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Xeon Hacking and Overclocking X79/X99 [Beyond X58]

596K views 2K replies 233 participants last post by  HenryS137 
#1 ·
AIM: TO FIND DECOMMISSIONED XEONs CAPABLE OF 33+% OVERCLOCK LIKE X58/Westmere-EP

Welcome, all.

Coming off the ?tail end? of the X58 Xeon rush, I have started to become curious about the possibility of taking a post-X58 setup to similar heights of greatness.

This is all really new to me, but think we can figure it out. There are other threads about this topic, but most of them are really narrow [this CPU, will it work? etc]. I want to unite our efforts!

So, several of you will have received an "invite" to join this thread, but anyone is welcome to join with useful info and results.

AIM: TO FIND DECOMMISSIONED XEONs CAPABLE OF 33% OVERCLOCK LIKE X58/Westmere-EP

X79 or X99 welcome, we're looking at both chipsets and any combination of parts or sockets that might work. The goal is to find truly affordable combinations.

Thoughts - hacked/edited BIOS/Specific CPU steppings/Software override for clocks/specific CPU models... anything really should be considered. Bclk Multiplier Straps?

Who doesn't want a >4GHz 6/8core Xeon with 20MB of cache for $100
biggrin.gif


Right now I don't have hardware, but anyone who does should contribute what they know, ESPECIALLY if they're doing anything that breaks any locking or Multipliers, TDP or BClk.

I am based in the Netherlands, and am also really interested to meet other members or to test any hardware combinations we can arrange.

Let's get cracking.

See you around,

Sam
 
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#2 ·
Inspiration:




Useful:

Xeon SB+ @ Wikipedia: linky

Sandy Bridge E Overclocking on X79 guide

Rumors and Information:

"This. All 16XX v1 v2 v3 series Xeons are unlocked. (uniprocessor Xeons) Even the rare OEM 10/12 chips. Some people on hard forum have those 1800 dollar chips.

I have a 1650 v3 at 4.5 Ghz right now. All X99 CPUs are soldered so no delidding needed!

Xeons are the same price as the E series or very close so I see no reason to buy an E series. Why limit your options? If you are doing 64GB or more RAM you want ECC RDDIMMS because of stability and ECC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Xeon_microprocessors#Xeon_E5-16xx_v3_.28uniprocessor.29

BTW get the 1660v3 and not the 1680v3. Both should be unlocked. The 1680 is more money for a higher base clock...no reason to spend 800 bucks when you are just going to OC.

I have not seen anyone own a 1681v3 but I know people on hard have the 10 core v2 and it is also unlocked. Tbhe guys on hardforum like the medium chips more because they claim it is a higher quality chip....for whatever that is worth.

I would assume the 1681v3 would be like 1800 like the v2 version. Those 10+ core chips are hard to find and very expensive as in 1800-3k IIRC from what one of the guys on hard forum told me from when he bought one. There is an online dealer somewhere with the 10 core haswells if you google around." - HOPELESSLYFAITH

Thread [not a lot in here ] List of unlocked lga 2011 (ES) xeons

Thread (An expensive option that should work) psa-unlocked-8core-for-x79-if-you-cared/0_40Are all Xeon's unlock?]

Thread (X99 Xeon Overclock)

Thread (Haswell-EP Xeon overclocking (help request))Not much to go on (Thread (Haswell-EP Xeon overclocking (help request)))
 
#3 ·
Quote:
I don't think that there is one thread that contains all this under one roof. Overclocking Xeons I something that was done rather easily in the past, but has become more rare in the present (after Westmere) due to the locking of the FSB straps in the newer processors.

Rules of thumb:

1) All Xeons prior to Sandy Bridge-EP were overclockable using FSB adjustments if you could find a compliant motherboard.
2) All Nehalem single processor Nehalem/Westmere Xeons (W35xx or W36xx) are unlocked.
3) All 6-core and 8-core E5-1600 V1, V2 and V3 series CPUs are fully unlocked.
4) E5-1600 quad cores are not guaranteed to be unlocked and their status may change from one generation to the next.
5) ALL dual capable Xeons are multiplier locked. ALL dual capable Xeons up to present models (starting with Sandy Bridge-EP) are HARD LOCKED, with both multiplier and BCLK straps being locked. They can only be overclocked a few MHz using basic FSB adjustment.

