OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

[wakeet]

First of all thanks for the help. These forums have given me a great starting point. this is my first attempt at OC'ing.

here's my rig:

Gigabyte EP35C-DS3R
Intel E8400
Cooler Master Hyper 212 HS
Corsair CMPSU-550VX
4 x 1 GB Gskill F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK
Evga 256-P2-N761-AR
640 gb Raid Mirror
Vista 64


9 X 400 (3.6 ghz)
idle 34 C, 31 C
load 52 C, 50 C
latest bios from Gigabyte website

I'm not attempting to push anything too far here. i'd be very content with a stable oc to 3.6ghz.

i followed the OC'ing guide sticky on this website. i can't seem to get past 4 hrs on Orthos!

i must admit i'm afraid to push anything too far so i'm not very aggressive with my OC. But please let me know what i can do to get past this!

here are my settings:

Advanced BIOS Features
Hard Disk Boot Priority [Press Enter]
First Boot Device__________ [CDROM]
Second Boot Device_________ [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device__________ [Disabled]
Password Check_____________ [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability__ [Disabled]
CPU Hyper-Threading________ [Disabled]
CPU Multi-Threading________ [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3______ [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect__ [Disabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)____ [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2)_ [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function__________ [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology__ [Disabled]
Full Screen LOGO Show______ [Disabled]
Init Display First_________ [PEG]

Integrated Peripherals
SATA AHCI Mode__________ [RAID]
SATA Port0-3 Native Mode [Enabled]
USB Controller__________ [Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller______ [Enabled]
USB Keyboard Support____ [Disabled]
USB Mouse Support_______ [Disabled]
Legacy USB storage detect[Disabled]
Azalia Codec____________ [Auto]
Onboard H/W LAN_________ [Enabled]
SMART LAN_______________ [Press Enter]
Onboard LAN Boot ROM____ [Disabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Device_ [Enabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode [IDE]
Onboard Serial Port 1___ [Disabled]
Onboard Parallel Port___ [Disabled]
Parallel Port Mode______ [SPP]

Power Management Setup
ACPI Suspend Type [S1(POS)]
Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN [Delay 4 Sec.]
PME Event Wake Up_________ [Disabled]
Power On by Ring__________ [Disabled]
Resume by Alarm___________ [Disabled]
x Date (of Month) Alarm Everyday
x Time (hh:mm:ss) Alarm 0 : 0 : 0
HPET Support (Note)_______ [Enabled]
HPET Mode_________________ [64-bit mode]
Power On By Mouse_________ [Disabled]
Power On By Keyboard______ [Disabled]
KB Power ON Password______ [Enter]
AC Back Function__________ [Soft-Off]

PnP/PCI Configurations
PCI1 IRQ Assignment [Auto]
PCI2 IRQ Assignment [Auto]
PCI3 IRQ Assignment [Auto]

PC Health Status
Reset Case Open Status [Disabled]
Case Opened No
Vcore OK _______________________[1.284v]
DDR2/DDR3V OK__________________[2.144v]
+3.3V OK_______________________[3.328v]
+12V OK________________________[12.365v]
Current System Temperature 37C
Current CPU Temperature 29C
Current CPU FAN Speed 1928 RPM
Current SYSTEM FAN1 Speed 1180 RPM
Current POWER FAN Speed 0 RPM
Current SYSTEM FAN2 Speed 1203 RPM
CPU Warning Temperature___ [60oC / 140oF]
CPU FAN Fail Warning______ [Enabled]
SYSTEM FAN Fail Warning___ [Enabled]
POWER FAN Fail Warning____ [Disabled]
Smart FAN Control Method__ [Disable]
Smart FAN Control Mode____ [Auto]

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio (Note)____________ [9X]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [400]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]
CAS Latency Time_____________ 5 ____ [5]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay______ 5 ____ [5]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_____5 ____ [5]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)________15 ____[15]
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_______4 _____[auto]
Rank Write to READ Delay______3 _____[auto]
Write to Precharge Delay______6 _____[auto]
Refresh to ACT Delay________42 ______[auto]
Read to Precharge Delay_______4 _____[auto]
Memory Performance Enhance__________ [Normal]
High Speed DRAM DLL Settings________ [Option 1]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.31250]
Normal CPU Vcore 1.2250V

[profJim]

Re: OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

With 4x1GB of ram, set (G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +0.10 volts.

