Announcement

**profJim** · 08-10-2014, 04:09 PM

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

The attached screen-shot is just a bit over the top where there is too much information in one image but all of the information should be readable.
Ambient temperature while testing was 24^o(C) or 75^o(F).
Maximum LinX cpu core temperatures were 67^o(C) - 69^o(C) with the Scythe Mugen 2 rev: B cpu cooler.
Prime95 cpu core temperatures were about 9^o(C) lower.

My experiment with attaching this file would require a microscope to read it.
The image is easily readable when it is linked from my DropBox account.

**lukevega** · 08-12-2014, 03:53 PM

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

I apologise for the poor quality of the image but my mother took it at 2am with her phone camera as I was away and the test failed so it was better to shut down the computer...

I have 2 more failed-test screenshots but this is the most recent one.

BIOS settings:

Code:

***************************************
***************************************
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P (Rev. 1.0) - F11d
***************************************
***************************************
******************************
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
******************************
Robust Graphics Booster ..............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ......................: [9X]
x Fine CPU Clock Ratio................: [+0.5]
CPU Frequency ........................: 3.80GHz( 400x9.5)
********** Clock Chip Control ********
>>>>>  Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control................: [Enabled]
x CPU Host Frequency(Mhz).............: [400]
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........................: [  0ps]
MCH Clock Skew........................: [  0ps]
******** DRAM Performance Control ********
Performance Enhance...................: [Turbo]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)........: [Auto]
Memory Frequency(Mhz).....800.........: 960
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..........: [Manual]
>>>>> Standard Timing Control
x CAS Latency Time................5...: [Auto]
x tRCD ...........................5...: [Auto]
x tRP.............................5...: [Auto]
x tRAS...........................18...: [Auto]
>>>>> Advanced Timing Control.........: [Press Enter]
x tRRD............................3...: [Auto]
x tWTR............................3...: [Auto]
x tWR.............................6...: [Auto]
x tRFC...........................52...: [Auto]
x tRTP............................3...: [Auto]
x Command Rate (CMD) .............0...: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel A Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter]
x Static tRead Value.............8...: [9]
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto
x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto
>>>>> Channel A Driving Settings......: [Press Enter]
x Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto
x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto
>>>>> Channel B Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter]
x Static tRead Value.............8...: [9]
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto
x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto
>>>>> Channel B Driving Settings......: [Press Enter]
x Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto
x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto
****** Motherboard Voltage Control ******
Voltage Types..........Normal...........Current
-----------------------------------------------
>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore..............1.23750V.......: [1.38125V]
CPU Termination........1.200V.........: [1.320V]
CPU PLL................1.500V.........: [1.59V]
CPU Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
>>> MCH/ICH
MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [1.22V]
MCH Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O................1.500V.........: [Auto]
ICH Core...............1.100V.........: [Auto]
>>> 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 BIOS Features ********
Hard Disk Boot Priority...............: [Press Enter]
Quick Boot............................: [Disabled]
First Boot Device.....................: [USB-HDD]
Second Boot Device....................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device.....................: [Disabled]
Boot Up Floppy Seek...................: [Disabled]
Boot Up Num-Lock......................: [Off]
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]
C2/C2E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.....................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology.............: [Disabled]
Delay For HDD (Secs)..................: [ 0]
Full Screen LOGO Show.................: [Disabled]
Bachup BIOS Image to HDD..............: [Disabled]
Init Display First....................: [PEG]
******** Integrated Peripherals ********
ICH SATA Control Mode.................: [AHCI]
SATA Port0-3 Native Mode..............: [Enabled]
Azalia Codec..........................: [Auto]
Onboard H/W 1394......................: [Enabled]
Onboard H/W Lan1......................: [Enabled]
Onboard H/W Lan2......................: [Enabled]
Green LAN.............................: [Disabled]
Smart LAN1............................: [Press Enter]
Smart LAN2............................: [Press Enter]
Onboard LAN1 BOOT ROM.................: [Disabled]
Onboard LAN2 BOOT ROM.................: [Disabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Device...............: [Enabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode............: [AHCI]
Onboard Serial Port 1.................: [3F8/IRQ4]
Onboard Parallel Port.................: [378/IRQ7]
Parallel Port Mode....................: [SPP]
xECP Mode Use DMA.....................:  3
USB Controllers.......................: [Enabled]
USB Keyboard Function.................: [Disabled]
USB Mouse Function....................: [Disabled]
USB Storage Function..................: [Enabled]
******** Power Management Setup ********
ACPI Suspend Type.....................: [S3(STR)]
USB Device Wake-Up From S3............: [Enabled]
Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN..................: [Instant-Off]
PME Event Wake Up.....................: [Enabled]
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]
******** PnP/PCI Configurations ********
Resources Controlled By...............: [Auto]
PCI Latency Timer (CLK)...............: [32]
PC1 IRQ Assignment....................: [Auto]
PC2 IRQ Assignment....................: [Auto]
*********** PC Health status ***********
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]

I'm about to increase the vcore to 1.38750 and try again and if that fails, increase the MCH Core to 1.24 but if there's anything else you suggest let me know!

