E6550(G0) a bad Ocer?

[woz101]

So I currently have this setup: E6550(G0 Stepping), Asus P5K E WiFi(BIOS 0503), Crucial Ballstix DDR2 1066, 2x 1GB, and a Tuniq Tower 120. But I CANNOT overclock the proc to 500x7!!! No matter what I have tried!

What I have achieved is this: 7x450Mhz. It is stable, because, I guess, it is only a mild OC.

When I tried 7x500Mhz, machine wouldn’t post; there was no video. I reset CMOS, still no go.

Tried vcore at 1.425, vdim 2.2v, timings at 5-5-5-15 at 2T. Vdim and timings here are the stock settings, per Crucial’s description of the RAM(BL12864AA1065).

I searched the web and found a few reports about E6550 successfully Oced to 500x7.

So maybe I am the unlucky owner of OC-unfriendly chip?!

To help you give me some tips to give it another try at 7x500, I’ll list the settings here: (The settings are for 7x450)

CPU
Ratio ctrl Manual; Ratio setting 7; C1E support Disabled; Max CPUID Limit Disabled; Vanderpool Tech Disabled; CPU TM Function Enabled; Execute Disable Bit Enabled; PECI Enabled; CPU Voltage 1.425

MOBO
Ai Overclocking Manual; CPU Ratio Ctrl Manual; Ratio setting 7; FSB Strap to North Bridge Auto; FSB Frequency 450; PCIE Frequency 100; CPU Spread Spectrum Disabled; PCIE Spread Spectrum Disabled; <other settings Auto>

RAM
DRAM Frequency DDR 900; DRAM Command Rate 2T; DRAM Timing Manual; CAS# Latency 5; RAS# to CAS# Delay 5; RAS# Precharge 5; RAS# Active Time 15; DRAM Voltage 2.2; <other settings Auto>

PS> Even though I cannot reach 7x500, I have not yet tried anything betweeen 450Mhz and 500Mhz--7x460, 7x465, 7x470, or 7x475, for instance. If I try any of these settings, would it cause any problem for the PCI clock, because in the BIOS, there is NO option to lock it at 33.33!

Sorry, if this is a n00bish question, you’ll have to pardon me. I am a n00b with OC!

Earlier, I had posted this thread:
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=530332

Since I have upgraded my memory from a pair of defective OCZ DDR2 800 RAM to the Crucial Ballistix DDR 1066 RAM and still unable to OC to a higher level, I thought I should start another thread!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Hazaro]

Up the voltage on your NB and SB.

If that doesn't work try the 8 multiplier. For my chip, in terms of stability it goes from 8,9,7 7 being the least stable.

e.g. at 1.408V load at 3350Mhz

478x7 = No boot into windows
419x8 = 3 minutes stable
372x9 = 1 minute 30s stable

You're gonna need more and more voltage to keep blasting it past 3.4Ghz.

I can run 3Ghz on stock volts, but to get 3.35 I need 1.432V, 3.5 Looks to be around 1.52V or so.

[woz101]

Up the voltage on your NB and SB.

I forgot to mention in my OP, I set the NB voltage at 1.4. But I did not up any voltage in SB. I guess I did not and still do not know the right value to put there. But I'll give it a try.

If that doesn't work try the 8 multiplier. For my chip, in terms of stability it goes from 8,9,7 7 being the least stable.

But my chip, E6550, has a max multi of 7!!!

You're gonna need more and more voltage to keep blasting it past 3.4Ghz.

Will give it a try. However, I need to point out that I am NOT trying to set up an extreme OC system. I am on a limited budget; I just want to have the biggest bang for the buck! That is, safe OC!

To reiterate a question I asked in my OP: will it cause any problem for the PCI bus, if I choose something between 450Mhz and 500Mhz--say, 455, 460, or 465?

Thanks for the reply!

[Hazaro]

I've never heard of anything like that being a problem... Try 5 Mhz steps...

I didn't realize that it had a 7 max multi :( That's probably what is limiting you so far. 3.2Ghz is nothing to scoff at, and with a max multi or 7 it could just be your motherboard crapping out. (Although it is a P5K)

How are your load temps? ORTHOS Small FFT's or Blend?

[ALiEN2953]

whats SB voltage can the ICH9 handle?

[Evilsizer]

cpu might be hitting a FSB so even if the board can do 500+fsb its the cpu thats the problem not the mobo. another way to try and tell is drop the multi to 6x and try for 500mhz, also to rule out the ram use a 1:1 ratio.

whats SB voltage can the ICH9 handle?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v733/Evilsizer/ocforums/Abit%20IP35-pro/ichiov.jpg
well considering my ip35-pro allows 2v, your gonna need active cooling if you go that high.

[woz101]

I've never heard of anything like that being a problem... Try 5 Mhz steps...

I am a n00b with OC, so you'll have to pardon my noobishness. The reason why I am asking this is that I am concerned about the PCI clock NOT locked at 33.33. There is NO option in the BIOS to lock the PCI clock at 33.33, it seems!

So if I choose 455 or 460 Mhz for the CPU frequency, the RAM frequency will automatically ratchet up to match the RAM frequency so that I have a 1:1 ratio between CPU and RAM? And therefore, there would NOT be any negative consequence to the PCI clock?

How are your load temps? ORTHOS Small FFT's or Blend?

I haven't yet tried the stress test as yet. I guess that's because 450x7 is still a mild OC by any standard, so I am not concerned about the load temps as yet. When I push the CPU speed higher--like 455, 460, 465, or 470, I will put the OCed system under stress test and report back the load temps.

