Core i7/X58 Overclocking Thread

[SteveRo]

I'm very annoyed that my chip has no issues doing 211x19, Memtest @1691Mhz, 4.05Mz CPU, absolutely stable. But, because I refuse to go above 1.35 QPI voltage, my chip stops. I don't want to BBQ my 920 so if I go above 1.35 QPI , am I screwed?

Do the memory manufacturers know something we don't or are they willing to risk lawsuits to sell high end memory?
Only time will tell.
G Skill - probably other memory makers as well - set there xmp to very high qpiv when running at high speeds.
For example the 3x1gb G Skill pi black set that I have - when I turn xmp on - in the bios - the xmp settings jumps the memory to 2000 as you would expect -then when I boot into windows - ET6 shows the qpiv to be 1.555v!!!
So much for Intel max qpiv of 1.35!!!

[SteveRo]

the thing is that on air I have achieved 4159 mhz stable and my temps are
74c max under prime 64bit loads. why would I want to spend 450 dollars on a water cooling setup to achieve maybe150 mhz more? it just does not make spending sense to me and I can afford it but it is just not smart buying.

smart buying is all so relative and certainly not fun at all!

[SteveRo]

failing prime is primes fault, not your systems. I've run literally 1000 runs of each (seriously) and in my opinion prime is about as useless as two tits on a bull.

Back on topic, here's my new high.

So give us a new definition of what you would propose as a proper measure of i7 stability, I would love to have something that doesn't take 10 hours!

[ReverendMaynard]

So give us a new definition of what you would propose as a proper measure of i7 stability, I would love to have something that doesn't take 10 hours!

pound the crap out of the memory controller. Prime doesn't do it as well as linpack...plain and simple Steve. 10000 work load and 700mb of memory is not utilizing the app at all.

Hit that "ALL" button, get the work load above 15000 and your memory usage using as much as possible and linx will actually be doing its job.

This post in particular Steve. You absolutely need to run this app properly to get it's benefits.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...postcount=2715

10000 and 750+mb of usage is not strenuous at all

[SteveRo]

pound the crap out of the memory controller. Prime doesn't do it as well as linpack...plain and simple Steve. 10000 work load and 700mb of memory is not utilizing the app at all.

Hit that "ALL" button, get the work load above 15000 and your memory usage using as much as possible and linx will actually be doing its job.

This post in particular Steve. You absolutely need to run this app properly to get it's benefits.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...postcount=2715

10000 and 750+mb of usage is not strenuous at all

got it, will do.

[dejanh]

dejanh

Also - I've figured out that I do not want a radiator in my Boreas loop -
I added the Feser quad radiator into the loop yesterday just to confirm.
Running at 4.2 ht on, cpuv just over 1.4v - my idle and load temps went up 10C each.
The radiator was certainly heating up the subambient water.

I can't say I am surprised at this as it is in line with what I expected. With double the TECs you should be able to keep the temps under control better without the rad in the loop. For me that's not the case as the FZE cannot handle an i7 past 4GHz. But, that's ok because my setup as is did not cost me more than $450 CAD ($350 US) so for me it makes sense. Adding a rad only provides a benefit if you are running over ambient which was the case for me once I passed the 4GHz mark. In my case TECs are used as an additional chiller just before hitting the block.

[SteveRo]

I can't say I am surprised at this as it is in line with what I expected. With double the TECs you should be able to keep the temps under control better without the rad in the loop. For me that's not the case as the FZE cannot handle an i7 past 4GHz. But, that's ok because my setup as is did not cost me more than $450 CAD ($350 US) so for me it makes sense. Adding a rad only provides a benefit if you are running over ambient which was the case for me once I passed the 4GHz mark. In my case TECs are used as an additional chiller just before hitting the block.

Did you try your setup w/o the rad?

[hlonipha]

prime = useless with i7. Use Linx, set it to use ALL of your available memory and hover over the quit button.

Done 20 runs of IntelBurnTest and max temps were 84-86c

How much more stable or cooler do I need my system to be? I do not run IntelBurnTest 24/7, I ran 3dmark vantage, cinebench, pcmark, real world programs like encoding with ripbot and bd-rebuilder. I play games, FEAR, CRYSIS, FARCRY 2, BF2 and none of the above mentioned have made my system crash at all. None of the proggy's I use even come close to produce maximum heat like IntelBurnTest. So with that been said why would I (personally) would want to spend $450-$600 usd on a water cooling system?

It would make more logical sense if I was running 24/7 with F@H or one of those programs that keep my system at 84c-86c then , but not for what I use daily. I have never fryed a CPU and I used 1.60v on optys and C2Q's for a long time, and those are still running to this date.

