Essentials for Overclocking the 680i (NVIDIA Reference boards) - Overclock.net

ericeod · 08-25-07

Update: Feb 23, 2008
Thanks to Choggs396 for doing some fantastic research. His post gives some great info on the different versions of the 680i offerings. Most impotant is how they OC the Q6600 and Q6700 quad cores:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choggs396

Someone was asking about the differences between the 680i LT SLI and the 680i SLI in another thread, so Ericoed thought I should post what I found on this thread for anyone that may need it.

The EVGA 680i LT SLI (122-CK-NF67-T1) is basically a cost reduced version of the standard 680i SLI (122-CK-NF68-A1 or T1). There are some differences in the MCP (southbridge) and other features, including the BIOS and memory capabilities.

This comparison provided by AnandTech of the 680i LT and 680i SLI illustrates some of the changes:

Other differences in the LT are less USB ports (8 opposed to 10) and only 1 Ethernet port (opposed to 2).

Ericeod has mentioned the 680i SLI AR and TR boards (opposed to A1 and T1) lack the proper GTL reference voltage modification, making them poor for Quad core overclocking. The LT boards also lacks this modification. Anandtech noticed this as well:

Overall, it's not a bad board, IMO. It has definitely been shown to OC 65nm dual cores with great success. But it's definitely not the one you'd want for OC'ing a Quad Core CPU. I'd go with either a 680i SLI A1 or T1 (model 122-CK-NF68-A1 or T1).

The 780i (EVGA model 132-CK-NF78-A1) makes an even better choice for Quads, IMO - because it has specific GTL Reference Voltage adjustments options in the BIOS for each lane - making a higher, more stable Quad core overclock possible. This post on xtreview.com illustrates how GTL reference voltage adjustments can impact overclocking, especially on Quads.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update: Jan 31, 2008
Courtesy of shizdan
IGN has a greast beginners guide titled, "Core 2 Duo Overclocking on the 680i
Make your CPU run up to 50% faster", that some might find useful.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NVIDIA has updated it's overclocker's guide. This manual is a must read!
NVIDIA 780i/680i Overclocker's Guide, revised May 2008

And by the way, this guide spells everything out for you.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NVIDIA Reference Board pencil vdroop mod (eVGA, XFX, and BFG)
Thanks to Treatment X I finally have the vdroop mod for the eVGA rev A1 board. I just tested it out and my board has no vdroop. I have it set in bios at 1.35v, speedfan and CPUZ show it as 1.34v and 1.336v repectively. I then ran Orthos and saw no drop at all in the vcore, it never even fluctuated!

Thanks again to Treatment X!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treatment X

Here is the pencil vdroop mod. works AWESOME!!!!!!! Can't get over it. Might be chalked up as best mod of the year.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=154897

picture enlarged from xtremesystems member symphy's post.

I only needed 2-3 pencil strokes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before attempting an overclock, do the following:

Quote:

Before you begin overclocking your system, you must first disable a few features
that would prevent your system from reaching its maximum potential. More
specifically, the following BIOS settings must be disabled:
q CPU Thermal Control
q C1E Enhance Halt State
q Intel Speedstep
Some motherboards have these disabled by default, but it is always good to double
check.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Recommended Voltages

Quote:

Note: Be very careful when increasing voltages as setting them too high can destroy
the processor and other components on the motherboard.

Below is a list of the safe, maximum voltages that should be used for overclocking.
Any voltages not mentioned are best left at their Auto setting.
q CPU Core: 1.58750v
q CPU FSB: 1.5v
q Memory: 2.3v edit: I wouldnt go over 2.2v without additional mosfet cooling
q nForce SPP: 1.50v

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit: Able to hit 525 FSB

After applying what I learned from the guide, and using the vdroop mod, I was able to hit 525 FSB. Keep in mind that this is not adviseable due to the poor performance of the 680i Strap above 480 FSB.

Quote:

Processor Model: E6600
CPU Clock Speed: 3675MHz
CPU Bus Speed: 525
CPU Multiplier Setting: x 7
CPU Core Model: Core 2 Duo
CPU week/stepping: L649G979
CPU Voltage: 1.4v (no vdroop)
Motherboard: EVGA 680i SLI A1
Memory: G.Skill CL4D6400-2GBPK 4-4-4-12 2T
Cooling: Swiftech Sys, Apogee GT & NB cooler

CPU: 1.425v
CPU FSB: 1.5v
RAM: 2.0v
SPP: 1.5v
MCP: Auto
MCP->SPP: Auto

CPU-Z verification

Note: the CoreTemp file attached is the pre signed driver release, and has a patch update. if the update isnt run, coretemp will just pop up with errors continuosly. So please just download the latest coretemp from their site:
http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

