GA31M-ES2L<-- Is this OC able?

[scottmti]

Hi my name is Scott from LA. This is my first post from a sometime lurkiing. So I apology if I might be off line and seems ignorant.
Well I've been trying and doing some major research trying to see if this boar d and Q6600 that I have is Over Clockable. So far no luck. I don't know if it's a memory or other thing that I have. I did find some strange things as I am experimenting. First, any FSB increase will have bios reset to defaults. I tried to adjust RAM timing and still can not increase FSB. here is a general info of my machine.
1. Q6600 CPU. (suppose to able to OC no problem)
2. Memory Corsair DDR2 PC2-6400 800mhz. 2gbx2 (WINXp only let me use 2.5)
3. Gigagabyte GA31M-ES2L
4. Vised Card MSI NX8400GS 512MB (Not a gamer I know)
5. 500Watt Power Supply.

Here something I found something strange most of the forum says make a video card to 100mhz when you want to OC so I just change video frq to 100mhz instead leaving it at "auto" behold, bios reset to default. So I'm thinking is it cause my video card? Oh tried using Easytune Pro 5 I could increase upto 2.6ghz stable but 2.7ghz will lock up.
I'm going to try to put up a CPUZ photo of my rig

[kick]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

I think the 100mhz you are talking about is the pci bus frequency. Its not a specific video card thing.
I dont know your board ,but i get the feeling there may be no memory voltage adjustment on it?
Win xp should allow you to see 3.3G,some of your memory may be set aside as "shared video memory".
If u cant adjust the ram voltage ,you will have to unlink or whatever your bios setting is to try and run your memory closer to a (1:1) ratio

Post your full bios and settings you use,and people would have some suggestions perhaps.Or maybe a same type board owner will reply.

Your memory is running at 2:3(266x3=800mhz)

What you want for starters is something like a 333mhz fsb with your memory running at 800mhz,there should be a divider in your bios for that?
Then 333x9 would be approx 3ghz for the cpu.
That might /would be a bit high to be aiming for straight off.So reduce your cpu multiplier to 8,that should give you around 2.66Ghz.
n stuff like that .
But post bios settings etc.

[scottmti]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Thanks for the reply. I did tried to adjust some ram timing and made it 1:1 and still no avail. Lats night I took the video card out and tried it without the card by just using on-board video. Still same problem. It always comes back to default. I took a photo of my bios just to show board can adjust memory, fsb and voltages too. So far none has worked. I really don't know what else to try. I even thought about getting a new ram with 1066 instead of 800mhz. I really don't think it would help. Maybe this board is not made to OC? but I saw many people who have this board with core 2 duo has OC them. Not sure what else I need to do. Maybe Gigabyte Tech might be help me?
Oh yeah, what if I get a new mother board by using same cpu and ram, do I need to reinstall all the softwares? That might be my last resort. Anyway here is my pic of my bios

[profJim]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Have you disabled on-board video when you're using your video card?

[powergiga]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Thanks for the reply. I did tried to adjust some ram timing and made it 1:1 and still no avail. Lats night I took the video card out and tried it without the card by just using on-board video. Still same problem. It always comes back to default. I took a photo of my bios just to show board can adjust memory, fsb and voltages too. So far none has worked. I really don't know what else to try. I even thought about getting a new ram with 1066 instead of 800mhz. I really don't think it would help. Maybe this board is not made to OC? but I saw many people who have this board with core 2 duo has OC them. Not sure what else I need to do. Maybe Gigabyte Tech might be help me?
Oh yeah, what if I get a new mother board by using same cpu and ram, do I need to reinstall all the softwares? That might be my last resort. Anyway here is my pic of my bios

I have GA31M-ES2L with E7200 and It's not going help much OC so I took it back and get UP3R with E7200 works well OC.

You have Q6600 CPU that would be best with UD3P or UD3R, Both boards are so popular with Q6600, E8400, E8500 etc...

I know it's little more money to spend either board you pick one, It's worth shot for better OC with your Q6600 piece of pie.

pg

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Ya, this board is not a very good overclocker at all. It is meant for workstations and not really built to overclock. Sure it will, but not much

P35 or P45 models would be a much better board if you want to overclock, P35's are pretty cheap as are the P45-UD3x models

If you want to keep the board you can, I can try to help you with your settings and see what it will do. If you would like to try that pleasethis is your ram linked below, and then tell me what speed you want to try for and I will give you a set of full suggested settings.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 &#40;PC2 6400&#41; Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

[scottmti]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

I guess i found out little late since I have all my software already installed. I would like to try to OC this see if it is capable OCing. And the link you provided, it is the same ram I have in my system. Is there any other information you need? I can try to get as much as I can.
Where should I start the adjustment?
As above board you mention they are not a Micro ATX, I need a MicroATX board.

