: [Hard Disk]
Second Boot Device......: [CDROM]
Third Boot Device.........: [Disabled]
Password Check...........: [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability......: [Disabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.........: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.........: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)...........: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ......: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function...............: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology..........: [Disabled]
Full Screen LOGO Show.........: [Disabled]
Init Display First............: [PEG]

SATA AHCI Mode.........: [AHCI]
SATA Port0-1 Native Mode.........: [Enabled]
USB Controller...........: [Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller............: [Enabled]
USB Keyboard Support............: [Disabled]
USB Mouse Support..........: [Disabled]
Legacy USB Storage Detect��.[Disabled]
Azalia Codec............: [Auto]
Onboard H/W LAN............: [Enabled]
SMART LAN.................: [Press Enter]
Onboard LAN Boot ROM.......: [Disabled]
Onboard IDE Controller........: [Enabled]
Onboard Serial Port 1..........: [3F8/IRQ4]
Onboard Parallel Serial Port...: [378/IRQ7]
Parallel Port Mode................: [SPP]


ACP1 Suspend Type........: [S1(POS)]
Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN....: [Delay 4 Sec.]
PME Event Wake Up.......: [Disabled]
Power On by Ring.......: [Disabled]
Resume by Alarm......: [Disabled]
HPET Support..........: [Enabled]
HPET Mode.............: [64-bit mode]
Power On by Mouse.............: [Double Click]
Power On by Keyboard.........: [Disabled]
AC Back Function..................: [Soft-Off]


PCI1 IRQ Assignment.............: [Auto]
PCI2 IRQ Assignment.............: [Auto]
PCI3 IRQ Assignment............: [Auto]

Reset Case Open Status...........: [Disabled]
CPU Warning Temperature.......: [80�C/176�F]
CPU FAN Fail Warning...............: [Disabled]
SYSTEM FAN2 Fail Warning.......: [Disabled]
POWER FAN Fail Warning..........: [Disabled]
SYSTEM FAN1 Fail Warning.......: [Disabled]
CPU Smart FAN Control.............: [Disabled]

DDR2 OverVoltage Control should have been written as: Normal - which I have amended.
I also noted that in the PC Health Status Submenu;

'DDR18V' value is 1.904V
'Vcore' is 1.394V
'+3.3V' is 3.424V
'+12V' is 12.302V

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 12:43 PM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Unfortunately I cannot remember what the BIOS settings were in post 8 but I know I had the DDR2 OverVoltage Control at +0.300V, AHCI was not enabled and I probably had Performance Enhance set to Turbo amongst other things!

**profJim** · 05-28-2014, 01:15 PM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

DDR2 OverVoltage Control = +0.30 is probably what made your system boot with 9.5 x 422MHz = 4.00GHz early in the thread.
I doubt that enabling AHCI has much, if any effect with not booting now.
Performance Enhance = Turbo or Extreme should make it harder for a borderline system to boot.

It looks like the bios probably did a boot loop two or three times when you tried to boot with FSB = 418 - 422MHz when it tired to boot and it was at this time that the bios chose 1.90 volts for your memory voltage.

It looks like Crucial's reply to your question was right and that your memory has very little overclocking headroom.
My next post will be my 6666th post in the forum and some will believe that the devil will make me do it, that is, something nasty.

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 01:26 PM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Nasty eh?

I guess I should probably take one for the team in that case!

Is my next step to stress testing at my current settings of 9.5 x 417MHz, cpu core voltage 1.38125V and see if it's stable?

If it is stable then do I try changing either FSB OverVoltage Control to +0.2V or (G)MCH OverVoltage Control to +0.2V? (As you can see I have no idea when you would even consider changing those :/)

P.S. I'm not sure if the BIOS did a boot loop as it didn't freeze until the Windows logo was displayed...

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 01:32 PM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Turns out the next step was to revert to 9.5 x 411 as the system just crashed... and you didn't even send your post!

**profJim** · 05-28-2014, 02:58 PM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Hi, it's Mr. Nasty here.
OK I'm kidding about being nasty but you might not be happy with my advice.

First, I never run any of my overclocked systems at their highest stable overclock.
Why? Because I don't want my system just inches or millimeters away from instability.
I use an FSB that is about 50 - 100MHz lower than my best stable overclock.
With your system o/c'd to about 3.80GHz, running 100MHz higher won't be noticeable in everyday operation.
A 100MHz increase at lower speeds is noticeable.

You booted your system at 4.0GHz, it just wasn't stable.
Replacing your memory will probably let you overclock higher.
Is it worth it to you to spend about ￡50 to ￡80 for a higher end ddr2 2x2GB memory kit and a higher overclock that probably won't feel any faster than 3.80 - 3.90GHz?
That's your decision.
Do you want to keep your current system as a standby backup system when you eventually build a newer system?
If the answer is yes, then don't max out your current system for everyday use..

Years ago there were quite a few Q9550/EP45-UD3P systems where the OP's settled on 3.80GHz speeds for their everyday usage.
The EP45-UD3P (and R) models were quite the overclocking boards.
The Gigabyte P35 and Ep35 boards are great boards, for their time.
Just look how well we've done with our older P35 boards.

In post 6,665 I said:

With Crucial's comment that your memory "can't" overclock, it might help if you use Static tRead Value = 9 instead of 8.

Additional possible tweaks:
FSB OverVoltage Control = +0.2V
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +0.2V <-- doubtful but maybe it will help

The first thing I would do is to set Static tRead Value (aka tRD or Performance Level in Memset) = 9 and if that doesn't help I would leave it at 9 and set FSB OverVoltage Control = +0.2V and test again. If it still doesn't help I would reset FSB OverVoltage Control to +0.1 and then retest with (G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +0.2V. If needed retest with both of these settings using +0.2V.

How quickly will your memory fail if your manually set it = +0.20 or 0.30 and leave it there? I don't know.

The "dreaded" boot loop is when you exit the bios and your system powers on and off two, three or more times before it can finally post and boot. It's normal for a single, power off, then on one time when you make some bios changes.

I think that it's time for me to retire from the forum, 6,666 is such a nice number.

EDIT

The devel made me type the last sentence.

**lukevega** · 05-28-2014, 04:00 PM

Re: Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

Ok, let me just check that I understand...

1. Set Static tRead Value (tRD) to 9
2. Try more than 411 FSB
3. If step 2 worked, try again until it doesn't work
4. When it doesn't work, set FSB OverVoltage Control to +0.2V and try again
5. If/when that doesn't work, reset FSB OverVoltage Control to +0.1 and retest with (G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +0.2V
6. If when that doesn't work, increase them both to +0.2V
7. When all is said and done, settle on a stable overclock and tweak memory timings

Sorry if I seem a bit slow... I just don't want to make any mistakes!

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