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AMD Bulldozer and Piledriver Overclocking Guide - Asus Motherboard

1M views 4K replies 391 participants last post by  mrcrayola 
#1 ·
About the Guide
This Guide was created as a simplified method to Overclocking Bulldozer and Piledriver CPU's. I've listed the most important settings to change in order to reach stability, in order to take the guess work out.
FSB Overclocking is not discussed, as it's not required with a Black Edition CPU. **But if you know about FSB Overclocking, you can just use what you learn here, and apply it to that method.


***Overclock at your own Risk
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Software
Recommended Stress Tool is Prime95 Version 27.7 or newer
Known bugs and fixes:

1. Does not work on AMD Bulldozer processors. Fixed in gwnum 27.5 (there will not be a prime95 27.5).
2. Length 1280K FFT crashes on Pentium 4s with 512K L2 cache or less. Fixed in 27.6.
3. Hyperthread detection is not working properly. Fixed in 27.6.
4. The 6K 2^N-1 and 8K, 10K, 12K, 16K 2^N+1 AVX FFTs are missing. Fixed in 27.6.
5. Some exponents above 536 million generate roundoff errors and incorrect results. Fixed in 27.6.
6. FFT crossover points need retuning. Many can be more aggressive, but a few need to be more conservative. Fixed in 27.6.

Temperature Monitoring
HW Monitor -
Package Temps, aka Core Temp (62C Max)
CPU Temp, aka Socket Temp (70C Max)

Ai Tweaker Settings
  • Ai Overclock Tuner - Auto, Manual, DOCP
  • CPU Ratio - Adjusts the CPU Clock Multiplier (CPU Multi x FSB = CPU Speed)
  • AMD Turbo CORE Technology - Disable in order to manually Overclock the CPU
  • CPU Bus Frequency - A.K.A. FSB. This adjusts the base clock for, HTT, NB, CPU, DRAM.
  • PCIe Bus Frequency - Defaults to 100, not recommended to change, as it may damage GPU/HDD.
  • Memory Frequency - Adjust the Memory Divider. (DRAM Divider x FSB = DRAM Speed)
  • CPU/NB Frequency - Adjust the CPU/NB Divider - Defaults to 2000-2200Mhz
  • HT Link Speed - Adjust the HT Link Divider - Defaults to 2600Mhz
  • CPU Spread Spectrum - Disable - to increase overclock stability
  • PCIe Spread Spectrum - Disable - to increase overclock stability
  • EPU Power Saving Mode - Disabled
  • CPU & NB Voltage - Offset and Manual Mode - Change to Manual Mode for Overclocking
  • CPU Manual Voltage - ** Available under Manual Mode - Increase the CPU Voltage when increasing the CPU frequency.
  • CPU/NB Manual Voltage - ** Available under Manual Mode - IMC Voltage - Increase when overclocking memory - may require an increase when increasing CPU frequency.
  • CPU VDDA Voltage - Default 2.5v. Higher setting 2.695v will stabilize voltages under load but increases temps. Lower setting 2.2v will lower temps.
  • DRAM Voltage - Adjust the voltage for DRAM. Default 1.5v
  • NB Voltage - Adjusts the voltage for the North Bridge Chipset on the motherboard - Default 1.1v
  • NB HT Voltage - Adjusts the voltage for the Hyper Transport - Default 1.2v
  • NB 1.8V Voltage - Adjust the voltage for the Chipset/CPU Multiplier. Higher multi requires more voltage
  • SB Voltage - Adjusts the voltage for the South Bridge Default 1.1v

AI Tweaker Image - Recommended Settings

DIGI+ Power Control & CPU Configuration
Wiki: The AM3+ Socket offers improved power regulation and power quality specifications, including an increased maximum current support of 145 A versus 110 A.

