Core i7/X58 Overclocking Thread

[D3mon_Hunt3r]

Is a Quad Rad overkill?

[The-Fox]

definitely not.
These i7 run hot like hell, believe me, I own one.

[D3mon_Hunt3r]

I already have the project built with a dual what about adding an extra instead of replacing the dual? Like a triple or another dual...

[The-Fox]

A dual rad can cool the CPU but it depends on the goal you are trying to achieve.
What speed ? what temps ?
You would probably get 4Ghz at about 80c degrees max.
It also depends on your fans, configuration, block and ambient temp.

Adding another dual is an option but a bit messy IMO, I like solid stuff

[Lukee]

Is a Quad Rad overkill?

No, I'm running a triple and a double rad.

[GenTarkin]

OK, I get it.
btw, I thought my IMC was crappy but apparently it was the ram giving me hard times.
Yesterday I got a new set of sticks for a review, the G.Skill Pi Black 1600 Mhz CL8.
Boy, how easy it was to hit 4Ghz Uncore/Dram 2Ghz with QPI setting on AUTO, although the board did increase the QPI voltage to about 1.475v, and I only used DRAM voltage 1.64v.
And this time the run was even better when the CPU multi on x21 than x19
Right now I topped at about 210 Bclk, x10DRAM/x20Uncore, 1.65v QPI/1.80v Dram and 21x CPU with Turbo and HT=on.
It was unstable for SuperPi32M but I managed to Pull SuperPi8M and wprime 1024M.
If I could just hit 215 bClk with the same multies and run SuperPi32M I bet I can go sub 8M
Too bad those ram just don't like anything above 1.8v !, this is the sweet spot for these sticks.

Bottom line, A crappy ram can also be a burden on your IMC so try to use different ram and see if its your IMC or just bad ram.

So, do you think my RAM is a burden to the IMC even if I keep the RAM way below its speced speed?

[Brahmzy]

3841A is a very good batch (i'ts actually my second choice in what i want to pick). Don't be so sure of the superiority of the older B ones.

Cool, thanks for the heads-up on my batch. I thought because I didn't have a "B", I got a crapper. Just glad I can do 4.0 on air with under 1.4V. That was my goal, months ago.

On a different note, I lapped my TRUE Black as I always lap my HSF's. Well, I lapped the i7 last night perfectly flat and my temps did not change AT ALL. Not one single degree difference on any of the cores. Did multiple previous runs and multiple post runs, idle and load. EXACTLY the same. So, for those on the fence about lapping their CPU for air cooling, I wouldn't - just lap the HSF.

[D3mon_Hunt3r]

My block is an Apogee GTZ, MCP655, Silverstone's FM121. CPU Loop only.
My objective is as much as i can get.

I've been studying i'm thinking of keeping the 2x 240 rads for my SLI setup (thinking 2x GTX285) and will put a triple for the CPU on top with push pull config. FM121's too.

[The-Fox]

No, I'm running a triple and a double rad.

A friend of mine is running 2 Triple rads (TC120.3+MCR320) with 6 fans (fans/rad/fans/rad) and his temps are about like what I get.

So, do you think my RAM is a burden to the IMC even if I keep the RAM way below its speced speed?

Yahh, it could be so, not explicitly.
But it depends on your config/what you are trying to do.

[Pisklink]

Thanks for clarifying these questions and in providing the links. But do you think 4Ghz or 4.2Ghz are possible with a 120.2 rad and only CPU in loop?

[ReverendMaynard]

Thanks for clarifying these questions and in providing the links. But do you think 4Ghz or 4.2Ghz are possible with a 120.2 rad and only CPU in loop?

I'm doing it so I can't see why not.

[anzial]

me thinks anything like pa120.3 is quite sufficient to cool these suckers

[JWMc]

3841A is a very good batch (i'ts actually my second choice in what i want to pick). Don't be so sure of the superiority of the older B ones.

Ahh yes I'm very happy with mine so far.

On the topic of actual performance: for fun I went to an old favorite 'fun' bench of compiling the linux kernel. Here are the data points I have so far:

Edit: Re-tested everything and got better data and reformatted it a little, I wasn't using enough iterations.

