Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

[xiphrex]

Need help overclocking this q6600. I was aiming for 3.6ghz but Im not so sure its possible now. Ive read a lot about other people's settings and recommendations on here, but I cant get 3.6ghz stable without insane vcore of 1.6+ in bios (which is about 1.56 idle and 1.46 load). This board has insane vdroop as well which is really limiting, if there is a way to reduce or even stop the vdroop that would be great.

Anyway I am at 3.4ghz at the moment with the settings below. It is currently IBT stable, I ran over 10 runs of IBT and still stable. Max core temperature was 74C during this. I am using a corsair H50 with an Akasa viper.

CPU = Intel Core2 Q6600 G0 (coretemp VID shows 1.3250 :( )
Motherboard = EP45-DS3
BIOS Version = F10d
Ram = OCZ PC2-6400 Reaper 2x2gb rated 4-4-3-15 2.1V

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Turbo
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:. ?? dont remember having this
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.4


[B][U]Clock Chip Control [/U][/B]
[B][U]Standard Clock Control[/U][/B]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 378 Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 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)....................: <<< 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 0


[B][U]DRAM Performance Control[/U][/B]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Enabled (tried disabled and it made things worse)
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 333
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.0D (I think)
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 756
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................ 4
tRCD ......................................... 4
tRP'........................................... 3 
tRAS.......................................... 15

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........................................... Auto
tWTR.......................................... Auto
tWR............................................ Auto
tRFC........................................... Auto
tRTP........................................... Auto
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................ Auto

[B]Channel A[/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

[B]Channel B[/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

[B][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/B]

[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.5000

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.2 (tried 1.3 and didnt make a difference, any suggestions?)

CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.5 ( tried 1.57, didnt make a difference)

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......: I dont have this

[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.24 (needed 1.26 to boot into windows at 400fsb)
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........; <<< Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: <<< 1.5 (tried 1.57, didnt make difference)
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Dont have this!!

[B]DRAM[/B]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.12 (shows 2.1 dram voltage in bios health screen)
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[B][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/B]
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] dont have this
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]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[ENABLED] - does putting this disabled really make a difference?

I just dont understand termination, PLL and the MCH and ICH voltages. It seems whatever I try it makes no difference. Just before posting this I tried 1.48750 vcore, it failed IBT, then I kept that vcore and put vtt to 1.3, and it passed IBT. Then I decided to try see how much lower vcore can go, dropped one notch, it failed. Went back to 1.48750, it failed too! And I kept testing each notch until I got to 1.5 which is what I had with vtt 1.2!

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[yuu]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Static tRead is the timing of MCH core, goes down with voltage, this board doesn't work well with tRD 8 and Cas 4 for some reason, my dram used to run 4-4-4 on P31 board. Change to 9 and 5, disable XMP.

Q is very power hungry, don't go 1.5V. how many watts in everest that? you'll fry the mosfets, they are naked there, because the water cooling they get even less air.

load optimised, ratio 8x, host 400, dram 2.0D and 5-5-5 would be best.
i'd try all voltages to 'normal', dram too.
then MCH, Termination, CPU, PLL, Dram upped by -+10% max to see if it helps.

the voltmod

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/6990/ep45ds3rvdroopingmod.jpg

Variant 2: load optim
Ratio 9x
Host 370-390
System Memory 2.50A
Staic Tread 8
MCH Core 1.2V
Dram 2.0V
CPU Voltage as needed

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Some Q6600 wont do 3.6 without a ton of voltage, I can say you may not be using enough Vtt though, try 1.35-1.46 Vtt and you might have better luck.

Set MCH latch to Auto, and then choose Multi's based on your FSB (B for 333-400 and D for 400+)

So use 2.00B and try tRD 8-9, 8 should be ok at that FSB, try setting your driving strength profiles for each channel to 1066

[xiphrex]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

If I cant get 3.6 stable Im happy with 3.4 but the thing that is really annoying me is the vdroop. At load 3.4 is stable at really good volts but to get that I have to put hte vcore almost 0.8v above that, and so at idle it just sits there at this high voltage and idle temps are a bit on the high side (after loading the cpu for a few minutes the idle temp is 42+).

I think the airflow in my case needs some work to exhaust the hot air, going to try mod a blow hole at the top.

But if I could get that vcore down by upping vtt it would be great.

Going to try your settings tonight and see how it goes. Would a vtt of 1.46 be acceptable?

Also, if I ran 400 x 8 which is 3.2 ghz is that better than what I am currently at with 3.4 ghz?

[yuu]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

You can try changing the VTT using the EasyTune6, while Intelburn is running on 200-500MB memory size for a big number of 1000 loops too keep it going long enough so that every 5 seconds a result is shown on IBT until you finish. Use ET6 to change the voltages +-0.02 V increments in the +-0.1V limit. Any need of voltage will manifets itself pretty fast if you wait 5or so loops to pass succesfully on the IBT screen, then apply the -0.02 or +0.02V on any of the Voltages.

I skipped the small 0.02V stepps and applied directly the TerminationVTT 1.1V, PLL 1.1V, MCH Core 1.1V while 500Mhz FSB, and it didn't show in any way needing more Vcore, this with C2D 65nm and 45nm, not Q. It just worked.

