Cannot get this board to run stable...
Guys, need your help.
Been trying to get this MB stable for over a month now. For specs - check my sig.
Problem: system runs fine now for most tasks even a session of flight simming using fsx/vista is usually ok save for the odd system freeze.
But I just *can't* finish any serious stress test for any significant amount of time. They (OCCT/everest) usually fail before 30 mins, sometimes a little bit longer, and sometimes after just a few minutes. This leaves the system completely unresponsive and hence I have to do a forced reboot.
Using ATI Catalyst 8.3 with latest hotfix
BIOS:
multiplier 8x
FSB 450
FSB strap to NB 333
PCIE 110
DRAM 1800
command rate 2T
primary timings: 8-8-8-26
secondary: 5-60-9-6
rest: auto
DRAM static read: disabled
DRAM dynamic write: disabled
AI clock twister: strong
AI skew for channel A: auto
AI skew for channel B: auto
AI transaction booster: enabled, level 2
Voltages:
CPU 1.60
CPU PLL 1.70
NB 1.61
DRAM 2.06
FSB termination 1.54
SB auto
SB 1.5 auto
loadline calibration enabled
CPU GTL REF 0.63x
NB GTL REF 0.67x
DDR3 channel A REF auto
DDR3 channel B REF auto
DDR3 controller REF DDR3 REF
CPU spread spectrum: disabled
PCIE spread spectrum: disabled
CPU advanced settings: all disabled
Chipset - Northbridge configuration:
Memory remap feature: enabled
Initiate graphic adapter: PEG/PCI
PEG port control: auto
PEG port force x1: disabled
Temps:
[At 3.6GHz using everest stress test]
CPU idle 48
CPU load 68
NB idle 36
NB load 37
SB idle 34
SB load 35
[GPU temps using 3DMark06 and reporting hottest core]
idle 34
load 45
12 hr OCCT stable @ 3825MHz
Well, folks, sorry for my rants hihi (dunno if anyone's even reading my posts anymore lol, it's been awfully quiet here lately) but IMO I've come a long way. I never thought I would get this beast stable, BUT with a logical, systematic approach, I can finally say that I have achieved it. Also I have a feeling that BIOS 1001 is flawed...
EDIT: OCCT has just passed 12 hr stability at 425*9 :D This with nice voltages too. I am VERY happy with this result as it means I can finally start to USE this machine and not worry about the next BSOD lol. Here's the voltages I used to achieve this:
CPU Voltage : 1.575
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.64
North Bridge Voltage : 1.61
DRAM Voltage : 2.06
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.54
South Bridge Voltage : Auto
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63x
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67x
DDR3 Channel A REF Voltage : Auto
DDR3 Channel B REF Voltage : Auto
DDR3 Controller REF Voltage : DDR3_REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : Auto
It seems there is probably some more headroom for OCCT stability upwards towards 4.0 but from there it's a battlefield haha! It requires a massive voltage increase anyway - even at 1.65V it cannot tolerate more than a few secs of OCCT at those clocks. At 1.70 the system is overheating and auto shutdown occurs. So my interpretation is that the chip is just not capable of those levels. Which is completely acceptable of course, considering how it has performed so far. To reach OCCT / prime95 stability above 4.0GHz with a quad, I'm reasonably sure I will have to go for 45nm (although I have seen some lucky bastards bring a kentsfield to those heights, I guess those folks have had a very fine revision). Also of course is the cooling solution - mine's a pretty good one I think - EK-Supreme, DDC Ultra and PA120.3 is not anything to scoff at and will probably bring OC potential with a 45nm up towards 4.5 if not more judging by the result of others around here.
Well, a last screenie showing my efforts, then I'm off for some serious flight simming... or maybe *just*one*more*BIOS*adjustment*then*another*3DMark *run haha /polar bear out
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7015/12hocctln6.jpg