Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

[frankie97]

Hi all. I'm new to the site and saw a few posts that may help me. I am not new to computers or overclocking at all. I have built several computers on my own and have overclocked about the last 3 or 4 that I have built. My most recent computer now has the Gigabyte Mo-Bo, EP45C-UD3R and I seem to be having some problems getting the overclock to take.

When I OC, and try to boot up it acts like it's trying to take it and then it beeps and loads up and back to defaults then when I go back into my bios, it gives me a message saying that some of the setings were changed but that the computer was unable to boot with those settings. No matter how far or how little I attempt to overclock my cpu, it just resets back to default and runs at the stock temp. For some reason, it almost seems like it's not taking my overclock and I've read a little and wonder if it is some setting or something that I need to do with the BIOS in order to get it to accept the changes made and run the overclock. My system should certainly be able to overclock quite a bit. Here is what I have:

Gigabyte EP45C-UD3R
Intel Core2 Quad Q 9300 - 2.50 GHz
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
Mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240 Pin DDR3 1600
BFG Nvidia 280GTX OCX

Here is an SS of cpu-Z



I am simply wanting to get to 3.0 GHZ for now and get that stable. I know that this cpu can go way above that...almost 4.0, but I would be satisfied right now just getting it at 3.0 and then working up from there. Thank you in advance for any help and please let me know if you need any more information!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

What BIOS are you using? Ya, you should for sure be able to overclock a bit, likely just a incorrect memory timings or voltage not enough is all.

Give us your full settings you are trying that fail and maybe we can see why and 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

CPU = Model #
Motherboard = Model, Revision #
BIOS Version =
Ram = Brand, Model#, Part#, And or Link

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 


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

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


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


[b][u]DRAM Performance Control[/u][/b][u][/u]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[b]Standard Timing Control[/b]
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

Set all Suggested below to highest Values first.  Then later you can lower, one at a time, testing as you go

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
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

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
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

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]

[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:Auto if not overclocking, if you are overclocking please do find and set your own voltages

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: << If overclocking Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much.  Optimal range for overclock would be 1.2-1.5 depending on Vcore, try to keep at least .1 under vcore.  Auto is fine if not overclocking

CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << If overclocking Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much.  Optimal range for overclock would be 1.5-1.65.  Auto is fine if not overclocking

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

[b]DRAM[/b]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
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

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

CPU = Model #897360, Core2 Quad Q9300

Motherboard = Gigabyte EP45C-UD3R, Revision # A3

My BIOS is: Award Software International, INC
Version: F2
Date: 10/31/2008

Ram = Newegg.com - mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996601 - Desktop Memory



I will post a reply in just a few minutes with all my numbers within the BIOS

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

[QUOTE=Lsdmeasap;304080]
<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1 itxtvisited="1"> CPU = Model #897360, Core2 Quad Q9300

Motherboard = Gigabyte EP45C-UD3R, Revision # A3

My BIOS is: Award Software International, INC
Version: F2
Date: 10/31/2008

Ram = Newegg.com - mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996601 - Desktop Memory


These are the settings I have clicked to overclock to. When I just tried to overclock, during boot, my pc just started repeatedly beeping at me like it was too much for the pc to handle....so I'm not sure what I need to do. I've read that this board has a lot of safety features that make it hard to overclock and I dunno if I just dont have something Enabled or Disabled. But this last time, it acted like it tried to take the overclock and since it started beeping, it seems to me that it's like my cpu can't handle it....which is strange because this chip should be able to handle it with ease! So, here are the settings I just currently tried to use......

[code]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: +0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.00 GHz (400 x 7.5)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 400 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: Auto

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


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: Auto
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066 1280
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Auto]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 7
tRCD ......................................... 7
tRP'........................................... 7
tRAS.......................................... 20

Set all Suggested below to highest Values first. Then later you can lower, one at a time, testing as you go

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 4
tWTR.......................................... 4
tWR............................................ 8
tRFC........................................... 60
tRTP........................................... 4
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 0

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH Auto
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
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.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH Auto
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
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

CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.325

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: Auto

CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: Auto
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......: Auto
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << Auto
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: Auto
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: Dont see this setting anywhere
x C4/C4E State Support..................: Dont see this setting anywhere
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: Enabled
Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............Didn't see this setting anywhere




Let me know if I'm missing something and what I can do. Thanks again for all your help!!!

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

Bump!

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

anyone??!!??

[Psycho101]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

Looks like you've just coppied the settings Lsdmeasap has written for Static tRead values in the advanced memory section. We need to know what these are set to. if they are on auto, set them to the range recommended. For a 400 FSB, tRead = 7 should work on most RAm, but set 8 and attempt a boot to be safe.

The Q9300 isn't the best clocking chip in the world, but 3GHz should be pretty easy. You should be able to reduce vcore when you get it booting. My retired Q8200 did 3.2GHz on 1.2750V.

Note that if the beeping you heard was 23 fast beeps, it's 99% certain to be a RAM setting, and at least 60% certain that the setting at fault is Static tRead. It's never a good idea to overclock with auto RAM settings. Same goes for CPU Term, PLL, MCH Core and VDIMM,; always set them manually.

Try these settings initially:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: +0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.00 GHz (400 x 7.5)


Clock Chip Control 
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 400 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: Auto

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


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 4.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1600
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [MANUAL!]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 7
tRCD ......................................... 7
tRP'........................................... 6
tRAS.......................................... 18


Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 4
tWTR.......................................... 4
tWR............................................ 8
tRFC........................................... 68
tRTP........................................... 4
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ [Auto] Also try 1600 if there is such a setting, if not use the highest allowed.

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
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.........................:8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
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

CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.325

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.240V < Auto here = PC go BOOM!

CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.570V < As above, never leave on auto.
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto 
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......: Auto 
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.220V
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.500V............: 1.9V
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]

CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: Enabled 
Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............<-- This is in the Advanced BIOS settings menu, it's the very bottom entry, below USB keyboard and mouse support. Disable it.

If you still get a failed boot, set your primary RAM timings to a more relaxed 7-7-7-24, even though your sticks are rated to do 7-7-6-18.

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

I tried your settings at 7-7-6-18 and then at 7-7-7-24 and both of them failed to boot. I was able to change everything except the Drive timing because the only options in that setting were Auto and it wouldn't let me set it manually.

Also, some of my default voltages that you told me to leave didn't match up with what your post stated they were. So this is how I had the voltages:

CPU Vcore: 1.325
CPU Termination : 1.24
CPU PLL: 1.57
CPU Reference : 0.81

MCH Core: 1.22
MCH Reference : 0.825
MCH/DRAm Ref: 0.9
ICH I/O: 1.5
ICH Core: 1.1

Dram Voltage: 1.9
Dram termination: 0.88
Channel A Reference: 0.95 (failed boot, 16 beeps) 0.76 (failed boot, beeped 16 times rebooted, beeped 15 times rebooted, beeped 22 times and then rebooted and set back to safe HW settings to boot)
Channel B Reference: Same as the Channel A


Not sure what I can do....I tried setting the Channel A and Channel B static tRead value to 8 with all these settings and then I tried 7 and got failed boots no matter what I had entered.....


What in the world is going wrong here.....I know this is a very reasonable overclock and shouldn't give me any problems at all....there must be something....

Thanks for an y help you may have.....please HELP me!!!!! THANKS!

[Psycho101]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

The default voltages are just that, defaults. I don't understand what you mean. That profile was coppied directly from your post of your settings, so if any of the defaults on the left are wrong, it's because you didn't alter them originally. There is nothing that needs to match up to anything. Enter the settings in the chart that have a voltage value, and the ones that state auto, put on auto. Leave = Auto! If you're messing with references and trying to use the values on the left in the chart then it's no wonder you're getting a failed boot.

Leave CPU Ref on auto. Same with MCH ref. It doesn't matter about their voltage values, just their percentage in reference to CPU termination. Leave Dram term and channel A&B ref on auto too.

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

Ok. I have exactly what I am supposed to have now. Ive checked and re-checked. Anything that you have LEAVE on, is on Auto. I have set all those that you told me to set to auto back to auto and have everything else exactly as listed in your post before. I am still getting beeps and a failed boot. I have tried the 7-7-6-18 and 7-7-7-24 and I still get failed boots. I also tried just to take the FSB down to 366/7 instead of 400 and no matter how little I try to overclock it I still get failed boots. It doesnt matter if I'm barely overclocking it or going all the way to 3.0, it fails the boot....which makes me think there is some setting or just something that we're missing. I have NEVER had this much trouble woth overclocking and I don't know what the problem is but it's very frustrating.

I have printed out your post with my settings and I have it pulled up on my laptop and Im reading it and checking while im in BIOS to make sure that everything is EXACTLY the same and it is.....so I don't know what else to do! Any other suggestions or ideas??

I just dont know why I can't overclock it at all....not even just up to 2.75....ive seen screens of this processor running almost 4.0.....and I don't know what in the world we're doing wrong. Please hELP!!!! Thanks in advance once again for any suggestions.ideas/or help you can give me!!

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

any other suggestions??

[wepiii]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

Hey, I understand your frustration. I bought this board on saturday and have been struggling to get it to OC. I have a q6600 quadcore oc to 3.0 ghz now and it is running stable. I finally got mine to work by reducing the ram multiplier to where the ram was at 800 vs. 1066 or 1333. I then decreased the timing of the ram to 4 4 4 9. Everything is working smooth and cool which is good. It was my first overclock so i'm not sure if I just got lucky with my settings or what. You should certainly be able to oc with a better cpu than mine. i'm at work now, but if you want me to post the settings i used to get it to work i'll do it when i get home around 630 EST. just reply and let me know if you want me to.

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

Hey, I understand your frustration. I bought this board on saturday and have been struggling to get it to OC. I have a q6600 quadcore oc to 3.0 ghz now and it is running stable. I finally got mine to work by reducing the ram multiplier to where the ram was at 800 vs. 1066 or 1333. I then decreased the timing of the ram to 4 4 4 9. Everything is working smooth and cool which is good. It was my first overclock so i'm not sure if I just got lucky with my settings or what. You should certainly be able to oc with a better cpu than mine. i'm at work now, but if you want me to post the settings i used to get it to work i'll do it when i get home around 630 EST. just reply and let me know if you want me to.

Yeah man.....if you can post all the settings you can have, I can run them against mine and see if there is a way to tweek it to work correctly. My whole thing is in all my overclocking, I've NEVER had to mess with my Ram at all...so I'm not sure why everyone says its all about the RAM now, but I guess its been a little over a year since I built my last pc and overclocked it so I guess things have changed. But, if you could post what you have, that would be great! Also please post all ur components....cpu, and Ram

[frankie97]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

no help??

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclock Help EP45C-UD3R

Sorry for the late reply.

I think F2 BIOS is part of your issues, please update to BIOS F5d
GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-EP45C-UD3R (rev. 1.0)

Use Qflash to update, here is a Guide

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

Be sure you follow the directions on loading optimized and rebooting before making changes, and be sure after that you reboot BACK to the BIOS to set your disk settings all again as well.

Then try these settings

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: +0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.00 GHz (400 x 7.5)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 401 or 399 (Try 399 first)
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100