Core i7/X58 Overclocking Thread

[The-Fox]

Amazing Ram speeds eva
BTW, did you notice any difficulties running high ram speeds at high CPU speeds ?
When I had my i920 running on DryIce, I couldn't run high ram speeds above ~4520 Mhz.
I ran 221x21 with memory multi 6 with no problem but same cpu settings and memory multi 8 would fail in about 214-215 bclk.
I know the memory can do it as I ran 221bclk x19 and dram multi x8 with no problems.
I didn't try raising the vdimm, though I doubt it will help.
I probably got a weak IMC.

[liftedcj7on44s]

does anybody know what the default QPI voltage is?

[eva2000]

Yeah currently running CAS 7-6-6-15 at 210 BCLK 8x mem divider, works a treat

nice

Amazing Ram speeds eva
BTW, did you notice any difficulties running high ram speeds at high CPU speeds ?
When I had my i920 running on DryIce, I couldn't run high ram speeds above ~4520 Mhz.
I ran 221x21 with memory multi 6 with no problem but same cpu settings and memory multi 8 would fail in about 214-215 bclk.
I know the memory can do it as I ran 221bclk x19 and dram multi x8 with no problems.
I didn't try raising the vdimm, though I doubt it will help.
I probably got a weak IMC.

woah you ran mem at 221x6 = DDR3-2652 and 221x8 = DDR3-3536 or you mean 3x and 4x mem multipliers ?

Haven't tried much on 8x mem multiplier but tried 6x mem with same 3x1GB HCF0 sticks and

max on 5x mem multiplier i got was 1096mhz 9-9-9-24 for DDR3-2191Mhz 32M pi stable at 1.965v

max on 6x mem multiplier i got was 1049mhz 9-9-9-24 for DDR3-2098Mhz at 1.965v

So could be higher mem multiplier harder to IMC/system ??

[The-Fox]

does anybody know what the default QPI voltage is?

It depends on the QPI speed, but the range is 1.15v-1.375v according to Intel spec.
If you leave the voltage on auto you will see that the voltage is always within the above range.

woah you ran mem at 221x6 = DDR3-2652 and 221x8 = DDR3-3536 or you mean 3x and 4x mem multipliers ?

Haven't tried much on 8x mem multiplier but tried 6x mem with same 3x1GB HCF0 sticks and

max on 5x mem multiplier i got was 1096mhz 9-9-9-24 for DDR3-2191Mhz 32M pi stable at 1.965v

max on 6x mem multiplier i got was 1049mhz 9-9-9-24 for DDR3-2098Mhz at 1.965v

So could be higher mem multiplier harder to IMC/system ??

Yahh, I mean x3/x4=x6/x8, no way to run DDR3 @ 3xxx mhz
It can be a bit confusing as some people (like me) refer to the DDR (effective) multiplier and some refer to the Speed (Mhz) multiplier (like you).

What I meant to say is that higher CPU speed (not memory multi) causes to achieve lower Ram speeds.
You would have hard time finding that as your ram speeds are way too high anyway

For instance, try running CPU multi 18/19 and try to max out your RAM speed.
Then, try to achieve the same ram speed at higher multi (20/21) which will result in higher CPU speeds.
IMO, where the CPU is getting maxxed out, your IMC is having problems running high ram speed.

[eva2000]

Yahh, I mean x3/x4=x6/x8, no way to run DDR3 @ 3xxx mhz
It can be a bit confusing as some people (like me) refer to the DDR (effective) multiplier and some refer to the Speed (Mhz) multiplier (like you).

What I meant to say is that higher CPU speed (not memory multi) causes to achieve lower Ram speeds.
You would have hard time finding that as your ram speeds are way too high anyway

For instance, try running CPU multi 18/19 and try to max out your RAM speed.
Then, try to achieve the same ram speed at higher multi (20/21) which will result in higher CPU speeds.
IMO, where the CPU is getting maxxed out, your IMC is having problems running high ram speed.

Yeah i experience something similar but i think it's possibly due to Turbo mode 21x on i7 920 as i reported at http://i4memory.com/102693-post9.html and usually happens once past >@210-215bclk , the fix is more uncore volts

3x1GB Samsung HCF0 @DDR3-2076mhz 8-8-8-20 at 2.025v

[The-Fox]

I tried even 1.6v for the QPI/VTT voltage and it didn't helped, so I figured it was the limit of the IMC.

[avrionis]

I am looking for some good OCable RAM (re: 1600 MHZ and up for 24/7). And around $200-$300. I already have a 940 with a asus p6T mobo.

Any suggestions.

[GNU]

Did anybody try to test his system with XP64bit? I did only see Vista64 test screens but how are the Benchmarks with XP64bit?

[DerekT]

Still waiting for cooling.

Looks like a prime candidate for water.

[Brahmzy]

I am looking for some good OCable RAM (re: 1600 MHZ and up for 24/7). And around $200-$300. I already have a 940 with a asus p6T mobo.

Any suggestions.

I just picked up this. Incredible timings and speed for the price - let's hope it holds up - I'll know next week.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227381

[Brahmzy]

Still waiting for cooling.

Looks like a prime candidate for water.

Man that looks like a killer chip man. Wish I would've gotten a "B". My "A" is sitting, unopened, waiting for it's mem & mobo to get here...

[Chicken Patty]

I just picked up this. Incredible timings and speed for the price - let's hope it holds up - I'll know next week.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227381

not a bad choice

and nice Subbie!

