Intel Core i5 & i7 Sandy Bridge Overclocking and Feedback

[Frizz]

Yes, for sure I'll toss up my settings when I've got them all figured out. Just working on clocking the board for my review; it just arrived a couple of days ago. Today I'm clocking, will spend the weekend gaming on it, then I'll be writing early next week and hopefully the review will be up before next weekend.

can't wait to see what you come up with

 

[cadaveca]

First, a template. Switching rams out now that i got a feel for the board.

### MB Intelligent Tweaker ###

Advanced Frequency Settings:

CPU Clock Ratio .......................................

> Advanced CPU Core Features

CPU Clock Ratio .......................................
Internal CPU PLL Overvoltage...........................
Real Time Ratio Changes In OS .........................
Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech .............................
Turbo Ratio (Core 1)...................................
Turbo Ratio (Core 2)...................................
Turbo Ratio (Core 3)...................................
Turbo Ratio (Core 4)...................................
Turbo Power Limit (Watts)..............................
Turbo Current Limit (Amps).............................
CPU Cores Enabled ............................ ........
CPU Multi Threading....................................
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) ...............................
C3/C6 State Support ...................................
CPU Thermal Monitor ...................................
CPU EIST Function .....................................
Bi-Directional PROCHOT ................................

<

BCLK/DMI/PEG Clock Control ............................
BCLK/DMI/PEG Frequency Control ........................
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) ........................

Advanced Memory Settings:

System Memory Multiplier (SPD) ........................
Performance Enhance ...................................
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) ..........................
Channel Interleaving ..................................
Rank Interleaving .....................................



Advanced Voltage Control:

CPU

Load Line Calibration .................................
CPU Vcore .............................................
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.050v ................................
System Agent Voltage 0.925v ...........................
PCH Core 1.050v .......................................
CPU PLL 1.800v ........................................

DRAM

DRAM Voltage 1.500v ...................................
DRAM Vref 0.750v ......................................
DRAM Termination 0.750v ...............................
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v ................................
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v ................................
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v .............................
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v .............................

Miscellaneous Settings

Isochronous Support ...................................
Virtualization Technology .............................

Also:

http://www.jzelectronic.de/jz2/html/bios-help-p67a-ud4.php

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

I've been testing my 2500k in the last few days trying to find the lowest voltage to keep 4.5Ghz stable. I've found a what might the best I can do @ 4.5Ghz with LLC set to extreme (might go lower later), v-core @ 1.31v, and PLL @ 1.825 the system appears to be pretty stable from 5 passes of Intel Burn Test - Maximum and 5 hours of BC2. Only hitting 53C.

I dont know max multi yet but I can boot at 5Ghz with 1.38v but I'll try later to see if I can actually get anything stable around that speed. I was hoping for 5Ghz with less than 1.4v but that's unlikely I think.

Not a lot of batch# discussion here but my batch# is L101B508.

I read some batch threads but I cant find anything closer than L101B503 and that was only a single post claiming a max multi of x55.

 

[cadaveca]

I binned 10 CPU's, all same "batch"...seems batch is not important like it was with previous CPUs. More "A", "B", "C" has some importance, but the 10 chips were so varied in both max multi and required volts for any given clock, that the rest seems useless.

 

[Cool Mike]

Upgraded Memory with G.skill 2133Mhz 7-10-7-27 Timings

Asrock P67 Extreme6 - I5-2500K@5.0Ghz core and 2133Mhz CL7 memory. System is running solid. Screen Shot Attached.

 

[cadaveca]

Nice reasonable voltage, too.


SCORE!

 

[heky]

@Cool Mike
Nice score, congrats! Btw, what ram are you using? I am getting my 2600k on thursday, so i am still looking for good ram. Your 2033 at 7,10,7,27 1t look promising.

 

[Cool Mike]

Thanks. Here is the model# and link below. I purchased from Newegg here in the USA.
Timings 7-10-7-27 Speed 2133Mhz.

G.SKILL Ripjaws X + Turbulence II Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL7D-4GBXHD

G.SKILL Ripjaws X + Turbulence II Series 4GB (2 x ...

 

[cadaveca]

How loud is that fan, Mike? was thinking of picking up the same ram.

Thoughts on if they even need the fan?

