Core i7/X58 Overclocking Thread

[dejanh]

I'm always trying to think up new ideas and features for RealTemp so how about this one?

Intel designs the Core i7 to start to thermal throttle at about 98C which should keep the temperature below 100C as long as things aren't too crazy. This works fine at default clocks with default core voltage but when you're running a healthy overclock, 100C is just too damn hot. You'll usually lose stability and crash before this temperature.

How about a feature that let's a user choose the maximum temperature they'd like their CPU to run at. RealTemp could automatically adjust the thermal throttle for you and slow your CPU down when necessary to keep your temps at a maximum of 90C or whatever number you like and then automatically go back to full speed as soon as the temperature allows.

This way when you come up with an overclock that you are happy with, you won't have to adjust it at all for 24/7 use. If the sun comes out or some tiny thing changes, you'll still be OK. You'll be in complete control of the maximum temperature your CPU hits.

Open up the Settings window in RealTemp and you can play around with the thermal throttle by making adjustments in the Clock Modulation section while running Prime Small FFTs. It manually gives you complete control over your maximum temperature. I think if I modified this feature so it was automatic, it could be very useful especially for guys trying to run a Core i7 with air cooling. Any thoughts? Is this idea or

Um, well...two things...

I am using RealTemp now (version 2.90, latest update) and my thermal throttling starts way before 98C. In fact, my throttling starts at about 85C - 87C, at least according to RealTemp as it is reporting that temperature when throttling starts to happen. How come? Where did you get this 98C figure?

In terms of RealTemp being able to cause the CPU to throttle, good idea, as long as the temps are correct

[unclewebb]

In fact, my throttling starts at about 85C - 87C, at least according to RealTemp as it is reporting that temperature when throttling starts to happen.

Does RealTemp show you are throttling at those temperatures? Can you post a screen shot of that?

If the Thermal Status area of RealTemp is reporting OK then your CPU hasn't been throttling.

The Core 2 CPUs throttled when Distance to TJMax was about 2 or about 98C. I've seen one or two Core i7 screen shots that seemed to show the same thing but I haven't personally run a Core i7 up to that temperature.

Edit: Here's a pic from a few pages ago of SteveRo's CPU hitting 97C without setting the thermal throttle off.
The Thermal Status section of RealTemp reads the bit within these CPUs that keeps track of any thermal throttling episodes.



Not to get too off topic here. If you're interested in testing out Automatic throttling then send me a PM and I'll get to work on it. Should be very easy to code.

[Cooperdale]

Up your volts by just one notch (approx. 0.006V) and then try. Your clocks are not exactly the same and yes, before you say "but it's only 8MHz" it is 8MHz, and with these chips it can make a world of difference. Also, different multiplier combinations with different BCLK values require different voltages. On the i7 920 and i7 940 higher BCLK with lower multiplier though usually means slightly lower voltages. Maybe it is not always the case though.

Anyway, just try upping it by one, max two notches. Also, you got the XE chip and it overclocks the best on the R2E board, not the P6T-Deluxe. Why did you go for that board with an XE chip?

Well, I just aim for 4Ghz, I don't want to do extreme oc, since I'm on air. So I thought the P6T would be fine. Moreover, I have 8 Sata drives and the R2E only has 7 connectors, didn't want to bother with addon cards.

But I didn't know there would be big differences. What's the advantage of R2E in particular? Lower voltages?

Oh and anyway, what are the suggested QPI voltages? Is there an absolute upper limit, or would say 1.4V be fine?

[dejanh]

Does RealTemp show you are throttling at those temperatures? Can you post a screen shot of that?

If the Thermal Status area of RealTemp is reporting OK then your CPU hasn't been throttling.

The Core 2 CPUs throttled when Distance to TJMax was about 2 or about 98C. I've seen one or two Core i7 screen shots that seemed to show the same thing but I haven't personally run a Core i7 up to that temperature.

Edit: Here's a pic from a few pages ago of SteveRo's CPU hitting 97C without setting the thermal throttle off.
The Thermal Status section of RealTemp reads the bit within these CPUs that keeps track of any thermal throttling episodes.



Not to get too off topic here. If you're interested in testing out Automatic throttling then send me a PM and I'll get to work on it. Should be very easy to code.

RealTemp is reporting OK, but the CPU is definitly throttling. I found out this morning while doing some more testing on my 4.14GHz OC. As soon as temps hit around 85C-ish the multiplier started to drop (reported by CPU-Z). I am pretty sure I can get a before and after screenshot for you so you can see it.

Give me a few minutes, I'll try to get you the screens...