DIGI+
  • CPU LLC - Adjust CPU LLC. Recommended - Ultra High (75%)
  • CPU/NB LLC - Adjust CPU/NB LLC. Recommended - High (50%)
  • CPU Current Capability - Sets the Maximum Current Support. Recommended 130%
  • CPU/NB Current Capability - Sets the Maximum Current Support. Recommended 130%
    Note: Raising the Maximum Current Support does not make the CPU draw more Current. It just allows it to scale properly with voltage, to prevent Overvolting. Watts = Volts x Amps
  • CPU Power Phase Control - Sets the Phase Control. Extreme helps stability, but increases thermals
  • CPU Voltage Frequency - More testing required
  • VRM Spread Spectrum - Enabled runs in reduced EMI Mode - Recommended Disable
  • CPU Power Duty Control - Extreme gives better stability, but higher thermals. T-Probe tested to 4.7Ghz
  • CPU Power Response Control - Recommended Auto
  • CPU/NB Power Response Control -Recommended Auto
  • CPU Power Thermal Control - 130 Tested to 4.7Ghz (not sure what this effects)
  • DRAM Current Capability - Set higher Capability for higher frequencies - Recommended 130%
  • DRAM Voltage Frequency - more testing required
  • DRAM Power Phase Control - Extreme gives better stability but higher thermals. Recommend - Optimal
Advanced Tab
  • Cool'n'Quiet - Always Enabled will lower frequency of Cores under load.
    Recommend - Always Disabled - or Always Enabled once your Overclock is fine tuned.
  • C1E - Enhanced Halt State. Lowers Power Consumption - Recommend - Disabled while testing Overclock (Enabled - Once fine tuned)
  • SVM - Virtual Machine - Recommend - Disabled unless running Virtual Machines
  • Core C6 State - Effects Overclock. Recommend - Disabled
  • HPC Mode - Recommended - Enabled - Prevents Throttling when Socket Temp gets high. (In some cases it may cause freezing - if this occurs its recommended to disable)
  • Amp Master Mode - Disabled - (Set to Auto once Overclock is fine tuned)
DIGI+ & CPU Config Image

***Picture Requires updating to reflect Recommended Settings

What to expect from your CPU Cooler

Tricks to Keep things Cool
Whether you are using a closed loop water cooler or air cooling, here are some trick to lower temps even more.
  • You can use the Stock CPU Cooler fan, with some double sided foam tape and either stick the fan to the case, or stick it to the Close Loop Cooler block, so that it is positioned blowing down over the VRM heatsink.
  • Another way to lower Socket and VRM Temps is to install a fan behind the motherboard so that it is blowing on CPU Socket. All the components link at the socket, so if you can move heat from it, it will help with overall cooling.

DRAM Voltages and OC Stability
By using 1.5v or lower for DRAM voltage you can reduce the stress on the IMC to improve stability with overclocked settings.

Special thanks to DEUSXXX for testing
POST

How to Apply Thermal Paste

Why it's just the Center of the IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader) that really matters, when applying Thermal Paste.


*** Do not Delidd your FX CPU it's soldered.
It's only meant to represent the size of the CPU Die.


M5A97 Notes
It seems that the LLC functions on some of the M5A97 Motherboards does not function as intended.
If you run into stability issues and strange voltages using LLC, it's recommended to leave it set to Auto.
 
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1 7
#2 ·


devil-smiley-019.gif
Overclock Time
devil-smiley-019.gif


Recommended Settings up to 5.0Ghz.
M5A97 Users Please see the M5A97 Notes
  • Ai Overclock Tuner - Manual
  • AMD Turbo CORE Technology - Disabled
  • DRAM 1600Mhz @ 1.5v
  • CPU/NB Frequency - 2200Mhz
  • HT Link Speed - 2600Mhz
  • CPU & NB Voltage - Manual Mode
  • CPU/NB Manual Voltage - Set between 1.25v-1.3v (Increases stability for high overclocks)
  • CPU LLC - Ultra High (75%)
  • CPU/NB LLC - Auto
  • CPU Current Capability - 130%
  • CPU/NB Current Capability - 130%
  • DRAM Current Capability 130%
  • Cool'n'Quiet - Disabled
  • C1E - Disabled
  • SVM - Disabled unless running Virtual Machines
  • Core C6 State - Disabled
  • HPC Mode - Enabled (Some motherboards this has caused freezing so keep that in mind)
  • Amp Master Mode - Disabled

