Overclock Settings Verification

[FredSRichardson]

Hi,

I'm not sure if I should be worried, so I thought I would check. Things seem to be running fine. I ran IntelBurn for 5 iterations (maximum stress) and passed which is great, but my maximum temperature according to Real Temp was 72C which seems high.

According to CPU-Z, my core voltage is 1.328V

Here are the O/C settings I'm using which have seemed stable so far. Please let me know if you spot anything that looks crazy or even risky. Thanks!

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster .................: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio .........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.99GHz (444x9)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control...................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ................: 444Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .............:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance......................: [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)..........: [Auto]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ................: 2.40B

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.....................................: [Auto]
tWTR.....................................: [Auto]
tWR......................................: [Auto]
tRFC.....................................: [Auto]
tRTP.....................................: [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ......................: [Auto]

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ........................: 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.......................: [Auto]
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.......................: [Auto]
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

Load-Line Calibration....................: [Enabled]

CPU
CPU Vcore................................: 1.35
CPU Termination........... 1.200V*.......: [Auto]
CPU PLL....................1.500V*.......: [Auto]
CPU Referen................0.755V*.......: 0.778

MCH/ICH
MCH Core...................1.100V........: 1.34V
MCH Reference..............0.800V........: 0.783V
MCH/DRAM Ref...............0.900V........: [Auto]
ICH I/O....................1.500V........: [Auto]
ICH Core...................1.100V........: [Auto]

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ..............1.800V........: [Auto]
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................: [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................: [Enabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ...............: [Enabled]

[FredSRichardson]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

Jeez, I guess I was running very close to the hairy edge with Intel-Burn @ 72C (max is 72.4C or so? Yikes!).

I have a lot of settings at [Auto], should I be worried about that? Things are running okay as far as I can tell, but I don't want to send my CPU to an early grave.

Any help from you guys would be great :)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

72C is about norm for Intel Burn Test, it makes things very HOT!! I would imagine your orthos/prime temps would only be in the 60's then right?

Temps sound acceptable to me, I mean they are not by any means higher then I would expect for your setup. I run 70C + often without issues. 100C is the Temp where Throttling (TjMax) will occur, so keep that in mind. 70C is norm for alot of users, I would only worry if I started Seeing 80+

Yes, I see a few voltage issues. The same stability thoughts I mention below will apply here as well, you will need to find a stable settings for each all over again. And I do suggest you put Ref voltages back to Auto until you find stable CPU voltages (PLL and Vtt) then you can try messing with CPU Ref, and MCH Ref

But you CANNOT leave these in Auto as they are killing your CPU right now as I am typing >>>

CPU Termination........... 1.200V*.......: [Auto] << Set 1.225-1.34
CPU PLL....................1.500V*.......: [Auto] << Set 1.5-1.58


Not so much of a killer here, but you should not need this much MCH Voltage at all for your ram amount and speed. Of course some ram will have a tough time running above 400 FSB on the B Strap, but I bet once you set your own Vtt (Termination) you will be able to lower this

MCH/ICH
MCH Core...................1.100V........: 1.34V << For 2x2GB you should only need 1.2-1.3, often even on the B strap above 400 FSB 1.24-1.28 is all that is needed.

For best performance you should set these at least manually, I can give you full suggestions once you get stable again if you like. And yes you would possibly need to tweak voltages and other settings again once you do so, but Auto is not the best at all for performance. But that is all up to you >>>

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD.....................................: 3
tRFC.....................................: 52-62
Command Rate (CMD) ......................: 2

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.......................: 8-10

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ..............1.800V........: 1.82-1.9 (I see full spec voltage may not bee needed in reviews for this memory, but I would not use Auto. Best to set your own voltage here)

[FredSRichardson]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

What's your opinion on "Load-Line Calibration"?

Also, what does "[Auto]" actually do? Does the BIOS pick the value on the left (e.g. ....1.8000V....), or is the value dynamic while the system is booted up and running?

I ran IntelBurn with these settings now and it looks pretty good (5 iterations same residual, temp 72C again). Should I test stability in other ways like using memtest?