 

[Cool Mike]

Your right. Didnt need the fan. The heat sinks are just fine. I ran multiple runs of 32M super pi (6min 51.6 sec - Best run) and four intelburn test with no issues. Also ran crysis2 for 2 hours. Cant be happier with my ASRock P67 Extreme6.

Edit: Was able to drop core voltage from 1.40V to 1.39V. IntelBurnTest stable. I think I will hold it at 1.39 for now. Seem to have a desent I5.

 

[LifeOnMars]

That's a great chip you have there Mike, mine is very poor tbh and needs uber volts.

I'm after a 2600K anyways so just to let you know guys I'm going all out, I have been running my 2500K at a stupid voltage of 1.43V // 4.9GHz for two weeks now.

I will continue to do so until it starts to show any signs of degredation. Rest assured whenever that does happen I will let you boys know first. It will be interesting to see how long it can maintain the voltage.

No BSODS as of yet and I run my PC 24/7 so I feel it's a good test of longevity.

 

[heky]

Thanks man, although i dont think 1.43V is going to cause degradation, at least at resonable temps.

Btw, which model of the G.Skill Ripjaws(x) are you using?

 

[LifeOnMars]

Thanks man, although i dont think 1.43V is going to cause degradation, at least at resonable temps.

Btw, which model of the G.Skill Ripjaws(x) are you using?

All I do is game/internet browsing and it never goes over 60c. Perhaps I should push it for 5GHz with more voltage?? I just can't seem to get it stable at 5GHz no matter what voltage, I mean, it's fine for benching but does produce random BSODs whereas @4.9GHz it's solid as a rock.

As for RAM - F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM , they have been very good to me, with lifetime warranty and stay as cool as you like. Very stable but TBH, I'm liking the look of Cool Mike's RAM. Very nice latency at that speed.

I'm going to add another 4GB of this stuff at some point though when I upgrade to a 2GB Graphics card so I will probably have to raise the voltage a wee bit to stabilize the fully populated board.

 

[Cool Mike]

Possible answer to S3 wake from Sleep with overclocked I5

Hello Everyone,
I hope this helps a few people out there.
ASRock P67 Extreme6 - After overclocking my I5 2500K to 5ghz and adding 2133Mhz memory my system would go into S3 sleep fine, but when I initated to come out of sleep via USB keyboard or Mouse the system would wake but the display would be blank. Also no LED activity on the HDD/SSD indicator. I would have to hold the power botton down to power off and then power back up, after powerup the system would look like it just came out of sleep.
This is what I did to resolve the issue:
1. Set Bios to default settings
2. Enter all your overclock settings or any other settings you did before setting bios to default. Dont touch the Turbo Boost Limits,turbo voltage, or Core current yet.

This got my S3 sleep operational. This will also stop the muliplier decreasing during heavy loads. I can now maintain 5Ghz at 100% load on all cores.
Turbo Boost Limit:
Short Duration - 150
Long Duration - 150
Long Duration maintained - 1 sec (default)
Important: Additional Turbo Voltage - +.035V
Core Current Limit - 150
Hope this helps.

Edit: My G.skill 2133Mhz 7-10-7-27 is running solid. Recommended.

 

[Frizz]

Would jumping from my 1600mhz RAM to 2133mhz RAM justify my CPU more? I know it would provide higher benchmarks so it brings the question to me, would it speed up my system overall in terms of gaming/encoding/benching?

 

[Cool Mike]

For me my system is snappier. I moved from GSkill 1600 7-8-7-24 to the GSkill 2133 7-10-7-27 using the same processor @ 5Ghz. My SuperPi 32M went from 7 Minutes 6 Seconds to 6M 51S.
3D Mark Vantage also improved. Benches will improve. Everyday usage is debatable.

 

[15th Warlock]

Hello Everyone,
I hope this helps a few people out there.
ASRock P67 Extreme6 - After overclocking my I5 2500K to 5ghz and adding 2133Mhz memory my system would go into S3 sleep fine, but when I initated to come out of sleep via USB keyboard or Mouse the system would wake but the display would be blank. Also no LED activity on the HDD/SSD indicator. I would have to hold the power botton down to power off and then power back up, after powerup the system would look like it just came out of sleep.
This is what I did to resolve the issue:
1. Set Bios to default settings
2. Enter all your overclock settings or any other settings you did before setting bios to default. Dont touch the Turbo Boost Limits,turbo voltage, or Core current yet.

