Official MSI P7N Diamond (780i) Discussion/Review/Overclock/Guide/BIOS Thread

[theYipster]

Hi all,

First and foremost, I have a big win to report. I believe I've obtained the first successful non-extreme Kentsfield Quad bench above 4.0ghz on the P7N Diamond. It can be done



The processor is a watercooled Q6600 G0 Batch L737B277 with a VID of 1.2375. The chipset is using the standard circupipe cooling, but I did buy an Antec Spot Cool to blow air over the NB. It seems to be doing a reasonable job.

Here are my OC settings and voltages:

Beta BIOS 1.1B4
Proc: 4.05ghz (450 x 9)
FSB: 1800 (450 x 4)
RAM: 900 (450 x 2)
RAM Timings: 5-5-5-15-2T (sub-timings on auto)

vCore: Max set in BIOS (haven't benched lower, but it may be possible.)
vDimm: 2.1
NB: 1.55
SB: 1.65
Gtl REF: 65
FSB Term: 35

all other voltages on auto.

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Second, and less spectacularly, I'm still having a bit of trouble stabilizing at 3.6ghz. I've cornered it down to the same thing every time. The computer will eventually freeze (not blue screen or reboot, but freeze) at around 10 minutes of Prime 95 or between 2 and 5 minutes of OCCT (RAM stress.)

My current settings for 3.6ghz stable are as follows:

Beta BIOS 1.1B4
Proc: 3.6ghz (400 x 9)
FSB: 1600 (400 x 4)
RAM: 800 (400 x 2)
RAM Timings: 5-4-4-13-2T (default EPP timings)

vCore: 1.4375 (+2.000v set in BIOS)
vDimm: 2.1
NB: 1.4
SB: 1.55
Gtl REF: 65
FSB Term: 35

My guess is that the issue lies with the NB or SB, with RAM being the third option. I don't think it's the processor, based upon VID, batch, and the type of errors I'm getting (freezes, nothing else.)

I'm learning more about how NB and SB voltages effect the system, as well as how all of the reference, gtl, and terminator voltages interact (MSI's odd BIOS settings make this all the more difficult.) However, I'm still guessing at places, and without the ability to pinpoint a single voltage that's causing the freezing, it's becoming a bit tiresome. I've tried upping NB to 1.45 and SB 1.6 but can't seem to prevent the freezing. Perhaps its a combination of the two, or perhaps my FSB Terminator voltage is off. If anyone has any ideas on what could be causing this freezing, that would be great going forward.

Seeing that I can bench at 4.05ghz, I should be able to find stability at 3.6ghz. It's just a matter of time, and as always, further explanation of MSI's unique voltage settings always helps

Thanks everyone!