Strange behavoir for my EX38 DQ6?

[Dodgexander]

Hey

I just wondered if anyone could help me oc my E8400 on this board as i seem to be getting strange results. For instance, i can overclock to 3.8GHZ in windows using Easy tune at just 1.222v, however when trying to boot with this in the bios, it doesnt work. At the moment my memorys running at 507mhz and everything is stable.

However what i dont really understand is, how is it that i can clock my memory to this much but cannot run it CL4 when not overclocking?

Also, im using a Scythe Orochi cooler, is it normal to be running 45' idle at stock voltage?Or should i reseat the heatsink with some better TIM?

Specs

GA-EX38-DQ6
C2D E8400 @ 3.8GHZ, 1.225v
Adata Value DDR800 CL5 @ 507 CL7 1.8v
Xonar DX
WDAAAKS 750GB
MSI 3850
HX620 Corsair PSU

[Blazing fire]

I'll be short

1) Have you tried CPU-Z when you oc in windows using Easy tune?
2) Did you run a stress program while ocing in windows?
3) What settings in BIOS did you use? I don't know about gigabyte so others help him out

Regarding mem, I have a chepo RAM cabable of running 960mhz, 2.1volts , 5-5-5-15 but it can only do 650 at 4-4-4-12, 2.2volts. It's normal though I don't know why.

Regarding heat, E8400 have temp problems so it's not accurate.

Edit: Is there a diff. between Q6 and 5 series?

[Dodgexander]

I'll be short

1) Have you tried CPU-Z when you oc in windows using Easy tune?
2) Did you run a stress program while ocing in windows?
3) What settings in BIOS did you use? I don't know about gigabyte so others help him out

Is there a diff. between Q6 and 5 series?

1-Yes, i use cpu-z, it shows the correct overclock.
2-Yes, Orthos for 6 hours
3-When i can reach 3.8ghz in windows, i have the bios clocked at 400x9 for 3.6ghz and then the rest i do via easy tune.
I set Ram to Auto, because whenever i change settings individually it doesnt help.The dividor is set at 2.00b for a 333mhz bus. I can change the dividor in windows also.

To be honest, i dont want to use easy tune, so its annoying it lets me oc more than the bios.

And yes, theres a small difference, i think its the heatpipe, dual lan and maybe other minor differences such as virtual bioses and phase design etc.

[Blazing fire]

I see. Sorry, but I can't help. What BIOS are you using?

[Dodgexander]

Im using the latest f3a.

I booted stable now at 4.05, Memory CL5 450MHZ.

Its running fine, but im a bit concerned about the tempreature and voltage.

I cant run the e8400 at 1.400 like i use to be able to, now im using gigabytes auto voltage control and its at 1.525v!

My temp idles now at 50. Is this ok? Or should i slow down the overclock?

[Dodgexander]

Ok, with some tweaking im back at 4ghz at 1.4v. I have a strange problem tho, the frame rate of my graphics card is acting weird and shaking every second with movement or panning/scroller in a game.. is this cos of the graphics card boost?

[Blazing fire]

Congrats on overclocking fine now! What batch number is the E8400? THE Q7 ones run at 4.2 so go for it if you have one of those. Btw, because it's 45nm, I'll limit my volts to 1.45. What do you mean by tweak? you ran at 1:1?

What game are you playing? Just curious. What settings are you running your MSI 3850? I've heard some configurations will cause this problem. What's your frame rate using fraps or the inbuilt FPS program?

Have you tried synthetic benchmaks like 3dmark, fur, ati, ruthible (forgot the exact name)? Does it still show the same problem?

[Dodgexander]

Thanks again, unfrotunatley i left Othros doing a Blend test overnight and it failed after just 30 Mins. Max temp was 65 and now im down to 32 Idle.


Its a bit strange that before i was able to run stable at 4.05, but i guess its because im now using an FSB of 1800 compared to 1600 before.

In the bios you get to choose from A,B,C and D options, 200,266,333,400 respectivley. The after this of course you get the dvider, i was running my memory at 900mhz on a ratio of 2 and im not sure my memory can take it.

Im going to take my case apart and remount my heatsink with some plain TIM, but this time hopefully do a better job!

Im also going to see if i can fit a fan to the side of the heatsink as i think theres alot of dormant air in the case.

Heres a link for cpuz screenshots: CPUZ Screenshots (http://my.inbox.com/photos/almostdutch/index.aspx)

[Dodgexander]

Ok, im at 4.05 with vcore bios@ 1.425 and CPUZ@ 1.39. Seems to be stable now for a few mins.

I tried 4.05 and vcore 1.4 in bios and it is not stable.

Why is it that i cant get the 1.35v stable at 4ghz like most people have got with this chip?

It is a q8 stepping tho, not the q7.

[Blazing fire]

You know, you should PM instead of starting this thread :). I mean, only you and I are "chatting". lol.

Anyway, the voltage is below 1.45 so I think it's ok. Watch your temps though. I try not to go above 60 under load test. What tim are you using? Heard the MX-2 are real good.

Regarding memory, you're running it at 5-6-6-21? Imo, keep it max at 5-5-5-15, 2T. Most RAMs should handle that at 900mhz fine. What voltage? I limit my volts to 2.2 though I run it at 1.95

What is your room temp like? What heat sink are you using?

Also, are you trying to find the FSB wall for your CPU? How's the video problem? Yeah, most Q8 max at 4.05 so...