Phenom 9500 w/ MSI K9A2 Platinum

[Daveburt714]

I've come to the conclusion that AOD doesn't play all that well 64 Bit Vista...
Neither does CPU-Z

This may be old news, but if you set CPU Vid to 24 in p-states, it will boot up at 1.25v's everytime

28 = 1.20v
26 = 1.225v
24 = 1.25v

[KTE]

KTE are these first generation boards sufficient enough for quad core overclocking? In other words what kind of board taxing do you have to put on it to overclock quad cores?

Looking at the MSI/GBT/DFI/ASUS boards, I have mixed opinions.
The MSI CF versions isn't suitable for quads and oc'ing them yet IMO.
The M3A, I'm not sure about yet. Looking at justaposts' progress.
The rest look all fine to me apart from BIOS problems.

We need guys to measure MOSFET temps on their boards under full load at 1.4-ish VCore. That would help.
Measuring Vdroop and Vdrop at the inductor/MOSFET/SUper I/O would also help.
We also need guys to test stability at above 2.4GHz, like folding or a 48 hour stability run. That would also speak volumes.

My board always boots with CPU Vid @ 1.2... I guess I could try and play with it in p-states to try and force it to 1.25.

Usually this is a performance power state thing. If you leave everything on auto and stock, does it still boot 1.20VID?

Thx, only checked CPU-Z, so i did not realize the ref HT drop.
There is a msr register 0xc0010071. Bit 63:59 are the MaxNbFid. In my case 5 means 1800MHz max.

The HT ref. hasn't actually dropped, that's what I'm saying.
However, what has happened is, the CPU clock has stayed the same, the HT clock has stayed the same, the RAM clock has stayed the same and the NB clock is running at 9x.

This is a known occurrence with Phenom 9500/9600 that I've tested and all ones I've seen from others. Higher than 9x multi is no change although it causes software to start reading as though its downlocked and higher than stock multi is also a no change. That's typically because they are locked.

I've come to the conclusion that AOD doesn't play all that well 64 Bit Vista...
Neither does CPU-Z

I always stay clear of Vista 64-bit and 32-bit for testing new boards, new CPUs, new BIOSes, new apps. Because they all have patchy or bad support for it until much later and you never realize where the problem lies then. It's confusing.

This may be old news, but if you set CPU Vid to 24 in p-states, it will boot up at 1.25v's everytime

28 = 1.20v
26 = 1.225v
24 = 1.25v

Looks correct to me, IF you're in a low performance power state (low NB clock will do this). Experiementation is good, don't ya think?

Have you tried going lower than 24? Does it boot? What VID does it give you?

So far I've seen it's locked at 1.25VID max.

[Blacklash]

AoD is hit and miss with Vista x64. Changing voltages seems to be fine if you do them one at a time and altering CPU HT is a crap shoot. Attempting to load a profile via AOD = freeze every time for me. Vista x64 overclocks fine on my two Intel rigs, and I love it's sound stack and other features. I won't be giving it up to make an extra 200MHz on this CPU.

[KTE]

Yeah, Veezta s/w support.
I quit using Vista for new systems. I do use it, but only after everything is working perfectly fine on an XP setup. The same with Linux actually.

I never load profiles. A random change as such requiring large PLL clock changes is usually very iffy causing freezes. I tend to just do it one at a time so I know where the problem arises since Phenom is quite "weird" to get use dto in the first place.

[KTE]

Guys, check this out in an official review (trustworthy).

I spotted something odd in CB10 review by Xbit-Labs. I've seen many oddities in a few reviews around, but not the time to spend on them nor discussing them but I'll point this out briefly. All NB, RAM, HT frequencies remain the same below, only the CPU speed/multi changed for higher speeds. Thus, pure CPU MHz scaling theoretically (attached image).

From 2.2GHz to 2.6GHz, 400MHz increase there is a 1087 CB difference.
From 2.6GHz to 3.0GHz, 400MHz increase, there is a 1480 CB difference.



Is this what Gary of AnandTech and the rest of the reviewers talked about with needing plus 2.8GHz Phenom to do well?

To put it clearer;

From 2.2->2.6GHz, there's a +18.18% clock change.
And from 7114->8201 CB, there's a +15.28% performance change.

BUT

From 2.6GHz->3.0GHz, there's a +15.38% clock change.
And from 8201->9681, there's a +18.05% performance change.

