BSOD 124 / Freezing / Lock Up's etc....
There are three things covered in this thread:
There have been a number of reports regarding the bsod 124 and idle or random BSOD problem. It's not just a case of upping the vcore like previous gen cpu's. The random or idle bsod problem is similar to the 124 error in someways and there are a few things that you should know.
Quote:
Assuming you're using offset voltage (which I don't see no reason not to) here's how to disable / configure C3 and C6 Report on a couple of motherboards:
Asus Motherboards - HERE
Asrock Motherboards - HERE
Here are a few things that you should try before stress testing and if you get idle random bsods:
Again error 124 in SB is NOT just the vcore! if you have that problem post here. One other thing, check the stable thread (first page), it has valuable info that could be helpful to you.
Effects of C-States on SATA performance.
JJ@Asus explained how C states can have an effect on the sata performance, mainly sata III:
Quote:
Bit of info from the stable thread:
Quote:
10/02/2012
Quote:
Read the above thread from page 5, post 45, onwards and use the same method to try and eliminate the 124 error. This is a tedious process and one that requires patience and if you don't have that, then you shouldn't be overclocking!!! It is a great way to find out the potential of your chip and also the sweet spot for it, so be sure to read the above thread.
More info about VTT/QPI (VCCIO) and PLL voltage:
READ THIS:
GPU Drivers and their impact on stability
Also everyone knows how 'very well' gpu drivers perform lol so make sure you identify whether or not it's a gpu problem or overclock problem, head over to the gpu section, whether it be ati or nvidia and find out what drivers are the most reliable ones. For Nvidia I know the most reliable driver is the 266.58, nv users, download and install that to eliminate the gpu from the equation and to help pin point the root of the 124 error.
Quote:
LLC Setting and it's impact on overclocking with the use of Offset voltage
You should enable C1E and Speedstep and see if that helps, as it doesn't effect overclocking or stability under load, so there is no reason to disable them. If you use offset votltage in combination with C1E and Speedstep it will allow the voltage to drop along with the multiplier when it's at idle, however some have found that using offset can cause idle random bsods because of the low votlage and how quickly it rises when it's under load. The simple solution to that would be to reduce the LLC setting a litle to maintain a higher idle votlage, but will require you to increase the vcore a little.
Here is an example of how LLC can affect idle voltage:
This is using High LLC (50%) and an offset of + 0.150:
Idle Voltage
Load Voltage (fluctuates between 1.472 and 1.480):
This is Ultra High LLC (75%) and an offset of + 0.110:
Idle Voltage
Load Voltage (fluctuates between 1.464/1.472/1.480/1.484):
As you can see the idle voltage when using a 'lesser' llc control allows us to increase the vcore so that the idle voltage is not 'too' low. When using ultra high llc, we use less voltage but get similar or the same load voltage but the idle voltage is much less. That could be what the problem was, im not sure. By the way, I have said this countless times, the bsod code list is not 100% accurate, 101 could be even qpi/vtt.
Hope that it helps you
There are three things covered in this thread:
- BSOD 124 under load
- BSOD 124 whilst idling or light load
- Random BSOD whilst idling and light load which includes lock up's and freezing.
There have been a number of reports regarding the bsod 124 and idle or random BSOD problem. It's not just a case of upping the vcore like previous gen cpu's. The random or idle bsod problem is similar to the 124 error in someways and there are a few things that you should know.
Quote:
In both instances C1E and Speedstep should be left on as it has no effect on stability and it helps overall temps and the longitivity of your chip especially when using offset voltage. If you are recieving error 124 while stress testing then it could be 3 things, NOT just the vcore but could also be either the PLL voltage or the VTT (VCCIO). Due to recent findings, PLL voltage too high or too low will result in an error 124, that goes for VTT (VCCIO) aswell. BSOD while stress testing can be different from general everyday BSOD, this thread will try and help tackle both conditions.
Assuming you're using offset voltage (which I don't see no reason not to) here's how to disable / configure C3 and C6 Report on a couple of motherboards:
Asus Motherboards - HERE
Asrock Motherboards - HERE
Here are a few things that you should try before stress testing and if you get idle random bsods:
**If your sandybridge is giving you problems under light load or idle, then try disabling c3/c6, this usually applies to offset users, manual voltage users should try running C3 and C6 report on Auto.
A handful of users' have reported that even after priming 12hrs+ they have recieved random bsods, this does not really indicate that it's unstable.
The error codes are not 100% and are not ALWAYS correct, with that said, stress testing in your main OS is not a good idea. If possible get yourself a spare HDD and load up windows and run all your stress testing on that. The idea of having another HDD is so that when your running your stress testing, background processes are at a minimum and should help indicate the main source of bsods, disabling the internet connection is also a good idea, same with any type of antivirus. Just remember too many bsods in a OS can cause the OS to become unstable ie corrupted file systems etc. With that said, if you pass 12hrs once you should be able to pass again, however, this does not mean go OCD stress testing.
In a situation where you are getting random bsods try the following:
A handful of users' have reported that even after priming 12hrs+ they have recieved random bsods, this does not really indicate that it's unstable.
The error codes are not 100% and are not ALWAYS correct, with that said, stress testing in your main OS is not a good idea. If possible get yourself a spare HDD and load up windows and run all your stress testing on that. The idea of having another HDD is so that when your running your stress testing, background processes are at a minimum and should help indicate the main source of bsods, disabling the internet connection is also a good idea, same with any type of antivirus. Just remember too many bsods in a OS can cause the OS to become unstable ie corrupted file systems etc. With that said, if you pass 12hrs once you should be able to pass again, however, this does not mean go OCD stress testing.
In a situation where you are getting random bsods try the following:
- Try running C3 and C6 on AUTO with C1E and EIST Enabled (Only if you're using Manual voltage).
- If you are using Offset Voltage make sure you disable C3 and C6 Report, however leave C1E and EIST enabled.
- Clear CMOS (quick way - take the baterry out), load saved stable overclock, fresh windows install with pretty much nothing installed, no internet connection, nothing just a prime blend run. With minimum processes running and windows services, it would ba clear indication of stability without other 'things' such as a driver error, windows update, internet connection causing bsod.
- You could try the above or even a BIOS update, I stress that before you update, run stock setttings and then update the BIOS (**Don't update the BIOS on an overclock setting, you could risk bricking the mobo)
- Try Enabling all power saving features - C1E, EIST C3 and C6.
- Many have found that enabling SPREAD SPECTRUM reduces the voltage fluctuation.
- Try using Manual voltage instead of Offset.
- Go to control Panel/hardware and sound/power options and select High performance Mode.
- Take the RAM out of the equation, underclock it if you have to and see whether or not it continues.
- Try a fresh OS install on a spare HDD or something, remember as explained before, too many bsods in the os = corrupt file system = unstable OS
- IF you have an SSD Read THIS, it might help solve your problems.
- Run Prime on it's own and leave it!!!!
- Flash video bsod/freezing? Read THIS (Disable Hardware Acceleration)

