Core i7/X58 Overclocking Thread

[Chicken Patty]

[QUOTE=SteveRo;3637384]

my best super pi till date

4.4 GHz validation
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=503214

4.4 GHz super pi run 9.359 sec.

Good run! and did I see that right - with only dual channel memory?

yes sir! and thanks

ram is set differently in this screenshot as this is my daily setting

[t4ct1c47]

I don't understand the issues people are refering to when running with 200 base clock and 20 multiplier. I've been stable at 4.0Ghz with those settings sinice I purchased the Rampage II Extreme.

I have managed to hit 4.4Ghz with 210 base clock and the x21 mulipler, but its by no means stable. From my viewpoint anything over 200 base clock is pushing the QPI too much, and anything over 210 results in no POST for me.

[YukonTrooper]

I don't understand the issues people are refering to when running with 200 base clock and 20 multiplier. I've been stable at 4.0Ghz with those settings sinice I purchased the Rampage II Extreme.

Every chip is different, every motherboard is different, every stick of ram is different.

[highoctane]

Every chip is different, every motherboard is different, every stick of ram is different.

Definitely, sometimes you get lucky sometimes you don't but its kinda like a throw of the dice.

I'm on my 2nd i7 rig and its definitely a different beast than my first one.

[t4ct1c47]

Don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware that all components can differ in terms of quality.

I've come to the conclusion that the main limiting factor in overclocking i7 systems is the QPI. Overclocking i7 920 and i7 940 based systems requires raiseing the base clock, which in turn raises everything else. From what I can see, most people with i7 CPU's are hitting limits of around 215 base clock on air and water cooling. On my motherboard, the Rampage II Extreme, it's possible to adjust the memory and unclock frequencies to reasonably low settings, but the QPI just runs too high even when lowering it to its lowest value in the BIOS.

Even those running an i7 940 @ 4.8Ghz are only able to attain 215 base clock and I doubt 4.8Ghz is stable for 24/7 usage. I've been able to run a few benchies at 4.4Ghz with my i7 920 at 210 base clock, but I can't run stable at anything over 200 base clock. I'm using a TRUE, and have disabled Hyper Threading for my 24/7 usage as haveing it enabled increases vCore requirements and in turn thermal output. With that said, I'm confident that people should be able to breach 4.0Ghz easily enough with decent cooling on either the i7 920 or i7 940.

As the i7 965 doesn't require raiseing the base clock in order to overclock, as it has an unlocked multiplier, this makes it the easiest to attain higher clock speeds with. At the end of the day it's down to the person whether they think the extra investment is worth the increase in clocking potential.

[Orangeblast]

Damnit, I'm stuck....anyone help me out or give some advice on what my next move should be?


These are my current settings:

Mother Board ( EVGA X58 )
Drivers ( latest )
Bios ( SZ1G)
CPU ( 920 )
CPU Cooler ( DTek Fuzion v2 / Thermalchill PA120.3...CPU loop only )
Memory ( 1600 MHz 7-8-7-20 Mushkin 3x2 GB)
PSU ( Thermaltake Tough Power 1200 watt )
GPU ( GTX 285 SSC in SLI )
Drivers ( latest WHQL )
CPU Clock Ratio ( 20X )
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ( 197 )
CPU Uncore Frequency (Mhz) ( 16x )
Spread Spectrum ( Disabled )
PCIE Frequency (Mhz) ( 100 )
Memory Feature
Memory Control Setting ( Enabled )
Memory Frequency ( 2:8 just for OCing reasons )
Channel Interleave Setting ( 6 Way )
Rank Interleave Setting ( 4 Way )
Parameters
tCL Setting ( 7 )
tRCD Setting ( 8 )
tRP Setting ( 7 )
tRAS Setting ( 20 )
tRFC Setting ( 74 )
Command Rate ( 1T )
Voltage Control
EVGA VDroop Control ( Without VDroop )
CPU VCore ( 1.475 )
CPU VTT Voltage ( 1.30 )
CPU PLL VCore ( 1.8 AUTO )
DIMM Voltage ( 1.65 )
DIMM DQ Vref ( +0 )
QPI PLL VCore ( 1.35 )
IOH VCore ( 1.10 AUTO )
IOH/ICH I/O Voltage ( 1.50 AUTO )
ICH VCore ( 1.050 AUTO )
PWM Frequency ( 1067 )
CPU Feature
Intel SpeedStep ( Disabled )
Turbo Mode Function ( Disabled )
CxE Function ( Disabled )
Execute Disable Bit ( Disabled )
Virtualization Technology ( Disabled )
Logical Processor Setting
Intel HT Technology ( Enabled )
Active Processor Cores ( All )
QPI Settings
QPI Control Settings ( Enabled )
QPI Link Fast Mode ( Enabled )
QPI Frequency Selection ( 4.8 GT/s )


First off, yes, I know my Vcore is rather high, but my temps are well within good ratings. Max on load is aroun 71c.