    ***The power saving features should be disabled until you find your stable overclock. Then feel free to re-enable them to benefit from power savings
Read all the steps before proceeding

  • In the BIOS, set the Recommended Settings. Then Save and Exit.
    Do not adjust the CPU Manual Voltage, or CPU Ratio yet.
  • Back in the BIOS, scroll to CPU Manual Voltage and Manually Set it to whatever value it shows for your CPU. They all vary
  • You need to find the Max OC you can get at the stock voltage so move to CPU Ratio and adjust it up.

    Most Piledriver CPUs will run an extra 400-500Mhz on Stock Voltages
    Most Bulldozer CPUs will run an extra 700-800Mhz on Stock Voltages
  • Exit and Save changes, and boot into your Operating System.
  • Load and run Prime95 Small FFT for 10 Minutes.
    • If no Cores Fail, then increase another point on the CPU Ratio and run Prime95 again.
    • If a Core Fails then increase the CPU Manual Voltage one point and run Prime95 again.
    • If your system Freezes or BSOD, then reduce you CPU Ratio by one point and run Prime95 again.
    • If your system Freezes or BSOD after increasing the CPU Ratio by one point then increase your CPU Manual Voltage by three points and run Prime95 again.

      (each run of Prime95 for this step will be 10 minutes on Small FFT's)
  • When Overclocking, make sure to monitor temperatures. Once you have reached the thermal or voltage limits of your overclock (or just one you are happy with) Then it is time to run a full Prime test.
  • Full Prime Test = Custom Setting - using 75% of your ram for a minimum of 6-12 hours
    this is just what I recommend. If you are happy with 2 hours of prime, that's fine
  • If your system fails the Prime test, then increase the CPU Manual Voltage by one point and re-test. Or, if it passes, then enjoy your faster running CPU.
Thermal and Voltage Limits for the CPU
Thermal Limits
CPU Core - 62 Celsius
CPU Socket - 72 Celsius

Voltage Limits
- CPU Manual Voltage 1.55v
 
#3 ·


FSB & MISC Overclocking Section. (Sometimes offers fine tuning, but not required)
  • FSB Overclocking Recommended Ranges
  • FSB - 230 to 300**
  • **290 - 300+ may or may not work on your Motherboard
    biggrin.gif
  • VDDA Voltage - 2.5 vto 2.65v - increasing this voltage will improve system performance when increasing the FSB
  • HTT/CPUNB Speeds - Linking these speeds when FSB Overclocking has shown performance increases. The suggested range is 2400-2500Mhz for both. (If possible, linking the DRAM speed in this range will also increase performance)
  • PCIe - Manually set to 100Mhz
Other than that, the settings for NB,HT Link, CPU, DRAM, will all be the same as when Multiplier Overclocking.

FSB OC - Things to Consider
Because most things are affected by the FSB (Multi * FSB = Frequency) you need to take into consideration what will be effected.
  • CPU
  • HTT
  • CPU/NB
  • DRAM
So in simple terms, you just need to select the highest stable FSB speed that you can, which will give you your desired OC results.

Also, once you have your desired Overclock, within your safe voltage, you can also increase the FSB by 1 point at a time, until you have your max stable overclock.

