Quick E8400 voltage question.. Too much?

[unclewebb]

I think everyone pushing these new chips with Conroe type voltages needs to read the Intel datasheet very carefully. Max voltage is defined as 1.45 volts which Intel states is outside the functional limits of the processor. When outside the functional limits, neither functionality nor long-term reliability can be expected.

The Max for the 65nm Conroe processors was 1.55 volts but they seemed more tolerant of a little bit of excessive voltage. The jury is still out for the 45nm. People might need to keep them at 1.40 volts under full load for long term reliability.

Also avoid the AUTO setting for core voltage in the bios. I know my P5B Dlx gets very generous, over 1.60 volts, when overclocking if the board is set on AUTO. That might fry up a 45nm chip pretty quick.

http://download.intel.com/design/pro...s/31873201.pdf

2.6 Voltage and Current Specification

2.6.1 Absolute Maximum and Minimum Ratings

Table 3 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.