One interesting footnote: There has been only one unlocked dual capable processor ever produced by Intel...that being the QX9775, launched with it's D5400XS motherboard, which together formed a platform called Skulltrail. Intel foolishly allowed all LGA771 Xeons (even the really cheap ones) to function on (and be overclocked by) this motherboard, which hurt the sales of the ultra-expensive QX9775 severely. They've used the poor sales of the QX9775 as justification ever since for not releasing a new version of Skulltrail.
- lutjens
 
#1,606 · (Edited)
Quote:I don't think that there is one thread that contains all this under one roof. Overclocking Xeons I something that was done rather easily in the past, but has become more rare in the present (after Westmere) due to the locking of the FSB straps in the newer processors.

Rules of thumb:

1) All Xeons prior to Sandy Bridge-EP were overclockable using FSB adjustments if you could find a compliant motherboard.
2) All Nehalem single processor Nehalem/Westmere Xeons (W35xx or W36xx) are unlocked.
3) All 6-core and 8-core E5-1600 V1, V2 and V3 series CPUs are fully unlocked.
4) E5-1600 quad cores are not guaranteed to be unlocked and their status may change from one generation to the next.
5) ALL dual capable Xeons are multiplier locked. ALL dual capable Xeons up to present models (starting with Sandy Bridge-EP) are HARD LOCKED, with both multiplier and BCLK straps being locked. They can only be overclocked a few MHz using basic FSB adjustment.

One interesting footnote: There has been only one unlocked dual capable processor ever produced by Intel...that being the QX9775, launched with it's D5400XS motherboard, which together formed a platform called Skulltrail. Intel foolishly allowed all LGA771 Xeons (even the really cheap ones) to function on (and be overclocked by) this motherboard, which hurt the sales of the ultra-expensive QX9775 severely. They've used the poor sales of the QX9775 as justification ever since for not releasing a new version of Skulltrail.


- lutjens
I'm glad to see this thread. I started a thread at TPU about overclocking unlocked CPUs on locked motherboards using Throtttlestop software.
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/throttlestop-overclocking-desktop-pcs.235975/
We're up to the X58 stuff so far. TS supports CPUs beyond that but which ones IDK.
Here's what I've found on the X58 Xeons since they're still being discussed here. By unlocked I mean multiplier unlocked.
Of the 6 cores the W3680,W3690 are unlocked, below that are not, and 2 CPU X5xxx are locked.
In the 4 cores W3570,W3580 are unlocked, and the 2 CPU versions W5580,W5590 are unlocked also. These can all be had for <$20. Here's a CPUZ W5580 42x133 at #1 spot.
http://valid.x86.fr/top-cpu/496e746...0202020202020573535383020204020332e323047487a
Skulltrail died because of the FBDIMM server RAM which had good bandwidth for the time but horrible latency issues. And the fact that games back then didn't show any gains beyond 4 CPU cores. So there was no return in performance for it's $6K price tag. But yes OFFICIALLY QX9775 was the only unlocked 2 CPU Xeon.
I would suggest researching the various unlocked CPU rumors at CPUZ for actual multiplier overclocks. If someone buys a CPU based on false information it could cause hard feelings and damage the credibility of the thread. But I would love to know about newer unlocked Xeons.

I went back and skimmed the whole thread. A lot of good stuff in here, but I'm really not up to speed on the aftermarket overclocking terminology, or the Intel CPU naming conventions. But if your looking for cheap performance OEM locked BIOS motherboards, and unlocked CPUs have some potential. Depending on the VRM sometimes a lot.
 
#5 ·
Good info here, glad to see the thread.
thumb.gif


I'm sure I'll be chiming in assuming I find some deals on some x79/99 CPU's/Boards.

I came across this while I was researching the 16xx's. Not sure how common that is, or if it's even legit but it sure seems like a nice deal.
smile.gif


As far as 26xx's, the limitation is not bios related as far as I'm aware. There are a few boards that have the capability to overclock, and overclock just fine in single CPU scenarios using the 16xx's. But of course if you want to run dual CPU (or even a single 26xx), then you are very limited to how far it can overclock.

Now, maybe there is something that can be done by modifying the chip itself, shorting pins or something along those lines. Since the chips are pretty cheap now, someone may want to experiment?
wink.gif
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by santi2104 View Post

im interested in this too, it would be nice to make a compete list of all the cpus that are unlocked and allow overclocks, i already have a x5650 on a secondary rig, and i wouldnt mind upgrading my 2600k to some hexacore for a decent price
Well you'd need to switch to 2011. As far as I'm aware 1155 is limited to four cores, I think the Xeon E3-11xx/12xx's do work though.
 