Which is obviously above what is usually possible, i.e., above 100% clock scaling. Don't know which numbers I can trust here, but I'll see what I can get with my BE and if those numbers are correct. I can verify the 9500, 9600, 9700, 9900 numbers are correct though from my own runs (although I had higher NB speed/HT).

[KTE]

My last 9500 could be overclocked and undervolted/underpowered for lower power/temps.
This is max I had stable at CPU 1.20VID 1.192V, NB 1.1VID 2398CPU 1962HT 1962NB (stock CPU 1.25VID 1.232V, NB 1.1VID 2200CPU 1800HT 1800NB).

.

[Daveburt714]

Thats pretty impressive to me KTE!!

I really think my cores get weak around 2.5, of course there are so many other things going on it keeps you guessing!!

I'm not sure the unlocked multi would help, Kinda like buying a 6400 BE... Yeah it has an Unlocked Multi, but it's probably already topped out!!

I hope I'm wrong though!~

[KeZzZu]

My last 9500 could be overclocked and undervolted/underpowered for lower power/temps.
This is max I had stable at CPU 1.20VID 1.192V, NB 1.1VID 2398CPU 1962HT 1962NB (stock CPU 1.25VID 1.232V, NB 1.1VID 2200CPU 1800HT 1800NB).

.

hmm could you send "the" bios? didnt get any change with 113 well got wc kit ready for later testing today :P

[KTE]

Sorry had a car crash approx. 7 hours ago and just got out of hospital. I don't have a PC with me so BIOS/BE OC results will have to wait until I can get back home (a few hours off) after I can get a car now. Was borrowing a friends and got hit by a lorry on the highway/motorway which is a total wreck now. Gack, more payments!

Dave: BE is most attractive because you can change the CPU VID, NB VID, NB FID, CPU FID, which bypasses tons of problems we have when oc'ing a locked Phenom. The VIDs are especially very good for theoretically higher clocks.

Also, 9600 BE is in very low stocks througout the world. Retail availability is going to be low for this month. I'm telling you this in advance.

[Swanie]

Sorry t hear of your accident. Hope you get better quickly KTE

[Lightman]

Sorry had a car crash approx. 7 hours ago and just got out of hospital. I don't have a PC with me so BIOS/BE OC results will have to wait until I can get back home (a few hours off) after I can get a car now. Was borrowing a friends and got hit by a lorry on the highway/motorway which is a total wreck now. Gack, more payments!

Dave: BE is most attractive because you can change the CPU VID, NB VID, NB FID, CPU FID, which bypasses tons of problems we have when oc'ing a locked Phenom. The VIDs are especially very good for theoretically higher clocks.

Also, 9600 BE is in very low stocks througout the world. Retail availability is going to be low for this month. I'm telling you this in advance.

Sorry to her about your accident!
I'm glad you're OK

I totaled my previous Zafira crashing into lorry as well

In which country you were driving?

Back on topic:
I'm tempted by this 9600BE...
I need some sleep and then will make decision

[KTE]

Don't worry, but thanks.

I'm fine, just a little knock here and there. Car is a wreck, ~45mph lorry and I was accelerating at ~55mph at crash. I'm in the UK right now and it's known as "a right-off" here.
A and B pillars are both destroyed, front bonnet, bumper, windscreen axles all busted. Lorry hit me from the left side, punk was dreaming on his :banana::banana::banana::banana: mag at the wheel. I could swear I saw him drooling.

BUT, I get a claim you see. His fault, totally and I'm a registered trader anyway. Just need a car to get back home. BTW, Phenom BE was and still is in the trunk of that crashed vehicle.

[justapost]

Sorry had a car crash approx. 7 hours ago and just got out of hospital. I don't have a PC with me so BIOS/BE OC results will have to wait until I can get back home (a few hours off) after I can get a car now. Was borrowing a friends and got hit by a lorry on the highway/motorway which is a total wreck now. Gack, more payments!

Sounds like blessing in disguise, getting out a hospital so fast, hope ur ok now.

Dave: BE is most attractive because you can change the CPU VID, NB VID, NB FID, CPU FID, which bypasses tons of problems we have when oc'ing a locked Phenom. The VIDs are especially very good for theoretically higher clocks.

Good to see all those are unlocked.

[KTE]

Yep, got away very lightly thankfully. Thanks.

