Retail Q9650 Overclocking Thread

[Davit]

Lowered the vcore a tad and doing an overnight prime run... again... My vid is a lil high 1.25. though I have seen you fellas push the 1.25 past 4.5ghz so that is what I am aiming for. Temps seem pretty decent on water. Any ideas on what can get me 4.5? I did a 4.5 run just before this BSOD after 4hrs, upping vcore 1 core dumped after 2hrs... Have been fighting with this thing for 3-4days now to get 4.5ghz. It will do anything up to 4.3 without even sweating... run to 4.4 kicked my arse, and 4.5Ghz has been a pain as well.

[thezfunk]

I see you have quite a temp variation between cores as well. I have two cores that have a 5-7 degrees difference from the other two. I am going to try reapplying the thermal paste and see if that helps. It was my first try with this new paste and I might have done it wrong. I lapped my QX6700 and I am not afraid of doing it to this one if it gets me lower temps.

(lapping my QX6700 saved 10 degrees C!)

[Davit]

When I took off my heatkiller thermal paste was not spread even...
You read my mind, I ordered a lapping kit from frozen cpu yesterday... I think it should help some, cuz no matter what I do and how I apply the paste it does not look right.
Never did actually, even with my Sunbeam CCF.. go figure. Oh and I am using the 24-carat diamond compound. Supposed to knock off couple of degrees of the AS5 scores, but who knows...

[Davit]

7hrs and change.


I'll try lowering vcore some more to see what happens I guess.

[CryptiK]

Congrats mate well done

Nice work CryptiK.

I gave up on 4.2 GHz...i believe i could do it, but going from 4 to 4.2 GHz seems to require a huge jump in CPU & motherboard voltages, so i settled @ 4.1 GHz.

Thanks, I'm reasonably confident this cpu will go higher, but I won't be using LinX to test stability due to temps. I would probably need a UD3P to do so however.

When I took off my heatkiller thermal paste was not spread even...
You read my mind, I ordered a lapping kit from frozen cpu yesterday... I think it should help some, cuz no matter what I do and how I apply the paste it does not look right.
Never did actually, even with my Sunbeam CCF.. go figure. Oh and I am using the 24-carat diamond compound. Supposed to knock off couple of degrees of the AS5 scores, but who knows...

You can see in the following 2 pics the contact was originally quite bad. I did a quick lap job on the True (3rd pic) and it has much improved contact and temps. I'll finish it off when I get some finer grade sandpaper.

Congrats on the 4.4 stable, very nice work.

CPU bad contact



True Cu bad contact



Lapped True Cu

[andressergio]

Thanks, I'm reasonably confident this cpu will go higher, but I won't be using LinX to test stability due to temps. I would probably need a UD3P to do so however.

no doubt about it Cryptik you will go up and up on a UD3P

now you lapped you are ready to te giga world

[Morgoth]

Untweaked pi run on mine, I will remount and fiddle with voltage more, see what happens

[Davit]

You can see in the following 2 pics the contact was originally quite bad. I did a quick lap job on the True (3rd pic) and it has much improved contact and temps. I'll finish it off when I get some finer grade sandpaper.

Congrats on the 4.4 stable, very nice work.

CPU bad contact



True Cu bad contact

WOW. That is exactly how mine looks... I tried the drop in the middle method, spread even method nothing worked... Nice to know that I am not entirely crazy. I will lap my 9650 asap, see what I can get out of it. Temp drop would be a pleasant bonus, I would even settle for temp stability between the cores lol. I have read mixed reviews about lapping the heat-killer, so I will let it be... Funny don't want to ruin a $90 waterblock, instead I am taking a sandpaper to $349(what I paid for it) CPU....

Thank you for the kind words as well!
There will be more shenanigans to come.

[OC Nub]

Davit, I have the DQ6 also. My best results were with the following ref's. CPU ref 1-.775, CPU ref 2 default.800, MCH ref-.795. Try setting default vtt 1.20v and then set these ref's, then bump vtt back up to where you need it leaving ref's alone. These same ref settings worked on 3 45nm quads. Going up a few notches on your vtt to around 1.36v combined with better reference voltage settings may help you lower vcore some.

