Socket 771 Mod Xeon X5460 GA-P35-DS3L Overclock

[lukevega]

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

Congrats on your overclocking prowess profJim!

If I remember correctly, I initially installed my SSD via a native SATA 2 port but could never get the system to POST with AHCI mode enabled in the BIOS :/

I should get back to the system this evening so will see what I can get done.

[profJim]

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

Installing windows 7 when your boot drive is plugged in to a motherboard sata port won't let you use AHCI mode unless you first set:

• SATA AHCI Mode = Enabled
• SATA Port0-1 Native Mode = Enabled

If the win7 install is done using IDE mode and you later enable AHCI mode in the bios, when you reboot you will get a BSOD error.

Check out AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista - Windows 7 Help Forums for detailed instructions.

The basic procedure is to enable the following win7 registry keys:

[FONT=Verdana][COLOR="#0000FF"][SIZE=2]If you installed in IDE mode you'll need to make the following registry changes before you change the BIOS to AHCI Vista/Win7 ONLY

Enable switching between all IDE/AHCI/RAID modes by changing "Start" Values in these keys to [B][COLOR="#FF0000"]0[/COLOR][/B] (zero), Win 7 / Vista ONLY

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci\Start

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Pciide\Start  

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\iaStor[B][COLOR="#FF0000"]V[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE][B][/B]\Start[/COLOR][/FONT]

With my P35-DS4 board I enabled IDE, AHCI and RAID in the windows registry using this procedure.

A web search using: enable ahci in ide mode provides more information.

Prime95 is alive and well and still running after 7 hours and 20+ minutes.
It took several tries to get it stable with lower cpu voltage.

I can't tell you how much more I'm looking forward to repeating two more 8+ hour tests using Prime95 Small FFT and Large FFT tests.

Time for another pretty picture:

[lukevega]

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

Finally back at home, moved the SSD to native SATA port 0 and checked the AS SSD benchmark - Yikes!



Gonna' try to get AHCI Mode working then I'll report back.

Edit: Just took a look at my registry settings and all the 'Start' values are 0 so I'm not sure why it isn't working yet...

[profJim]

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

Are you sure that SATA AHCI Mode = Enabled and SATA Port0-1 Native Mode = Enabled in the bios?

With these enabled did you save settings and exit the bios?

Does your win7 Device Manager look like this:

[lukevega]

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

I've previously not been able to get the system to POST when SATA AHCI Mode = Enabled in BIOS...

Here are my full current BIOS settings:

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)_________[400]
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__ [+0.200V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.38750V]
Normal CPU Vcore________1.23750V

Hard Disk Boot Priority..................: [Press Enter]
First Boot Device...........................: [USB-HDD]
Second Boot Device.......................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device..........................: [CDROM]
Password Check.............................: [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability.............: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.........: [Disabled]
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.........................: [Disabled]
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]

and here is what my Device Manager looks like:



I'll reboot now and see if it will boot with AHCI Mode enabled...

[lukevega]

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

Hold the phone!

Just changed the settings and everything worked!

New BIOS Settings:

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)_________[400]
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__ [+0.200V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.38750V]
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......: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.........: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.........: [Disabled]
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]

New AS SSD Score:



Thanks for the help and advice!

Time to increase the overclock? Or should I clean the cooler first?

[lukevega]

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

and the progress continues!

Updated the firmware for my SSD and the performance has increased AND turns out I saved the clips from 7 years ago so I should be able to mount the fan and move the HDDs as you suggest :D



Life is good

[lukevega]

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

So... While I was on a roll I decided to re-arrange my components as per your recommendations:



Am I right in thinking the next step is to try 3.905GHz again (9.5 x 411 FSB) with (G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.15V] whilst monitoring everything with HWiNFO64 with Sensor Logging enabled with a 2 second interval?

Good afternoon, good evening and goodnight!

All the best,

Lukevega

[lukevega]

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

Just a screenshot to check that I'm all ready to go?



By the way - should I check performance with the PCI SATA 3 card again? Might that be diffferent with AHCI now working?

[lukevega]

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

Good morning!

I hope I got this right so that we can make some progress...

I changed the (G)MCH OverVoltage Control to +0.2V as +0.15 was not an option.

I kept everything else the same:

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)_________[411]
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__ [+0.200V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.2V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.38750V]
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......: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.........: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.........: [Disabled]
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]

Ran Prime95 with hopefully the right background apps running:



Core 2 failed 1 minute in "FATAL ERROR: Rounding was 0.5, expected less than 0.4".

I hope I did that right and that it helps!

[lukevega]

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

Also, since I'm not allowed more than 1 attachment per post...

Here is the file I logged using HWiNFO:

(I had to save it as a ZIP file as it wouldn't accept .CSV.

[lukevega]

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

Re-checked with the Startech PCI Express SATA Controller and got worse results from the AS SSD Benchmark test so you were right (not that I ever doubted you):



Correct me if I'm wrong but is the next stage to increase the vcore whilst maintaining the MCH at +0.2V?

[profJim]

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

It's good to see that you're making progress with your AS-SSD benchmark results.
I'll reply to your most recent posts just after I've completed this post.

Sata3 add-in card results with your new and improved firmware, drivers and settings?

If won't hurt to see how it performs now, but I'll be surprized if there is much difference compared with your current msAHCI driver which will only be used by your motherboard's Intel sata2 ports. Your first AS_SSD screenshot has the name of the driver that is used by your sata3 add-in card.