The problem is, I can't get to 198+ QPI stable....the minute I go from 197 to 198, things become unstable. I'm not sure which voltages I should be focusing on.

If the QPI Vcore goes to high I BSOD. If the CPU VTT is too high I BSOD. I've gone as high as 1.55 Vcore on the CPU and it still doesn't make things stable. I'm testing with the latest OCCT, Prime95, 3Dmark06 and Vantage.

I'm stuck at 197 QPI, Help me get to 200 and beyond! I have a feeling this i7 920 I have can do it...something is keeping me behind and I don't know what it is.

Batch: 3839A589

this 920 has potential, just need to find the key!

[Chicken Patty]

bro Try these settings

I went all the way up to 210 BCLK like this

CPU VTT Voltage ( +275 )
CPU PLL VCore ( 1.8 manually )
DIMM Voltage ( 1.65 )
DIMM DQ Vref ( +0 )
QPI PLL VCore ( 1.35 ) one notch before green
IOH VCore ( 1.10 AUTO )one notch before green
IOH/ICH I/O Voltage ( 1.50 AUTO )one notch before green
ICH VCore ( 1.050 AUTO )one notch before green
PWM Frequency ( 1067 ) 800, I find this doesnt need to be any higher.

with the above settings I did 4.4 GHz, heres the SS

[Orangeblast]

hey thanks man, I'll give that a shot. Anything at this point, I'm dying over here..

EDIT: I'm finding 19x multi much more friendly, hitting near 220 QPI right now...

[benko]

hello guys, i am planing to buy GB-ud5p or p6t mbo for i7 rig.

what is your max bclk, also what multis for ram you have?

[Pisklink]

I'm running 212 x 19 at this moment and wanted to add HT as well. However CPU-z reports only 2 cores are in use if I turn on HT in bios. Anyone a clue what the reason could be? I thought it was just turn on the HT setting in bios but maybe I'm forgetting something.

Additionally (but in a different session) I wanted to try turn on some energy saving option. But which one should I use so my comp. won't run 100% when idle all night? Or should it be disabled when OC'ing at 4Ghz?

[anzial]

I tried running overclock and turn on power saving features, computer became unstable instantly. You can try, maybe your cpu can handle, mine can't

[rge]

Spi 32m, with help of colder outside temps, open window with fan blowing cold air, and tighter mem timings was able to take 8 seconds off best time.
1.66vcore bios LLC enabled, 1.62vtt, 1.96dram. ? bug in bios versus cpuz/everest. bios says timings 7,6,6 18. yet programs say 7,6,6 22?

[Chicken Patty]

^^wow nice clock bro!

[rge]

^^wow nice clock bro!

Thanks, have to use the few weeks left of cold weather i have, in march my benching will probably be over.

[madhat13]

hey guys, recently built an i7 system for myself and a friend and i have a pretty moderate oc of 3.8ghz, i was wondering what you guys considered a safe 24/7 voltage settings

[MarkInSD]

I'm stuck in the low 190s for BCLK. Any advice appreciated.
TIA.

Settings at bottom of post.

I've noted the following:
-if vQPI is more than .05 above vCPU it's unstable.
-BLCK at 200 gives me no post regardless of CPU multi/CPU volts/QPI Volts/QPI Multi
-Tried boosting PLL up to 1.92 in increments
-Tried boosting QPI PLL up to 1.24 in increments
-Tried keeping RAM "slow" (loose timings 1066 or so speed v1.5)
-No LLC = BSOD. Maybe due to "C1 state being on". When dropping to 12X CPU multi vCPU drops to 1.312 without LLCand system reboots or bsod shortly after. WIth LLC vCPU = 1.344 (12X) -1.366 (21x)
-This CPU has been through 3 motherboards, one had a Vreg/Mosfet/Cap "meltdown" which left *burn marks* on the CPU pads.

i920 "A" 20x(21x Turbo) v1.3875 Bios (1.36 actual) 3.8-3.99 Ghz
Gigabyte EX58 UD4P. Similar results on P6T Deluxe
LLC on. Temps 31 idle -63 Load - 25 Ambient - Water Temp 26-27
Temps seem a little high, going to do a remount.

X18 QPI 3420mhz
BLCK 190-192
vQPI/VTT v1.34 Above v1.44 wont post.
RAM: 1520mhz
OCZ CL8 v1.65 1T (1.66 Bios) (XMP says QPI v1.4 but not stable at QPI v1.4)
also tried with Patriot CL9 v1.65 2T (XMP QPI v1.25)

PLL= v1.84
QPI PLL = v1.14
IOH = v1.14
All else AUTO

[SteveRo]

hey guys, recently built an i7 system for myself and a friend and i have a pretty moderate oc of 3.8ghz, i was wondering what you guys considered a safe 24/7 voltage settings

I think I have posted this a few times -

[SteveRo]

I'm stuck in the low 190s for BCLK. Any advice appreciated.
TIA.