#9 ·
Just a heads up that the E5-1680v2 is the only unlocked Ivy Bridge 8-core in existence. Also the 1681v3 and up aren't really available in retail. If I remember correctly, they were made exclusively for Dell and HP and whatnot OEM servers. No guarantees they're unlocked, but I suppose it's possible.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tbob22 View Post

Well you'd need to switch to 2011. As far as I'm aware 1155 is limited to four cores, I think the Xeon E3-11xx/12xx's do work though.
Up until Skylake that is. E3-1200 and E3-1200v2 work in most consumer LGA-1155 boards, and E3-1200v3 and v4 should work in most LGA-1150 boards. Skylake, the v5 lineup, isn't compatible with consumer chipsets. Why? No real reason. Seriously, it's locked down so you can't slap a cheap i7-equivalent in your consumer motherboard. Pretty scummy move on Intel's part in my opinion.
 
#10 ·
First of all, thanks for opening the thread!
biggrin.gif

A xeon 2011 spin off thread from the x58 one was really needed.
smile.gif


Now, lately I have been looking into 2011 xeons quite a bit, and that's what i found out.

If you want x79/ddr3 (the only "relatively" cheap ones atm)

- There are no 8 core CPUs in the single cpu series (e5-1600 v1 and v2, E5-1680v2 is 8 cores but way too expensive - thks tbob22). If you want 8 cores, you have to go for e5-2600 and e5-4600, and none of these is unlocked.
- The single cpu series mimic the i7 in cache size (12-15, no 20mb ones)
- A slight overclock of v2 dual-series cpus might be possible:
but reading around, not all the boards boot after increasing bclk, the increase is still minimal, and the cpu power limit might kick in.
Anyway, in the video they force somehow the turbo multiplier always on.
 
#11 ·
#12 ·
Take a look at CPU-World if you haven't. Great database on most processors that exist and some that don't.

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/TYPE-Xeon%20E5-1600%20v2.html

Those are your unlocked Ivy Bridge options. Start exploring and you might find some CPUs and sockets you never thought existed.

EDIT: Oh right, another note. The E5-1620v3 is quad-core Haswell. It is better than the 4790K in all ways: soldered IHS, 10% cheaper, 150% more PCIe lanes, and 100% more memory channels. Source:

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/Intel-Xeon%20E5-1620%20v3.html

It won't upgrade your 5960X, but it's more or less a 4790K with a lot of room to grow.
 
#16 ·
I did not get any where with my E5-2670 overclocking on the Sabertooth X79. May buy a better CPU seems too good a board for a stock CPU. Then Ill have to buy another dual x79. It will never end!!! Can't have a CPU just laying around!!!
Tried the blck strap, lowered the CPU to 13x and the ram to 1033 and raised the blck strap 1 setting to 1.25 and could not boot.
So I do believe there is no overclocking these CPUs, except the E5-16xx and they are no cheaper than the i7 x79 CPUs.
I do know my E5-2670 is throttling down, I think it is wattage not heat. Using a water AIO and my temps is 60c
The Haswel is 100% faster than the x5660.. The X56xx takes 50% longer than the E5-2670 Sandy.doing prime grid (think prime95)

The X58 is still holding its own for sure. As far as game and programs that do not use the new instructions like AVX SAndy B, AVX F16C Ivy B,, AVX AVX2 F16C Haswell.
For me doing BOINC they make a huge difference. Here are times in seconds for primegrid (think prime95) I'll do Non-AVX project WCG maybe. Will be in a couple days

Sub-project. Sophie Germain Prime Search NO HT

Opteron 8425 6 core 3359 sec time in seconds

X5650 Stock 2213sec 6 core

X5660 4ghz 1553sec 6 core

E5-2670 stock 1023sec 8 core Sandy bridge

i5-3570s stock 852sec 4 core Ivy Bridge

i5-4570 stock 719sec 4 core Haswell
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Thread (An expensive option that should work) psa-unlocked-8core-for-x79-if-you-cared/0_40Are all Xeon's unlock?]
The 1680 is currently really expensive, though you're right it is the performance jump I was thinking of:
smile.gif
8 core @4.7GHz sounds good to me.

What is really needed is a hack to get the 26xx series working with the same multiplier flexibility.

EDIT: Chips with the VT-d bug might be worth even less for servers, but be great for gaming.
 
#24 ·
On X79 there are already cheap fully unlocked 6 core cpu's no need for Xeon's....it would be nice to unlock cheap 8 core cpu's...i'm writing these on my e5-2670 on a X79 board. Realistically it's never going to happen
smile.gif
It would be nice though...just imagine if you could unlock an eight core you could also unlock the 12 core variant
biggrin.gif
 
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