**profJim** · 08-12-2014, 11:43 PM

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

GUI.exe is the name of the ET6 program and it failed.
Years ago there were many problems with running ET6 while stress testing.
The workaround was don't have ET6 running while stress testing.

I make my initial screen-shots before I start testing as part of my documentation.
I shut down ET6 before I start Prime95 stress tests.
I can later copy and paste HWiNFO or any other program windows to complete the screen-shot.

With LLC disabled I expect that you will need to set Cpu Vcore to 1.38750 or possibly 1.39375.
With your currently loose primary memory timings and 800MHz memory speed, MCH Core = 1.24 or 1.26 might be needed.

Prime95 worker #2 failed 45 minutes after the test started, so it was probably near the end of the second large FFT test.
Because your improved core temperatures are getting close to possibly throttling, I would normally increase MCH Core voltage before I tried increasing Cpu Vcore voltage. In your case increasing Vcore slightly is probably the best solution.
HWiNFO shows the current (cpu) Vcore = 1.296 while stress testing and I'm pretty sure that this will have to be 1.312 volts or slightly higher for stability while stress testing.

**lukevega** · 08-13-2014, 03:47 AM

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

Another failure, hopefully a better screenshot!

Bah! I only ever save my images once as PNG files but the site keeps compressing them so much that the quality degrades. Here is a link to an uploaded image that should hopefully be better quality:

View image: 12 Aug 22 50pm failed settings

I'm thinking of increasing MCH core to 1.24V and if that fails increasing vcore again. Does that sound about right?

**profJim** · 08-13-2014, 06:24 AM

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

Your screen-shot above is easier to read when I copy it into IrfanView, but you ran into the same problem I had recently with my posted screen-shot in post #436. This problem happens when you have a very tall image, even though the image isn't very wide. Your screenshot is 470px wide and 1425px tall.

I've had quite a few Prime95 rounding errors in tests that first occur after 3 - 4 hours. A little more tweaking should fix this.

Your Vcore reading in HWiNFO is a bit strange.
The 1.344 Vcore reading is probably sufficient.
I'm pretty sure that the recommended VTT setting at least 0.05 to 0.10 volts lower than Cpu Vcore refers to the Vcore value that you set in the bios. With your current 1.38750 Vcore setting in the bios, I would be comfortable with VTT as high as 1.340 if needed.

Try setting tRFC to 60 instead of the current setting = 52 and run a 4 - 6 hour or longer Prime95 blend test.

Note: with 4 GB of memory, tRFC = 52 would probably be fine.

If there are no errors I would then do a 4 - 6 hour Prime95 Large FFT test; again, longer is better.
If needed my next step would be to increase VTT up one notch to 1.32 or MCH Core up one notch to 1.24.

When I'm going to do an extended Prime95 test, I let my system "calm down" for 10 - 15 after booting.
I then reset the HWiNFO settings and then enable HWiNFO logging.
Next I let the system idle for 2 - 5 minutes and then start the Prime95 test.

I have C1E and EIST enabled all of the time even when I'm tweaking and testing.
This goes counter to the "conventional wisdom" from several years ago where the theory was that having one or both enabled while testing possibly causes additional instability.

**lukevega** · 08-13-2014, 09:10 AM

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

Hopefully we're getting closer but for now another fail:

I have accidentally cut the bottom off the image but otherwise I think it's ok...

Code:

