E5400 OC help

[ppokit]

Hi folks
I have recently upgraded my CPU from E4400 to E5400 (all on a GA-P31-DS3L with aftermarket CPU air cooling - can't remember the model, but its big, triple heat pipes and very quiet)

With the E4400 I was able to OC with stability to 3.25GHz (325x10).

I have recently installed an E5400 R0 stepping (flashed bios to F10A), and am having trouble getting past 3.6GHz (266x13.5) without using a high Vcore.
Its currently stable at 3.6GHz with CPU-Z showing a Vcore of 1.344 under load.

Temperatures are good (38 deg C idle, 62 deg C full load) - much lower than my previous E4400.
I'm not OCing my RAM (yet) so I don't think thats causing any problems.

I've tried reducing the multiplier to x13 (for a while x13.5 wouldn't accept ANY OC).
I've tried increasing FSB OverVoltage to +0.3
I've tried underclocking the DDR with slack timings (to rule DDR out)

I've read many posts elsewhere with claims of >4GHz being attainable on air cooling with lesser boards than mine, but with CPU-Z reported Vcores of >1.45.

I am reluctant to up the Vcore to these levels having read so many horror stories of how these 45nm chips die when exposed to voltages above 1.45 for any period of time.
So if any one knows if it's safe or not please chime in!

I know I don't have the most stellar system created by human kind, but was wondering if anyone has had any success OCing these E5400's past 3.8GHz on similar equipment for 24/7 use?
Or maybe I'm just expecting too much after obtaining a >60% OC with my old E4400?
Any ideas would be most appreciated.

My current (stable) bios settings are:

Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [AUTO]
CPU Clock Ratio .......................: [ 13]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio...................: +0.5
CPU Frequency .........................: 3.59 GHz
CPU Host Clock Control.................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 266Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ...........: 100

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

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance....................: [STANDARD]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ................: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.......................: 4
tRCD ..................................: 4
tRP'...................................: 4
tRAS...................................: 12

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...................................: AUTO
tWTR...................................: AUTO
tWR....................................: AUTO
tRFC...................................: AUTO
tRTP...................................: AUTO

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type...........................: [Manual]

CPU Vcore.............1.38175V
DDR OverVoltage...........+0.3
FSB OverVoltage...........+0.1
GTLRef ratio..................0.603
(G)MCH OverVoltage....normal
PCIE OverVoltage........normal



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]

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

TIA
ppokit

[Psycho101]

Re: E5400 OC help

4GHz on an E5xxx series is the exception rather than the rule. It is possible but only if you get lucky. Most top out around 3.8GHz or slightly less. At 4GHz you'll probably be running big voltages, maybe 1.45V + with LLC on. People post about 4GHz overclocks more than they do about a modest 3.4-3.6, so that's why there seem to be many 4GHz posts around.

Your only choice is to raise Vcore. Keep a close eye on temps, and don't go past 65-67c under prime load if you want your chip to last. If you can easily afford a new one if it dies, then throw caution to the wind, set 1.45V and see how far it will clock. That's what I did.

[ppokit]

Re: E5400 OC help

Thanks Psycho101 - was afraid that might be the case.
The E5400 is an improvement over the E4400, but given its budget status I guess I should be happy with 3.6-3.8GHz.

Cheers
ppkoit