Intel Core i5 & i7 Sandy Bridge Overclocking and Feedback

[PaulieG]

Well here's my 2 cents :
[url]http://img.gameru.net/th/3d181.jpg[/URL]

Since I use LL2 to stabilizve Vdrop, vcore is 1.356 under actual load. Also my temps on TMPINs had a crazy spike, I guess the sensors flipped on me at some point, hense the impossible 110-120c temps.

Anyway, I think 25 runs in LinX is sufficient enough to call it stable for 24/7 use in light video rendering and some heavy gaming.


P.S. IDK if it is the bios F2 I'm using, or the fact that I didn't touch QPI/VTT settings or something else - but I can't boot starting at x49. I get the UD7 fancy picture and then my PC restarts, and when I get to bios I get "OC failed" screen. I tried with voltages up to 1.37 + LCC2 with no luck.:shadedshu
Also I have problems with my reset button. IDK if I connected the wires wrong, or something, but whenever I hit reset my bios setting get corrupted.

It could be a half dozen settings that contribute to this. It could also be that you've hit a hard wall with your chip, and the amount of vcore you need to boot at 4.9ghz just won't be worth it in terms or temps and degradation. From what i've seen and experienced, many chips need 1.375v with LLC to get stable on just 4.7-4.8ghz. Anything beyond that, and you have a really good chip. Only one of my 4 chips could do more than 4.8 on 1.375v.

 

[Akrian]

Yeah, I won't push my cpu beyond 1.38v. Wish I had the luxury to get some more 2600ks ( makes me want to finish my education asap and get a better job lol), those 5ghz seemed so close yet so far now . Oh well, hopefully Ivy bridge and 22nm tech. process will bring more chips ( % wise) that will be able to hit ghz + those 20% improvement over SB.... *Drool*

Oh, also is there any point in doing IBT instead of linX ? Just wondering...I'm a bit prejudice agains IBT -> it burned one of pc's last year.

 

[WhiteNoise]

I give up. I can go 24 hours straight with no issues and everything working 100% correct and then out of nowhere a BSOD.

Fug that. I'll run 4.5-4.7GHz and be happy.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

First time ever running IBT...no idea if I even did it correctly.

 

[LagunaX]

Do linX x64 with Window 7 Sp1 (has AVX) with at least 2gb ram enabled in linX.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=265269
It'll make it easier to compare your chip to everyone else's chips.

What's the lowest vcore you need to do 50 x 100 with linX?

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Do linX x64 with Window 7 Sp1 (has AVX) with at least 2gb ram enabled in linX.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=265269
It'll make it easier to compare your chip to everyone else's chips.

What's the lowest vcore you need to do 50 x 100 with linX?

So I need to run a 64 bit OS for this test? I have not run it at 5GHz, but I would guess around 1.50 vcore.

 

[LagunaX]

64 bit if you want to test more of your ram, but x86 will work too.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

I have a 64 bit Win 7 install in the gamer. I will give it a go soon. Thanks!

 

[LagunaX]

You need to install SP1 to make full use of AVX to get the full stress out of linX too =)

 

[PaulieG]

You need to install SP1 to make full use of AVX to get the full stress out of linX too =)

But why? LinX, IBT and OCCT already stress chips way beyond everyday usage. I can't think of a good reason to stress a 32nm chip to those kinds of limits. With AVX enabled, you are no longer stress testing, you seriously risking damage to your chip. To each their own, I guess.

 

[LagunaX]

just saying you need SP1 if you want to stress with AVX...kinda like saying you might need 1.55-1.6v to hit 56x or 57x multi =)

 

[Deleted member 74752]

I just ran IBT on a lark and partly because someone would always ask about it whenever I posted a run or validation on my 2600K. In reality, if it finishes my regular benchmarks I usually call that stable enough for myself... I never understood why anyone would need a stability/stress test on a 5.6GHz chip anyway....it's just for benching.