***************************************
***************************************
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P (Rev. 1.0) - F11d
***************************************
***************************************
******************************
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
******************************
Robust Graphics Booster ..............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ......................: [9X]
x Fine CPU Clock Ratio................: [+0.5]
CPU Frequency ........................: 3.80GHz( 400x9.5)
********** Clock Chip Control ********
>>>>>  Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control................: [Enabled]
x CPU Host Frequency(Mhz).............: [400]
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........................: [  0ps]
MCH Clock Skew........................: [  0ps]
******** DRAM Performance Control ********
Performance Enhance...................: [Turbo]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)........: [Auto]
Memory Frequency(Mhz).....800.........: 960
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..........: [Manual]
>>>>> Standard Timing Control
x CAS Latency Time................5...: [Auto]
x tRCD ...........................5...: [Auto]
x tRP.............................5...: [Auto]
x tRAS...........................18...: [Auto]
>>>>> Advanced Timing Control.........: [Press Enter]
x tRRD............................3...: [Auto]
x tWTR............................3...: [Auto]
x tWR.............................6...: [Auto]
x tRFC...........................52...: [Auto]
x tRTP............................3...: [Auto]
x Command Rate (CMD) .............0...: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel A Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter]
x Static tRead Value.............8...: [9]
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto
x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto
>>>>> Channel A Driving Settings......: [Press Enter]
x Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto
x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto
>>>>> Channel B Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter]
x Static tRead Value.............8...: [9]
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto
x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto
>>>>> Channel B Driving Settings......: [Press Enter]
x Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto
x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto
****** Motherboard Voltage Control ******
Voltage Types..........Normal...........Current
-----------------------------------------------
>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore..............1.23750V.......: [1.38125V]
CPU Termination........1.200V.........: [1.320V]
CPU PLL................1.500V.........: [1.59V]
CPU Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
>>> MCH/ICH
MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [1.24V]
MCH Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O................1.500V.........: [Auto]
ICH Core...............1.100V.........: [Auto]
>>> 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 BIOS Features ********
Hard Disk Boot Priority...............: [Press Enter]
Quick Boot............................: [Disabled]
First Boot Device.....................: [USB-HDD]
Second Boot Device....................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device.....................: [Disabled]
Boot Up Floppy Seek...................: [Disabled]
Boot Up Num-Lock......................: [Off]
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]
C2/C2E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.....................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology.............: [Disabled]
Delay For HDD (Secs)..................: [ 0]
Full Screen LOGO Show.................: [Disabled]
Bachup BIOS Image to HDD..............: [Disabled]
Init Display First....................: [PEG]
******** Integrated Peripherals ********
ICH SATA Control Mode.................: [AHCI]
SATA Port0-3 Native Mode..............: [Enabled]
Azalia Codec..........................: [Auto]
Onboard H/W 1394......................: [Enabled]
Onboard H/W Lan1......................: [Enabled]
Onboard H/W Lan2......................: [Enabled]
Green LAN.............................: [Disabled]
Smart LAN1............................: [Press Enter]
Smart LAN2............................: [Press Enter]
Onboard LAN1 BOOT ROM.................: [Disabled]
Onboard LAN2 BOOT ROM.................: [Disabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Device...............: [Enabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode............: [AHCI]
Onboard Serial Port 1.................: [3F8/IRQ4]
Onboard Parallel Port.................: [378/IRQ7]
Parallel Port Mode....................: [SPP]
xECP Mode Use DMA.....................:  3
USB Controllers.......................: [Enabled]
USB Keyboard Function.................: [Disabled]
USB Mouse Function....................: [Disabled]
USB Storage Function..................: [Enabled]
******** Power Management Setup ********
ACPI Suspend Type.....................: [S3(STR)]
USB Device Wake-Up From S3............: [Enabled]
Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN..................: [Instant-Off]
PME Event Wake Up.....................: [Enabled]
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]
******** PnP/PCI Configurations ********
Resources Controlled By...............: [Auto]
PCI Latency Timer (CLK)...............: [32]
PC1 IRQ Assignment....................: [Auto]
PC2 IRQ Assignment....................: [Auto]
*********** PC Health status ***********
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]

I'm going to try increasing VTT up one notch to 1.32, should I lower MCH Core back down to 1.22?

I'm trying to change as little as possible between tests but can try setting tRFC to 60 as well if you think it would help? Also, if you give the word I will enable EIST and C1E.

**lukevega** · 08-13-2014, 11:21 AM

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

Increased CPU Termination by one notch to 1.340V and kept everything else the same:

I waited 15 mins after booting... Fingers crossed!

**lukevega** · 08-14-2014, 05:25 AM

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

Finally some good news to report!

The system passed 9 hours of prime95 blend (unfortunately I messed up the screenshot at 2am) and a further 8 hours of Large FTTs overnight! :D

View image: 1 340 VTT Large FTT Pass)

I'm going to give the system a 20 minute rest then try small FTTs. Fingers crossed again!

P.S. I had the crazy idea of trying my USB 3.0 PCIe card in the x8 second graphics card slot - I have no idea if this will make a difference but seeing as I'm not using it thought I might give it a go. Do you think it will make any difference Jim?

