Gigabyte EX58-UD5/Extreme Discussion Thread

[C3D76]

Hi all


I'm running the X58 Extreme with BIOS F3, i7 920, ... rest in my sig...

I use Bios F3 because:

- This is the only Bios where S3 SLEEP consistantly works for me. Cpu features on or off (I disable only C1E for my 24/7 OC), and tested long term upto 200x20/21, ram @ 2:8, and uncore @ 17.
- This is the only Bios I have tried that still has the TDP limit. This allows me to run at higher overclocks with lower voltages/temps. At high OC's It downthrottles from 21 to 20 multi if more than 3 or 4 threads (depending on the situation) are 100% loaded.
It still gives me exactly te same performance, and with current apps unless running a benchmark that uses 4 to 8 threads, I really never need a full locked x21 multi (like newer BIOS's)


Through testing (tinkering ) I also observed the following:

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Uncore


I was running the Mem Benchmark in Everest5, and noticed my numbers were lower than usual. Turns out I was using Uncore x16 instead of my usual x17.
So I decided to try out x18 and x19, and the results are quite good:

@ Settings in Sig: 4.095 Ghz (195x20/21) - Mem 2:8 1560Mhz, 7-7-7-24-74-2t

x16(3120): 16xxx/13xxx/19xxx 46.7ns...
x17(3315): 17xxx.14xxx/21xxx 46.3-46.5ns (vtt 1.30)
x18(3510): 18218/15444/22647 45.8-46.0ns (vtt 1.32)
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1453/c3d.jpg
x19(3705): 18686/16281/24060 45.4ns (vtt 1.36)
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2726/uncorex19.jpg

I don't think there would be significant real world advantages to running higher uncore multi, but it might be worth exploring...

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BIOS settings


Screenshots below have all my voltages, ICH is at 1.2v @ 4.2Ghz/3.8 (200bclk), 1.16v @3.99 Ghz, and auto (1.1v) @3.675Ghz. Uncore set to x17, Ram at 2:8 (turbo perf mode) for all runs. All Cpu features are on except C1e and C2/C3/.....

4.2GHz @ 1.44v (F4m)
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/373/200f4m2zw8.jpg (200x21)
3.99GHz @ 1.296 (F4m)
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/c/6/...21-0.jpg?rev=0 (190x21)
3.8GHz @ 1.248v (F4m)
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/c/6/...ge-0.jpg?rev=0 (200x19)
3.675GHz @ 1.2v (F3)
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/c/6/...to-0.jpg?rev=0 (175x21)
(I am currently running higher vtt than on the screenshots (now 1.3 @ 195x20/21) after upgrading from Patriot 1600C9, to OCZ plat 1600C7)

Best Bios's so far are F3 and F4j/m I find.

-F3 is for my 24/7 and has the tdp limit (GIGABYTE PLEASE MAKE THIS AN OPTION), so turbo works as it's supposed to and disengages when more than a certain amount of cores are stressed (If above TDP limit).
This also means stability at lower voltages, with no performance drop if applications use less than 4 threads (100% loaded).
The Run above @3.675 with this BIOS was just below the TDP limt, so turbo stayed on even with 8 threads under 100% load .
*S3 works all the time even at 200bclk if I leave Hpet disabled.

-F4m I use for Benching, there is no tdp limit which means turbo (x21 multi) will stay on even when all 4 cores (8 threads) are 100% loaded. This is as good as having the full x21 multi, but requires more voltage for stability. I have yet to try a more stable BIOS than this one. S3 only works sometimes though...

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TURBO with TDP limit

- @ 20x195 with different amount of threads in Prime 95 I get:
1 to 3 threads = 21x195 in Cpu-z
4 Threads = 20/20.5/21 x195 in Cpu-z (fluctuates between those 3 multis)
5 to 8 Threads = 20x195 in Cpu-z

- @ 20x200, 1 to 3 threads give the 21x multi, but 4 threads and above give a constant x20.

- @ or below 3.765ish (175x21), the multi stays at 21 no matter the number of threads loaded, because I haven't reached the TDP limit.

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Well, that about covers everything I wanted to post about my experiences with this (Great) board, some of which I had actually posted on other forums...
Hopefully the (not so great) BIOS issues we are having will be resolved soon

Regards,

Ced

p.s. , this is a long post...


Edit (added sig):

Vista Ultimate 64 SP1
Gigabyte X58 Extreme | F3 (w/ TDP limit) | Toughpower 1200w | Cosmos S
i7 920 (3836A689) @ 3.9/4.1 Ghz (20/21x195) 1.31v load / WC
3x2 GB OCZ P1600C7 @ 1560 7-7-7-24, 1.63v
EVGA GTX 260 SC+ in SLI (x2)
SB X-FI Titanium FATAL1TY Pro
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=482744 @4.45