 

[PaulieG]

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq69/rickss69/cpu-z-5200.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq69/rickss69/IBT-5200.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq69/rickss69/SPI1M-5200.jpg

First time ever running IBT...no idea if I even did it correctly.

For testing stability, I'd set it for 10 cycles on high at a minimum. I usually start with 10. If I pass that, then I do 20.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

just saying you need SP1 if you want to stress with AVX...kinda like saying you might need 1.55-1.6v to hit 56x or 57x multi =)

You will.... No might about it.

 

[Akrian]

Update : my overclock...proven to be unstable. Yes I would pass LinX no prob. and yes I will crash on idle. So I've uped the voltage on vcore...and crashed on idle again...so I've uped the voltage on vcore and...it's stable now w00t.
Anyone know/has the chart for the real vcore output in F2 bios with LCC2 enabled? Hwmonitor/cpu-z/ET6 show 1.356/1.344 ( fluctiating back and forth, depending now how Idle I get -> any bits of activity gets me 1.356, dead idle shows 1.344) and 1.368 under full load. But idk what are the real number, since I don't have a vmm. Its been 2 days so far, and no bsod in gaming/idle/downloads/web-browsing/you name it. And since vcore under load is even higher then the one I've passed LinX with, I bet LinX will show the same results too.

I have a new questions now though: does F3 bios ( that's the one that has a 10-level LLCs, right?) significantly better then F2 in terms of overclock? did anyone reached "new hights" with it? Also : does QPI/VTT voltage have any significant impact on CPU overlock, or it's mainly for memory stability?
And did anyone tried to stay with PPL overvoltage ON for 24/7, or is it strictly a short-term means to get to higher clocks? ( havn't turned it on yet, but heard that it enables to go past multiplier limits that might otherwise be present)

 

[LagunaX]

@Akrian:

There is a whole 83 page thread devoted to your P67A-UD7
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=263598&highlight=P67A-UD7

I'd probably just skip to the last 10 pages with regards to more recent bios changes.

 

[Akrian]

@Akrian:

There is a whole 83 page thread devoted to your P67A-UD7
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=263598&highlight=P67A-UD7

I'd probably just skip to the last 10 pages with regards to more recent bios changes.

I've tried to read that thread multiple times and lost myself there . Somewhere at the point where they started to experiment with beta bioses and having mixed results with them, all those f7x and f7f and f8 whatnot. =). My brain melted.

 

[Fourstaff]

SB overclockers, I need your help!

Which ram do you suggest? I have absolutely no idea how SB reacts to different rams, and I stumbled across this: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/12

Based on the article, I found this: 1600Mhz Cl9 Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 1.5...

Any better recommendations? Is this any better value for money, or I don't need the 2000Mhz? Corsair 8GB ((2x4GB) DDR3 2000MHz XMS3 Memory Kit ...

Also, what sort of temps are you guys getting with mid overclock (4-4.5Ghz)? Sneeky mentioned that a 212+ can take the processor all the way to that region, but I just want to confirm.

Lastly, which motherboard should we look at? we are currently looking at the Asus P8P67 R3, but that is just a place holder. Any better board (well, more value for money) which we should be aiming instead?

 

[Deleted member 74752]

I have the Biostar TP67XE on the way based on my experience's with the B+. I have tried all the DDR3 ram I have on hand in SB and have noted no problems with any of them.

BIOSTAR TP67XE (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s ...

 

[Akrian]

SB overclockers, I need your help!

Which ram do you suggest? I have absolutely no idea how SB reacts to different rams, and I stumbled across this: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/12

Based on the article, I found this: 1600Mhz Cl9 Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 1.5...

Any better recommendations? Is this any better value for money, or I don't need the 2000Mhz? Corsair 8GB ((2x4GB) DDR3 2000MHz XMS3 Memory Kit ...

Also, what sort of temps are you guys getting with mid overclock (4-4.5Ghz)? Sneeky mentioned that a 212+ can take the processor all the way to that region, but I just want to confirm.