Scott

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Ya, those are ATX boards I mentioned not MicroATX. I don't think there are any Great Overclockers in that selection size, maybe G45

Give me the settings you are using now and what speed you want to try to run, let me know your BIOS Version, and I will advise back. >>>

This is Just a template I use to ask people their settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [450] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 
Read to Precharge Delay__________
Static tRead Value_______________
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V] 
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V] 
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V] 
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

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

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[scottmti]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Here are the list that filled out. Some features I don't have, so I wrote them "N/A" Strange thing is anytime I change FSB enable and FSB to 266, which is normal. It still reboot to default. I feel there must be something I am over looking. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I really don't know how much i want to OC but I just like to see if this can go close to 2.8Ghz. Bios Version is F5? It says on my CPUZ photo above.
Scott

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[N/A]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled] "Can not change"
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [266] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [N/A]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [Auto]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Auto]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ Auto 3
Rank Write to READ Delay________ Auto 3
Write to Precharge Delay_________ Auto 6
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ Auto 42
Read to Precharge Delay__________ Auto 3
Static tRead Value_______________ Auto 4
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] 0

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [N/A]
CPU Clock Skew Control [N/A]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [N/A]

System Voltage Control____ [Auto]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal] 
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [N/A] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal] 
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [N/A] 
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [N/A]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [N/A]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Disabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[/QUOTE]

[artureal]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Well, I've bought this motherboard for internet use only, but of course :), I tried with some overclocking. And I must say, I am staying impressed: this mATX little MB has no problem with reaching 500MHz of FSB and let me overclock my E8400/2x2GB Patriot Dual LLK to almost 4.2 GHz. Good work, Gigabyte!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Thanks for posting, looks like I missed the OP's reply.

Maybe these posts will bump his thread and PM him to come look? Hope so if he still needs some help

[aggiefan]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Hey guys, I didn't think it necessary to start a new thread since I'm running the same mobo (GA-G31m-ES2L). I'd like to try my hand at a little basic Overclocking as well and realize the inherent limitations of this budget board. I'm running an E7200 C2D @2.53mhz (266x9.5 according to MIT).
I'm also using OCZ DDR2 800 2GBx2 memory with timings of 5-4-4-15.
Graphics card is a basic EVGA 9500GT 512mb card.
I'm running XP SP3 as well.

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9X] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [266] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [N/A]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [Auto]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Auto]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________6 Auto 
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 6 Auto
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______6 Auto
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18 Auto

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3 Auto
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 3 Auto
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 6 Auto
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 46 Auto
Read to Precharge Delay__________3 Auto
Static tRead Value_______________5 Auto
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 0[Auto]

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [NA]
CPU Clock Skew Control [NA]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [NA]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal] 
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal] 
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [NA] 
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.21250V]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [NA]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [NA]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [NA]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [NA]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [NA]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [NA]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [NA]
Virtualization Technology................: [NA] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Enabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[/QUOTE]

I realize that the last section of the template wasn't available to me perhaps due to certain functions being 'Auto' by default so if I need to enable some things I can. I just didn't want to go into this w/a trial and error attitude this being my first time trying to OC. I'll probably upgrade the MB,etc down the road but for this year, I'm content.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Jeremy

[Chike]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

The settings you couldn't find are in Advanced BIOS Settings.
In main BIOS screen press ctrl+F1, the screen should blink, see if there are any additional settings in MIT.
Can you post a screen capture of MemSet main and spd(click spd) windows?
What is default vcore?
I think it is a native 333 FSB, so it should not be a problem OCing it to at least 3.16GHz.

[aggiefan]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

Actually, that's AFTER hitting CTRL-F1....there's less before:)

Ok, I'm going to need baby talk here...Memset? SPD Windows? Where can I find these exactly?
By default vcore, are you referring to the default CPU voltage? If so, it's in the above template at 1.2125v. If not, my apologies.
EDIT: Re default vcore, I went into the PC Health Status screen and Vcore is 1.188V. Is that what you were referring to?
BTW, I can't for the life of me remember how to screen capture. I built this desktop back in january and find myself forgetting easier and easier lately when I'm not constantly working w/this stuff, plus I'm not up on the various utilities other than memtest and cpuz. In my case, if I don't use it alot, I definitely lose it!

[profJim]

Re: GA31M-ES2L&lt;-- Is this OC able?

For full screen capture, press the Print Screen key (usually to the right of the F12 key).
Open an image editing program, then paste (using [Ctrl] + V ) the image into the program.

To only capture the active window, follow the same procedure but use [Alt] + Print Screen key.

Links for benchmark, monitoring and other programs are in the Latest Overclocking Programs, System Info, Benchmarking, & Stability Tools thread.