Q9450 OC / Temps / Settings

[Telo]

Did you ever try lowering the PLL after you got stable? Because in my case it really seems to have made very little difference. Is PLL dangerous for 45nm?

I've only read of VTT over 1.40v being dangerous for 45nm's. PLL can go from 1.50 to 2.78v on my board, so I look at it as I'm pretty low still. Please correct me if I'm mistaken. As for me trying anything else, I've given up on the P5E3 Premium so I won't touch it unless it is to remove it from my case to return it, which will happen tomorrow. I'll be messing around with my BlackOps from tomorrow on; I'm seriously hoping for some better performance while being able to run my RAM at 1800Mhz and beyond.

[Richard Dower]

Could someone please recommend me some settings i shoud change/look at to get my chip stable at 3.6 plz. I can get my chip stable at 3.55 with 1.35 or so vcore 10hours+ prime just fine. Thinking it could be this motherboard I can boot up into windows with 3.6 but prime can only last for about 5-10min then freeze up.. Temps seem to be fine doesnt matter how high i put the vcore. always stays under 62C. Ive even tried to give cpu 1.435v but still freezes.




Thanks

Zoki, i think you have your voltages WAY too high, especially FSB voltage...you have it maxed out, in fact both FSB and (G)MCH are maximum...dangerous IMO. Try setting FSB to normal or +0.10V and set (G)MCH to +0.200V or +0.225V. (G)MCH seems to be the key for FSB stability.

Vcore, i get 3.4GHz on default 1.2375V....try notching it down more. You're issues may not be Vcore related but moreso FSB stability and feeding the NB enough voltage.

[STEvil]

3.5 @ 1.264v for me so far... x3350 though

440mhz works perfect.
450 cant get into windows even cranking everything.

P5K-DLX Wifi/AP 0603.

[Warboy]

3.5 @ 1.264v for me so far... x3350 though

440mhz works perfect.
450 cant get into windows even cranking everything.

P5K-DLX Wifi/AP 0603.

Have you tried 0812? 0603 doesn't officially support C1 X3350

[STEvil]

Does it give a 400fsb strap setting? My memory is only good up to about 900mhz it seems...

[ZoKi]

Zoki, i think you have your voltages WAY too high, especially FSB voltage...you have it maxed out, in fact both FSB and (G)MCH are maximum...dangerous IMO. Try setting FSB to normal or +0.10V and set (G)MCH to +0.200V or +0.225V. (G)MCH seems to be the key for FSB stability.

Will give this aog dude thanks. But last time i bumped down the MHC and FSB windows will freeze whilst logging in and sometimes even the little green bar scrolling freezes.

Everest says my north bridge is 40C max whilst priming for an hour

[MagicMan]

Increase DRAM volt to 2.20v. I've never seen any DDR2 800MHz stick running at 4-4-4-12 that would require less than 2.00v to stay stable.

That and I think you need to go with 1.51v on your Northbridge. Why? Because 4 sticks of RAM running at 4-4-4-12 is a lot for the Northbridge to take.

Hi there,

Thanks for your help...

I have always run them between 1.8-2.0v and they have always worked fine even with 4-4-4-12 . I have them set to 1.9v in the BIOS, but this boards overvolts so their at 2.0v under windows. The rated voltage is 2.1-2.2v, but i've never needed to run them over 2.0v to have them stable. I've took the NB up to 1.5 and it would still BSOD on me.

It's been a few days now and i have been running without using "Loadline Calibration" and the BSOD's seem to have gone!. With it enabled i would get a BSOD by sometimes just looking at a website or while booting up the system. The BSOD usually happened after i have shut down the computer for awhile then if i turned it back on i would just get the BSOD right away. The NB is set to 1.41v in the BIOS (1.44v).

I'm going to run prime again to make sure everything is stable, but it would appear (well for me) that Loadline Calibration can casue problems with these CPUs. I never had any problems using it on my Q6600.

Thanks for your help guys.

[ZoKi]

Would one recommend to use the Loadline Calibration when overclocking or keep it on disabled?

[Telo]

Would one recommend to use the Loadline Calibration when overclocking or keep it on disabled?

I set mine to Performance.

[jas420221]

Would one recommend to use the Loadline Calibration when overclocking or keep it on disabled?

I set mine to Performance.

It depends on the amount of vdroop and how much its affecting your overclock stability.

[Warboy]

Does it give a 400fsb strap setting? My memory is only good up to about 900mhz it seems...

Yes...

[Kazi]

Hi all,

Just bought the Q9450, P5E3 Premium and some nice Corsair C7 memory.
According to the revision and corsairs IC inquery on their forum, there shoud be micron chips on these 2048 modules. Lucky for me, i hope
Comming weekend i'll be setting up this combination.
Only have to wait for the 64 bit OS to arrive,..

