These are the remaining questions from the original post (click
here to go there.)
Question 3 - When finding limits and during final overclocking, can I keep the fans quiet or should I put them on med/high setting?
Normally I have them running lowest RPM because I like having a quiet PC. I only maximise them during hot weather. Though, I wouldn't mind having it high constantly since I listen to my cans anyway.
Questions 4 & 5 - What temp type should I be monitoring and what are maximum safe CPU and core Load temperatures?
According to HWMonitor's reading on 4 cores, there is a 12-15°C difference between core and CPU.
Question 6 - How do I find the NB temp?
HWMonitor and Everest show only CPU and mainboard temps. Maybe the NB have no temp sensors?
Question 7 - What are safe voltage limits?
- CPU Voltage = 1.?V (1.4? 1.475? 1.55?)
- CPU-NB Voltage = 1.35V
- HTT Voltage = 1.? V
- SB Voltage = 1.?? V
- NB Voltage = 1.2 V ???
- CPU VDD = 2.? V
Question 8 - Are these correct stock voltages for 960T?
They are set to Offset mode with Auto values (as shown in my BIOS):
- CPU Voltage = 1.225 V
- CPU-NB Voltage = 1.125 V
- HTT Voltage = 1.200 V
- SB Voltage = 1.100 V
- NB Voltage = 1.250 V (.05 V higher than the safe voltage limit!?)
- CPU VDD = 2.5 V
- DRAM Voltage = 1.490 V
- Sideport Memory Voltage = 1.500 V (what is this?)
Question 9 - Which of the following settings do I disable?
- AMD Turbo Core Technology
- GPU Booster
- Enhanced iGPU SpeedStep
- GPU Power Saving Mode
- CPU & NB Voltage Mode [Offset/Manual]
-
- Offset - CPU & NB Voltage is set to offset value.
- Manual - CPU & NB Voltage is set to a fixed value.
- CPU Load-Line Calibration [Auto/Enabled/Disabled]
- CPU/NB Load-Line Calibration [Auto/Enabled/Disabled]
- Cool 'n' Quiet
- C1E Support
- Anti Surge Support
- NB Thermal Protect
- CPU & Chassis Q-Fan Function
- CPU & Chassis Q-Fan Mode [Enabled/Disabled]
- Turbo
- Standard
- Silent
- Manual
Question 10 - Since I want to use power saving features once I settle for a final 24/7 stable configuration, how exactly do I effectively use (any of) them during and after the OC process?
- Anti Surge Support in BIOS
- ASUS EPU OS software
- CPU & NB Voltage Offset Mode in BIOS
- CPU/NB Load-Line Calibration [Auto/Enabled/Disabled] in BIOS
- Cool 'n' Quiet in BIOS
- C1E Support in BIOS
- GPU Power Saving Mode in BIOS
- NB Thermal Protect mode in BIOS
- PhenomMSRTweaker/AMDMSRTweaker OS software
- Undervolting in BIOS
PART 2 - FINDING & TESTING LIMITSQuestions 11 & 12 - Do I use BIOS or AMD Overdrive or TurboV EVO to find my limits and in what sequential order should I find the limits?
- RAM
- NB
- HTT
- FSB
- Multiplier
Question 13 - While finding limits for each frequency one at a time, to keep other frequencies (and their respective voltages) @ stock settings do I manually enter them or leave them on Auto?
If I need to manually enter them, what is the stock speed for NB and HTT?
Multiplier - 15x
FSB - 200Mhz
RAM - 1600MHz
NB - 2400MHz? [must be 3 x RAM speed (before DDR) right?]
HTT - 2000MHz?
Question 14 & 15 - What program do I use to test the limits and how long should each test be?
Multiplier/FSB ~ Intel Burn Test, 3DMark, or wPrime?
RAM/NB/HTT ~ Intel Burn Test, OCCT, or Super Pi 32M?
PART 3 - OVERCLOCKING & TESTINGQuestion 16 - Using the BIOS, in what sequential order should I begin the final overclock?
- RAM
- NB
- HTT
- FSB
- Multiplier
Questions 17 & 18 - What program do I use to test for 24/7 stability and how long should each test be?
Multiplier/FSB ~ Linx? Prime95?
RAM/NB/HTT ~ Prime95 Blend?
Questions 19 & 20 - Besides the life-shortening effect from overclocking, for the long-term use and stability of a computer, with respect to CPU degradation and longevity, is it better to use an offset voltage (which results in a lower idle but higher transition voltage) or manual voltage (roughly constant voltage)? Will the offset voltage spikes (although within my manufacturer's specified voltages) harm the CPU or cause it to degrade faster over time?
Assume the system is under load 60% of the time it is on (which is why I want to use offset mode - cooler and less power at idle).
This post concludes my pre-OC questions.
If needed, there might be another post with OC questions, and a final post with post-OC questions.
Thanks!
Edited by Stealth3si - 4/28/12 at 8:32pm
