Core i7/X58 Overclocking Thread

**unclewebb** · 05-03-2009, 08:50 PM

I know you were Prime stable for 6 or 7 hours. What RealTemp is showing me is that even though you were stable, Turbo mode might have been cycling on and off at full load. Hundreds of times a second the multi can drop from 21.0 to 20.0. Software that only checks to see what the multiplier is once per second might miss what's really going on with Turbo mode. That's why Intel recommends to use the high performance timers built into the Core i7 to accurately calculate the average multiplier during a 1 second sample period.

As far as I know, RealTemp is the only software that is using this method which is directly based on the Intel® Turbo Boost Technology white paper.

Next time you run Prime 95 Small FFTs up to 90C it would be interesting to see if the i7 Turbo tool can confirm that your Turbo is not fully engaged. This was an issue for some motherboards when Core i7 was first introduced and I guess it can still be an issue depending on heat and power consumption of a CPU.

If the i7 Turbo tool shows 20.50 at full load then that shows that the Turbo is only engaged 50% of the time. A reading of 20.90 would mean that it was engaged 90% of the time during the last second. CPU-Z should correctly report the first case but it might be completely missing the second case.

I'm trying to provide XS users with an accurate tool to monitor their CPU so any feedback will be appreciated by all users.

**Efekkt** · 05-03-2009, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by unclewebb

I know you were Prime stable for 6 or 7 hours. What RealTemp is showing me is that even though you were stable, Turbo mode might have been cycling on and off at full load. Hundreds of times a second the multi can drop from 21.0 to 20.0. Software that only checks to see what the multiplier is once per second might miss what's really going on with Turbo mode. That's why Intel recommends to use the high performance timers built into the Core i7 to accurately calculate the average multiplier during a 1 second sample period.

As far as I know, RealTemp is the only software that is using this method which is directly based on the Intel® Turbo Boost Technology white paper.

Next time you run Prime 95 Small FFTs up to 90C it would be interesting to see if the i7 Turbo tool can confirm that your Turbo is not fully engaged. This was an issue for some motherboards when Core i7 was first introduced and I guess it can still be an issue depending on heat and power consumption of a CPU.

If the i7 Turbo tool shows 20.50 at full load then that shows that the Turbo is only engaged 50% of the time. A reading of 20.90 would mean that it was engaged 90% of the time during the last second. CPU-Z should correctly report the first case but it might be completely missing the second case.

I'm trying to provide XS users with an accurate tool to monitor their CPU so any feedback will be appreciated by all users.

Alright. I tried out your software. Seems like turbo mode is on with my multiplier ranging from 17 to 19x on idle. Is there any other way I can get turbo mode fully disabled? Because I don't see the settings for 100% in power options. =/

**unclewebb** · 05-03-2009, 09:21 PM

At idle when your multiplier is jumping up and down, that means that Speedstep is enabled in your bios but it has a conflict with your settings in Windows. Have a look at this thread which explains that and what you can do:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=918

Having C1E set can also cause this problem. On some boards you need Speedstep enabled to use Turbo mode so there might not be a fix for this problem. Play with the settings to see what you can figure out.

At full load the Turbo tool should report a fairly steady value of 21.00. The last couple of digits might float around a little. If it starts reporting less than that, the Turbo is turning itself on and off because of too much heat or usually too much power consumption.

**Efekkt** · 05-03-2009, 09:40 PM

Alright. I was messing around with the bios settings and I think I managed to disable turbo mode fully. My multiplier now sits around 20.9996 to 21.0000. That's a good sign, yup? Only thing is that my temps seem to be higher now. Possibly 'cause I raised something else. I'll try to look into that. Thanks for the help, unclewebb. I'm going out in a while, so I'll run a stress test while I'm out. Let you know the good news when I get back. If there are any.

**unclewebb** · 05-03-2009, 09:57 PM

With a i7-920, the normal multiplier is 20.00 and when Turbo mode is fully engaged, it should show a fairly steady 21.00 at full load.

Turbo mode is a good thing. Just make sure that it's remaining 100% engaged at full load. If the i7 Turbo tool shows your multi starting to sag below 21.00 at full load then post a screen shot comparing it to CPU-Z so users can start to understand this issue better. I have a hunch that CPU-Z might not report when Turbo mode first starts cycling on and off when running LinX or Prime 95 at high temps.

**drak3** · 05-13-2009, 01:47 PM

Hello everyone,

I am trying to overclock my system but I it is still not clear in my head how the various multipliers work!