Recommended FSB Ranges
Quote:
FSB - 250
DRAM - 2000Mhz
CPU/NB - 2500Mhz
HTT - 2500Mhz
Quote:
FSB - 275
DRAM - 2200Mhz
CPU/NB - 2475Mhz
HTT - 2475Mhz
Quote:
FSB - 280
DRAM - 1866Mhz
CPU/NB - 2520Mhz
HTT - 2520Mhz
Quote:
FSB - 300
DRAM - 2400Mhz
CPU/NB - 2400Mhz
HTT - 2400Mhz

FSB + Turbo - The Best of Both Worlds
Would you like to have great Multithreaded Performance as well as a lot better Single Core Performance?
Do you also like to save on hydro?

Well then this might interest you.


  • With Turbo Enabled, increasing the FSB also increases the Turbo Frequency
  • With Offset Voltage Mode you can fully utilize C'n'C and APM Mode
  • I recommend to keep the offset voltages to Auto with the "+" using Ultra LLC on the CPU and Auto LLC on the CPU/NB.
  • If you are going for an extreme difference between stock frequency and Turbo frequency, then you should increase the CPU Offset Voltage to Compensate
    Example: 4.6Ghz with a Turbo of 5.6Ghz you might need an offset of +0.15v
  • The higher you raise the FSB, the higher the Auto CPU and CPU/NB voltage will be set.
As you can see from my pictures, for my system the best FSB speed was 233. This allowed me to run my ram near my spec of 1866Mhz and also allows me to stay within my thermal limits when Turbo engages.

The actual turbo listed is not what it will go to. The Turbo listed is the highest level of Turbo - on an FX8350 that would be 4.2Ghz, so a Multiplier of 21. The normal turbo that will run all 8 cores is 4.1Ghz so a Multiplier of 20.5, which will let me run 4.776Ghz with a 233FSB.
Under a heavy load, the CPU will cycle between my set CPU Ratio and the Turbo Speed to run cooler. Or it will just stay at the set CPU Ratio - which is ~4.5Ghz

So using this method I will have a 17% increase in Single Threaded Performance and a 12.5% increase in Multithreaded Performance.
With the power saving features I idle at 68W. (Full System)
At full load 280W which is the same as a Manual 4.5Ghz Overclock.

UnOfficial Overclocking Method
Based on a Theory: Testing done by Mr-McRaven Link to Testing
Recommended Settings
Quote:
1600Mhz Ram
- FSB 240
- CPU/NB 7x/8xMulti @ 1680Mhz/1920Mhz [0.9v-1.075]
- Ram 6.66x Multi @ 1600Mhz [1.3v-1.5v]
- HTT 11x Multi @ 2640Mhz
***Requires Fine Tuning with voltages.
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by philharmonik View Post

Can I use this guide for the Sabertooth 990FX?
You sure can. I think that the Sabertooth has a couple more options for Sub Zero Overclocking that I don't have listed. But otherwise it's the same.
 
#6 ·
Nice guide, though I seen on the ROG site that CPU and PCIe Spread Spectrum should be disabled. Unless I am misinterpreting something.

From the site:
Quote:
CPU Spread Spectrum: Modulates the processor clock to reduce radiated noise emissions - disable for overclocking as clock modulation reduces logic sampling margins.

PCIe Spread Spectrum: Modulates the PCIe clock to reduce radiated noise emissions - disable for overclocking as clock modulation reduces logic sampling margins.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darius Silver View Post

Nice guide, though I seen on the ROG site that CPU and PCIe Spread Spectrum should be disabled. Unless I am misinterpreting something.

From the site:
Thanks for that.

I researched it a bit more and found you are exactly right about the Spread Spectrum.

The only reason to have it on is if you live in an area with high amounts of EMI.
The reason to have it disabled, is that while overclocking it can accidentially register a clock cycle as EMI, causing a BSOD or freeze.

I will update the guide.
 
#8 ·
Hey, thanks for this guide!

I couldn't get any kind of stability at any voltage & clock whatsoever.
I restored optimized defaults & followed your steps and VIOLA! some stability
graduated.gif

Now running 4.2GHz at stock voltage, which happens to be 1.3875v, & CPU/NB is set to 1.2v
Also note that I've set APM & CPU spread spectrum both on Auto.

