EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

[dezijan]

I purchased my EP45-DQ6 last month to essentially build a new system upon some existing components I had from an older system. I retained only the SATA internal hard drives, original Antec case and other external components (monitors) from the old system a replaced the motherboard (model mentioned above), an Intel Q9450 quad core cpu, memory (OCZ OCZ2RPR8004GK 4GB PC2-6400 (DDR2-800)), video card (ASUS EAH4850) and power supply (Antec Truepower Trio 550). I also replaced my Haupaugge PVR150 with a HVR-8500, but that is not the isue here.

I have never really trie to overclock my prior systems event though the motherboards I have owned have all touted this ability. I simply have never been able to figure out the suttle nuances of overclocking with any success. Take my attepts here for example. I have applied the following settings on a system running the AWARD BIOS F10.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Turbo
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.6 (333x8)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900 mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 0 ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Extreme]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Auto
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 333
System Memory Multiplier ..............: Auto
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3
tWTR..........................................3
tWR............................................5
tRFC...........................................50
tRTP...........................................3
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:7
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto(reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Motherboard Voltage ControlCPUMCH/ICH

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Well what speed do you want to try for is really the question. I do see several settings that if let would hold you back.

Here try this for a 3.2 overclock >>>

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............:Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.216 (402x8)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 402 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900 mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 50-150ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400 (Set voltages, Static Tread and this and reboot then set the rest) Main thing is to set as little as you can with this. So you may also try Setting all ram timings to highest first and then reboot to make these changes.

System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00 Or 2.66 (If you think you can run 1066 Ram speed with those sticks)

Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800 or 1066 per above
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15/18

Set all highest below, and later lower one at a time testing with memtest86+ as you go.

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-5
tWTR..........................................3-6 (May need 12 for first boot thru after MCH change)

tWR............................................4-6 (May need 14 for first boot thru after MCH change)
tRFC...........................................50
tRTP...........................................3-6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:8-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)<< leave all below here on Auto, if they are set to a value then manually put them in Auto

tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:8-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0) << leave all below here on Auto, if they are set to a value then manually put them in Auto

tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto(reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.27500 << all up to your chip. Dont use Auto as it will set too much. Best to set high and then lower later. Stock may get you 3.2 but maybe not. And what you set here will be less in windows so keep this in mind and check to see the difference so you know what it is in CPU-z. Maybe 1.30-1.32 in the BIOS, likely will need less but maybe not all chips are different

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......:Auto (reads as 1.2) 1.2-1.3(likely not needed at all until 400-450+ FSB so you can leave on auto for now) Since I did list 400 FSb above, you may try 1.2-1.25 if you like.

CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......:Auto (reads as 1.5)
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto (reads as .76)
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:Auto (reads as .8)

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.2-1.3 << Needed for 2x2GB
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; Auto (reads as .76)
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: Auto (reads as 1.5) If you want to set 1.5-1.6


DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............:1.9600 << 2.0 is good maybe (2.1 may be needed as 1.8 is too low and they have since updated the programming for the SPD settings of this ram) 2.1 would be needed likely to get the 1066 stable (if it will at all)

[dezijan]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Thank you for the feedback. I have applies these settings you have provided all at once, but am still getting the red screen H/W settings message when I get back into the BIOS MIT settings.

Let me clarify a couple of things you stated above to ensure that I understand. In the MCH Frequency Latch settings, you've indicated that voltages, ST and this (MCH?) should all be applied first. Do you mean to apply those settings alone before anything else, then reboot and apply the remaining settings you've provided? Also, the only way to change the CPU Host Requency is to Enable the CPU Host Clock Control, is this right?

When I run SiSoftware Sandra after rebooting, I see no change in processor speed, or any other applicable setting for that matter. Did I miss something crucial in the instructions you provided above? I would like to understand the changes better, but still don't understand what I am changing and why.

Thanks again for your assistance.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Yes, you can apply them all at once or as I suggested with as few as you can with MCH changes.

Yes you must enabled CPU host clock control to change FSB

When you get a triple reboot and see the red warning box in the BIOS all stock settings will be used, not what you set or see in the BIOS as it was wrong. Once you get a proper reboot (One or Two reboots) then see no warning in the BIOS you will know things are correct and applied

If you were using all the highest settings I provided above then you likely still need more CPU vcore as those settings are loose and should not hold you back at all

[dezijan]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Yeah you may need far more voltage for your overclock as 1.33 is way less in windows (Check with CPU-z, but I guess it would have to be applied first to see the change so that may be of no help)

Please do post me exactly what you are using now and I can try to help you further.