Treatment X · 08-25-07

*bow* Too kind. I think the purpose of these forums is to help each other out, so I spread the word as I can. Original credit goes to Symphy =) And credit goes to ericeod for continuing to spread the word and help others!

ericeod · 09-04-07

There have been a lot of OCN members asking what to disable in the bios. So here are what I have disabled in Bios:

The below list is from the P31 bios

Standard CMOS Features
Drive A: None (If you dont have a floppy)

Advanced Bios Features
Full Screen Logo Show: Disabled

Advanced Chipset Features

sub menu System Clocks
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled

sub menu CPU Configuraion
CPU Thermal Control: Disable
C1E Enhanced Halt State: Disabled

Integrated Peripherals
On Board FDC Controller: Disabled (if you dont have a floppy)
Onboard Serial Port 1: Disabled

FrankenPC · 09-04-07

On the Vdroop mod, do you make sure the tip of your #2 pencil is the same width as the resistor?

ericeod · 09-04-07

Updated: Feb 18, 2008

You can find the list at eVGA's website on the support page under Motherboard Memory Support:

eVGA 780i/680i Series Memory support

*other memory modules may also work, the following are known compatible memory kits*

SLI Ready memory

Above 1066 MHz(Above PC2 8500)
Corsair TWIN2X2048-10000C5DF
Corsair TWIN2X2048-9136C5DF
Corsair TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF

1066 MHz(PC2 8500)
OCZ OCZ2N10662GK
OCZ OCZ2N10661G
Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5D
Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5
Kingston KHX8500D2K2/1G
OCZ OCZ2N1066SR2GK
OCZ OCZ2N1066SR1G
PNY D22GX85GMR

900 MHz(PC2 7200)
OCZ OCZ2N900SR2GK
OCZ OCZ2N900SR1G
OCZ OCZ2N9002GK
OCZ OCZ2N9001G

800 MHz(PC2 6400)
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C3DF
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4D
Crucial BL2KIT12864AL804
Crucial BL12864AL804
Crucial BL2KIT12864AA804
Crucial BL2KIT6464AA804
Crucial BL12864AA804
Crucial BL6464AA804
Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN
Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/1GN
Patriot PDC22G6400LLK
PNY D22GX64GMR-4

Standard Memory

Above 800 MHz(Above PC2 6400)
Kingston KHX9600D2D/2G
Kingston KHX9200D2/512
Kingston KHX8000D2K/2G
Kingston KHX7200D2K2/2G
Patriot PDC21G8000+XBLK
Patriot PDC21G8500 ELK
Crucial BL2KIT12864AL1005
G.SKILL F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ
Mushkin XP2-1066

800 MHz(PC2 6400)
Mushkin XP-6400
Mushkin XP2-6400
OCZ OCZ2G8002GK
OCZ OCZ2P800R21G
OCZ OCZ2T8002GK
Corsair XMS6405v4.1
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400
G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ
G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBNR
G.SKILL F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
Team Xtreem PC2-6400 800MHz 3-3-3-8
Team Xtreem PC2-6400 800MHz 4-4-4-10
Patriot PDC22G6400ELK
Geil Ultra GX22GB6400UDC
Super Talent T800UX2GC4

667 MHz(PC2 5400)
Corsair VS512MB667D2
Buffalo D2V667C-1G/BJ
Patriot PDC21G5300LLK
PQI 5400 Turbo
Kingston KHZ5400D2K2/1G
Geil GX21GB5300SX
Muskin xp2 5300 2x1gb
Mushkin HP2-5300

533 MHz(PC2 4200)
Kingston KVR533D2/512R
PQI MAB412UOE 512MB DDR2 533
OCZ DDR2 OCZ2533512V

Page Updated: 12/19/2007

Ross_uk · 09-04-07

does this effect my version of my motherboard (SE) as i want to get this Q6600 oc'ed

ericeod · 09-04-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross_uk

does this effect my version of my motherboard (SE) as i want to get this Q6600 oc'ed

I PMed DuckiHo on this issue and this is what he said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericeod

I know you are a moderator for the EVGA forums, so I was hopeing you could answer this for me. Is the 680i SE the same as the old 680i AR/TR? Ross_uk asked me if the SE can overclock the quad cores. If the SE is the older AR/TR board, I would think that the quad cores would not OC that well because of the lack of A1 rev.

