Mafia2020

I managed to get this apparently stable overclock (which survived successfully a x20 with Linx) I idle at 45° and top 80-77-76-76° (Default Settings) and 84-82-80-80° (Max Memory Settings):



My system specs are:

Currently the BIOS settings are like that:

Anything which could improve my temperature without giving up further speed or stability and/or eventually raise the speed a bit?

* Updated with the latest results *

Ovlovian

For that OC I'm surprised to see the voltage as high as it is (still on the higher side of safe for that chip). Maybe check other settings if it's not running stable at slightly lower Voltage. Try LLC off (Might be making your Vcore higher than needed). Maybe also check the thermalpaste/heatsink seating.

This is with HT disabled too... hmmmm.

edit: After reading many database entries for this chip (http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1502931 among others) you might try disabling Turbomode and enabling HT.

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Mafia2020

I have heard, but I may be uncorrect, that HT doesn't make a real difference in gaming (which is the most stressing activity on my PC). I have also read, but I still may be uncorrect, that the 930 tends to run a higher vcore (1.30+) against the 920 (1.25 top). I'll try lowering LLC and report back any changes, by the way, what does LLC do exactly? As for stability, currently it appears to be very stable according to Linx, also I ran a full PCMark Vantage bench with temp below 70°.

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Current Overclock Settings

Ovlovian

Those temps are just too high for me to feel comfortable.
LLC is line load calibration and it basically prevents the Vcore from dropping when loaded. It can be good but many times it can artificially raise the minimum Voltage needed for a specific overclock and also make your current voltage higher than it needs to be. I've currently got it enabled on my OC but I've still yet to finalize all my settings before the ChimpChallenge.

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Mafia2020

Actually, I must admit killing off LLC improved my setup since my overall temperatures decreased around 8°.



Now I am currently aiming at reaching the final milestone of 4 Ghz if possible (currently testing 3.9 Ghz). Also, I was wondering, should I aim to reach a better RAM speed as well (currently it is set to 1100 out of 1600 which is the stock speed), and also I was wondering if while Linx was running Windows turned off Windows Gadgets, is it something I should worry about? (It happened before while I was stressing an unstable overlclock I'll keep you posted, your feedback is proving invaluable to me.

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Current Overclock Settings

Ovlovian

I'd worry about RAM latency and speed settings last. Get the Clockspeed you want, make sure it's 100% stable and then start adjusting ram with tighter and tighter steps. Say, for example you start at something like 7-7-7-20 (for arguments sake) and you've got your clockspeed @4ghz. You've got it 24hours stable on Orthos or what have you.

Next I'd make sure you can go lower with voltages. Once you establish the lowest voltages you can go and be 100% stable, I'd then drop to say 6-6-6-18 or something, retest, repeat. The first and last numbers i.e. 6-6-6-18 are the most noticeable performance changers. So if you can only adjust one, like 6-7-7-18 is a much bigger change than 7-6-6-20.

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Mafia2020

Now I think I am stable at 3.91 Ghz (which survived successfully a x20 with Linx) I idle at 40° and top at 76-74-74-72° (Max Memory Settings):



My system specs are:

Currently the BIOS settings are like that:

Now, I would like to reach the 4 Ghz milestone and I am completely open to suggestions Any further tips?

*Noted the suggestions about RAM, I'll apply them as soon as I get to the 4 Ghz clock speed, well, if I manage As for stability test, I plan on using Linx x20 Run (1h 30m) and now I will let it run the whole night with a x100 Run (Approx 8 hrs I think); would it suffice? I have heard Linx is the most demanding stresser around.

* Updated with the latest results *

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Current Overclock Settings

Ovlovian

My current OC only has 12 hours Orthos but I'm confident it's fully stable. Before Chimps Challenge I'm going to 24hour stability test it along with a change in Ram settings etc.
Would it not OC to 4ghz on that Voltage?
Maybe bump it up one more notch. I'm just concerned as those temps still seem pretty high. Have you tried dropping the Vcore a notch or two and checked stability? You should be able to drop those temps with your current cooler. Can a V8 have a push/pull fan setup?

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kpopsaranghae

I havent gotten to ocing my i7 930, but looking at ur bios, ur QPI/DRAM Core Voltage (or the Uncore Voltage) is kinda low. Try increasing it to about 1.3 V and see if it helps stabilize at 4.0 ghz cuz at the Vcore, u should be able to hit 4.0 no problem if it is an average i7 930.

One last thing, turn all spread spectrum options OFF. :]

Mafia2020

Reporting back. I disabled spread spectrum; I tried to bump up QPI/DRAM Core Voltage to 1.3v while going at 4.02 Ghz but it is unstable. I am currently seeing if I can manage by raising a little the Vcore; I was wondering, what exactly is a push/pull setup? And also, which are temperature you'd find acceptable under load with Linx with maxed memory? The last stability test I did lasted 7 hours and temps were 76,74,74,73.

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Current Overclock Settings