x7337H

So I got my rig up and running today, albeit caseless, but I'm having a little trouble overclocking. I made a casual attempt and got my proc to 2.7 (300x9), but all attempts at a higher overclock failed. I tried 333x9 and 400x8, and both resulted in a black screen instead of the Vista loading bars.

I did bump the voltage up to 1.4, and set my ram to its default timings (5-5-5-12), but left almost everything else virtually unchanged. I did enable or disable certain options that promised a better OC, or better performance, but like I said before, I didn't change anything else, not even the northbridge voltage.

I think that the northbridge voltage may be the key, but would like the community's input.

As of right now, I'm running everything at the default, even my ram (5-5-5-18).

I'll try to post back with some pictures of my bios, but am not sure if they'll do any good, seeing as I only have the camera on my Sony-Ericsson w580i cellphone, and lord knows the quality of most cellphone photos.

Thanks for any and all advice...

x7337H

Please excuse the double post, but I wanted this to get a section of its own. The following are all the options in my BIOS under the AI Tweaker Menu. Following each option is what the ASUS P5Q-E says about each option, and normally gives the value range, intervals, and configurations.

Here goes:

CPU Ratio Setting
any overclocker knows what this is, so I'll skip it

FSB Frequency
any overclocker knows what this is, so I'll skip it

PCIE Frequency
Values range from 100-180

FSB Strap to North Bridge
Config Options: Auto, 200/266/333/400 Mhz

DRAM Frequency
Config Options: Auto, DDR2 667/800/835/887/1002/1066/1111/1335 Mhz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1/A2/B1/B2
Config Options: Auto, Advance 350/300/250/200/150/100/50 ps, Normal, Delay 50/100/150/200/250/300/350 ps

Next would come DRAM Timing Control, I have manually set my timings to 5-5-5-12, so let's not worry about this section.

DRAM Static Read Control
Config Options: Auto, Disabled, Enabled
A note in the manual says that, "Adjusting this item might enhance DRAM overclocking ability."

DRAM Read Training
Config Options: Auto, Disabled, Enabled
A note in the manual says that, "Setting this item to [Disabled] may help enhance DRAM overclocking ability."

MEM. OC Charger
Config Options: Auto, Disabled, Enabled
A note in the manual says that, "Setting this item to [Enabled] may help enhance DRAM overclocking ability."

AI Clock Twister
Config Options: Auto, Lighter, Light, Moderate, Strong, Stronger
A note in the manual says, "Set this item to [Light/Lighter] to enhance DRAM compatibility, or [Strong/Stronger] to accelerate DRAM performance.

AI Transaction Booster
Config Options: Auto, Manual
^I have no real idea what this thing does

CPU Voltage
0.00625 intervals
Every overclocker know what this is, so let's skip it.

CPU GTL Voltage Reference(0/2)
Value Range: 0.0370x-0.760x w/ a 0.005 interval

CPU GTL Voltage Reference(1/3)
Value Range: 0.410xto0.088x w/ a 0.005x interval

CPU PLL Voltage
Value Range: 1.50V-2.78V w/ 0.02V intervals

FSB Termination Voltage
Value Range:1.20V-1.90V w/ a 0.02V interval

DRAM Voltage
Value Range: 1.80V-3.08V w/ a 0.02V interval
^Currently set to Auto, RAM specs say 1.9V-2.1V, What should I set it at?

NB Voltage
Value Range:1.10V-2.2V w/ 0.02V intervals

NB GTL Voltage Reference
Value Range: 0.370x-.760x w/ 0.005x intervals

SB Voltage
Value Range: 1.10V-1.40V w/ 0.10V intervals

PCIE SATA Voltage
Value Range: 1.50V-1.80V w/ 0.10 intervals

Load-Line Calibration
Config Options: Auto, Disabled, Enabled
A note in the manual says, "Set to [Disabled] to follow Intel specifications, or to [Enabled] to improve CPU VDroop directly."

CPU Spread Spectrum
Config Options: Auto, Disabled
The manual simply says, "Set to [Disabled] to enhance FSB overclocking ability or [Auto] for EMI control.

PCIE Spread Spectrum
Config Options: Auto, Disabled
The manual says, "Set to [Disabled] to enhance PCIE overclocking ability or [Auto] for EMI control.

Hopefully this gives you a good sense of my BIOS. Being an overclocking noob, I need some help understanding and configuring everything. I hope this will help those willing to help. I'll probably think of something the moment I post this, and I'll try to keep this updated.

Once again, sorry for the double post, but thanks to all who help.

x7337H

So I actually got my first overclock running (8x400 @ 1.368V idle)

Something weird is happening though: Now, I know that most board experience Vdroop when under load. My board does the opposite - when under load (I'm running Prime95 right now) my board's CPU Voltage actually jumps up to 1.376V...thoughts?

I'm also worried about temps. Idle, they sit at ~35c. Load (note this is only 5 minutes into my P95 run), they've gotten up to 52c. I just built this rig and have heard that it takes AS5 some time to "cure," but how long exactly, and howmuch will it affect temps?

Still need OC advice, so don't be shy.

x7337H

Does anybody have any input?

!!GoNe^BuCk^W!lD!!

what happen to your Quad Steve?
2*c to 5*c difference after it cures

it takes about 2 weeks to cure and u HAVE to power down the system every night so it has time to cool.
then when you wake up turn it back on.

it dont cure right if u have the system on 24/7

i did use AS5 for my rig and my friends rig's

now i use OCZ Freeze and i found a 8*c difference with cured AS5 to the OCZ

__________________
3DMark06 - 20006

x7337H

It's good to hear from you Steve. I'm glad someone actually acknowledged this thread, and it's even better that it's you.

Well, I still have my quad, I just decided to throw in an old E6600 to try and get 4ghz, or at least close to that.

I just looked at CPUZ, and found out I have a B2 E6600, is that good or bad? Is that, say, the equivalent of a Q6600 G0, or is it like a Q6600 B3?

I see we both went our seperate paths mobo wise, Steve, but it's good to hear from you...later bro...

x2s3w4

OK first thing I'd do is set your RAM voltage instead of leaving it on Auto. Set it to 2.1
Next I'd raise your NB to about 1.4-1.5.
Set CPU PLL to about 1.5 and FSB term. to 1.2
Set PCI freq to 100 and disable CPU and PCI spread spectrum.
Try that.
Actually start from the top and do 1 at a time and test.For like 5 minutes to see if you have issues.

x7337H

Ok, thanks for the help.

Unfortunately, when I try 400x9 i just get a black screen instead of the windows loading bars. VCore is set to 1.4, could this be the problem?

EDIT: Got it to windows with 1.45 Vcore, but it BSOD'd after about 10 seconds...thoughts?

x7337H

I've got it somewhat (see problem #2) stable stable @ 400x9, 1.475 vcore

Now I've got a problem:

For one, both ethernet ports on my mobo died, I'm using a seperate card now.

Second, whenever I try to open IE7, my rig crashes.

Thoughts?

x7337H

well, the mobo bit the dust.

Both ethernet ports died, I couldn't get on the internet, and IE7 would crash the whole thing.

I'll be RMAing the damn thing in the morning, and trying to sweet talk a Newegg customer service rep into giving me a refund instead of the replacement covered in the warranty.