Did a 10min OCCT run;


Is this graph okay?
worriedsmiley.gif
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashura View Post

Hey, thanks for this guide!

I couldn't get any kind of stability at any voltage & clock whatsoever.
I restored optimized defaults & followed your steps and VIOLA! some stability
graduated.gif

Now running 4.2GHz at stock voltage, which happens to be 1.3875v, & CPU/NB is set to 1.2v
Also note that I've set APM & CPU spread spectrum both on Auto.

Did a 10min OCCT run;


Is this graph okay?
worriedsmiley.gif
Nice, glad it's working for you.

For CPU Spread Spectrum, I had to do an update, because it can effect higher overclocks if it's enabled, so for that I'd recommend to Disable it.

Your graph does look a bit strange. From 1 minute to 5 minutes is the only time the CPU is at 100%, otherwise it's showing near 0% usage for the rest of the time.
If you are using Ultra LLC for the CPU and it's increasing the voltage above what you have set (as shown by the graph) then you can lower it to High LLC. It's best to have it compensate just enough so the voltage barely changes under load. If the voltage increases, then your LLC is set too high.

Also the way it's listing your CPU seems off. It seems to show that you have Turbo Enabled with a higher CPU Ratio set. If you have an Overclock set, with Turbo Enabled, then the CPU will run at 4.1Ghz under load, even if you have the CPU set higher (4.2Ghz)
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComputerRestore View Post

Your graph does look a bit strange. From 1 minute to 5 minutes is the only time the CPU is at 100%, otherwise it's showing near 0% usage for the rest of the time.
Actually, those are Idle periods. 1 min at start & 5 min at end. I thought those minutes would be excluded from the time I set
doh.gif

Quote:
If you are using Ultra LLC for the CPU and it's increasing the voltage above what you have set (as shown by the graph) then you can lower it to High LLC. It's best to have it compensate just enough so the voltage barely changes under load. If the voltage increases, then your LLC is set too high.

Also the way it's listing your CPU seems off. It seems to show that you have Turbo Enabled with a higher CPU Ratio set. If you have an Overclock set, with Turbo Enabled, then the CPU will run at 4.1Ghz under load, even if you have the CPU set higher (4.2Ghz)
LLC is enabled. That's all I can do on my budget board.
frown.gif

Also, TurboCore is disabled.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashura View Post

Actually, those are Idle periods. 1 min at start & 5 min at end. I thought those minutes would be excluded from the time I set
doh.gif
Ahhh, ok. I figured that's what was happening, just thought I'd verify.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComputerRestore View Post

Ahhh, ok. I figured that's what was happening, just thought I'd verify.
so.... Are those minor voltage spikes normal?
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashura View Post

so.... Are those minor voltage spikes normal?
They can be normal. But it's not something that you want to have for normal usage. Under load the CPU voltage will usually drop a little. Using the LLC function, you want a setting that will give you the same voltage as what is set in the BIOS. Ultra High is usually the setting that gets it as close as possible without Overvolting.

On your graph it looks like a difference of 0.025v which isn't a big deal. It maybe adds an extra 6W of heat energy to your Overclock. So if your next lowest LLC setting drops the voltage way below what you have set, then I'd say stay with what you are using.
 
#15 ·
Following the steps in this guide (with the exception that I was running blend tests because I wasn't really paying attention) I have my Sabertooth 990FX R2 and FX8320 running at 4.2 ghz with "stock voltage".

VID is 1.375 and BIOS is set to 1.375 but it idles at 1.368 and bounces between 1.380 and 1.392 under load. If I set my LLC any lower then it drops below 1.368 under load. If I set LLC any higher then it will hit over 1.400 under load.

My temps were still slightly on the incline when I took this, but this is under load.

