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i7 920 Overclock or not to overclock?

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A

Axiel

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May 3, 2009
So I've got the system detailed in my sig and I've been considering overclocking it, not to much, but I was thinking to around the 3.2-3.4 GHz speed. Here's the problem though, I'm beyond afraid to do it :eek: I know the chips are pretty hard to burn out, and I've been reading a lot of different sites including a lot of threads on OCF but I'm still struggling to understand what I need to do. So I guess my question is, should I really even try and OC if I'm this uncomfortable with it?

Currently I idle at around 30-32 degC monitored with realtemp to 49-52 degC running P95 testing all 8 threads using 2560K FFT length. This is a C0 steping. The rest of the info I think can be obtained from my sig.


Note: I know I posted a thread about this awhile ago, but I figured I'd post a new one since I was able to obtain some more info and do a bit more research for myself.
 
You're on an overclocking forum, what on earth do you think we're going to say? :D

I believe the modern feeling i7 temp wise is 90ish, so you have plenty of room temp wise. Personally i'd be freaking out at 90*c, but that's because i've been doing computers for entirely too long (anybody else remember when they started printing "requires heatsink/fan" on CPUs?).

Start cranking it up, see how high you can go on stock volts first, very very very hard to kill something on stock volts.
 
Bobnova said:
You're on an overclocking forum, what on earth do you think we're going to say? :D

I believe the modern feeling i7 temp wise is 90ish, so you have plenty of room temp wise. Personally i'd be freaking out at 90*c, but that's because i've been doing computers for entirely too long (anybody else remember when they started printing "requires heatsink/fan" on CPUs?).

Start cranking it up, see how high you can go on stock volts first, very very very hard to kill something on stock volts.
Click to expand...

So all I do on stock volts is simply change the bclck? I think what partially scares me is all the auto's in the bios for i7 set ups and how it effects my ram :eek:
 
I'd set the ram to the slowest speed you can for starters, and set the voltage to whatever it currently is (NOT auto! Auto voltages i'd stay away from personally, set 'em to whatever the default voltage is).
Everything else i'd leave on auto, and then start turning the bclck up. Being something silly like 20x or 21x a couple mhz of bclck goes a long way.
 
Let every at stock and just bump up the Bclk to 160 or 170 and let the BIOS does the rest.
 
Your board comes with Easytune right? You can OC your computer right in windows, and if it doesn't pan out, just re-start and it will say something like "default something has changed" will ask if you want to make the change permanent and if it crashed then tell it no.
I haven't messed with easytune in a while nor have I been in the bios lately so I don't remember the exact syntax.
Easytune is quite simple and is a start for nub's that are scared to fry something...just remember to OC in small increments.
Forgot to add: keep a journal of what you try and what does and what does not work and jot down any settings you change...speaking from experience when you are really into the moment You might forget what time it is and what you did last, and after a few hours of fiddling with it, your brain cam become mush :screwy: then you're like :confused: and then you forget what you did and you're like :bang head but if you jot everything down then you will be like :attn:
 
Last edited:
Overclock! You should be able to hit 3.2 - 3.4 at stock volts. But set the QPI and Vcore manually or the auto with increase them. Maybe the dram volts too.

At stock your ram could be running at 1066 even though you got 1600 so some blck with not only increase your proc speed but the ram speed too.

Anything under 70c is safe. I only hit 80c in linx.
 
You can always overclock irregardless and will be able to gain something out of it. If you have good hardwares, you gain more. That's about it :)
 
So I decided to go ahead and give this a shot taking the advice of the people who helped with the issue (thank you btw). Within the bios I set all of the Voltage values to their stock value instead of leaving it on auto so that stock volts were kept on everything. I then changed the bclck from 133 to 150 to give a cpu speed of 3.0 GHz. After posting ok the system BSOD'd at which point I changed the bclck back to 133 and changed all of the voltage values back to auto, and it posted/booted fine. Any particular idea why?
 
Hmm, 3.0 shouldn't be hard to get stable. What is the stock vcore and qpi? I've seen them be different between chips/batches. Sometimes pretty low actually. What is your ram multiplier set to? You might need to lock your Ram timings in at spec 9-9-9-24 (from sig).
 
Using this BIOS template for the EX58, post as many of your current settings as you can (disregard my settings, and replace with your own)...