This got my S3 sleep operational. This will also stop the muliplier decreasing during heavy loads. I can now maintain 5Ghz at 100% load on all cores.
Turbo Boost Limit:
Short Duration - 150
Long Duration - 150
Long Duration maintained - 1 sec (default)
Important: Additional Turbo Voltage - +.035V
Core Current Limit - 150
Hope this helps.

Edit: My G.skill 2133Mhz 7-10-7-27 is running solid. Recommended.

I was having this exact same problem with both of my SB builds on a GA-P67A-UD7-B2 and my current Maximus IV Extreme; I found that by enabling the "Internal CPU PLL Overvoltage" setting for max overclocking, you're running outside of Intel's specs, and thus, disabling this feature allows for normal system resume after S3 sleep mode.

Disabling this setting on both boards solved the problem, now I use this feature only when looking for OCing for extreme benching, and have it off for regular 24/7 use.

I haven't tried your fix in particular, but I hope that trying this option also solves your problem, let me know how it goes

 

[Frizz]

For me my system is snappier. I moved from GSkill 1600 7-8-7-24 to the GSkill 2133 7-10-7-27 using the same processor @ 5Ghz. My SuperPi 32M went from 7 Minutes 6 Seconds to 6M 51S.
3D Mark Vantage also improved. Benches will improve. Everyday usage is debatable.

Hmm thanks for that I'll remember that for my next build which will be sometime late this year.

 

[PaulieG]

Would jumping from my 1600mhz RAM to 2133mhz RAM justify my CPU more? I know it would provide higher benchmarks so it brings the question to me, would it speed up my system overall in terms of gaming/encoding/benching?

For me my system is snappier. I moved from GSkill 1600 7-8-7-24 to the GSkill 2133 7-10-7-27 using the same processor @ 5Ghz. My SuperPi 32M went from 7 Minutes 6 Seconds to 6M 51S.
3D Mark Vantage also improved. Benches will improve. Everyday usage is debatable.

I don't notice any real world benefit to running my Redlines or RipJaw X sticks any higher than 1866 CAS 8. I like knowing that I can run 2133 for benches, but that's really the only time I've found it to be useful.

 

[Cool Mike]

If we think about it, us enthusiast help drive/move the need for speed forward. and ultimately over to mainstream. Remember the discussion of 667Mhz vs 800Mhz vs 1066Mhz DDR2 not too long ago. I say if you can afford advancement of 2133Mhz @ a low CAS go for it. Just insure you have a motherboard that support the Memory Speed. I couldnt imagine running 2133 one or two years ago. What's next DDR4 4000? Cant wait!
Edit:
We know DDR5 is out in use as we speak. My 6970 running at 1450X4. 5800 Effective.

 

[Frizz]

If we think about it, us enthusiast help drive/move the need for speed forward. and ultimately over to mainstream. Remember the discussion of 667Mhz vs 800Mhz vs 1066Mhz DDR2 not too long ago. I say if you can afford advancement of 2133Mhz @ a low CAS go for it. Just insure you have a motherboard that support the Memory Speed. I couldnt imagine running 2133 one or two years ago. What's next DDR4 4000? Cant wait!
Edit:
We know DDR5 is out in use as we speak. My 6970 running at 1450X4. 5800 Effective.

Too true, my current system is more or less based on a lower budget than my previous hence the low PSU wattage and ram but it doesn't effect anything I do of course . Although once I move to bulldozer or IVY I'd definitely make sure to get the best RAM to accompany the rest of my high end parts as being somewhat of an enthusiast I do like my system to run at its peak whether it makes a diff or not.

 

[heky]

Am picking up my 2600K today, but will have to wait almost one more week to get my G.Skill ram, so i can build my new sandy system. I already have the motherboard, its a MSI P67A-GD65 B3. Will post results when up and running.

 

[Cool Mike]

Heky, Which GSkill Ram did you select?

 

[heky]

Went for [ Ripjaws-X ] F3-12800CL7D-4GBXM

http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=351

They should do 2133 at 1.6v and 9-10-9-27

 

[Cool Mike]

Yes, I believe you will hit 2133 with those timings. Voltage between 1.60V-1.65V
Best Wishes...