 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by TND2pointO View Post

Following the steps in this guide (with the exception that I was running blend tests because I wasn't really paying attention) I have my Sabertooth 990FX R2 and FX8320 running at 4.2 ghz with "stock voltage".

VID is 1.375 and BIOS is set to 1.375 but it idles at 1.368 and bounces between 1.380 and 1.392 under load. If I set my LLC any lower then it drops below 1.368 under load. If I set LLC any higher then it will hit over 1.400 under load.

My temps were still slightly on the incline when I took this, but this is under load.

That's great. It looks like that H40 is really working, but still holding it's own. Does that HWinfo program show Core Temps as well? I believe the one listed in that screen shot is the CPU Socket Temp.
I'm also curious if your stock vCore @ 3.5Ghz is 1.375 with Turbo Disabled? That seems kind of high for an 8320. It could also be bouncing around if it's still set to Auto, instead of manually inputting the voltage after a restart.

Quote:
Originally Posted by aHumanBeing View Post

very well written and documented post for the FX line, Rep given.
smile.gif
Thank you very much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by navynuke499 View Post

ill have to give this a try and see how much more i can get out of my fx-6100. i haven't got it stable at 5GHz but i am so close.
Sabertooth, Custom Water, recipe for success
thumb.gif


A couple notes:
If two cores within the same module fail during Prime95, that module may be limited in it's ability to Overclock further. Sometimes more voltage helps, but usually not.
If only a single core fails, then more voltage will fix it, but sometimes it takes too much extra voltage.

My CPU can almost run Prime95 Stable at 4.5Ghz with only 1.325v, but Core 8 will fail. I need 1.3625v to keep Core 8 happy. The amount keeps increasing the higher I go. I'd need to disable Module 4 (cores 7-8) to hit 5.0Ghz stable.

**Not all the CPU's have that issue, or as severe.
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by navynuke499 View Post

i am interested to see the FSB section added to this. ive seen many others pushing into the 230s and 240s with no issues but i cant get mine stable past 213
That's kind of why I'm nervous to create the FSB section. There's more variables that cause issues (headaches).
For instance, some motherboards have FSB dead zones.
  • For example, from 211-229 on Model A Motherboard might cause Hardware Errors when stressing, or random BSOD's etc.
There's also the whole issue of on some Motherboards, when you increase the FSB, you have to manually set the PCIe Clock to 100 or it might fail to boot.

On the M5A99FX PRO 2.0 I've pushed my FSB into the 300's, but there wasn't any noticeable performance gains. Some days it would be flaky, and some days it would work ok.
Around 250 is a nice point so I can Overclock my DRAM to 2000Mhz using the 8x Divider (1600Mhz)

Maybe I'll just do a very general/quick guide, and hopefully add info as the issues come up.
wink.gif
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComputerRestore View Post

That's great. It looks like that H40 is really working, but still holding it's own. Does that HWinfo program show Core Temps as well? I believe the one listed in that screen shot is the CPU Socket Temp.
Yes, the green one is socket right below it the CPU 0 is core temp - matches the core temp values, e.g., 15.3*C at idle. I think what I like most about HWiNFO64 is being able to graph any value with 2 clicks, and if you hit save it will remember the graphs you had open and where. The only thing I don't like about its graphs is that is does not remember your upper and lower bounds on y for the graph on exit/restart.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComputerRestore View Post

I'm also curious if your stock vCore @ 3.5Ghz is 1.375 with Turbo Disabled? That seems kind of high for an 8320.
It sure is stock non-turbo at 1.375 according to both CoreTemps VID and HWiNFO64's VID readings, and that is what the BIOS calls out as default. VCore would go to like 1.41v under turbo when I got it and LLC was on auto, but last time I actually had turbo enabled I was not paying attention to VID so I don't know what its Turbo VID is for sure. I undervolted it for a while and was "desktop stable" going 4.2 @ between 1.25 - 1.30v, I didn't record my settings but I remember it rebooted on me somewhere under 1.25 while playing D3. I have not tried to undervolt it again, I figured I would try to go the other direction and see how high I can go without using more volts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComputerRestore View Post