Thanks,

His Reply:

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieHo

Yup, the SE is not for quad-core overclocking. It won't even run 1333 FSB quads in most cases.

ericeod · 09-05-07

I was able to pull off a very respectable 3.3GHz overclock 7 hours stable with:
CPU Core: 1.23750v
CPU FSB: 1.2v
Memory: 1.95v
SPP: 1.2v
MCP: Auto
SPP<->MCP: Auto

Here is 7 Hrs Orthos load with ambient @ 22°C

ericeod · 09-07-07

Use Speedfan to control your system fans.

Source: EVGA Forums

Quote:

A Tutoral: Using SpeedFan v4.32 to Control Fan Speeds on reference 680i Motherboards.

If you intend to use SpeedFan to control your fans it MUST be running at all times so you need to place a shortcut to SpeedFan in you startup folder so it is loaded at run time.

Speed Fan Tutorial

Thanks to HarryVT for this!

ericeod · 09-12-07

I found that these boards have a "FSB Hole". What I mean by FSB hole is that at a certain FSB, no matter how much vcore I gave the CPU, it would not boot stable, or sometimes not at all. At 390+ FSB (up to 410) I could not boot with 1.55 vcore. But when I set FSB to 411 and up, I was able to boot and run OCCT for over 3 hrs stable. I eventually reached 1.4 vcore at 3.7GHz.

I would suggest lowering your multi to 6 and find your max FSB you can post at.

Quote:

I discovered I had a FSB hole with my motherboard. I couldnt OC FSB from 395 - 408, but at 411 FSB I can run OCCT stable. Running 3.705GHz at 1.4v. My ambient right now is 26°C, my idle is 33/36° and load is 52/54°C.

Processor Model: E6600
CPU Clock Speed: 3705MHz
CPU Bus Speed: 411.67
CPU Multiplier Setting: x 9
CPU Core Model: Core 2 Duo
CPU week/stepping: L649G979
CPU Voltage: 1.4v (no vdroop)
Motherboard: EVGA 680i SLI A1
Memory: G.Skill CL4D6400-2GBPK 4-4-4-12 2T
Cooling: Swiftech Sys, Apogee GT & NB cooler

CPU: 1.425v
CPU FSB: 1.4v
RAM: 2.0v
SPP: 1.4v
MCP: Auto
MCP->SPP: Auto

SuperPI result (1M): 14.655s

CPU-Z Validation

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples:
RPIJG couldnt post at 400 FSB, he was limited at 3.3GHz. Now he is running 3.5GHz (437.5 x 8) at 1.44v.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPIJG

Both of you get +REP for that, I dropped the multi to x7 pushed the FSB up to 1700MHz and everything seems stable now. Now back to raising the CPU clock

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

Nate911 couldnt get past 3.15GHz (350 FSB x 9). Now he is running 3.4GHz (425 FSB x 8) with 1.34v.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate911

Ok I got it now! My FSB Hole is between 380 (1520) and 384 (1536). I'm running at 1537 2 notches below 1.35.

Will post here as I get higher, I'm probably nearly my limit though because of temps. :/ Even though the limit of 60C, I really don't want to go past 55C; that's what I'm at now.

EDIT: Wow, im stupid. I turned down the FSB and SPP to 1.2 and when it tried to boot it made staticy sounds... Oh well lol..

Anyways, I'm basically at my OC limit I think, I maybe can get a few more Mhz, it's just the temperatures getting close to 60. Thanks for the help guys! REP+

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

Gauvenator has a 650i board and was stuck at 2.14GHz (306.5 FSB x 7). At the moment he is at 2.24GHz.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauvenator

It looks like it was an FSB hole. I upped the vcore .125, and tried adding 30 mhz (instead of 20) and it posted and is stable.

Thank you all so much! I will bear in mind your other tips for future reference.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

Cyphear has an ASUS P5N32-E SLI based on the 680i chipset. He could only OC his E6300 to 2.62GHz. Now he is booting stable at 2.94GHz with 1.4v and still climbing. He actually had a 100MHz FSB hole!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyphear

WOOHOO! I just took it up to 1660 QDR FSB and it booted! I'm at 2.94Ghz now at 1.4v Vcore (which is probably a little more than is actually needed). It wouldn't post before and it seems pretty damn stable so far. Thanks!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

Satchmo1972 was only able to hit 3.0GHz with a 338 FSB, but after jumping to 400 FSB, he is running at 3.6GHz.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satchmo1972

Ericeod,
Thank you kind sir for the VERY helpful advice at which I'm now at 3.6ghz thanks to you my friend!
Thanks again,
Satchmo

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

Limes found his FSB Hole at 380. He was stuck at 3.0GHz, but now he is running 425 FSB at 3.4GHz and still has more headroom to go higher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limes

It was an FSB hole and with eric's help I reached 3.4 Ghz.

Temps are 27 and 33 idle.

.

Super PI Calculation is 15.500s