1.36 may bee good in BIOS for about 1.30 in windows, if that does not get you thru then you have some other setting off. Let me see fully where you are at with settings and I will advise

[dezijan]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Here are my complete current settings. So far, no change in results. Same as before.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............:Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.216 (402x8)

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 402 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100
C.I.A.2........................................Dis abled

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900 mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 50ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400

System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66

Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800 or 1066 per above
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................5
tWTR..........................................12
tWR............................................14
tRFC...........................................50
tRTP...........................................6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)<< leave all below here on Auto, if they are set to a value then manually put them in Auto

tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0) << leave all below here on Auto, if they are set to a value then manually put them in Auto

tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto(reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Motherboard

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Try this, I think you are trying to push that ram to far >>>

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............:Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.216 (402x8)

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 402 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100
C.I.A.2........................................Dis abled

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900 mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 50ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400

System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00

Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................5
tWTR..........................................12
tWR............................................14
tRFC...........................................68
tRTP...........................................6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)<< leave all below here on Auto, if they are set to a value then manually put them in Auto

tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0) << leave all below here on Auto, if they are set to a value then manually put them in Auto

tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto(reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8) << When you say this, you do mean it is set in Auto right, but you see this value on the left? If so that is ok, but if it is Set as this that is not.

Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.37500
CPU Termination…..... 1.300V << Auto
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......:Auto (reads as 1.5) Set to stock
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto (reads as .76)
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:Auto (reads as .8)

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.13 << 1.2+
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; Auto (reads as .76)
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: Auto (reads as 1.5) If you want to set 1.5-1.6

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....2.1

[dezijan]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

I have applied the changes as described here...unfortunately no change in result. I do want to correct the memory specification I had originally provided. The memory I has is capable of 1066. I actual model of memory that I have is OCZ2RPR10664GK (OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB 2 X 2G).

Are there any specific change I can toggle on my own, or "play with"? Are there any particular things that I should not do? I don't want to damage any of the components by settings something incorrectly.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Excessive voltage is really the only thing you do not want to do.

For 1066 you would need to use this general area to get your ram speed up to that, same as above except the memory multi. If you are not getting the above to even load you likely need more CPU voltage for sure since those are 800 settings and if that is not booting for you then you are not using enough voltages somewhere >>>>

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............:Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.216 (402x8)

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 402 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100
C.I.A.2........................................Dis abled

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900 mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 50ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400

System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66

Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1069
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................5
tWTR..........................................12
tWR............................................14
tRFC...........................................68
tRTP...........................................6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)<< leave all below here on Auto, if they are set to a value then manually put them in Auto

tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto (reads as 0) << leave all below here on Auto, if they are set to a value then manually put them in Auto

tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto(reads as 0)
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto (reads as 0)
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto (reads as 0)
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto (reads as 8) << When you say this, you do mean it is set in Auto right, but you see this value on the left? If so that is ok, but if it is Set as this that is not.

Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 8)
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto (reads as 7)
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto (reads as 9)
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.37500 (What do you get in windows at any voltge you can set and boot at? You will need to keep that in mind, It may be .6 or more less then you set in the BIOS. Meaning this 1.375 may only be 1.31 or less. So you may still need more

CPU Termination…..... 1.300V << Auto
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......:Auto (reads as 1.5) Set to stock
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto (reads as .76)
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:Auto (reads as .8)

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.13 << 1.2+ (Try 1.24 or 1.26)
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; Auto (reads as .76)
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: Auto (reads as 1.5) If you want to set 1.5-1.6

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....2.1

[dezijan]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

That is too much Vcore, what it the actual shown in CPU-z for that much set in the BIOS?

Vtt you can use more but stock should be good until you get around 450 or more FSB, max would be 1.38 or so 1.4 has been known to kill a 45nm cpu. You likely can use stock or Auto at 400 or so FSB

You need to see what your actual voltage is, the BIOS setting does not matter so much as core temps and the actual amount applied in windows. For your overclock here I think you would only need 1.3-1.325 or so actual likely less.

Are you sure this ram is not faulty?

[dezijan]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Follow up question: vtt? What does that refer to exactly? I do not see that we have referenced that term before.

Regarding the memory. I do not think it is faulty. At least via SiSoftware Sandra it reports on and shows the full 4 GB. How else would I be able to know if the memory is faulty?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

Vtt is FSB termination voltage

You need to test the ram with Memtest86+ (must be this newest version) >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

[dezijan]

Re: EP45-DQ6 Overclocking Newbie

I've finally downloaded MemTest86+. Everything passed. The basic statistics shown are:

L1 Cache 64K 32724 MBs
L2 Cache 6144K 22490 MBs
Memory 4094M 5025 MBs

Cached 4094M
RsvdMem 84M
Memmap e820-Std
Cache On
ECC off
Test Std
Pass 1