**SmOgER** · 08-14-2014, 10:16 AM

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

Finally got it almost fully stable at 4.2Ghz. This took ages, DDR3 memory controller just didn't want to make anything near 450FSB, it didn't even POST on auto timings or auto ratio (1:1).

It (RAM) may still need some small tweaks, but I'am pretty sure it won't cause the problems in the meantime.

CPU itself is fully stable.

prime95 large to low fft (blend for ~40min, RAM & CPU quick test)

CPU-Z validation: http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/screenshot/2j5ntw.png

**lukevega** · 08-14-2014, 02:23 PM

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

Success! :D

Code:

***************************************
***************************************
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P (Rev. 1.0) - F11d
***************************************
***************************************
******************************
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
******************************
Robust Graphics Booster ..............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ......................: [9X]
x Fine CPU Clock Ratio................: [+0.5]
CPU Frequency ........................: 3.80GHz( 400x9.5)
********** Clock Chip Control ********
>>>>>  Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control................: [Enabled]
x CPU Host Frequency(Mhz).............: [400]
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........................: [  0ps]
MCH Clock Skew........................: [  0ps]
******** DRAM Performance Control ********
Performance Enhance...................: [Turbo]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)........: [Auto]
Memory Frequency(Mhz).....800.........: 960
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..........: [Manual]
>>>>> Standard Timing Control
x CAS Latency Time................5...: [Auto]
x tRCD ...........................5...: [Auto]
x tRP.............................5...: [Auto]
x tRAS...........................18...: [Auto]
>>>>> Advanced Timing Control.........: [Press Enter]
x tRRD............................3...: [Auto]
x tWTR............................3...: [Auto]
x tWR.............................6...: [Auto]
x tRFC...........................52...: [Auto]
x tRTP............................3...: [Auto]
x Command Rate (CMD) .............0...: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel A Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter]
x Static tRead Value.............8...: [9]
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto
x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto
>>>>> Channel A Driving Settings......: [Press Enter]
x Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto
x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto
>>>>> Channel B Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter]
x Static tRead Value.............8...: [9]
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........0...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........0...: Auto
x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto
x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto
>>>>> Channel B Driving Settings......: [Press Enter]
x Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto
x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto
****** Motherboard Voltage Control ******
Voltage Types..........Normal...........Current
-----------------------------------------------
>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore..............1.23750V.......: [1.38125V]
CPU Termination........1.200V.........: [1.340V]
CPU PLL................1.500V.........: [1.59V]
CPU Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
>>> MCH/ICH
MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [1.24V]
MCH Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O................1.500V.........: [Auto]
ICH Core...............1.100V.........: [Auto]
>>> 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 BIOS Features ********
Hard Disk Boot Priority...............: [Press Enter]
Quick Boot............................: [Disabled]
First Boot Device.....................: [USB-HDD]
Second Boot Device....................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device.....................: [Disabled]
Boot Up Floppy Seek...................: [Disabled]
Boot Up Num-Lock......................: [Off]
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]
C2/C2E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.....................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology.............: [Disabled]
Delay For HDD (Secs)..................: [ 0]
Full Screen LOGO Show.................: [Disabled]
Bachup BIOS Image to HDD..............: [Disabled]
Init Display First....................: [PEG]
******** Integrated Peripherals ********
ICH SATA Control Mode.................: [AHCI]
SATA Port0-3 Native Mode..............: [Enabled]
Azalia Codec..........................: [Auto]
Onboard H/W 1394......................: [Enabled]
Onboard H/W Lan1......................: [Enabled]
Onboard H/W Lan2......................: [Enabled]
Green LAN.............................: [Disabled]
Smart LAN1............................: [Press Enter]
Smart LAN2............................: [Press Enter]
Onboard LAN1 BOOT ROM.................: [Disabled]
Onboard LAN2 BOOT ROM.................: [Disabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Device...............: [Enabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode............: [AHCI]
Onboard Serial Port 1.................: [3F8/IRQ4]
Onboard Parallel Port.................: [378/IRQ7]
Parallel Port Mode....................: [SPP]
xECP Mode Use DMA.....................:  3
USB Controllers.......................: [Enabled]
USB Keyboard Function.................: [Disabled]
USB Mouse Function....................: [Disabled]
USB Storage Function..................: [Enabled]
******** Power Management Setup ********
ACPI Suspend Type.....................: [S3(STR)]
USB Device Wake-Up From S3............: [Enabled]
Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN..................: [Instant-Off]
PME Event Wake Up.....................: [Enabled]
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]
******** PnP/PCI Configurations ********
Resources Controlled By...............: [Auto]
PCI Latency Timer (CLK)...............: [32]
PC1 IRQ Assignment....................: [Auto]
PC2 IRQ Assignment....................: [Auto]
*********** PC Health status ***********
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]

Now to try for 4.0!