Lastly, which motherboard should we look at? we are currently looking at the Asus P8P67 R3, but that is just a place holder. Any better board (well, more value for money) which we should be aiming instead?

Noctua DH14 + 2600k @ 4.5 ghz + Prime = around 60C max ( on 4th core, others are lower). Noctua + DH14 + 2600K @ 4.5 ghz + LinX = you'll get additional 6c on each core.

IDK why would you need to spend xtra money for ram. Sure there will be difference in numbers you get in benchmarks, but the difference in programs/games/editors will be 0.10-1 second at most. I wouldn't get corsair vengeance they are way to tall, got g-skill cl8, running them at 8-8-8-24-1t with no prob. CL9 g-skills will do the same. ( ddr3 1600 that is)

 

[Fourstaff]

The D14 is probably out of question, its too expensive (and big). Looking at your temps I think the 212+ will be good for 4Ghz, so thx for that. 1600Mhz CL9 sticks seem to do their job according to you, so I think we are going to look for that class of ram. I seriously need the mobo advices though, and I know squat about Asus's numbering system.

Edit: From what I know, its the LE, then Vanilla (with no markers), Pro, Evo, Revolution, Deluxe, Sabertooth then Maximus (or something like that). Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[PaulieG]

SB overclockers, I need your help!

Which ram do you suggest? I have absolutely no idea how SB reacts to different rams, and I stumbled across this: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/12

Based on the article, I found this: 1600Mhz Cl9 Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 1.5...

Any better recommendations? Is this any better value for money, or I don't need the 2000Mhz? Corsair 8GB ((2x4GB) DDR3 2000MHz XMS3 Memory Kit ...

Also, what sort of temps are you guys getting with mid overclock (4-4.5Ghz)? Sneeky mentioned that a 212+ can take the processor all the way to that region, but I just want to confirm.

Lastly, which motherboard should we look at? we are currently looking at the Asus P8P67 R3, but that is just a place holder. Any better board (well, more value for money) which we should be aiming instead?

I've had the 1600 Vengeance sticks (2x4GB), a set of Team Xtreem 2000's (2x4GB), Kingston Hyper X 2133's, and now a set of Mushkin Redline 1600's. Without a doubt, the Redlines have the best IC's for use with Sandy Bridge that I've used. They will do 1600 Cas 7, 1866 Cas 8 and 2133 Cas 9 all on 1.63v. IMO they are the best price to performance sticks available. Here's a link:

Mushkin Enhanced Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR...

They are currently out of stock at Newegg, but they come back in every couple of weeks, and I've seen them elsewhere for about the same price.

Edit: Here's a link. With shipping, they are about the same price as Newegg.
http://www.tierratek.net/productcart/pc/viewcart.asp?cs=1

As far as coolers go, look at the Venomous-X. In push-pull it will give you very similar temps as the D14 with the footprint of the Hyper 212.

 

[Fourstaff]

Thanks Paulie, but Mushkins are a bit harder to find over this side of the Atlantic (I searched the usual suspects Scan, Ebuyer etc and came out with nothing). Also, I am not looking for the best sticks out there, rather "enough for the job" kind of sticks (although if the better sticks are only slightly more expensive, I don't mind jumping for those).

WIll look at the VX, but

suggests that the Venomous X only shines at high overclocking (which is probably not going to happen due to the electricity bill). Will keep this in mind though, if a quieter system is preferred.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

I have the Biostar TP67B+, ASUS WR Revolution and AsRock Extreme 6 on hand atm. The AsRock requires a substantial amount of vcore vs all the others at any given clock just to boot into Windows. The WR Revolution is a very capable mb but with a buggy and annoying bios. The Biostar has no faults that I have been able to discern. The B+ version of Biostar is perfect if not going for maximum clocks...otherwise the XE seems to be just about as good as it gets for this platform.

 

[LagunaX]

Forget the LE.
P8P67 Vanilla minimum ante due to the power phase design for overclocking.
But a cheaper and just as good alternative would be the Asrock P67 Pro3.
Or for the same price the Extreme4.