[yuu]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

OK, I just did the pencil vmod and it worked!, have been applying a graphite pencil on that resistor there for 5 minutes, then blow away the remaing graphite debris that formed around the area, now the resistor has a new shiny graphite coating.

The result is 1.25 set in bios.

before 1.180 V load, 1.218 V idle
after 1.209 V load, 1.222 V idle

The idea is that gigabyte didn't inlcude the Load-line option in BIOS and in hardware, despite that the PWM controller supports it, and we users had to do something. it is either that vmod or a new board for this already obsoleted socket 775, and yet another socket 1155 is coming next year, no way. Things move fast.

[xiphrex]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Nice one Yuu, I didnt think the pencil mod would work but I will give that a try tomorrow now that it has worked for you. I read the drop in resistance required cant be accomplised by a pencil, only by soldering!

But even that improvement you have is worth 5 minutes! I did a pencil mod on my older P5N-E SLI and it worked wonders.

Just a question though, have you noticed any other voltages changing?

[yuu]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

You probably read the original thread It vdroop / vdrop mod for Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R? - XtremeSystems Forums
there is a bigger photo in post #10 and #20

It only affects the CPU Voltage, since it is the CPU PWM pin, i haven't measured the other voltages.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Vtt may not need to be 1.46 for 3.4Ghz, but if you need it then it will be ok, but do try lower.

Pencil mod works if you do it enough and with a proper pencil

[xiphrex]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

I think vdroop is preventing me achieving the full potential of this chip.

I need to put 1.52+ idle vcore so that at load the vcore is 1.44-1.42. 3.6ghz is stable at this but the temperatures are a bit too much for my liking, especially idle temps.

vdroop is the most ridiculous thing ever invented! Why on earth Gigabyte didnt include Load line calibration is just stupid.

Im going to do the vdroop mod probably tomorrow. I have done this before on another board and for that board I actually bought silver 'ink' to use. Can I use this? Or stick to pencil?

If it messes up Im going to ditch this board and get a board with proper options. I swear this board I have has no effect no matter what vtt I put it is as if it does nothing. Whats the best board to overclock a q6600? I dont need SLI/crossfire...

Cheers

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Only the upper end models usually have all the features such as this, so on your next board find out if the BIOS has it before you buy or get a upper end model.

Since you bought silver ink, please do tape off the surrounding area, so you only get the ink where you need it. Silver ink will work, as long as it is really silver, not just colored.

You may be better of doing it with a pencil

If you are looking at new boards but keeping that CPU, check out PE45-UD3R or UD3P

[NWA]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Im very curious about this pencil mod. Anyone know where I can find pics/guide for the EP45-DS4 board? And is it really enough just using a pencil? I find that extremely exciting for some reason haha

Edit: Does this look right?

[yuu]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Yes this is it, in the last picture it is visible the path between the PIN 16 and pin 17, that resistor is part of.

This member did this.

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/ga-ep45-ds3r-vdroop-mod-worked-27812/index2.html#post282919

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8382/p2110619ir5.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/3983/ep45ds3pps5.jpg

It is important to note that pencil should be used, by using silver ink will be almost no resistance at all.
i mean pencil at least only affects the resistor, not removing it entirely. Don't know what the ramifications of that are.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Ink or solder will remove the resstance as mentioned above, this may or may not be what you want.

Some people do that, others use pencil as you have more control and can remove it later if you want, it's up to you to decide but I also would use pencil if it were me.

[xiphrex]

Re: Q6600 + EP45-DS3 Overclocking

Ive had a good think about it and also read an article on vdroop at Anandtech which explained why vdroop is necessary. My conclusion is that I wont be doing the mod.

Instead Ive opted to try something else.

Im currently at 3.5ghz (9 x 390) with an actual vcore of 1.48 idle and ~1.42 on load. Temperatures are acceptable, 56C on load in normal usage (but 74C with IBT). Any more FSB and I need to pump the vcore to above 1.5 idle which I dont think is worth it for only 100mhz improvement on the CPU.

The only thing I think I should sort out is the other voltages. Since I have been unable to find any real clear information about what these other voltages do and how they work together, I dont understand what I should be setting them to. I dont agree with the way a lot of people are overclocking and that is to do guess work. There is also no information on the limits of these voltages, for example the NB voltage, what is the upper limit on air cooling? Ive found no information on this, some say 1.3, others say I dont need to increase it, others have it at 1.6+. Some even say to reduce them from their defaults, no one really knows whats going on. So what Ive done is put everything on auto except vcore and ddr voltage. I have no idea what voltages it is using as there is no where in the bios to see vtt, PLL, etc. Would I be able to find these out with a voltage meter?

Everything seems to be ok, cpu temps are fine, system temps are fine and unchanged by putting them to auto, and its fully IBT stable.

I would have liked to push the chip more, I had a e5200 at 3.75ghz before this and thought perhaps I could achieve around 3.6ghz+ on a q6600 and utilise the increased cache it has. So far at 3.5ghz I think it has worked out well, and temps are actually better with this chip.

So overall Im pleased.