I've thought about watercooling before but not from the cooling needs aspect but more from the project of doing something new aspect. To each it's own.

[FabricioGS]

prime = useless with i7. Use Linx, set it to use ALL of your available memory and hover over the quit button.

And how many runs do you consider "ok" with ALL set? 10? 20?

I'm really want to retire Prime here

[highoctane]

I've passed linx 50pass with my i7 only to find it randomly rebooting, great for pushing temps but definitely not a golden pass for stability.

[tomb18]

Done 20 runs of IntelBurnTest and max temps were 84-86c

How much more stable or cooler do I need my system to be? I do not run IntelBurnTest 24/7, I ran 3dmark vantage, cinebench, pcmark, real world programs like encoding with ripbot and bd-rebuilder. I play games, FEAR, CRYSIS, FARCRY 2, BF2 and none of the above mentioned have made my system crash at all. None of the proggy's I use even come close to produce maximum heat like IntelBurnTest. So with that been said why would I (personally) would want to spend $450-$600 usd on a water cooling system?

It would make more logical sense if I was running 24/7 with F@H or one of those programs that keep my system at 84c-86c then , but not for what I use daily. I have never fryed a CPU and I used 1.60v on optys and C2Q's for a long time, and those are still running to this date.

I've thought about watercooling before but not from the cooling needs aspect but more from the project of doing something new aspect. To each it's own.

Done 20 runs of IntelBurnTest and max temps were 84-86c

How much more stable or cooler do I need my system to be? I do not run IntelBurnTest 24/7, I ran 3dmark vantage, cinebench, pcmark, real world programs like encoding with ripbot and bd-rebuilder. I play games, FEAR, CRYSIS, FARCRY 2, BF2 and none of the above mentioned have made my system crash at all. None of the proggy's I use even come close to produce maximum heat like IntelBurnTest. So with that been said why would I (personally) would want to spend $450-$600 usd on a water cooling system?

It would make more logical sense if I was running 24/7 with F@H or one of those programs that keep my system at 84c-86c then , but not for what I use daily. I have never fryed a CPU and I used 1.60v on optys and C2Q's for a long time, and those are still running to this date.

I've thought about watercooling before but not from the cooling needs aspect but more from the project of doing something new aspect. To each it's own.

On my previous build (QX6700) I ran it at 3.45 GHz 24/7. I could prime forever, but linpack at full mem (8G) would eventually fail with an error. I could never get it stable in Linpac.
That being said, I used my system for 2 years and it never failed in gaming, or extensive photoshop work. I lived with it and it never let me down.
My new core i7 940, is now running at 4.1 GHz (with HT on) and 1.43V and it is linpac stable (50 runs with full memory)and prime 95 for over 24 hours. I do feel more confident that with my previous build. I just gives piece of mind.
None the less, if you run linpac with all your memory, and it continues to run, my guess is you will overwhelm your air cooling. I also notice, that you have HT off. Well, your performance will jump rather nicely with the encoding work and you will find that there is no way that you will be stable on air at your speeds with HT on.
I eventually bought a water cooling set up myself. It waqs one of the best investments I have made on my computer. It has now lasted for two generations of systems. Cost? About $300. Now I can clock without limits for 24/7
Try your test with HT on!!!

Just for your info...my water cooling is
MRTC320 + 3 yate loon medium ($68)
Apogee Gtz $65
Liang d5 $75
Swiftech microres $26
$20 accessories (clamps, tubing etc)
Total $254
Of course you might need a bigger case....

[tomb18]

I've passed linx 50pass with my i7 only to find it randomly rebooting, great for pushing temps but definitely not a golden pass for stability.

I've found that, with the core i7's, linpac is easier to get stable than prime 95. This is opposite to experiences with Core Duo.
If you get linpac stable, I have found on two different core i7's that generally you need one or 2 notches more Vcore to get the prime95 stable.
But then you are golden.

[hlonipha]

On my previous build (QX6700) I ran it at 3.45 GHz 24/7. I could prime forever, but linpack at full mem (8G) would eventually fail with an error. I could never get it stable in Linpac.
That being said, I used my system for 2 years and it never failed in gaming, or extensive photoshop work. I lived with it and it never let me down.
My new core i7 940, is now running at 4.1 GHz (with HT on) and 1.43V and it is linpac stable (50 runs with full memory)and prime 95 for over 24 hours. I do feel more confident that with my previous build. I just gives piece of mind.
None the less, if you run linpac with all your memory, and it continues to run, my guess is you will overwhelm your air cooling. I also notice, that you have HT off. Well, your performance will jump rather nicely with the encoding work and you will find that there is no way that you will be stable on air at your speeds with HT on.
I eventually bought a water cooling set up myself. It waqs one of the best investments I have made on my computer. It has now lasted for two generations of systems. Cost? About $300. Now I can clock without limits for 24/7
Try your test with HT on!!!