I got a DFI x58 and i920 (C0/C1) and the BIOS is totally new to me (1st DFI board!)

My ram is corsair dominator 1600 with 8-8-8-24 (I got 12GB!)

Can someone (who has this board) please give me a basic starting point, like some settings I should DEFINATELY switch on/off and then go on from there?

4Ghz I will be more than happy!

Thanks alot!

**roller11** · 05-15-2009, 07:00 AM

New record with my week 36 920 C0 stepping, 4755 Mhz on a 2.5 year old air cooler, just 1.48 volts:

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6751/c0rec.jpg

This chip is on Ebay right now.

**eva2000** · 05-15-2009, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by drak3

Hello everyone,

I am trying to overclock my system but I it is still not clear in my head how the various multipliers work!

I got a DFI x58 and i920 (C0/C1) and the BIOS is totally new to me (1st DFI board!)

My ram is corsair dominator 1600 with 8-8-8-24 (I got 12GB!)

Can someone (who has this board) please give me a basic starting point, like some settings I should DEFINATELY switch on/off and then go on from there?

4Ghz I will be more than happy!

Thanks alot!

for DFI UT X58 and i7 some reading for you

**Brama** · 05-15-2009, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by eva2000

for DFI UT X58 and i7 some reading for you

Dear eva2000, can you tell me if the DFI UT X58 MB, with latest BIOS, unlocks completely the Xeon preocessors W35xx?

I mean that I can set memory multipliers other than 2:6 and 2:8 (i.e 2:10), that I can set Uncore frequency or multiplier and I can set QPI link speed.

I have actually an Asus R2E that locks above features with my Xeon processor and I am thinking if I would change the MB or buy a new i7 920 D0.

**drak3** · 05-16-2009, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by eva2000

for DFI UT X58 and i7 some reading for you

Thanks alot! I will read and report back

**eva2000** · 05-16-2009, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by Brama

Dear eva2000, can you tell me if the DFI UT X58 MB, with latest BIOS, unlocks completely the Xeon preocessors W35xx?

I mean that I can set memory multipliers other than 2:6 and 2:8 (i.e 2:10), that I can set Uncore frequency or multiplier and I can set QPI link speed.

I have actually an Asus R2E that locks above features with my Xeon processor and I am thinking if I would change the MB or buy a new i7 920 D0.

don't own W35xx xeons but renegade and others have w3520 and w3540 so might check with them http://i4memory.com/f80/xeon-w3520-d...8-t3eh8-17452/ and raju with DK X58 http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=224434

Originally Posted by drak3

Thanks alot! I will read and report back

Good luck

**Renegade5399** · 05-16-2009, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Brama

Dear eva2000, can you tell me if the DFI UT X58 MB, with latest BIOS, unlocks completely the Xeon preocessors W35xx?

I mean that I can set memory multipliers other than 2:6 and 2:8 (i.e 2:10), that I can set Uncore frequency or multiplier and I can set QPI link speed.

I have actually an Asus R2E that locks above features with my Xeon processor and I am thinking if I would change the MB or buy a new i7 920 D0.

All multi's/dividers are unlocked on my 3520. It is the same as my 920 was.

**tijgert** · 05-17-2009, 09:33 AM

Having read 003's rant on why what will and won't work and why, I feel I may be setting myself up for some hardship.

My 'old' 920 C0 does 200x20 (but at 1,55v) and with a QPI voltage of 1,6v it runs quite fine at 2000MHz ram (4000MHz uncore).
These voltages are of course crazy and only my nifty home made WC setup keeps it running, that's why I wanna try my luck on a D0 chip.

But now it seems I am just plain lucky reaching 2000MHz ram at all! ... I'm now not so sure I should try a D0...

**Renegade5399** · 05-17-2009, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by tijgert

Having read 003's rant on why what will and won't work and why, I feel I may be setting myself up for some hardship.

My 'old' 920 C0 does 200x20 (but at 1,55v) and with a QPI voltage of 1,6v it runs quite fine at 2000MHz ram (4000MHz uncore).
These voltages are of course crazy and only my nifty home made WC setup keeps it running, that's why I wanna try my luck on a D0 chip.

But now it seems I am just plain lucky reaching 2000MHz ram at all! ... I'm now not so sure I should try a D0...