Again error 124 in SB is NOT just the vcore! if you have that problem post here. One other thing, check the stable thread (first page), it has valuable info that could be helpful to you.
Effects of C-States on SATA performance.
JJ@Asus explained how C states can have an effect on the sata performance, mainly sata III:
Quote:
This is obviously an issue for those with high overclocks. I have upto this point advised to disable C3 and C6 reports due to idle random bsods when using offset voltage, otherwise they're left on auto (default).
Bit of info from the stable thread:
Quote:
Quote:
I believe folmer's testing was with 4.6ghz, but not 100% sure but if it is then it kinda makes sense for all users that run sandforce based ssd's or sata III ssd's to disable C3 and C6 and that obviously means that they should use offset voltage and NOT manual.
10/02/2012
Quote:
Possible way to eliminate 124 when stress testing - Tweaking VCCIO and PLL
Read the above thread from page 5, post 45, onwards and use the same method to try and eliminate the 124 error. This is a tedious process and one that requires patience and if you don't have that, then you shouldn't be overclocking!!! It is a great way to find out the potential of your chip and also the sweet spot for it, so be sure to read the above thread.
More info about VTT/QPI (VCCIO) and PLL voltage:
READ THIS:
Quote:
GPU Drivers and their impact on stability
Also everyone knows how 'very well' gpu drivers perform lol so make sure you identify whether or not it's a gpu problem or overclock problem, head over to the gpu section, whether it be ati or nvidia and find out what drivers are the most reliable ones. For Nvidia I know the most reliable driver is the 266.58, nv users, download and install that to eliminate the gpu from the equation and to help pin point the root of the 124 error.
Quote:
BSOD 124 while running games??? READ this thread:http://www.overclock.net/intel-general/1039594-bsod-while-playing-bf-bc2-0x00000124.html
LLC Setting and it's impact on overclocking with the use of Offset voltage
You should enable C1E and Speedstep and see if that helps, as it doesn't effect overclocking or stability under load, so there is no reason to disable them. If you use offset votltage in combination with C1E and Speedstep it will allow the voltage to drop along with the multiplier when it's at idle, however some have found that using offset can cause idle random bsods because of the low votlage and how quickly it rises when it's under load. The simple solution to that would be to reduce the LLC setting a litle to maintain a higher idle votlage, but will require you to increase the vcore a little.
Here is an example of how LLC can affect idle voltage:
This is using High LLC (50%) and an offset of + 0.150:
Idle Voltage

Load Voltage (fluctuates between 1.472 and 1.480):

This is Ultra High LLC (75%) and an offset of + 0.110:
Idle Voltage

Load Voltage (fluctuates between 1.464/1.472/1.480/1.484):

As you can see the idle voltage when using a 'lesser' llc control allows us to increase the vcore so that the idle voltage is not 'too' low. When using ultra high llc, we use less voltage but get similar or the same load voltage but the idle voltage is much less. That could be what the problem was, im not sure. By the way, I have said this countless times, the bsod code list is not 100% accurate, 101 could be even qpi/vtt.
Hope that it helps you