Code: 
BIOS Template - Gigabyte GA-EX58 - EXTREME MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)

CPU Clock Ratio [20x]

Advanced CPU Features [Press Enter]:
CPU Clock Ratio [20x]
Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech [Enabled]
CPU Cores Enabled [All]
CPU Multi Threading [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) [Enabled]
C3/C6/C7 State Support [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology [Enabled]
Bi-Directional PROCHOT [Enabled]

QPI Link Speed [AUTO]

Uncore & QPI Features [Press Enter]:
QPI Link Speed [AUTO]
Uncore Frequency [AUTO]
Isonchronous Frequency [Enabled]

Base Clock (BCLK) Control [Enabled]
BCLK Frequency (MHz) [160]

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]:
standard clock control
Base Clock (BCLK) Control [Enabled]
BCLK Frequency (MHz) [160]
PCI Express Frequency (MHz) [AUTO]
C.I.A.2 [Disabled]

advanced clock control
CPU Clock Drive [ 700mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive [ 700mV]
CPU Clock Skew [ 0ps]
IOH Clock Skew [ 0ps]

Performance Enhance [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) [AUTO]
DRAM Timing Selectable (sPD) [Manual]

Channel A

CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

Channel B

CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

Channel C

CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

Advanced DRAM Features [Press Enter]:
Performance Enhance [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) [AUTO]
DRAM Timing Selectable (sPD) [Manual]

Channel A

Channel A Timing Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel A Standard Timing Control##
CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

##Channel A Advanced Timing Control##
tRC 27 [AUTO]
tRRD 4 [AUTO]
tWTR 4 [AUTO]
tWR 8 [AUTO]
tRFC 60 [AUTO]
tRTP 4 [AUTO]
tFAW 20 [AUTO]
Command Rate (CMD) 1 [AUTO]

##Channel A Misc Timing Control##
Round Trip Latency 58 [AUTO]

Channel A Turnaround Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel A Writes Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 6 [AUTO]

##Channel A Reads Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 8 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 8 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 8 [AUTO]

##Channel A Reads Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 5 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]

##Channel A Writes Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]


Channel B

Channel B Timing Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel B Standard Timing Control##
CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

##Channel B Advanced Timing Control##
tRC 27 [AUTO]
tRRD 4 [AUTO]
tWTR 4 [AUTO]
tWR 8 [AUTO]
tRFC 60 [AUTO]
tRTP 4 [AUTO]
tFAW 20 [AUTO]
Command Rate (CMD) 1 [AUTO]

##Channel B Misc Timing Control##
Round Trip Latency 58 [AUTO]

Channel A Turnaround Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel B Writes Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 6 [AUTO]

##Channel B Reads Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 8 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 8 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 8 [AUTO]

##Channel B Reads Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 5 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]

##Channel B Writes Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]


Channel C

Channel C Timing Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel C Standard Timing Control##
CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

##Channel C Advanced Timing Control##
tRC 27 [AUTO]
tRRD 4 [AUTO]
tWTR 4 [AUTO]
tWR 8 [AUTO]
tRFC 60 [AUTO]
tRTP 4 [AUTO]
tFAW 20 [AUTO]
Command Rate (CMD) 1 [AUTO]

##Channel C Misc Timing Control##
Round Trip Latency 58 [AUTO]

Channel C Turnaround Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel C Writes Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 6 [AUTO]

##Channel C Reads Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 8 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 8 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 8 [AUTO]

##Channel C Reads Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 5 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]

##Channel C Writes Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]

Load Line Calibration [Disabled]
CPU Vcore 1.29375v [AUTO]
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.150v [AUTO]
IOH Core 1.100v [AUTO]
DRAM Voltage 1.5v [AUTO]

Advanced Voltage Control [Press Enter]:
Load Line Calibration [Disabled]
CPU Vcore 1.29375v [AUTO]
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.150v [AUTO]
CPU PLL 1.800v [AUTO]

PCIE 1.500v [AUTO]
QPI PLL 1.100v [AUTO]
IOH Core 1.100v [AUTO]
ICH I/O 1.500v [AUTO]
ICH Core 1.1v [AUTO]

DRAM Voltage 1.500v [AUTO]
DRAM Termination 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-C Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-C Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
 
Code: 
BIOS Template - Gigabyte GA-EX58 - EXTREME MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)

CPU Clock Ratio [20x]

Advanced CPU Features [Press Enter]:
CPU Clock Ratio [20x]
Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech [Enabled]
CPU Cores Enabled [All]
CPU Multi Threading [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) [Enabled]
C3/C6/C7 State Support [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology [Enabled]
Bi-Directional PROCHOT [Enabled]

QPI Link Speed [AUTO]

Uncore & QPI Features [Press Enter]:
QPI Link Speed [AUTO]
Uncore Frequency [AUTO]
Isonchronous Frequency [Enabled]

Base Clock (BCLK) Control [Disabled]
BCLK Frequency (MHz) [133]