What settings do you think will require tweaking first Jim?

**lukevega** · 08-14-2014, 03:12 PM

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

I've been re-reading all of your guidance to see how to approach 4.0GHz and in post#392 you said that one article achieved success with MCH Reference : VTT = 0.7 (70%). I currently have VTT set to 1.340V so 80% of this would make MCH Reference = 0.840V - Would that be correct and should I try that for 4.0GHz? I'd like to try and keep the DRAM Performance Enhance at 'Turbo' if possible but as always will take your advice!

**profJim** · 08-14-2014, 07:00 PM

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

usb 3.0 add-in card in the second x16 physical slot
When the second pci-e x16 physical slot is filled, the maximum pci-e bandwidth is changed to x8 (electrical) for both x16 physical pci-e slots.
Theoretically this drops the maximum pci-e bandwidth in half, from x16 maximum to x8 maximum, but this should have no performance penalty for you video card. Installing any x1 card in this slot should have no added benefit for the card, because the card's electrical contacts can't access the slot's electrical contacts for more pci-e lanes. I will be very surprised if your usb 3.0 performance is better in the x16 slot than when it is in an x1 pci-e slot. Keep in mind that your EP45-UD3P has twice the pci-e bandwidth compared with P35 motherboards.

Performance Enhance Turbo setting in the bios
It won't hurt to try to continue using the Turbo setting when trying for a 4.00GHz overclock.
If you need to change this setting to Standard, you can still manually set most of bios settings to obtain similar results.

4.00GHz bios settings
9.5 x 422MHz will give you 4.009GHz and your new memory speed will probably be 1013MHz.
Cpu Vcore will probably need to be set to 1.40000 or 1.40625 volts, or possibly higher.
VTT might need to be increased and if needed, up to 1.36 will be OK.
It appears that VTT up to 1.40 is safe when using even higher Cpu Core voltages.
MCH Core might need a small increase; with my EP45-UD3P, if MCH Core is too high, my system won't boot.
Dram Voltage might need a small increase.

Tweaking with MCH Reference settings
The stock VTT setting is 1.20 volts and the stock MCH Reference setting is 0.760 volts.
0.760v divided by 1.20 is 0.6333 or 63% of VTT

When MCH Reference is left at the 0.760 (AUTO) setting, when you increase VTT, the MCH Reference setting visually remains at 0.760v (63%) and you don't see any changes in the bios.
With your current 1.34 VTT setting, the actual value for MCH Reference is still 63% of VTT even the the bios still shows 0.760 volts.
1.34v x 63.333% = 0.8486v

With high overclocks, usually using about 475MHz FSB or higher, some quad core processors respond favorably when the 63% ratio is raised slightly, sometimes up to about 70%.
The correct procedure is simple:

set VTT back to 1.20v (the stock setting)
set MCH Reference up one click
reset VTT back to the desired setting
repeat all of your stress tests

Each system will respond differently when tweaking MCH Reference voltage.
It appears that tweaking CPU Reference is not helpful.

I cheated one time and went from 63% to 70% in one step and my system barfed.

Some have claimed that tweaking CPU Clock Skew and/or MCH Clock Skew settings has helped but there is little information or recommendations.
I have seen some "stable" setups where these settings varied from 50ps to 350ps and in a couple of cases, they used negative values.

**profJim** · 08-14-2014, 07:18 PM

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

FYI, general clock skew thread for newer systems: Overview of Clock Skew from the rog.asus.com forum

A web search using: MCH reference volt setting might provide some helpful information.

**lukevega** · 08-14-2014, 07:22 PM

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

Thanks again for the help Jim!

I tried the x8 PCIe slot and like you said, there was no difference.

I will try using your recommended settings and report back. What vcore would you consider to be the safe limit for my X5460?

Also, in post #431 I mentioned that I couldn't see a 'verify' option in Macrium Reflect and was not sure which 'file size' option to choose - I'm guessing there are fewer options because I'm using the free version?

**profJim** · 08-14-2014, 07:31 PM

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

You're welcome.

I haven't forgotten about your question about the Macrium Reflect verify option.
I recently updated to the latest Reflect version and the window doesn't appear when I run Reflect from windows.
This might be because all of my Reflect backups are on my external drive.
I always use my Reflect winpe optical disk when backing up or restoring.

In any event, create a backup and then run Reflect and see if there is a verify option that will check any backup that you have already created.

I assume that up to 1.45 volts is probably safe for your Xeon 5460.

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Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

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