[deachus]

I was told that the base of the True's are concave so I lapped mine and got much better temps. I have recently retired my Q9650 to my Media Server and have the True running on a 920 D0. Temps are great. Try lapping your True. By the impressions on your CPU and True in looks like it is concave, as it's making contact in the center and not on the sides.

[Davit]

Davit, I have the DQ6 also. My best results were with the following ref's. CPU ref 1-.775, CPU ref 2 default.800, MCH ref-.795. Try setting default vtt 1.20v and then set these ref's, then bump vtt back up to where you need it leaving ref's alone. These same ref settings worked on 3 45nm quads. Going up a few notches on your vtt to around 1.36v combined with better reference voltage settings may help you lower vcore some.

Oh that is fantastic! I was looking for some input on that, thanks man!
I saw you hit 4.4 on DQ6, that what actually inspired me lol. Did you ever hit 4.5 on that board???

Does this look about right?

CPU Vcore….………......1.250v*........: 1,50(lets say, man can dream lol)
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1,360v
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1,560v
CPU Reference.………….0.760V*.......: 0.775
CPU Reference2………..0.800V*.......: 0.800
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1,300v
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........; 0.795
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: Auto

[OC Nub]

Oh that is fantastic! I was looking for some input on that, thanks man!
I saw you hit 4.4 on DQ6, that what actually inspired me lol. Did you ever hit 4.5 on that board???

Does this look about right?

CPU Vcore….………......1.250v*........: 1,50(lets say, man can dream lol)
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1,360v
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1,560v
CPU Reference.………….0.760V*.......: 0.775
CPU Reference2………..0.800V*.......: 0.800
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1,300v
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........; 0.795
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: Auto

I was able to hit 4500mhz stable on the q9650, 4400mhz stable on the q9550.
I think you will need more MCH voltage for 4500mhz all depending on the strap you use. I needed 1.4vmch for 1:1-200d and 1.46vmch for 5:6 240b 1200mhz. You may be able to lower vcore more than you think with these ref's but it also depends on the chip. 4400mhz with default ref's is pretty good. Remember that the ref's are linked to vtt so when you set these 3 ref's make sure you default your vtt to 1.20v first, then raise vtt back up.

[OC Nub]

Also what are your advanced clock control settings? Napalm had suggested using 1000/1000/0/0 so i tried it and that worked best for me also.

[Davit]

Also what are your advanced clock control settings? Napalm had suggested using 1000/1000/0/0 so i tried it and that worked best for me also.

Yeah that is what I read as well, thank you for the tip.

Here's the setting I have now:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ..................: [AUTO]
CPU Clock Ratio ..............................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.........................:
CPU Frequency ...............................: 4.40Ghz(489 x 9)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control...................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) .............: [489]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ..........: [100]
CIA2 - disabled

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 1000mv
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 1000mv
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance....................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)........: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch.................: [AUTO]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: [2.00D]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ................: [978]
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time..........................:5
tRCD ...........................................:5
tRP'.............................................: 5
tRAS............................................:1 5

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD............................................:A uto
tWTR.......................................... :Auto
tWR.............................................:A uto
tRFC............................................:A uto

tRTP...........................................:Au to
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….......1.250v*........: 1,5250v
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1,300v
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1,560v
CPU Referen.…………....0.760V*.......: Auto
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......: Auto

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1,300v
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........; Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: Auto


DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2,220V
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Auto

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3 ------------------ : [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect -------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) ---------------- : [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support ------------------- : [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 (TM2) ------------ : [Disabled]
CPU EIST Function --------------------- : [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology -------------- : [Disabled]

[Davit]

Sorry almost forgot, and pardon the stupid question, to set the default vtt to 1.20 do I just set it to that, save and boot and then reset it to what I need to, or do I just load optimized defaults, save and then adjust what I need?