Honestly it all depends on the board and RAM used. I have seen a lot fo D0's hitting 2k RAM no issue. Mine is one of them. I chose the Xeon 3520 and coupled with these Kingstons, I am having no issues with 2k RAM at 7-8-7-20-1T. I also have a nice and low VTT voltage of 1.33-1.34v. The DFI 4/28 BIOS opened up the separate adjustment of the RTL for each RAM channel. This helped things immensely. I really don't think it's luck of the draw on the chips. It's more finding a board that is setup for D0 and Elpida Hyper chips BIOS wise.

**tijgert** · 05-17-2009, 11:52 AM

Pardon my stupidity, why's a Xeon 3520 better than a vanilla 920?
I really dig your ram

My OCZ Reaper will do 2000@8-9-9-30-1T with standard voltage (1,65v) and I just *love* seeing me have 21GB+ Mem read in Everest (I'm like that).
(didn't push it higher yet, just tried lower Cas). Too bad the 7-7-7 Blade sticks were triple the price, or else...
I'm not sure yet what manufacturers chips are on those Reapers and what they like or dislike, but I'll give it a try and see what I can get from it before I "female dog"'n complain

I'm sporting a GA-EX58 Extreme b.t.w. (still F7c bios, F8b seems D0 unfriendly from what I read...)

**Renegade5399** · 05-17-2009, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by tijgert

Pardon my stupidity, why's a Xeon 3520 better than a vanilla 920?
I really dig your ram

My OCZ Reaper will do 2000@8-9-9-30-1T with standard voltage (1,65v) and I just *love* seeing me have 21GB+ Mem read in Everest (I'm like that).
(didn't push it higher yet, just tried lower Cas). Too bad the 7-7-7 Blade sticks were triple the price, or else...
I'm not sure yet what manufacturers chips are on those Reapers and what they like or dislike, but I'll give it a try and see what I can get from it before I "female dog"'n complain

I'm sporting a GA-EX58 Extreme b.t.w. (still F7c bios, F8b seems D0 unfriendly from what I read...)

This may not be true across the board as there ARE in fact some good D0 920's out there. You also have to factor in board/BIOS issues and ever user error. However, from what I have seen, the Xeon is easier to obtain in some cases and they are all D0. Next, they hit higher clocks with less voltage. Finally, this is my own personal experience, they require less VTT/QPI volts to hit 2000MHz RAM with tight timings. Oh and also, correct me if I'm wrong here guys, but I think the Xeon class CPU passes a different sent of QC tests that the "consumer class" 920.

**DMH** · 05-17-2009, 01:09 PM

They have to pass "harder" tests

**tijgert** · 05-17-2009, 01:36 PM

is it the Xeon W3520?

**Renegade5399** · 05-17-2009, 02:37 PM

Correct.

**tijgert** · 05-17-2009, 04:05 PM

Odd... the 920 is just about priced the same as the 3520... too bad the 3520 can't be supplied by anyone over here (Holland). Oh well... 920 it is... for now...

**Brama** · 05-18-2009, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by Renegade5399

All multi's/dividers are unlocked on my 3520. It is the same as my 920 was.

Thanks a lot.
You will find a PM on I4memory.com asking what you already replied here.

You can disregard it.

**Brama** · 05-18-2009, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by tijgert

Odd... the 920 is just about priced the same as the 3520... too bad the 3520 can't be supplied by anyone over here (Holland). Oh well... 920 it is... for now...

If Asus will not provide a new BIOS that unlocks Xeon cpus in max two weeks, I think I will have a Xeon W3520 to sell or a DFI UT X58 to buy.

**eva2000** · 05-18-2009, 09:26 AM

My first i7 920 D0 stepping cpu and bclk wise, it has alot of potential on plain water. Although, vcore wise it's a mixed bag > http://i4memory.com/f80/first-i7-920...results-17703/ heh.

want to see the fastest i7 920 on the planet courtesy of Windows 7 and CPUZ flakiness during Hyper Pi 8x 32M Pi test ? How about 12200Mhz - 61x200bclk LOL

**Chicken Patty** · 05-18-2009, 02:04 PM

200x61, ahha thats nuts. Good job EVA

**Renegade5399** · 05-18-2009, 04:41 PM

Eva, dump that thing and get another one or the Xeon. Those CPU and VTT volts aren't super at all. You've seen what my Xeon does with nice low voltage. What batch is that? It looks like crap.

EDIT: Ok that reads as rude. By crap I mean it doesn't look like the best batch out there. Not knocking your results!

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