Did you load OPTIMIZED settings from the main bios screen before you started overclocking?
If your system still isn't stable, set Cpu Host Frequency = 401 MHz.
FSB Overvoltage Control might need to set to +0.10 volts.

With your memory running at 800MHz, you will be able to tighten your primary memory timings after you've reached stability.

Which OCCT test failed? (large, medium, or small datasets)

Note: Your memory is slightly over-volted. You might want to try DDR2 OverVoltage Control = +0.20 volts.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

+1 on that ^^

You may also need +0.2-0.3 MCH Voltage for 4x1GB.

You do realize you are only running your ram at 800Mhz right? Just checking, if you didnt notice that you need to adjust your memory multiplier to 2.66D to run 1066Mhz

[wakeet]

Re: OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

Thanks for the quick reply!

With 4x1GB of ram, set (G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +0.10 volts.

Did you load OPTIMIZED settings from the main bios screen before you started overclocking?
If your system still isn't stable, set Cpu Host Frequency = 401 MHz.
FSB Overvoltage Control might need to set to +0.10 volts.

No, i did not load optimized defaults from the bios screen.

Which OCCT test failed? (large, medium, or small datasets)

The Blend test in Orthos is the only stress test i've used thus far. but i'm open to others suggestions.

Note: Your memory is slightly over-volted. You might want to try DDR2 OverVoltage Control = +0.20 volts.

i will give this a shot.

[wakeet]

Re: OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

+1 on that ^^

You may also need +0.2-0.3 MCH Voltage for 4x1GB.

i may not need 4x1GB for this build. would i have better luck using just two sticks and lower voltages?

i will try upping the MCH with the 4 sticks as you suggest.

You do realize you are only running your ram at 800Mhz right? Just checking, if you didnt notice that you need to adjust your memory multiplier to 2.66D to run 1066Mhz

yes. forgive my naivety, but i thought i would need a 1:1 ratio for the best stability. so i matched my FSB. would i be better of running my memory at 5-5-5-15 @ 1066 than 5-5-5-15 @ 800 with my current FSB speed?


Thanks again for all your help!

[profJim]

Re: OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

OPTIMIZED bios settings are required for stable overclocks. I've seen several instances where "Fail-Safe" settings weren't stable at stock settings. If you clear CMOS or flash your bios in the future, the first thing you need to do is load OPTIMIZED settings, save settings and exit, then re-enter the bios to reapply your desired settings.

With Vista64, you'll be better off using 4GB of memory rather than 2GB.
Memory speeds at 800MHz and tighter memory timings will be virtually the same as 1066 speeds with looser timings. With moderate overclocks, a 1:1 ratio doesn't guarantee a more stable system.

You might find that 400x2.40B = 960MHz with "intermediate" primary memory timings gives you the best overall system performance.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

Yes, please start with Optimized defaults. If you are using RAID Please read my tips here in the Qflash guide for loading and applying optimized defaults as you MUST Reset your SATA/Disk settings properly again BEFORE You load windows >>

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

1:1 is not all it is cut out to be nowadays, I would run all 4 sticks at spec speed. If you want to run them at 800 for 1:1 then you can likely use 444-12 timings

[wakeet]

Re: OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

Yes, please start with Optimized defaults. If you are using RAID Please read my tips here in the Qflash guide for loading and applying optimized defaults as you MUST Reset your SATA/Disk settings properly again BEFORE You load windows >>

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

1:1 is not all it is cut out to be nowadays, I would run all 4 sticks at spec speed. If you want to run them at 800 for 1:1 then you can likely use 444-12 timings

I loaded the optimized defaults and configured the raid array is described in your post. i then tried to oc with my settings originally posted. no luck.

i'm currently running orthos with my ram at 960.
FSB 400
DDR +.2
MCH +.1
CPU 1.30625

here are my only options for multipliers:
2
2.4 (current setting)
3.2
3.33
4.0+
2.5
3.0
4.0~

with these settings how can i achieve 1066 with a 400 fsb? should i increase my FSB to 426 and set my memory to 2.5? i know that means i'm pushing my cpu a bit harder.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: OC EP35C-DS3R E8400 newb help

Try both 4.00 memory multipliers. Or just use 425 FSB X 2.40 Memory multi for 1020Mhz, you may have a hard time using the 2.50 Multi since that is for 1066 FSB