Ubuntu Desktop 2.6.27-9-generic SMP x64, compiling kernel version 2.6.28.1, make menuconfig, saved without changing settings.
ReiserFS on a Seagate 7200.11 1TB drive

time make -j8 vmlinux, fresh boot, text mode, 3-6 back to back runs, best real times used:


3.8ghz, 3200mhz uncore: real 1m2.207s/user 5m53.758s/sys 0m42.675s
3.8ghz, 3400mhz uncore: real 1m1.152s/user 5m51.986s/sys 0m42.591s
4.0ghz, 3200mhz uncore: real 0m58.972s/user 5m37.037s/sys 0m42.019s
4.0ghz, 3400mhz uncore: real 0m56.923s/user 5m36.913s/sys 0m41.127s
4.0ghz, 3600mhz uncore: real 0m56.887s/user 5m33.673s/sys 0m41.039s
4.2ghz, 3200mhz uncore: real 0m55.090s/user 5m23.288s/sys 0m41.315s
4.2ghz, 3400mhz uncore: real 0m54.617s/user 5m22.072s/sys 0m39.890s
4.2ghz, 3600mhz uncore: real 0m54.440s/user 5m19.956s/sys 0m39.370s

[icecold316]

3841A is a very good batch (i'ts actually my second choice in what i want to pick). Don't be so sure of the superiority of the older B ones.

Thanks RealTelstar for confirming about the batch.

I have 920 Batch: 3841A431, still looking for aftermarket cooler.

Is anyone running 920 on Xigmatek 1284EE + 1366 kit. It will cost me around $50, is that a good pick for aftermarket?

[loonym]

A decent enough air cooler although I found the fan to be a little weak. Easily replaced with one that has sufficient pressure to handle moderate oc's with an i7.

[tonytiger]

hey i might actually get a reply here, as tweaktown is pretty useless for X58 related stuff...

Hey, get this "BF" error code on my motherboard when i try for 200BCLK on my board...does so even @ 190...barely does 185BCLK...

Board is Gigabyte X58-UD5.

Just wondering if someone can give me a reason it is coming up?

BF error i know is floppy controller (but i have it disabled in bios)

If someone can help me solve this problem...it would be greatly appreciated.

It doesn't power cycle with BF it just hangs until i reset.


Cheers.

I had a similar problem with my first i7 920,it would not fully post above bclk 172 with the same diag code as yours.I have since sold that i7 920 and have a new one which does bclk 200 (previous batch no 3838a820 ,new batch number 3839a557).Stay clear of 3838a820!

[Khalmyr]

the thing is... stay away from 3838A, period.

[SteveRo]

3841A432
Not even close to some of these amazing chips y'all are using. 4GHz with such low volts - I don't know how y'all are doing it! Most of the 4.2GHz+ are using water apparantly.
But yeah, this i7 is pretty awesome. Now I just need some SSD action...

SSD action? - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=531

[SteveRo]

A dual rad can cool the CPU but it depends on the goal you are trying to achieve.
What speed ? what temps ?
You would probably get 4Ghz at about 80c degrees max.
It also depends on your fans, configuration, block and ambient temp.

Adding another dual is an option but a bit messy IMO, I like solid stuff

using the feser 480 I can get 4.2+ HT on prime stable @77C max temp - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...postcount=2068

[Lukee]

I already have the project built with a dual what about adding an extra instead of replacing the dual? Like a triple or another dual...

That's what I did, but are you cooling a GPU with that? If you are, you'll see an increase in temps depending on the card. I have 2 - 4870X2 in the same loop with a double and triple rad. I removed the vid cards and my temps are 5-7C cooler idle. I still have to run some tests to see if the cooling difference is greater under load.

[Lukee]

the thing is... stay away from 3838A, period.

Oh oh.. do you think 3838B will have the same problems for a 940?

[Brahmzy]

SSD action? - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=531

Haha, NICE.

[Pisklink]

What is a good batchnumber for a 920 CPU?

[vikingboy]

Well, I finally figured out this i7 thing, ha. It helped when I finally got the math right on my memory. I was trying to run my memory at ridiculous speeds with ridiculous timings (new to the whole DDR3 thing.)

So, I've settled on 4.0GHz (211x19x) HT ON @ 1.375 VCore - 4+ hours with simultaneous LinX + Prime is good enough for me. My biggest issue getting stable was the memory timings / speed part of it.

I can't believe the difference in my rendering times between my daul core and this 8 "core" i7... WOW. I went from a 4.4GHz E8600 to a 4.0GHz i7 w/HT and my bench render went from 6m 6s to 2m 2s!!

That's HUGE. Money well spent! Very happy. Now I'm back in the "in" crowd, haha.

great news - congrats!
For the life of me I cant get stable at 19*210 - can you post your complete bios settings please.

[Chicken Patty]

Is a Quad Rad overkill?

I get mine tomorrow from Sidewinders, i'll let you know if its an overkill or an underkill