Core i7 Overclocking by Batch #

[dejanh]

Yes I have noticed Prime blend needing more VTT, a good bit more for 4ghz with HT vs 3.8ghz with HT. But I have also noticed it needing slightly more voltage to make it through long Prime blend runs vs just burning through a quick LinX x 20.

Whenever I try a drastically different OC I start with LinX, watch it blow up really fast, keep upping voltage until it passes x 20. Then I go for blend and watch it work fine for a while.. and think it's stable. Then re-test and sigh... it isn't stable.

One thing that has been a warning sign that has held true for me every time is if I see three different voltages for Min/Max/Current in HW monitor after leaving Prime blend running for a while. It means my voltage is borderline and it's occasionally drooping too much. I'm jealous of these boards that put out more voltage than you ask for in the BIOS. I have to enable LLC just to keep it from sagging further (Gigabyte UD5).

You mean like the R2E

Those oscillations over time usually mean that you are pushing your board beyound its limits and the built up stress and heat are causing things to slowly fail.