Settings at bottom of post.

I've noted the following:
-if vQPI is more than .05 above vCPU it's unstable.
-BLCK at 200 gives me no post regardless of CPU multi/CPU volts/QPI Volts/QPI Multi
-Tried boosting PLL up to 1.92 in increments
-Tried boosting QPI PLL up to 1.24 in increments
-Tried keeping RAM "slow" (loose timings 1066 or so speed v1.5)
-No LLC = BSOD. Maybe due to "C1 state being on". When dropping to 12X CPU multi vCPU drops to 1.312 without LLCand system reboots or bsod shortly after. WIth LLC vCPU = 1.344 (12X) -1.366 (21x)
-This CPU has been through 3 motherboards, one had a Vreg/Mosfet/Cap "meltdown" which left *burn marks* on the CPU pads.

i920 "A" 20x(21x Turbo) v1.3875 Bios (1.36 actual) 3.8-3.99 Ghz
Gigabyte EX58 UD4P. Similar results on P6T Deluxe
LLC on. Temps 31 idle -63 Load - 25 Ambient - Water Temp 26-27
Temps seem a little high, going to do a remount.

X18 QPI 3420mhz
BLCK 190-192
vQPI/VTT v1.34 Above v1.44 wont post.
RAM: 1520mhz
OCZ CL8 v1.65 1T (1.66 Bios) (XMP says QPI v1.4 but not stable at QPI v1.4)
also tried with Patriot CL9 v1.65 2T (XMP QPI v1.25)

PLL= v1.84
QPI PLL = v1.14
IOH = v1.14
All else AUTO

try settings below, except turn turbo on - on 920 to get the 21 multi -

[Pisklink]

I'm running 212 x 19 at this moment and wanted to add HT as well. However CPU-z reports only 2 cores are in use if I turn on HT in bios. Anyone a clue what the reason could be? I thought it was just turn on the HT setting in bios but maybe I'm forgetting something.

How is this possible? Even at default settings with RAID enabled CPU-z still reports only two cores.

[SteveRo]

How is this possible? Even at default settings with RAID enabled CPU-z still reports only two cores.

Yep, something not right here - does task manager report 4 cores or two?
- check bios make sure all four cores enabled, if yes, reset bios to load basic defaults see if that gets your four cores back.

[Bludd]

I am not an experienced overclocker, but I am not a complete newbie. That said, I'm not really comfortable with cranking the voltages.

I would like someone to review my settings:

BCLK 160 (x20 = 3.2 GHz, turbo on, HT on)
CPU voltage 1.3
QPI/DRAM core (uncore, I think) 1.33750
CPU PLL 1.88
ICH, IOH, ICH PCIe and IOH PCIe are at default 1.1, 1.1, 1.5 and 1.5 respectively
DRAM bus 1.64

Should I raise/lower any of these? If you need more info on my system, please let me know.

[Pisklink]

Yep, something not right here - does task manager report 4 cores or two?
- check bios make sure all four cores enabled, if yes, reset bios to load basic defaults see if that gets your four cores back.

Initially I thought it could have something to do with an energy saving setting and only 2 cores are active to save energy. So I disabled those settings in the bios and tried again but without any difference.

The weird thing is that when I use my OC profile all four cores are back but when enabling HT in combination with this OC profile it gets back to 2 cores again.

I will try the following things:
- Set default bios settings by using the reset button on mobo;
- Look how many cores CPU-z and task manager report with HT enabled and disabled at bios defaults;

In case CPU-z and task manager reports 2 cores with HT enabled and 4 cores with HT disabled, I could safely conclude that HT doesn't work correct? Is it possible to flash my bios again with the same bios version or should I revert to a lower bios version if possible?

[Bludd]

Hey, Pisklink are you by any chance running Windows Server 2008? unclewebb of RealTemp fame is trying to troubleshoot why RealTemp only shows 2 cores for a user with Windows Server 2008.

[Pisklink]

Thanks Bludd for your fast reply. I'm running Vista Premium 64-bit and not Windows Server 2008.

[SteveRo]

I am not an experienced overclocker, but I am not a complete newbie. That said, I'm not really comfortable with cranking the voltages.

I would like someone to review my settings:

BCLK 160 (x20 = 3.2 GHz, turbo on, HT on)
CPU voltage 1.3
QPI/DRAM core (uncore, I think) 1.33750
CPU PLL 1.88
ICH, IOH, ICH PCIe and IOH PCIe are at default 1.1, 1.1, 1.5 and 1.5 respectively
DRAM bus 1.64

Should I raise/lower any of these? If you need more info on my system, please let me know.

this looks pretty good depending on what speed you want to run your memory. don't be afraid to increase vcore provided your temps can take it.
Even 1.55v in cpuz at idle should be fine provided temps are ok.