As I see it, your primary problem centers around your cpu core temperatures that are much higher than normal even when you aren't doing any stress testing. Another possible issue is that your Xeon cpu might not be able to overclock as high as "normal" when you're using the 771 mod and/or an inexpensive, lower end board. My board has a few additional features and is a step up, but mine is far from an enthusiast level motherboard. A board like the EP45-UD3P is an outstanding overclocking board but the price for one in the used or overseas markets is probably absurdly high.

Right now my core temperatures are 55^o - 61^o with my 4.0GHz overclock running the Prime95 Large FFT stress test and my cpu core voltage setting is 1.39375 volts. This test has been running for just over 4 hours and HWiNFO reports that maximum cpu core temperatures during this test are from 60^o - 66^o(C). My typical cpu core temps when my system is idle are jn the mid to upper 20^o(C). I've noticed on my system that the current core temps and maximum core temps reported by HWiNFO are 3^o - 5^o(C) lower than the same readings in CoreTemp.

Your new case fan setup should help improve cpu and grafic's temperatures, I think that your system will need more help with lowering cpu temperatures. Try to route the cables and wires in your case so that they interfere as little as possible with the airflow inside your case.

How much unused free space is on your ssd?
How much space is in use on your ssd?

I have completed my IBT and LinX testing at 4.0GHz with lowered cpu voltage and I've completed separate Prime95 Blend and Small FFT tests (8 hours for each Prime95 test) and my last Prime95 Large FFT test is progressing nicely. I found a minor problem with the water pump/cooling block and my cpu core voltages don't vary as much.

If you get any errors, freezes or BSODs while testing, note the time of the failure and then check the HWiNFO temperature and voltage logs for the same time period.

I'm including my current 4.0GHz voltage settings, but keep in mind that I'm running 8GB of higher performance memory compared with your 4GB ram setup. My settings might not work well in another system that is using identical hardware as my setup.

[FONT=Fixedsys]CPU = Q9650 Core2Quad -- [url]http://ark.intel.com/products/35428/Intel-Core2-Quad-Processor-Q9650-%2812M-Cache-3_00-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB%29[/url]
Motherboard = P35-DS4 rev: 2.0
BIOS Version = F14 
Ram = 4 x 2GB OCZ Reaper OCZ2RPR10664GK, DDR2-1066, cas5, 2.10V - 2.20V


____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]___________
CPU Clock Ratio ___________________[9x] ____________
Fine Clock Ratio __________________[0.0]
CPU Frequency _____________________[4.005GHz (445x9)]
CPU Host Clock Control_____________[Enabled]________
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [445] ___________
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [101]____________
Performance Enhance________________[Turbo]__________
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)_____[2.00]___________
Memory Frequency(MHz)____[800]_____[890]____________
DRAM Timing Selectable___(SPD)_____[Manual]_________

********** Standard Timing Control ************_____
CAS Latency Time________________5__[5]______________
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________5__[4]______________
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5__[4]______________
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________5__[12]_____________

********** Advanced Timing Control ************_____
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__[ 50 ]___________
Read to Precharge Delay________ 3__[Auto]___________
Static tRead Value_____________ 7__[  8 ]___________
Static tRead Phase Adjust_______0__[Auto]___________
____________________________________________________
System Voltage Control_____________[Manual]_________
DDR2 OverVoltage Control___________[+0.35V]__________ (1.80 + 0.35 = 2.15)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control__________[+0.15V]__________
FSB OverVoltage Control____________[+0.20V]__________
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control_________[+0.20V]__________
Loadline Calibration_______________[ Auto ]
CPU Voltage Control________________[1.39375V]_______
Normal CPU Vcore___________________ 1.26350[/FONT]

[profJim]

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

Re-checked with the Startech PCI Express SATA Controller and got worse results from the AS SSD Benchmark test so you were right (not that I ever doubted you):

OF COURSE YOU DOUBTED ME and you just had to learn the hard way.
And I applaud your efforts to learn from first hand experience.
I seen similar results with these types of controllers in older motherboards and nothing seems to be able to match the native Intel sata ports. My experience with add-in usb3.0 cards is decent but not outstanding and I'm glad that I have them in both of my older systems.

Right now we don't know how rock solid stable your system is at 3.80GHz.
When I started overclocking my Q9650 I was able to quickly confirm that my system was fully stable at 3.60GHz due to my past experience overclocking other LGA775 systems and helping lots of others. Going to 3.80GHz was easy too, for the same reason. 4.00GHz took a bit more effort and I didn't run it at this speed because the required voltages were beyond my comfort zone. The former TweakTown guru and administrator recommend o/c'ing Xeon processors, but none of us encouraged others to use inexpensive, lower end motherboards for any type of serious overclocking. One thing I haven't brought up is I'm now using my board's Load Line Calibration (LLC) bios feature to help use lower voltages. I prefer not to use LLC but in some cases it's necessary.

I bought my P35-DS3L motherboard as an inexpensive backup machine with an E2140 cpu. It overclocks reasonably well with different processors and I was able to overclock the 1.60GHz E2140 cpu 100% to 3.20HGHz where it was stable and I fondly called it my gutless wonder.

If you want to o/c further, the first thing that I would to is to make sure that your cpu cooler is operating at it's best and then to thoroughly test it at 3.60 - 3.80GHz and you'll have a solid fall back setup if you can't overclock it higher. My approach is to overclock starting with a solid foundation.

[lukevega]

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

SSD has 115GB free of 223GB. Next move will be to deep clean the cooler and check the TIM application - which I will provide pictures of before I re-apply. Do you have a reference picture for the amount that should be applied?

I'll stick at 3.8GHz and try to make sure that it's fully stable before moving on.