can't get past 3.7ghz

[Salentino]

Hi there

I'm new to overclocking and dont have much experience in this. For now i've succesfully managed to overclock my Q9550 2.83ghz to 3.7ghz, however due to the lack of knowledge and experience i'm hitting a wall.

CPU: Q9550 (C1) 2.8 @ 3.7
MB: Gigabyte X48T DQ6
MEM: 8GB DDR3 Kingston 1333 @1390
MAX Load temp: with Prime95 51c
Cooling: the Prolimatech Megahalem

The only things I've changed in the BIOS (multiplier max 8.5) in order to get to 3.7ghz are the:

• FSB to 436 and
• Cpu voltage 1.325V ( the cpu voltage is lower when in Idle )
• forgot to mention that I also lowered Mem. Multiplier to 3.20B

I have tried increasing the FSB to 450 but could not start windows. After increasing the voltage (to 1.3625v, max recommended voltage by Intel) i could start windows but still was not able to get stability with Prime95 @ even 3.8ghz and I have seen higher speeds with less Cpu voltage so I must be doing something wrong

Any ideas / suggestions are appreciated


p.s these are my settings:

CPU = Intel Q9550 (C1)
Motherboard = X48t DQ6, Revision 01
BIOS Version = F5
Ram = Kingston 4 x 2GB, part#: 9905403-011.A00LF and the other two have part number: 99U5403-003.A00LF


Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency __________ [436]
PCI Express Frequency _______ [AUTO]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [AUTO]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________9 [auto]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 9 [auto]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ 9 [auto]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 24 [auto]

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 4 [auto]
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 5 [auto]
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 10 [auto]
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 74 [auto]
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 5 [auto]
Static tRead Value_______________ 9 [auto]
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 0 [auto]
Command Rate (CMD)_______________ 2 [auto]

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [normal]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [normal]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.325v]




Cheers

[Johnny Rook]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

Hello. ;)

Just 2 cents:
Don't expect the same results in different systems. Even diferent CPUs tested in exact same system (board, ram, psu, etc), don't reach the same frequencies.
Maybe the results you have seen before were from a CPU with better a patch #; maybe the overall system was better than yours or maybe it was just pure luck!

Anyway, 3,7Ghz for a Q9550 is very, very nice, I think. You should be happy!

Do you have a good PSU?

Does the BIOS have a "Load-line Calibration" setting? "Intel" or "Auto" minimizes the vdroop but, "Disabled" could lead you to higher clocks. You just have to play with it and try.


Johnny

[Salentino]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

ThanksJohnny i'm aware of that and I must say i'm pretty happy with it. However as you can see (due to my lack of knowledge) I have not used the full potential and have not tweaked a lot, I have merely played with FSB and CPU voltage

Earlier today I enabled Load-line Calibrationin my bios and tested it with the same settings as above and after testing with Prime it crashed so my goal of 3.8+ seems to be further than I thought right now



OK, I left all the settings like they were but increased the Cpu Voltage in BIOS to 1.325V (which seems to be 1.28v/1.26v while under load with Prime95 and 1.296v in idle) and ran Prime95 for 1h30min with no problems so I think its stable right now but still @ 3.7

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

So do you still need help, or are you stable and happy now

[Salentino]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

I would love your help:)! I only got it stable at 3.7ghz (where I was at earlier but only stable)

hope you can help me get past the 3.8 barrier which i seem to have
I think our timezones dont match :P, i'll be refreshing this page around the clock waiting for your reply

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

Try this for 3.825

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto or Fast]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency __________ [436] << 450
PCI Express Frequency _______ [AUTO] << Set 100
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]

System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [AUTO] << Manual

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________9
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 9
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ 9
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 24

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 4 [auto] << 3-4
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 5 [auto] << 4-5
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 10 [auto] << 8-10
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 74 [auto] << 68-82
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 5 [auto] << 4-5
Static tRead Value_______________ 9 [auto] << 7-9
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 0 [auto] << Auto
Command Rate (CMD)_______________ 2 [auto] << Set 2

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal] << Set Auto
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal] << Set Auto

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [normal] << Set to your ram spec, or above for 8GB (+0.3 = 2.1V)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [normal] << Set Auto or +0.1
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [normal] << +0.1
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [normal] << +0.3 for 8GB
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.325v] << More of course, try 1.34-1.42

[Salentino]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

Try this for 3.825

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto or Fast]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency __________ [436] << 450
PCI Express Frequency _______ [AUTO] << Set 100
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]

System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [AUTO] << Manual

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________9
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 9
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ 9
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 24