Right now, at 7x450, the idle temps are 30 C for one core and 33 C for the other per Core Temps(0.95.4). I have not yet stressed the system at this OCed speed as yet.

Thanks again for the reply!

[woz101]

whats SB voltage can the ICH9 handle?

That's a good question! But I don't know the answer!

Thanks for the reply!

[woz101]

cpu might be hitting a FSB so even if the board can do 500+fsb its the cpu thats the problem not the mobo. another way to try and tell is drop the multi to 6x and try for 500mhz, also to rule out the ram use a 1:1 ratio.

Good suggestion! Will definitely try and report back!

Thanks!

[Hipcrostino]

PCI clock is locked, don't worry about that. its probaly tied to the PCIX clock speed, so leave that alone an all will be fine. At 1.7v on my NB my P5K-E can get to around 530mhz FSB, so your doing pretty good.(although i havn't played with any setting at all)

[woz101]

another way to try and tell is drop the multi to 6x and try for 500mhz, also to rule out the ram use a 1:1 ratio.

You gave good advice for possibly OCing my E6550 higher!

After I read your suggestion, I went ahead and tried 500x6, but the machine wouldn't post! Vcore and dim vcore and timings are the same as I reported in the OP.

I have also tried 7x455 with the same settings reported in the OP. The machine booted into Windows--Vista Ultimate 32 bit.

But when I set it to 7x460, the machine wouldn't post! There was no video, even!

So I guess the board is limiting me from OCing higher!

I bought some DDR 1066--see my sig for the RAM's specs, but it looks like I have wasted the money on it!

Now I would like to know if others have attained 500Mhz on their P5K E WiFi!

Thanks again for the reply!

[woz101]

PCI clock is locked, don't worry about that. its probaly tied to the PCIX clock speed, so leave that alone an all will be fine. At 1.7v on my NB my P5K-E can get to around 530mhz FSB, so your doing pretty good.(although i havn't played with any setting at all)

Thanks for the reply!

I will probably settle with 7x450, because I do NOT feel comfortable with upping my NB or SB voltage. (At 7x450, the voltage for NB and SB is set at Auto). As I said in one post, I am only looking for a SAFE and STABLE OCed system, not an extreme OCed system to set a record or to compete with others. I just want the biggest bang for the buck! As a poor man, you sort of have to do that!

On a side note, I noticed in your sig that your CPU/RAM speed is set at 400, but you have DDR 1066. So you are NOT using your DDR 1066 to its fullest potential. Why did you choose DDR 1066 instead of DDR 800? I am just curious!

Thanks again for the reply!

[Hazaro]

Works good at a 1:1 ratio ;)

I mean you are clocking the thing over 3Ghz, it could just be crapping out there. I thought mine was stuck at 3Ghz, but it's going on 3.35Ghz.

You're just gonna have to throw voltage at it if you want to go higher.

[jason4207]

I'm not sure of all the settings the P5K-E has in the BIOS, but in my P5K Premium there are several other settings related to the CPU and NB voltage that were critical for me to get a high FSB. If you want higher than 450 you are going to have to play w/ these settings. Many of these C2Q/C2D CPUs are topping out at around 480FSB.

If you don't feel comfortable playing w/ the NB voltage I understand, but the CPU, and RAM voltages are much more dangerous to play with IMO.

These settings are for the quad & MoBo in my sig, but they may help you go higher. Don't expect more than 480 on the FSB, though.

CPU Voltage: 1.5125v (anything lower gave me core failures after 1.5-2hrs. 1.6v allowed 3.8GHz, but I think a little more is needed for P95.4 stability)
CPU Voltage Reference: 0.63x (I wasn't getting much over 3.2GHz until I changed this from Auto. 0.57x, and 0.59x wasn't stable. 0.61x worked, but I have a feeling 0.63x is best.)
CPU Voltage Damper: Enabled
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.70 (I may be able to reduce this to 1.5 for 450FSB. At 480FSB 1.5-1.6 [or 1.7?] wasn't stable, 1.8-2.2 worked.)
DRAM Voltage: 2.3 (2.2 may be fine. I just wanted to ensure stability through testing. I'd like to know how high I can safely put this to possibly get tighter timings, or 1125 @ 5-5-5-15 to work)
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.40 (1.5 for 480FSB, I may be able to go lower at 450)
North Bridge Voltage: 1.55 (1.8 for 480, anything higher is actually worse)
North Bridge Voltage Reference: AUTO (0.67x for 480FSB, auto seems to work best for 450)
South Bridge Voltage: 1.20 (may be able to turn this down)

[Evilsizer]

yep hes got a cpu with a FSB wall just like mine.... no matter what settings i used multi/volts i couldnt boot at 500fsb. im using an older E6400 B2 stepping not a new G0, nothing wrong with the board. the FSB wall of the cpu varies not many go over the 480fsb wall im seeing. i just hope the new 45nm cpus dont have this, what i call low fsb wall.

[woz101]

Thanks to everyone who replied!

As I said in one post, I will probably settle with 7x450. Will upgrade to a quadcore Penryn when it comes out. I just want my games to run smooth.

So far, the only new game that gives my system hiccups is BioShock--see my sig for the complete specs of my setup. I get about 30 fps per FRAPS in BioShock with my setup!

The newly released game, HL2 EP 2, on the other hand, does not stress my system at all. I get over 100 fps in general.

Haven't played Portal as yet, so don't know its performance on my setup.

TF2 runs well on my setup as well. I get about 60 fps in general.

Thanks again to everyone who replied.

[Hazaro]

If you wanted your games looking better, it's not the CPU holding it back.

Now work on overclocking your video card ;)