[jonspd]

Thanks for all the info I'm sure it will come in handy soon for me.

But my head hurts know I have to read 22 pages again and again and again


I will probably post my plat and 9600BE results at OCforums...

[aGeoM]

Yep, got away very lightly thankfully. Thanks.

Nice to know you are OK.
Hope for your life came back to normal soon.

[Manicdan]

@KTE, think i should get this board to OC my 5000BE? or do you think their is something else better that also works and wont blow up. o and i feel slightly responsible for your accident as i had just tried comparing a cpu to a car, and you end up crashing the wrong rig.

[linhvndiy]

Yep, got away very lightly thankfully. Thanks.

Nice to hear you are OK. Take care.

[Brother Esau]

@KTE.......You get home yet and crank up that 9600 BE?

[JumpingJack]

Don't worry, but thanks.

I'm fine, just a little knock here and there. Car is a wreck, ~45mph lorry and I was accelerating at ~55mph at crash. I'm in the UK right now and it's known as "a right-off" here.

Thank goodness you are alright!!

Looky what I have got:

[KTE]

Manicdan: The board works perfect with 5000 BE. I had tried one with it before (links around). Gigabyte 790FX boards are very good for X2 as well, kinda your own choice what you'd like to buy.

Jack: You've bought that system?

Nope, not home yet. Need a car.

Thanks.

[JumpingJack]

Manicdan: The board works perfect with 5000 BE. I had tried one with it before (links around). Gigabyte 790FX boards are very good for X2 as well, kinda your own choice what you'd like to buy.

Jack: You've bought that system?

Nope, not home yet. Need a car.

Thanks.

Yeah, shipped today.

BTW -- do you have any more info on the memory voltage and this CPU?
http://www.lostcircuits.com/cpu/amd_phenom/22.shtml

One thing that is clear, though is that there is quite a bit of performance to be gained by running the memory at 1066 MHz frequency. However, there is a caveat in that AMD disallows any DDR2 supply voltages above 2.0V. We tried 2.2V and it lasted for about 3 days after which the CPU was dead. We tried some more and had more dead CPUs (courtesy of some of our anonymous contributors).

This agrees with some reports we have seen here.

[KTE]

Nice. Post the OC results of the 9600 BE when you can.

I've got a Q6600 G0 here that I may compare sooner or later... depending on if the BE is not a dud oc'er, i.e. reaches above what my 9500/9600 could reach. Already have E6750, 5000 BE, 9500 controlled test results to go along with them.

Report: Is not correct, especially stating 2.0V, that's a little too low to be precautios about. AFAIK, a very small minority of Phenoms have had this problem and it's been when you leave VCore very low and increase DRAM voltage to high. Still, we've had little to no information or confirmation from those users when asked to explain, so we can't base much off it. I've ran 2.2V and others have ran 2.4-2.1V ever since we bought Phenom (2 months in my case), and I've even ran 2.4V for 2 days and 2.9V for 30 odd minutes (some screenhots in the other "high Phenom voltage" thread). I know Sami runs 2.2V-2.3V regular with Phenoms too. There's no way I can say 2.2V has any issues with Phenom. About higher than that, I'm not too sure based on what a few have said (dead CPU) but I've certainly had no problems with 3 different Phenoms that I've tried so far. I'll post 9600 BE running at DDR2 >1066 2.2/2.3/2.4V soon. If BE can go higher on HT ref., I'll try for >2.4V and some CAS3 CAS4 at high clocks.

[JumpingJack]

Nice. Post the OC results of the 9600 BE when you can.

I've got a Q6600 G0 here that I may compare sooner or later... depending on if the BE is not a dud oc'er, i.e. reaches above what my 9500/9600 could reach. Already have E6750, 5000 BE, 9500 controlled test results to go along with them.

.... well, if you notice there is also a 5000+ in that invoice, with this 'toy purchase', I now have unlocked dual and quad cores from both Intel and AMD

Phenom 9600 BE
5000+ BE
QX6700
X6800

This should make for some fun comparitive runs.

[KTE]

Yep.

Apart from the CPU price range.

My old B3 QX6700 was a dud oc'r with high end chilled water (3.3GHz top stable w/ EVGA 680i) and yet cost 5x 9600 BE's worth. Same price as what QX9650 is now, although this is a much better oc'er.