Just for your info...my water cooling is
MRTC320 + 3 yate loon medium ($68)
Apogee Gtz $65
Liang d5 $75
Swiftech microres $26
$20 accessories (clamps, tubing etc)
Total $254
Of course you might need a bigger case....

Thanks for the info, I did not see much improvement with HT on while doing all daily task or gaming except encoding blue rays to DL DVD's. I do those once in a while so not a priority for me I rather have the higher clocks than HT on for now, maybe that will change in the future. Do not get me wrong I'm not knocking the WC setups or denying its advantage over air, but for me it is not cost effective for the improvement that I might get as there is no clock improvement guarranty. Maybe one day I jump to it.

[ol'norton]

I've passed linx 50pass with my i7 only to find it randomly rebooting, great for pushing temps but definitely not a golden pass for stability.

Were you testing max available memory? 50 passes would be like 4 hours on 5 gig.

[SteveRo]

pound the crap out of the memory controller. Prime doesn't do it as well as linpack...plain and simple Steve. 10000 work load and 700mb of memory is not utilizing the app at all.

Hit that "ALL" button, get the work load above 15000 and your memory usage using as much as possible and linx will actually be doing its job.

This post in particular Steve. You absolutely need to run this app properly to get it's benefits.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...postcount=2715

10000 and 750+mb of usage is not strenuous at all

ok - so here is 4.2 ht on compare of LinX at default (1st screen shot) vs LinX set to "ALL".
I had to increase the cpuv to get the "ALL" case to complete by 0.05V.
Temps did go way up, even under the Boreas - from 56C to 70V - a 14C increase in thermal load!

[SteveRo]

For comparison to others that have run LinX at the "ALL" setting here is 4ghz ht on under the boreas -

[highoctane]

Were you testing max available memory? 50 passes would be like 4 hours on 5 gig.

It used all that select all available will allocate, that was the beauty of linx being able to have it allocate such a big memory chunk. I don't remember the exact duration it took but 50 passes wasn't enough for my rig to be stable. Took more vcore and qpi to get it 24hrs prime stable and a little more vcore and qpi to get over 48hrs prime stable.

At any rate I've gotten the rig 100% stable at 4ghz ht on at both 20x200 and 21x191 using both linx and prime to get there but linx was without a doubt easier to get stable than long duration prime runs where.

[Chicken Patty]

Just bustin' your balls Patty lol, no offense

Here's a little SLi scaling action

hey buddy, thought i'd show you my improvement. little better getting close to your SLI score, however dont think i'll get much closer, those two 285's are monsters

[ReverendMaynard]

hey buddy, thought i'd show you my improvement. little better getting close to your SLI score, however dont think i'll get much closer, those two 285's are monsters

Nice work man, on a slim XP install you'd break 27k no doubt.

[Chicken Patty]

Nice work man, on a slim XP install you'd break 27k no doubt.

well as weird as it may seem, I think it might happen on W7. I can still push the cards more, just going little by little. I can get another 100MHz out of the CPU which so far every 100 MHz more I have upped the score about 100-150 3dmarks more. Lets see, i'll make sure to post back and keep you posted.

[Kanasatake]

Damn...how do you upload images without using an URL?

Thanks
JRM/Hermes

[YukonTrooper]

Nice work man, on a slim XP install you'd break 27k no doubt.

How much performance does an nLite install garnish anyways?

[Chicken Patty]

How much performance does an nLite install garnish anyways?

at least on XP my CPU score is about 300-400 points higher and my overall 3dmark score is about 500 - 700 points higher.

[Chicken Patty]

Damn...how do you upload images without using an URL?

Thanks
JRM/Hermes

are you refferring to me? If so I use the Techpowerup image uploader

http://techpowerup.org/

[Kanasatake]

This is using the 'SpeedStep/ Turbo Mode"...(of course).....


The batch is from the 3838A series..I know some folks have been only able to get this one to 3.8 or 3.9 max

Keep in mind this is on air..and nope , my load temps are not 70C or 80C or 60C..which for me is unacceptable.

Some reviews seem to state that "Turbo Mode" offers very little improvements..I disagree...also this function is interesting because when idle, the CPU is clocked at 2.4 Ghz... so when not in use the CPU is not pushing wattage......very cool

Cheers, JRM /Hermes