Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Thread

[PGT96AJT]

I know my default voltage is 1.8V but that is also the voltage my RAM specifies. So I am not sure if the board defaults to 1.8V or if it runs by SPD.

[MrBogard]

Can someone give me some much needed advice?

I'm thinking about purchasing this motherboard very soon (the price is awesome) along with 2 GB of Ballistix memory (DDR2 800) and an E6850. I know the E6850 comes at a premium, but I like the fact that it's already 3.0GHz, which makes me feel better about its base performance if I don't have much luck overclocking it.

My question is basically begins here: Is this combination of hardware reasonable for overclocking, and if so, what sort of results might I expect? I was a little discouraged when I found this thread, because it seems like no one has even tried OCing the E6850 on this board. I also don't know much about the ram configuration, and if that's a wise choice to pair with this motherboard and CPU, when I have my mind set on overclocking the thing if possible.

If this isn't a good solution, can someone point me in a better direction? I'd like to stick with the E6850 if possible. I basically need as much advice as possible on overclocking this thing, as I haven't overclocked any current intel hardware (I haven't even owned an intel chip in generations here) which sort of puts me back on square one.

If someone could give me some insight into the overclocking process for this motherboard, CPU, and ram configuration (my hearts not set on the ram -- if there's something better please let me know) and maybe suggest an adequate cooler as well, I would be very grateful.

I'm looking to make this leap within the next month or so.. and then I'll be buying an 8800GT shortly after that. I don't need someone to hold my hand through the process of setting this thing up, but any insight into what information I'll need to make this a successful operation would be great. If I could get some additional power out of my E6850 I would be thrilled.

Thanks!

[shajbot]

The E6850 and the ballistix's in shouldn't be a problem. The board is just too great itself.

Here's more you can read about the board.
http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Products...ProductID=2560

[Slovak]

Originally Posted by Dezixn

I have a quick question for someone... What is the default voltage for memory on this board?

All it shows is default and then +.1 +.2 ect...

It's the same for all of the GA-P35-DS3x boards i believe, but i figured i could ask here.

It defaults at 1.8v, so if your ram specifies say 2.1v, then bump it up 0.3v to get 2.1v.

[Slovak]

I got a weird issue with this board. Periodically while doing whatever, from browsing the web, to playing video games the mobo will beep and the os will freeze. Sometimes it just makes a series of short beeps, sometimes it makes 3 short followed by 1 long beep, not 1 long followed by 3 short, which would be video related, plus it never beeps on startup, just randomly while already running. I called Gigabyte, and they say if the mobo does not beep at start up and only beeps while already up and running that something is probably dying like a fan or something that stops and restarts etc throwing an alarm through the bios. Then it stops and unfreezes itself, which does not require a reboot. The system specs for this board are as follows...
P35-DS3L f6 bios
E2180
stock hsf
Sapphire X1950 Pro
Soundblaster audio
LG dvd burner
WinXP home
Firestix ram
PCPC 610 psu

I've already replaced the psu and the vid card through rma, so I know it's not that causing the problems. I can run memtest for 6 or 8 hours with no errors, and I can run orthos on blend test for 6 hours or so too with no errors either. System IS NOT overclocked and running at stock speeds. My cpu fan delays like 5 seconds before starting to spin when powered on like a few others have already stated earlier in this thread.. CPU temps never go above 50c according to core temp and tat while blend testing with orthos. Any ideas as I am pulling my hair out trying to figure this out?

[MrBogard]

Originally Posted by shajbot

The E6850 and the ballistix's in shouldn't be a problem. The board is just too great itself.

Here's more you can read about the board.
http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Products...ProductID=2560

Thanks Shajbot. What would I have to know about configuring the memory to prep that combo for overclocking -- and what do I need to know to OC a newer intel system in general. I haven't done an overclock since I owned.. uhm.. a Celeron 333Mhz chip. Is there a guide specific to this motherboard that might help me configure it?

[SgtSpike]

Originally Posted by MrBogard

Can someone give me some much needed advice?

I'm thinking about purchasing this motherboard very soon (the price is awesome) along with 2 GB of Ballistix memory (DDR2 800) and an E6850. I know the E6850 comes at a premium, but I like the fact that it's already 3.0GHz, which makes me feel better about its base performance if I don't have much luck overclocking it.

My question is basically begins here: Is this combination of hardware reasonable for overclocking, and if so, what sort of results might I expect? I was a little discouraged when I found this thread, because it seems like no one has even tried OCing the E6850 on this board. I also don't know much about the ram configuration, and if that's a wise choice to pair with this motherboard and CPU, when I have my mind set on overclocking the thing if possible.

If this isn't a good solution, can someone point me in a better direction? I'd like to stick with the E6850 if possible. I basically need as much advice as possible on overclocking this thing, as I haven't overclocked any current intel hardware (I haven't even owned an intel chip in generations here) which sort of puts me back on square one.