Maybe i gonna need a bit support on tuning the bios.
I'll post back when i have the first results.

grt,


Kazi

[LUCI5R]

Hey Guys,

I'm planning on getting the ASUS P5K-E/Wifi-AP, OCZ 4GB (2X2GB) DDR2 PC2-8000 1000Mhz and I'm not sure which CPU - but I'm leaning the most towards the Q9450.

I have the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler. Given my setup, what kind of OC speeds can I achieve on the Q9450? Do you think I can come close to stable 3.4Ghz-3.5Ghz? Or do I "need" Q6600 for that?

I do a lot of Video Encoding/Decoding so the SSE4 is attracting me, that Q6600 is missing. At the same time, I really don't know how much SSE4 will boost performance over OC'd Q6600 if the Q9450 can't OC too much. I've read some Newegg comments that they couldn't really OC the Q9450 a lot.

Thanks!!

[jas420221]

You can easily reach 3.4-3.5Ghz with that cooler. In most cases the Q9450 clocks better (Q6600=3.4-3.6, Q9450 3.6-03.8Ghz).

90% of newegg comments are just...take them with a grain of salt.

[LUCI5R]

You can easily reach 3.4-3.5Ghz with that cooler. In most cases the Q9450 clocks better (Q6600=3.4-3.6, Q9450 3.6-03.8Ghz).

90% of newegg comments are just...take them with a grain of salt.

AWESOME!!

I just went ahead & Ordered!!! Got the following:

- ASUS P5K-E/Wifi-AP Motherboard
- OCZ Platinum 4GB (2X2GB) DDR2 PC2-8000 1000MHz Dual Channel Kit
- Intel Q9450 CPU

This motherboard, processor & ram is all new for me. I'm replacing my old P5W DH/E6420/2GB 667Mhz with all this. Could you possibly link me to where I can find good BIOS information on OC'ing this CPU?

I can't wait to get all the stuff. Should be here early next week!

Thanks!!!

[jas420221]

This thread has all the info you need... Finding it will be the hard part.

[Telo]

Hey Guys,

I'm planning on getting the ASUS P5K-E/Wifi-AP, OCZ 4GB (2X2GB) DDR2 PC2-8000 1000Mhz and I'm not sure which CPU - but I'm leaning the most towards the Q9450.

I have the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler. Given my setup, what kind of OC speeds can I achieve on the Q9450? Do you think I can come close to stable 3.4Ghz-3.5Ghz? Or do I "need" Q6600 for that?

I do a lot of Video Encoding/Decoding so the SSE4 is attracting me, that Q6600 is missing. At the same time, I really don't know how much SSE4 will boost performance over OC'd Q6600 if the Q9450 can't OC too much. I've read some Newegg comments that they couldn't really OC the Q9450 a lot.

Thanks!!

May I ask why would you go with such an older chipset if there are already two newer chipsets? Granted P35 is a more tried and true chipset, but X38/X48 have a whole lot of more features packed in and they were design specifically with the 45nm CPUs in mind. If the decision was based on price, for a couple of bucks more [about $30-50] you can get a DFI DK-X38 or an ASUS P5E X38. If money was not the cause, then your choices really grow, there are a lot of X48 boards out there. From personal experience, do not get the ASUS P5E3 Premium, I actually received 3 different boards and they all had something wrong with them [one was missing the Express Gate, other one had a flaw/short in the 4th RAM slot, the last one required me to press on the power button 1-4 times to turn on the system which was not too bad just annoying as hell]; not to mention the RAM compatability issues it has at this point in time. Such issues made me give up on it and drop it to get the Foxconn BlackOps, but thats a whole other lengthy story. In any case, good luck with your purchase.

[Telo]

AWESOME!!

I just went ahead & Ordered!!! Got the following:

- ASUS P5K-E/Wifi-AP Motherboard
- OCZ Platinum 4GB (2X2GB) DDR2 PC2-8000 1000MHz Dual Channel Kit
- Intel Q9450 CPU

This motherboard, processor & ram is all new for me. I'm replacing my old P5W DH/E6420/2GB 667Mhz with all this. Could you possibly link me to where I can find good BIOS information on OC'ing this CPU?

I can't wait to get all the stuff. Should be here early next week!

Thanks!!!

For BIOS settings on your board go here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ighlight=p5k-e . As for the Q9450, you're in it.

[LUCI5R]

For BIOS settings on your board go here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ighlight=p5k-e . As for the Q9450, you're in it.

Well quite honestly, although Money was definately a factor - I wanted to stay around $150 +/-, I did actually have a couple of threads running in this very forum where I wanted suggestions on a motherboard most suited for me. For the most part, everyone told me the only reason to go for an X38 would be to CrossFire, and if I didn't want to CrossFire, there were members here who said their P35's outperformed X38's. X48 quite honestly was always out of my budget. So this really was the basis of my decision. In fact, reading threads upon threads, yours is the first post which is telling me to have considered X38 over the P35.

Hopefully I should make out fine. Let me take a look at that BIOS link!

Thanks!

