Safe NB voltage for 24/7 use on X48

[soapman72]

I have a P5E3 premium, and need opinions on what the maximum safe voltage that I can use for the northbridge on a continuous basis. I do have a bank of 3 45mm fans strapped to the stock NB heatsink, but I am slightly nervous that I am running 1.57v to the NB to keep the system stable during gaming. I am prime stable with slightly less voltage, and have not really played with the NB GTL ref voltage, but I am certain that when I reduce the VNb the system gets unstable.

For reference, I am running an E8400 at 3.8ghz (450x8.5), and have 4gb (2x2gb) OCZ reapers running 8-8-8 timigs. I am running the a PL of 7, and the clock twister on STRONG. I really don't want to back off of any of these settings if this voltage is safe, and in fact, I would like to try my luck at getting the CPU to run at 4.0 using the 9X multiplier, but my brief tests suggest that upping the multi will require a bump in NBv to 1.59v or 1.61v

P5E3 Premiums don't report chipset temps, but the motherboard temp gets as high as 47 to 49c while gaming in a hot room. What do you guys think? the system runs very well now, and is very stable, but like most of us, the temptation to squeeze a little bit more out of the system is definately there.

Thanks guys!

[zsamz_]

1.6 is safe after 1.7 is danger zone

[soapman72]

Thanks for the reply.

Anyone else?

I don't want to sound like I am dismissing this answer, but I am wondering if running 1.61-1.63v will be asking for trouble. I know that there are risks involved when overclocking, but I would like to hear about what kind of VNB people are running for extended periods of time without MOBO failures. This board is supposed to be fairly durable, but RMA's are such a pain in the..... well, you know.

Thanks!

[zsamz_]

runnin 1.6 on x38 so should be fine with x48 lol

[loonym]

Fans are great but as you have said the room temp is hot. Can you do anything about that? I don't have any issue with using slightly elevated voltages as long as I can bring some cool air into the system.

[soapman72]

Well,


Call me cheap, but in Las Vegas you can spend almost as much as you want on electricity. In the summer, I will let the office where the computer is located reach 84-85F, but I won't be gaming when it is that warm in there. If I am spending extended periods of time gaming, or doing anything that is CPU intensive, it will be a few degrees cooler, just because I can't stand the room that warm. I guess, if it is stable under those conditions, the rest of the year when it is much cooler, there won't be any issues.

[soapman72]

Anyone else?

[Sectorz]

I flag this, If I understang, we can put 1.6V for 24/7 without have any chance to fail the board ?

[mad_skills]

1.6 is safe after 1.7 is danger zone

Is this the same with the P35 chipset as well?

[mach82]

Is this the same with the P35 chipset as well?

the default voltage for P35 is 1.25V - pretty much the same as for C2D conroe. Is 1.6V considered safe for C2D? The answer is no. Is it safe for P35 then? If you toast your mobo, then it will also mean no. Wanna be a guinea pig?

In my opinion, stay below 1.5V 24/7.

[soapman72]

the default voltage for P35 is 1.25V - pretty much the same as for C2D conroe. Is 1.6V considered safe for C2D? The answer is no. Is it safe for P35 then? If you toast your mobo, then it will also mean no. Wanna be a guinea pig?

In my opinion, stay below 1.5V 24/7.

So,


you say stay below 1.5v on the X48 for 24/7? I understand why you would compare the NB to a C2D, but it is my understanding that the X38, X48, and P35 are all built using a 90nm process. I'd hate to fry the board due to too high voltage, but If I can't run 4gb memory at 1800mhz (which requires 1.57v to 1.61v depending on which CPU Multiplier I use), then I will be really annoyed. I mean, we pay close to $400 for a board that is supposed to support 2 dimms at 1800 or even 200mhz according to my owners manual.......gotta love it when manufacturers mis-lead us.


Ok, Enough ranting, but I have had 3 P5E3 premium boards, and all 3 required between 1.49V and 1,51v to run 4gb at 1600mhz and I have only had 1800mhz memory on this last board, but I know I cant get away with less VNB unless I ran looser than stock timings, PL, Clock twister, Etc.