If someone could give me some insight into the overclocking process for this motherboard, CPU, and ram configuration (my hearts not set on the ram -- if there's something better please let me know) and maybe suggest an adequate cooler as well, I would be very grateful.

I'm looking to make this leap within the next month or so.. and then I'll be buying an 8800GT shortly after that. I don't need someone to hold my hand through the process of setting this thing up, but any insight into what information I'll need to make this a successful operation would be great. If I could get some additional power out of my E6850 I would be thrilled.

Thanks!

That combination sounds perfect to me. Ballistix are compatible with this board, and you won't need higher speed than 800mhz for a 6850, since the multi is unlocked. Shouldn't have any problems whatsoever, and your only barrier will likely be heat.

Originally Posted by Slovak

I got a weird issue with this board. Periodically while doing whatever, from browsing the web, to playing video games the mobo will beep and the os will freeze. Sometimes it just makes a series of short beeps, sometimes it makes 3 short followed by 1 long beep, not 1 long followed by 3 short, which would be video related, plus it never beeps on startup, just randomly while already running. I called Gigabyte, and they say if the mobo does not beep at start up and only beeps while already up and running that something is probably dying like a fan or something that stops and restarts etc throwing an alarm through the bios. Then it stops and unfreezes itself, which does not require a reboot. The system specs for this board are as follows...
P35-DS3L f6 bios
E2180
stock hsf
Sapphire X1950 Pro
Soundblaster audio
LG dvd burner
WinXP home
Firestix ram
PCPC 610 psu

I've already replaced the psu and the vid card through rma, so I know it's not that causing the problems. I can run memtest for 6 or 8 hours with no errors, and I can run orthos on blend test for 6 hours or so too with no errors either. System IS NOT overclocked and running at stock speeds. My cpu fan delays like 5 seconds before starting to spin when powered on like a few others have already stated earlier in this thread.. CPU temps never go above 50c according to core temp and tat while blend testing with orthos. Any ideas as I am pulling my hair out trying to figure this out?

Try checking the event log in Windows. Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Event Log

Other thing I would try is contacting Gigabyte tech support and ask what the beep sequences mean... "sometimes it makes 3 short followed by 1 long beep"

[MrBogard]

Originally Posted by SgtSpike

That combination sounds perfect to me. Ballistix are compatible with this board, and you won't need higher speed than 800mhz for a 6850, since the multi is unlocked. Shouldn't have any problems whatsoever, and your only barrier will likely be heat.

Mutli is unlocked? I thought it was locked on all of the "E" C2D's. Now you're just confusing me even more

How does this ram (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098) stack up against this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146565) -- is the Ballistix worth the $40 premium? I wouldn't mind trimming some cost here and there when possible, but quality is ultimately important to me as well.

Sorry if all these newbie questions are a bit much.. I just want to make sure I love my new upgrade before I commit to it.

[SgtSpike]

Originally Posted by MrBogard

Mutli is unlocked? I thought it was locked on all of the "E" C2D's. Now you're just confusing me even more

How does this ram (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098) stack up against this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146565) -- is the Ballistix worth the $40 premium? I wouldn't mind trimming some cost here and there when possible, but quality is ultimately important to me as well.

Sorry if all these newbie questions are a bit much.. I just want to make sure I love my new upgrade before I commit to it.

Sorry, you're right. I was thinking of the X6800. The E6850 is locked at a 9x multi, which will get you up to 3.6ghz on stock clocks with the memory. At 1000mhz on the memory, which I've heard Ballistix can do pretty easily, you'll be up to 4.5ghz, and props to you if you've got cooling that can handle that! Basically, you still won't have to worry about the memory being a bottleneck with that setup.

In regards to the memory, that set of G'Skills is the same set I have, and I've been quite happy with them. I don't think they are of lower quality than the Ballistix, but the Ballistix will probably clock higher as they can handle more voltage. All in all, you probably won't notice much of a difference between the two.

[MrBogard]

Originally Posted by SgtSpike

Sorry, you're right. I was thinking of the X6800. The E6850 is locked at a 9x multi, which will get you up to 3.6ghz on stock clocks with the memory. At 1000mhz on the memory, which I've heard Ballistix can do pretty easily, you'll be up to 4.5ghz, and props to you if you've got cooling that can handle that! Basically, you still won't have to worry about the memory being a bottleneck with that setup.

In regards to the memory, that set of G'Skills is the same set I have, and I've been quite happy with them. I don't think they are of lower quality than the Ballistix, but the Ballistix will probably clock higher as they can handle more voltage. All in all, you probably won't notice much of a difference between the two.

Would 3.6GHz be some sort of ceiling for that configuration? I've heard of people getting the E6850 to 3.8Ghz comfortably on air cooling -- there's a lot of room between 3.6 and 4.5GHz for me to play around in, right? How complicated is configuring an Intel OC now adays, specifically with this board?

Thanks for your help btw, I do appreciate it. I'll probably be back for more once I actually have this stuff in my hand and installed