[jas420221]

May I ask why would you go with such an older chipset if there are already two newer chipsets? Granted P35 is a more tried and true chipset, but X38/X48 have a whole lot of more features packed in and they were design specifically with the 45nm CPUs in mind. If the decision was based on price, for a couple of bucks more [about $30-50] you can get a DFI DK-X38 or an ASUS P5E X38. If money was not the cause, then your choices really grow, there are a lot of X48 boards out there. From personal experience, do not get the ASUS P5E3 Premium, I actually received 3 different boards and they all had something wrong with them [one was missing the Express Gate, other one had a flaw/short in the 4th RAM slot, the last one required me to press on the power button 1-4 times to turn on the system which was not too bad just annoying as hell]; not to mention the RAM compatability issues it has at this point in time. Such issues made me give up on it and drop it to get the Foxconn BlackOps, but thats a whole other lengthy story. In any case, good luck with your purchase.

I second this line of thinking. For some reason, I thought the mobo he chose was X38.

[Telo]

Well quite honestly, although Money was definately a factor - I wanted to stay around $150 +/-, I did actually have a couple of threads running in this very forum where I wanted suggestions on a motherboard most suited for me. For the most part, everyone told me the only reason to go for an X38 would be to CrossFire, and if I didn't want to CrossFire, there were members here who said their P35's outperformed X38's. X48 quite honestly was always out of my budget. So this really was the basis of my decision. In fact, reading threads upon threads, yours is the first post which is telling me to have considered X38 over the P35.

Hopefully I should make out fine. Let me take a look at that BIOS link!

Thanks!

P35 only outperforms the X38/48 in the sense that it can reach higher OC levels [at this point in time]; but you have to keep in mind that the OC'ing surface of the X38/48 has only been scratched so far. But if $$$ was a factor then higher OC is not what you are looking for because for you to really dive into higher OC'ing you need a solution better than your air cooling, which costs a hell of a lot more. But from what I read, heard, and know the X38/48 platform can provide you with more settings [BIOS wise] to fine tune your quad core OC.

With all that said, you have to look at what your purchase was based on [your need + budget], and looks like a good combo. My point of view is this, when I go out to build new PCs, I try to buld them in a way that I can have an "up to date" system for at least 3 years. Meaning, I don't really have the need to make a major upgrade. Although, right now with Nehalem or whatever it is call is just around the corner [sort of speak], it is inevitable [in my case] not to build a PC around the end of 2009 to begining of 2010.

[LUCI5R]

With all that said, you have to look at what your purchase was based on [your need + budget], and looks like a good combo

Exactly! Actually that was my line of thinking. No doubts, I didn't have a large budget in mind. I did want to get a higher end chip, especially SSE4, and the affordable Q9300 lacked everything else, so quite honestly I went slightly over my $500 budget to get the Q9450. I could have bought Q6600 and an X38/X48 board, but like you stated, for my "need + budget", (at least I hope) I made a good combo.

I'm a mediocre OC'er, definately not the higher-end ones. I'm coming from an E6420 OC'd to 2.88Ghz where I hit a wall with my motherboard/ram setup. So you can imagine the move to P35/Q9450 is a big one.

I usually build & maintain rigs for 2 years. I built this PC on the P5W in June of '06, exactly two years ago. And while I had a small, $500 budget, I did desire an upgrade (especially to boost my video encoding/decoding). I'm quite positive by early 2010, I'll be looking to upgrade - at that time I'll look at whatever's next - P45/X48 - and go into Nehalem, or even Sandy Bridge for that matter. For now, I think if I can hit 3.2Ghz+ Stable using my P35/PC2-8000/Q9450, and with the addition of SSE4, I think I should be able to get my money's worth!!

Thanks!

[LUCI5R]

Quick Question: Once I get everything in, I'll start OC'ing. What's the best tools to check system stability - OCCT & Prime95? Anything else?

Also - Is there somewhere I can find out what Temperature Limits I should stay within on Load? I'm assuming Real Temp is the application to use for monitoring temperatures.

Thanks!

[jas420221]

Quick Question: Once I get everything in, I'll start OC'ing. What's the best tools to check system stability - OCCT & Prime95? Anything else?

Also - Is there somewhere I can find out what Temperature Limits I should stay within on Load? I'm assuming Real Temp is the application to use for monitoring temperatures.

Thanks!

Yes, P95 will do just fine. You should also have CPUz to confirm CPU voltage and other settings. Realtemp is the best program out for 45nm temp monitoring.

Temp limits I would stay between 60-65C on P95 Small FFTs. That is THE absolutel hottest your PC will get. If you dont fold, then while gaming or encoding you should be between 50-55C.

[LUCI5R]

Yes, P95 will do just fine. You should also have CPUz to confirm CPU voltage and other settings. Realtemp is the best program out for 45nm temp monitoring.

Temp limits I would stay between 60-65C on P95 Small FFTs. That is THE absolutel hottest your PC will get. If you dont fold, then while gaming or encoding you should be between 50-55C.

Awesome! I'll keep the temps in mind and get all the other software for stress testing.

Thanks!