conroes degrading?

[justin_c]

hmm, exactly what i am experiencing...

was running 3.6 ghz orthos stable at 1.53V. then, after pumping 1.63 in for 3.7 ghz, i decided to drop back to the 1033 strap (3.6 ghz). now i cant run f@h 24/7 at 1.53v, 3.6 ghz as mentioned. i must set 1.625 to get 1.55 vcore always.

therefore, in the first week, it could run 3.6 ghz orthos stable. 1.53 v
ran that for 2 weeks, then moved up to 3.7, then moved back.
just a week ago, it kept on restarting (i have f@h as service, both cores). i thought it was vcore, so i bumped it up. now it works fine, just last night. im wondering if its the board.... i have decent air cooling: TT BT with 110 cfm and some exhaust fans. i highly DOUBT that its the cpu degrading.

[SPL15]

Exactly. 1.3525v is the stated limit of the chip. Running 1.65v through it and expecting no repercussions is rather short-sighted.

Personally, I need my system to last so I shy away from extreme voltages.

1.45v is Intel's specified maximum voltage in their white papers I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. The 1.3525 is the maximum that they will program a chip to run at.

I've had the EXACT same issues described to a T in this thread.

Thought it was my memory, Bought another set same issues.. Now running 4GB's no problems. Wasnt memory.

Thought it was CPU, rigged up MachI for some temporary testing and brought CPU down to -23C.. Same instability at same OC.

Added better MCH cooling, problem "reduced"

Added Vmch mod, Problem "reduced"

I'll save ya the sob story about how I could run 3.850Ghz all day long running F@H 24/7 etc. I'm now down to 3.7 Ghz and it hasnt gone worse after I added the MCH mods after about 2 weeks. I had "reduced" because I still cant run 3.85 stable any longer.

In my case, the degradation happened in the time span of 4 weeks.

Oh ya, my Vcore never was above 1.43Volts actual measured with calibrated fluke DMM I use for work.

In my case, I think my problem is a weak northbridge on my XBX2. Dont listen to the people who say you dont need better cooling on the chipset... YOU NEED IT!!

[fgw]

1.45v is Intel's specified maximum voltage in their white papers I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. The 1.3525 is the maximum that they will program a chip to run at.

intel released an updated datasheet for C2D's in january. current specs are as follows:

Intel Core 2 Duo Desktop Processor E6000 Sequence – Datasheet
http://developer.intel.com/design/pr...hts/313278.htm

2.6.1 Absolute Maximum and Minimum Ratings

Table 4 specifies absolute maximum and minimum ratings only and lie outside the functional limits of the processor. Within functional operation limits, functionality and long-term reliability can be expected.
At conditions outside functional operation condition limits, but within absolute maximum and minimum ratings, neither functionality nor long-term reliability can be expected. If a device is returned to conditions within functional operation limits after having been subjected to conditions outside these limits, but within the absolute maximum and minimum ratings, the device may be functional, but with its lifetime degraded depending on exposure to conditions exceeding the functional operation condition limits.
At conditions exceeding absolute maximum and minimum ratings, neither functionality nor long-term reliability can be expected. Moreover, if a device is subjected to these conditions for any length of time then, when returned to conditions within the functional operating condition limits, it will either not function, or its reliability will be severely degraded.
Although the processor contains protective circuitry to resist damage from static electric discharge, precautions should always be taken to avoid high static voltages or electric fields.

Table 4. Absolute Maximum and Minimum Ratings
VCC (Core voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.55V (Min/Max)
VTT (FSB termination voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.55V (Min/Max)

Notes:
For functional operation, all processor electrical, signal quality, mechanical and thermal specifications must be satisfied.
Excessive overshoot or undershoot on any signal will likely result in permanent damage to the processor.

2.6.2 DC Voltage and Current Specification

Table 5. Voltage and Current Specifications
VID (Range of VID) 0.8500V / - / 1.5V (Min/Typ/Max)
VCC (Supply Voltage) - / - / 1.5V (Min/Typ/Max)
VTT (FSB termination voltage) 1.14V / 1.20V / 1.26V (Min/Typ/Max)

Notes:
Adherence to the voltage specifications for the processor are required to ensure reliable processor operation.
Each processor is programmed with a maximum valid voltage identification value (VID), which is set at manufacturing and can not be altered. Individual maximum VID values are calibrated during manufacturing such that two processors at the same frequency may have different settings within the VID range.



Intel 965 Express Chipset Family - Datasheet
http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets...hts/313053.htm


11.1 Absolute Minimum and Maximum Ratings

Table 10-1. Absolute Minimum and Maximum Ratings
VCC (1.5 V Core voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.375V (Min/Max)
VTT (System Bus Input Voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.32V (Min/Max)

11.3.1 I/O Buffer Supply Voltage

Table 11.4 I/O Buffer Supply Voltage
VCC (MCH Core Supply Voltage) 1.188V / 1.25V / 1.313V (Min/Typ/Max)
VTT (System Bus Input Supply Voltage) 1.14V / 1.20V / 1.26V (Min/Typ/Max)



Intel 975X Express Chipset MCH - Datasheet
http://developer.intel.com/design/ch...hts/310158.htm

10.1 Absolute Minimum and Maximum Ratings

Table 10-1. Absolute Minimum and Maximum Ratings
VCC (1.5 V Core voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.65V (Min/Max)
VTT (System Bus Input Voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.65V (Min/Max)

10.4 DC Characteristics

Table 10-5. DC Characteristics
VCC (MCH Core Supply Voltage) 1.425V / 1.50V / 1.575V (Min/Typ/Max)
VTT (System Bus Input Supply Voltage) 1.14V / 1.20V / 1.26V (Min/Typ/Max)


the notes for absolute minimum and maximum ratings on top of this post, holds true for chipset voltages also!

[nn_step]

umm those are the limits if you want it to outlive the warranty