Here's what I have so far:

CPU Ref and MCH Ref are back to [Auto]

CPU Termination........... 1.200V*.......: 1.220V
CPU PLL....................1.500V*.......: 1.5V

MCH Core...................1.100V........: 1.2V

tRRD.....................................: 3
tRFC.....................................: 52
Command Rate (CMD) ......................: 2

Static tRead Value.......................: 8

DRAM Voltage ..............1.800V........: 1.8V


Thank you very much for you time and help! :)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

LLC, I use it myself but that is not my advice to you. I advise you to read the pro's and con's of both ways and read as many users thoughts about it as you can

I'm sure you have by the way you asked

I tell you this, on 45Nm Dual Cores I use it but only under 4Ghz, like 3.6 or so. On i7 I have been using it since day one and that is 45Nm CPU.

I think the scare it is/was all hype or Older board/BIOS issues, but I cannot suggest to you either way

Auto the setting, actually setting auto I mean lets the board decide what voltage/timing/setting to apply based on it's guess by looking at your other settings.

Auto the setting/value you see on the left in the BIOS Can be ignored. It is what may be in use at the time in the BIOS, or had been in use in the past, and or may have never been used.

YOu can test stability tons of ways of course, I use LinX, and Memtest86+, and HCI Design's Memtest myself. Tons of apps here for testing stability if you did not know where to find any >>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/latest-overclocking-programs-system-info-benchmarking-stability-tools-30530/

[FredSRichardson]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

Thank you again for the help, I'll have to think about the LLC setting and maybe see what happens to VCore if I turn it off.

What do you recommend changing next? I believe I'm currently stable and wouldn't mind tweaking a bit more.

Should I try to get a bit more out of my RAM? I think I have a little room there to play with, but I'm not sure where to start.

Sorry I'm such a n00b at this, and thank you for your help! :)

[FredSRichardson]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

Sorry to be a pest, but what should I look at next? I'm not sure what types O/C would be stable (and not kill my CPU).

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

See my PM for thoughts on pushing further. As for tweaking, you can try a few things and bench them to see what is better. Once you got them stable of course.

You could try Performance Enhance Extreme

You could try lower ram multi with tighter timings due to lower ram speed.

You could try higher ram speed

You could/should for this profile you have now work on manually setting all your own timings as Auto is just POOR for performance. Here is what ranges I suggest you work with, starting with the higher values and moving down one at a time testing with Memtest86+ as you go. Set them all high, then work down starting with tRD (Static tRead Value) first, then onto the rest from the top

MCH and ram voltages may need adjusted as you try to lower tRD, keep that in mind. Also using 6-7 on B strap much above 400 will not work well normally, 8 is often needed after 400/425 FSB

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD.....................................: [Auto]
tWTR.....................................: [Auto]
tWR......................................: [Auto]
tRFC.....................................: [Auto]
tRTP.....................................: [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ......................: [Auto]

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ........................: 800/1066 Test/Bench Both LAST

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.......................: 6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ..............1.800V........: 1.82-1.92

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

What ram speed are you thinking of pushing to, or did you mean in your PM just tightening up your timings?

[FredSRichardson]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

Well, I'm having a hard time understanding some things, but I know my RAM is rated to run @ PC2-8800 and currently I'm stable with low voltage (1.8V). I guess that 1100MHz instead of 1066MHz which isn't a big difference, but I was thinking I must have a little head room.

