i5-6xx + 8GB = low bclk?

I've got an i5-660 that I'm messing around with to see how high it can go for 24/7 usage under water.

So far I had quite a bit of an issue trying to get a BIOS that worked on the Gigabyte P55-UD3R. Now I've got one that works (more or less, still somewhat funky) but when using 8GB I get a bclk wall around 165 (4.3Ghz).

Oddly, it doesn't matter how fast the RAM is running, absolutely no issue running DDR3-2000 with 8GB but even if I scale down the memory (as low as 900Mhz) the bclk won't go any higher.

With 4GB I have no issues at even 240 bclk, though there are a few "bclk holes" like the old Nforce 4 FSB holes. 200 is perfectly stable, 205-209 won't boot, 210 is rock stable, etc.

Do you think switching boards (either EVGA P55 SLI or Maximus III Formula) would help or is it purely an IMC limitation on the i5-660?

The only reason I wanted to try a 660 was to get 4.7-5.0 24/7 stable with 8GB (required for a game that I play, at least, how I play it) for better gaming over my 4.2Ghz i5-750.

Glad to see some testing on a p55 board. I would like to try one of these chips, I have a p55 and don't want to have to buy a new board.

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Originally Posted by OC Nub

Glad to see some testing on a p55 board. I would like to try one of these chips, I have a p55 and don't want to have to buy a new board.

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They are great fun with 4GB or less :p:

Frustrating with 8GB :(

Funny to see 17C idle and 24C full load on way-overkill (for a 32nm dual) water cooling and cool ambient :rofl:

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Originally Posted by tool_462

I've got an i5-660 that I'm messing around with to see how high it can go for 24/7 usage under water.

So far I had quite a bit of an issue trying to get a BIOS that worked on the Gigabyte P55-UD3R. Now I've got one that works (more or less, still somewhat funky) but when using 8GB I get a bclk wall around 165 (4.3Ghz).

Oddly, it doesn't matter how fast the RAM is running, absolutely no issue running DDR3-2000 with 8GB but even if I scale down the memory (as low as 900Mhz) the bclk won't go any higher.

With 4GB I have no issues at even 240 bclk, though there are a few "bclk holes" like the old Nforce 4 FSB holes. 200 is perfectly stable, 205-209 won't boot, 210 is rock stable, etc.

Do you think switching boards (either EVGA P55 SLI or Maximus III Formula) would help or is it purely an IMC limitation on the i5-660?

The only reason I wanted to try a 660 was to get 4.7-5.0 24/7 stable with 8GB (required for a game that I play, at least, how I play it) for better gaming over my 4.2Ghz i5-750.

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what are you setting the volts to in bios, also ram timmings have you played around with?
Also what bios are you using?

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Originally Posted by kayl

what are you setting the volts to in bios, also ram timmings have you played around with?
Also what bios are you using?

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Tried basically everything as far as voltages go, up to 1.55vcore and comparable on other voltages (I'm at work so can't check my notes.) Nothing changes whatsoever.

RAM timings, anywhere from the 8-8-8-20 I run at for 24/7 with the i5-750 to 11-11-11-40 or so, still the same brick wall for bclk.

BIOS = F5a as provided by hicookie in this thread: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=243143

Latest BIOS available on Gigabyte's site is F4 :down:

i have DRAM ratio issues but BCLK wall is around 220

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2804/21x219sp1m.jpg

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Originally Posted by PatRaceTin

i have DRAM ratio issues but BCLK wall is around 220

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You only have 2GB installed though, even with 4GB I don't have BCLK issues, just with 8GB which I need in my main rig.