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]:
standard clock control
Base Clock (BCLK) Control [Disabled]
BCLK Frequency (MHz) [133]
PCI Express Frequency (MHz) [AUTO]
C.I.A.2 [Disabled]

advanced clock control
CPU Clock Drive [ 700mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive [ 700mV]
CPU Clock Skew [ 0ps]
IOH Clock Skew [ 0ps]

Performance Enhance [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) [AUTO]
DRAM Timing Selectable (sPD) [Auto]

Channel A

CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

Channel B

CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

Channel C

CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

Advanced DRAM Features [Press Enter]:
Performance Enhance [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) [AUTO]
DRAM Timing Selectable (sPD) [Auto]

Channel A

Channel A Timing Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel A Standard Timing Control##
CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

##Channel A Advanced Timing Control##
tRC 27 [AUTO]
tRRD 4 [AUTO]
tWTR 4 [AUTO]
tWR 8 [AUTO]
tRFC 60 [AUTO]
tRTP 4 [AUTO]
tFAW 16 [AUTO]
Command Rate (CMD) 1 [AUTO]

##Channel A Misc Timing Control##
Round Trip Latency 58 [AUTO]

Channel A Turnaround Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel A Writes Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 6 [AUTO]

##Channel A Reads Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 8 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 8 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 8 [AUTO]

##Channel A Reads Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 5 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]

##Channel A Writes Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]


Channel B

Channel B Timing Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel B Standard Timing Control##
CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

##Channel B Advanced Timing Control##
tRC 27 [AUTO]
tRRD 4 [AUTO]
tWTR 4 [AUTO]
tWR 8 [AUTO]
tRFC 60 [AUTO]
tRTP 4 [AUTO]
tFAW 16 [AUTO]
Command Rate (CMD) 1 [AUTO]

##Channel B Misc Timing Control##
Round Trip Latency 52 [AUTO]

Channel A Turnaround Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel B Writes Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 6 [AUTO]

##Channel B Reads Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 8 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 8 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 8 [AUTO]

##Channel B Reads Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 5 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]

##Channel B Writes Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]


Channel C

Channel C Timing Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel C Standard Timing Control##
CAS Latency Time 8 [AUTO]
tRCD 8 [AUTO]
tRP 8 [AUTO]
tRAS 20 [AUTO]

##Channel C Advanced Timing Control##
tRC 27 [AUTO]
tRRD 4 [AUTO]
tWTR 4 [AUTO]
tWR 8 [AUTO]
tRFC 60 [AUTO]
tRTP 4 [AUTO]
tFAW 16 [AUTO]
Command Rate (CMD) 1 [AUTO]

##Channel C Misc Timing Control##
Round Trip Latency 53 [AUTO]

Channel C Turnaround Settings [Press Enter]:
##Channel C Writes Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 6 [AUTO]

##Channel C Reads Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 8 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 8 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 8 [AUTO]

##Channel C Reads Followed By Reads##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 5 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]

##Channel C Writes Followed By Writes##
Different DIMMs 6 [AUTO]
Different Ranks 6 [AUTO]
On The Same Rank 1 [AUTO]

Load Line Calibration [Disabled]
CPU Vcore 1.27500v [AUTO]
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.150v [AUTO]
IOH Core 1.100v [AUTO]
DRAM Voltage 1.5v [AUTO]

Advanced Voltage Control [Press Enter]:
Load Line Calibration [Disabled]
CPU Vcore 1.27500v [AUTO]
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.150v [AUTO]
CPU PLL 1.800v [AUTO]

PCIE 1.500v [AUTO]
QPI PLL 1.100v [AUTO]
IOH Core 1.100v [AUTO]
ICH I/O 1.500v [AUTO]
ICH Core 1.1v [AUTO]

DRAM Voltage 1.500v [AUTO]
DRAM Termination 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-C Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-C Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]


Those are my current settings now. The bios rev is F4, the things I changed when I ran into trouble were that I set the voltage levels on Vcore/QPI to there actual values and set it as manual, then changed the bclck to 150 for 3.0 Ghz. I made sure my ram did not go above 1600 MHz based on the calculator in the bios which it did not, was still well below.So the only actual value I changed was the bclck.
 
Try setting the Channel timings to your ram specs. 9-9-9-24 running at 8-8-8-20 could be very unstable while OCing.

Turbo boost mode = +1 CPU multi. So you were trying to run 3150mhz. You can turn that off for now.

CPU EIST Function could be disabled as it is a power saving option that will down clock the system when idle. (you can turn it on later after you are stable).

Some C0's like 19x cpu more than 20x. You could try 19 x 160 if 20 x 150 doesn't work again.
 
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