[jcool]

Guys, something interesting: My dog chip goes way higher when I disable HT (even though I am NOT temeprature limited) - I think that's pretty interesting, especially for those of you that are getting issues beyond 4Ghz with HT enabled thinking their temps are too high (mine are subzero so its a nonissue).

I could easily bench 3D at >4,4Ghz and even run prime for about 10 minutes at 1,55V load Vcore with this setting:

[liftedcj7on44s]

It depends on the QPI speed, but the range is 1.15v-1.375v according to Intel spec.
If you leave the voltage on auto you will see that the voltage is always within the above range.

ok so if i wanted to run 2.0vdimm where should my QPI voltage be. And the reason i ask what the default voltage is because my MSI Eclipse only lets me change voltages by + or -. i cant select a certain voltage. So if default where 1.15 then i could select +0.010, 0.020 so on and so on. So i have no idea what to set qpi voltage at with 2.0vdimm on the ram.

[Truckchase!]

ok so if i wanted to run 2.0vdimm where should my QPI voltage be. And the reason i ask what the default voltage is because my MSI Eclipse only lets me change voltages by + or -. i cant select a certain voltage. So if default where 1.15 then i could select +0.010, 0.020 so on and so on. So i have no idea what to set qpi voltage at with 2.0vdimm on the ram.

Keep the QPI within .5v of VDIMM. (to avoid insta-death, no long term consensus yet)

[liftedcj7on44s]

errr. how am i supposed to keep the QPI voltage 0.5 from the vdimm if i dont know what the QPI voltage is? Is there a program that will tell me what the QPI voltage i have set is??????

[loonym]

errr. how am i supposed to keep the QPI voltage 0.5 from the vdimm if i dont know what the QPI voltage is? Is there a program that will tell me what the QPI voltage i have set is??????

You're overcomplicating the matter. If default is 1.15v simply set +.35 or .40 in bios and juice the ram.

[liftedcj7on44s]

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT DEFAULT QPI VOLTAGE IS. this is what i have been trying to say!!!!!!!!

[Chicken Patty]

if my QPI voltage is the one in this screenshot, I don't see how I can have it .5 from my Ram voltage. Impossible.

Default is 1.1v, I don't even think the max voltage allowed in the BIOS is as high as my RAM voltage

[liftedcj7on44s]

no youre safe. it has to be within .5 to be safe and you are there. But i need something like that to tell me what QPI voltage i am running!!!!!!

[JWMc]

Quick question: isn't using the i7 turbo feature to reach your 'max' overclock sort of cheating? Doesn't the increased multiplier only apply to one core? When you get the turbo multiplier to show up in CPU-z it's really only increasing the multi on that one core right? So lower voltage should be required for turbo enabled vs disabled for a given clock speed. Meaning you lower your clock speed as you enable turbo to maintain your same (well, close) non-turbo max clock. I.E. 20x200 turbo disabled ~= 20x190 turbo enabled, on CPU-Z.

[jcool]

Quick question: isn't using the i7 turbo feature to reach your 'max' overclock sort of cheating? Doesn't the increased multiplier only apply to one core? When you get the turbo multiplier to show up in CPU-z it's really only increasing the multi on that one core right? So lower voltage should be required for turbo enabled vs disabled for a given clock speed. Meaning you lower your clock speed as you enable turbo to maintain your same (well, close) non-turbo max clock. I.E. 20x200 turbo disabled ~= 20x190 turbo enabled, on CPU-Z.

No, not really.
20x with turbo enabled = 21x permanent on all cores, 22x if only 1 core is loaded - unless you're on a mobo that doesn't disable the current limit. Then the CPU will drop back to 20x if it detects 130W are exceeded.

[nemesisrobot]

Got my i7 running at 3.4 Ghz at the moment.

BIOS settings:
vCore - 1.265
QPI/DRAM - AUTO
vDimm - 1.65 (1360 Mhz)
QPI multi - 18x (3060 Mhz)

I'm having some trouble with my QPI voltage. I've tried setting it withing 1.25-1.27v, and I can't get it stable, and Prime crashes almost instantly at those voltages. What am I doing wrong? I can't see why it should be higher

[Chicken Patty]

I have ran mine at 4.2 GHz with HT enabled literally since I bought this chip in exception of the last week or so as I was trying different settings. Well anyways, I decided to try to disable HT and see if I can go higher. First off I wanted to see if I was stable, so here is where im at now, the only problem is my temps, I will try to go as high as this votlage allows, I will not increase it any further until my new cooling parts come in.

Another thing is if you look in the HW monitor window, my vregs and NB are getting really hot, I don't think this is normal, here is a shot of my voltages, any suggestions?

[JWMc]

No, not really.
20x with turbo enabled = 21x permanent on all cores, 22x if only 1 core is loaded - unless you're on a mobo that doesn't disable the current limit. Then the CPU will drop back to 20x if it detects 130W are exceeded.

Ah thanks for the info. My memory of how turbo boost worked wasn't good. So the single core multi thing I was thinking of with turbo was really the same multi for all 4 cores, except 3 cores are off when the CPU gets +2 multi. How can you get the +2 multi to kick in realistically though when something in windows is going to activate one of the other cores?

I am now trying 20 x 191 with turbo boost enabled for (21x) 4011mhz load, (12x) 2292 idle. I wonder if I can drop my vCore and/or vQPI due to the decrease in memory speed by going from 200 to 190 BCLK even though my clock speed went up 11mhz. I reduced the memory voltage to 1.62v and it's stable so far.