[OC Nub]

Yeah that is what I read as well, thank you for the tip.

Here's the setting I have now:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ..................: [AUTO]
CPU Clock Ratio ..............................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.........................:
CPU Frequency ...............................: 4.40Ghz(489 x 9)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control...................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) .............: [489]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ..........: [100]
CIA2 - disabled

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 1000mv
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 1000mv
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance....................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)........: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch.................: [AUTO]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: [2.00D]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ................: [978]
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time..........................:5
tRCD ...........................................:5
tRP'.............................................: 5
tRAS............................................:1 5

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD............................................:A uto
tWTR.......................................... :Auto
tWR.............................................:A uto
tRFC............................................:A uto

tRTP...........................................:Au to
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….......1.250v*........: 1,5250v
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1,300v
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1,560v
CPU Referen.…………....0.760V*.......: Auto
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......: Auto

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1,300v
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........; Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: Auto


DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2,220V
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Auto

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3 ------------------ : [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect -------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) ---------------- : [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support ------------------- : [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 (TM2) ------------ : [Disabled]
CPU EIST Function --------------------- : [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology -------------- : [Disabled]

For 8gb of ram you may need a lot more mch. I had only tested using 4gb kit. With 4gb you should be able to lower Static tRead Value to 9, may work on 8gb as well but am not positive.

[KRich]

I got a lot of inspiration from all you amazing chaps here and am so excited to tell you that I got my dream Q9650



I have improved watercooling in the works as I just know that this chip has plenty more to give and which I am ready to receive

4.4GHz at 1.328v actual in CPU-Z feels so good and just rocks - I am so happy

Thanks so much to you all for all your continued contributions here and I wanted to give this back

[In-Fluence]

Nice! I hope that the one on it's way to me is of similar quality, can see why you're happy! Wish me luck

[KRich]

Nice! I hope that the one on it's way to me is of similar quality, can see why you're happy! Wish me luck

All the best

[OC Nub]

KRich, Awesome job!!!
Vcore is great for 4400mhz. Congrats.

[KRich]

KRich, Awesome job!!!
Vcore is great for 4400mhz. Congrats.

Cheers buddy

[Davit]

For 8gb of ram you may need a lot more mch. I had only tested using 4gb kit. With 4gb you should be able to lower Static tRead Value to 9, may work on 8gb as well but am not positive.

Yeah I always use only 4GB when OC'ing. Then add 8 and retest.
I tired Static 8 and 9, I get BSOD or some other wierd things, like reboot loop. 10 always seem to work well... I am not sure why..

I got a lot of inspiration from all you amazing chaps here and am so excited to tell you that I got my dream Q9650



I have improved watercooling in the works as I just know that this chip has plenty more to give and which I am ready to receive

4.4GHz at 1.328v actual in CPU-Z feels so good and just rocks - I am so happy

Thanks so much to you all for all your continued contributions here and I wanted to give this back

Hey man that is a great result! I can't believe how low the vcore is! What is the vid on that cpu?

Nice! I hope that the one on it's way to me is of similar quality, can see why you're happy! Wish me luck

Good luck brother!

[KRich]

Hey man that is a great result! I can't believe how low the vcore is! What is the vid on that cpu?

Cheers buddy It is a 1.1375 VID chip - I was jumping around everywhere when I powered the system up the first time and saw the VID in the BIOS

You've got a great chip too - Wish you all the best with 4.5GHz and beyond

[Davit]

Cheers buddy It is a 1.1375 VID chip - I was jumping around everywhere when I powered the system up the first time and saw the VID in the BIOS

You've got a great chip too - Wish you all the best with 4.5GHz and beyond

Thanks man!
That is a nice low vid! Damn I bet you still have plenty of room left!
I am going to try some benching at 4.5 tonight, big thanks to OC Nub! Some great tips, so hopefully I can post tomorrow morning with a good news!

[OC Nub]

Davit, just lower vtt to 1.20v in bios, set ref's, then raise vtt back up. no need to load defaults.