Quote Originally Posted by Sam_oslo View Post
@SoulsCollective
CPU batch# seams to be the most important component for reaching high BCLK. Probably because of the integrated memory controller (which is inside the CPU).
Different MB brands seams to play a role too, but DFI has proven to be capable of handling high BCLK on both i7 CO, and the new w3520 (D0) too.

RAM wouldn't be the limiting factor on how high BCLK the system can run stably, because you can always try to loosen up the dividers/timing, unless you are going for 5x (>2000MHZ RAM).

I suspect your CPU is a crappy one, and probably that's why the first owner has sold it. Can you borrow/try another CPU?
I was sort of thinking along the same lines - I'm new to this whole i7 thing, but I thought that might be the case. If this was 775, with no IMC on the CPU, and I saw this behaviour - crappy FSB, unable to reach higher even with ridiculously high volts and low multi on everything - I'd put it down to mobo. But if the IMC in the CPU is capable of restricting the BCLK the mobo can set? I dunno, can it?

I just don't want to fork out for a new CPU if the motherboard is the crap component in the mix. Unfortunately I'm the only one in my group of friends with an i7 - I'll have to have a grab of the next one from the next i7 client build I do and have a quick test.

Can anyone else chime in here with a confirming opinion?