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 4 [auto] << 3-4
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 5 [auto] << 4-5
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 10 [auto] << 8-10
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 74 [auto] << 68-82
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 5 [auto] << 4-5
Static tRead Value_______________ 9 [auto] << 7-9
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 0 [auto] << Auto
Command Rate (CMD)_______________ 2 [auto] << Set 2

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal] << Set Auto
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal] << Set Auto

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [normal] << Set to your ram spec, or above for 8GB (+0.3 = 2.1V)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [normal] << Set Auto or +0.1
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [normal] << +0.1
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [normal] << +0.3 for 8GB
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.325v] << More of course, try 1.34-1.42

Greatly appreciated! I have one question before I change these values in the BIOS
its about the DDR3 OverVoltage, according I should increase the voltage above my ram spec (because i have 8gb), on the website of Kingston I find: : Standard 256M X 64 Non-ECC 1333MHz 240-pin Unbuffered DIMM (DDR3, 1.5V, CL9, FBGA, Gold)

how do I know how high I can go but also stay safe, is for example +0.3 (2.1v) OK for this memory ?


p.s
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal] << Set Auto
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal] << Set Auto
I don't have an 'Auto' option, only normal , shall I leave it this way ?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

I only showed +0.3 = 2.1V as an example, and sorry I did not relalize this was DDR3. So +0.3 would be 1.8V.

Since you ram is 1.5V rated, I'd suggest +0.1 for 1.6V since you have 8GB

About your skews, you should have auto, but yes normal would be fine. Auto should be there though, you should have auto, normal, and setting choices.

[Salentino]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

I only showed +0.3 = 2.1V as an example, and sorry I did not relalize this was DDR3. So +0.3 would be 1.8V.

Since you ram is 1.5V rated, I'd suggest +0.1 for 1.6V since you have 8GB

About your skews, you should have auto, but yes normal would be fine. Auto should be there though, you should have auto, normal, and setting choices.

After playing a little with those figures I managed to get into windows. However, after I ran Prime95 I got a BlueScreen (BCCode: 124), I restarted and ran Prime95 once more and again a BCOD.
Before with my first settings I was also able to get into windows @ 3.82ghz but could never pass the Prime test (workers stop), however this bluescreen thing is new to me so it has to do something with what I just changed right?.

just to be sure are my settings correct? please see here:

Imageshack - img0468bq.jpg
Imageshack - img0469c.jpg

Thanks again!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

124 means you need more Vtt which would be FSB Voltage on your board. So try +0.125-0.3 and see if that stops the BSOD

BSOD 0x00000101 is Vcore, just in case you run into that as well.

[Salentino]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

124 means you need more Vtt which would be FSB Voltage on your board. So try +0.125-0.3 and see if that stops the BSOD

BSOD 0x00000101 is Vcore, just in case you run into that as well.

I increased the FSB Voltage eventually to +0.3 but running Prime still gives me the bluescreen. It is weird because before when I was at 3.82 (by just increasing the FSB and Vcore), I would not get a bluescreen but only crashes in Prime.

i've attached a printscreen of the BSOD:

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/692/img0473g.jpg

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

Hmm, give me your full exact settings you are now trying, in a template and I will see if I can help.

You may need to use a looser tRD or a bit more MCH/Vcore as wel, generally though this is Vtt

[Salentino]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

these where settings I tried, thanks!

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency __________ 450
PCI Express Frequency _______ 100
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]

System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________9
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 9
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ 9
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 24

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 4
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 5
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 10
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 75
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 5
Static tRead Value_______________ 9 (cant get into windows with a 7)
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 0 [auto]
Command Rate (CMD)_______________ T2

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR3 OverVoltage Control__ +0.1
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ +0.1
FSB OverVoltage Control___ +0.3
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control +0.3
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.38v]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

Try these

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency __________ 450
PCI Express Frequency _______ 100 << 101-103
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]

System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B] << May need to use 2.66D/3.33D but leave for now and try the rest
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________9
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 9
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ 9
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 24-27

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 4
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 5
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 10
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 84
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 5
Static tRead Value_______________ 9 (cant get into windows with a 7) I believe it, at 450 FSB you need to use 8-9 but it all depends on the memory itself, voltages applied and the memory multi/strap you are trying
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 0 [auto]
Command Rate (CMD)_______________ T2

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR3 OverVoltage Control__ +0.1 << Do you have +0.15? If so try that, or +0.2
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ +0.1
FSB OverVoltage Control___ +0.3 << This is the main cause of 124 BSOD, are you at the limit here? If not try one more, but I think you may need to try something else, along the lines of using a different memory multi/strap
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control +0.3
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.38v] << Try 1.4

[Salentino]

Re: can't get past 3.7ghz

thanks for you reply I will try this as soon as I get the chance. One question though, I think I can increase the FSB Overvoltage but isnt this kinda dangerous or am I in the safezone still ?