It could also be bouncing around if it's still set to Auto, instead of manually inputting the voltage after a restart.
Voltage was manually input after disabling turbo and reading VID, VCore was set to auto when I booted with turbo disabled to read VID. I have my VCore, Multiplier, and FSB set manually, all other CPU options are Auto. LLC is set to CPU:Ultra High and NB:High; all others auto or disabled.
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComputerRestore View Post

I'm also curious if your stock vCore @ 3.5Ghz is 1.375 with Turbo Disabled? That seems kind of high for an 8320. It could also be bouncing around if it's still set to Auto, instead of manually inputting the voltage after a restart.
I've had two 8320s, one had 1.4v / 1.425v (turbo off/on) and the other had 1.3875v / 1.425v (turbo off/on) so 1.375v would be fine considering this sad experience :) Then again, I get all the bad chips I would say. Reading how you've said that MOST VIshera chips will do 400-500 MHz with stock volts, my 8350 will do 4.2 with stock volts :-( that's just barely the turbo speed. And it takes 1.456v to be stable at 4.5, which already reaches my temp limits. Undervolting it isn't really great either, it isn't stable at 4 GHz with anything less than 1.325v under load...

I lost the chip lottery three times in a row with Vishera..

I don't think it's the board that's keeping me back THAT much since other people seem to do very good with the UD3...
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bios_R_us View Post

I've had two 8320s, one had 1.4v / 1.425v (turbo off/on) and the other had 1.3875v / 1.425v (turbo off/on) so 1.375v would be fine considering this sad experience :) Then again, I get all the bad chips I would say. Reading how you've said that MOST VIshera chips will do 400-500 MHz with stock volts, my 8350 will do 4.2 with stock volts :-( that's just barely the turbo speed. And it takes 1.456v to be stable at 4.5, which already reaches my temp limits. Undervolting it isn't really great either, it isn't stable at 4 GHz with anything less than 1.325v under load...

I lost the chip lottery three times in a row with Vishera..

I don't think it's the board that's keeping me back THAT much since other people seem to do very good with the UD3...
That is some really bad luck. Hopefully it's not due to the motherboad. What is the exact model, and version? The budget Gigabytes that are doing good are the 990FX UD3 Revision 1.1 or newer with LLC. It seems like either your board has some major vDroop, or it's a re-branded 890 chipset that wasn't updated to handle more than 110A on the CPU. Feel free to PM me, I'll see if I can help at all.
 
#24 ·
It's the 990fxa-UD3 rev1.2 and the volts are rather stable (1.375v for example, with LLC on auto, ranges from 1.36 to 1.392 under load). I've got 4.5 stable at 1.4v and Ultra High LLC (goes up to 1.456v under load) but temps go above 62c if i don't "chill" my room. I've only stressed it with 20 IBT runs on custom - 6144mb ram and about 1h of P95 blend.

I'm trying for 1.375v and Ultra High LLC on 4400 right now, IBT was fine, P95 is at it for 70 mins so far, volts would peak at 1.424v for the first hour but have reached 1.440v now .. and temps were getting a bit over 62c on the cores so I opened the window .... if I try anything lower on the LLC it fails....
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisoldinho View Post

How does lowering the VDDA voltage lower temps? I have set it to 2.2 at 4.7 but see very little difference, probably outweighed by the ambient temp changes are a result of running OCCT
biggrin.gif
It's only a couple degrees, but it's something.

I don't know if it's only on my board either, but lowering the VDDA for me, makes my voltages very steady as well. If I set 1.425 in the BIOS with Ultra LLC, under load it will go to 1.416v and wont change. If I use 2.5v or higher, then it will fluctuate a little between 1.416v and 1.425v under load.

I should also update my guide, that if you are using the FSB to Overclock, then you shouldn't lower the VDDA.
 
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