Tightening up timings would be great, here are my current settings

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster .................: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio .........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.99GHz (444x9)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control...................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ................: 444Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .............:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance......................: [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)..........: [Auto]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ................: 2.40B

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.....................................: [Auto]
tWR......................................: [Auto]
tRFC.....................................: 52
tRTP.....................................: [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ......................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ........................: 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.......................: 8
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.......................: 8
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

Load-Line Calibration....................: [Enabled]

CPU
CPU Vcore................................: 1.35
CPU Termination........... 1.200V*.......: 1.220
CPU PLL....................1.500V*.......: 1.5
CPU Referen................0.755V*.......: [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core...................1.100V........: 1.2V
MCH Reference..............0.800V........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Ref...............0.900V........: [Auto]
ICH I/O....................1.500V........: [Auto]
ICH Core...................1.100V........: [Auto]

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ..............1.800V........: 1.8
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................: [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................: [Enabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ...............: [Enabled]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

Well you would need higher voltage to run your ram at it's best of course, even at lower speeds then stock in order to tighten timings you may need to run the ram at it's full spec voltage, or even a little more

Here is how you would tighten up timings, raise your voltage a bit first. Then see what the lowest tRD (Static Tread Value) you can set, with the other timings still high/loose. Then move onto the others in this order tRFC, tRRD, tRTP, tWR, tWTR

You could also try Extreme Performance Enhance first, but you would likely need more ram voltage then stock and looser timings to start with. Possibly higher MCH Voltage as well, which also would apply as you try to lower tRD with the settings/methods listed above.

tRD of 8 at 400+ FSB on the B Strap is likely as low as you can go, and you may even need to use 9 to tighten up the other timings. You would have more headroom with timings on the D Multi's (Such as 2.66D) at 400+ FSB, of course D does require a higher tRD then B though so you may want to stick it out with B first or make two BIOS profiles to test each way

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster .................: [Auto or fast]
CPU Clock Ratio .........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.99GHz (444x9)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control...................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ................: 444Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .............:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance......................: [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)..........: [Auto] << Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ................: 2.40B

Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..................: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ..................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.........................: 5
tRCD ....................................: 5
tRP'.....................................: 5
tRAS.....................................: 12/15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD.....................................: 3-4
tWTR.....................................:3-6
tWR......................................: 4-6
tRFC.....................................: 48-52 may work for you since you are using 52 now
tRTP.....................................: 3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ......................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ........................: 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.......................: 8-10
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.......................: 8-10
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

Load-Line Calibration....................: [Enabled]

CPU
CPU Vcore................................: 1.35
CPU Termination........... 1.200V*.......: 1.220-1.34 (This affects ram/NB so you may need more to tighten up things, keep this in mind)
CPU PLL....................1.500V*.......: 1.5-1.58
CPU Referen................0.755V*.......: [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core...................1.100V........: 1.2-1.24+
MCH Reference..............0.800V........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Ref...............0.900V........: [Auto]
ICH I/O....................1.500V........: 1.5-1.55
ICH Core...................1.100V........: 1.14-1.2

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ..............1.800V........: 1.8-1.95
DRAM Termination ..........0.900V........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference .......0.900V........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference .......0.900V........: [Auto]

[FredSRichardson]

Re: Overclock Settings Verification

Okay, I added a bit of voltage and tried the lower time settings, I think these look pretty good. Memtest passed after 6hours or so of running, I'm trying the burnin tests now. I figured these voltages are safe since they fall into the ranges you gave me (Please let me know if I'm wrong :)).

I might try the D strap at some later time. These settings seem very stable, so I'll probably stick with them (unless they become unstable for some reason).

Thanks for all your help!!!!

-Fred


MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster .................: [Auto or fast]
CPU Clock Ratio .........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.99GHz (444x9)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control...................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ................: 444Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .............:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance......................: [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)..........: [Disabled]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ................: 2.40B

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......................................: 4
tRFC.....................................: 48
tRTP.....................................: 3
Command Rate (CMD) ......................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ........................: 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.......................: 8
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.......................: 8
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

Load-Line Calibration....................: [Enabled]

CPU
CPU Vcore................................: 1.35
CPU Termination........... 1.200V*.......: 1.28
CPU PLL....................1.500V*.......: 1.57
CPU Referen................0.755V*.......: [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core...................1.100V........: 1.24
MCH Reference..............0.800V........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Ref...............0.900V........: [Auto]
ICH I/O....................1.500V........: 1.5
ICH Core...................1.100V........: 1.2

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ..............1.800V........: 1.8
DRAM Termination ..........0.900V........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference .......0.900V........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference .......0.900V........: [Auto]