TPU's Core i7 Overclocking and Feedback

[PaulieG]

Alright guys...I need some minor help here.

Here's the setup:
i7 920
P6T Deluxe V2 (302 BIOS)
3x2GB GSkill 1600 PI Black
GTX 285
Mushkin 800W PSU
HK 3.0 CPU Block
Feser Triple Rad
Swiftech 355 pump with XPSC Rez top

Problem:
I can run benches and LinX all day at 3.9GHz (195x20) with Turbo on. It only takes 1.35v to get it stable with 1.35v QPI. At 4.0GHz (200x20) I cannot get it through the first 2 3DMark06 tests without it failing...and I'm really stumped because there has to be a setting or voltage that I am missing which is causing the problems. Here's a list of my settings and what I have tried.

4.0GHz (200x20) Turbo On / Off:
Bclck: 200
RAM: 6x
uncore: 3200MHz
QPI: 3600MHz (7.4)
PCIE: 100MHz

CPU Vcore: 1.4v (tried up to 1.5v)
CPU PLL: Auto
QPI (VTT): 1.375v (tried up to 1.3875)
IOH: Auto
IOH PCIE: Auto
ICH: Auto
ICH PCIE: Auto
DRAM Voltage: 1.56v (tried up to 1.66)

Load Line Calibration: Enabled
All Spread Spectrums Disabled
All C States Disabled
HT Off

The chip can do 215 bclck with a lower multi, but it just seems to hate the 20X multi right now. Thanks for any help.

That sounds like a graphics card issue, not cpu since you can pass linX.

 

[Binge]

Good eye Paulie. I misread what he posted. Try the card in a different PCI-E slot or use the card at stock? Think that might help him narrow down the culprit?

 

[PaulieG]

Good eye Paulie. I misread what he posted. Try the card in a different PCI-E slot or use the card at stock? Think that might help him narrow down the culprit?

Yup, if it's not at stock right now, set the core to default speeds, then run 3dmark again. If it still crashes, you may have a bad gpu.

 

[SPARC]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I tried what Chicken said and manually set the voltages, starting low and working my way up. All it took was a manual pll voltage of 1.82 and upping the QPI to 1.375v. I made multiple runs through 3DMark06 without a hitch. I finally starting to fully understand what each voltage does and how to spot what to increase.

Here's where I'm at right now:

Just for grins I upped the voltage to a max 1.55v and had it running here:

I found that I could run SuperPI at those speeds with 1.5v and 1.45v QPI. Now that I figured things out I can begin backing down the voltage. Thanks again for the help!

 

[bettz]

Has anybody got a guide i could follow to get 3.2-3.4 outta of my I7-920 on a Gigabyte EX58-UD3R?.

I was just using Easy Tune but i've read alot of people saying its bad to use

 

[PaulieG]

Has anybody got a guide i could follow to get 3.2-3.4 outta of my I7-920 on a Gigabyte EX58-UD3R?.

I was just using Easy Tune but i've read alot of people saying its bad to use

One of the golden rules of overclocking...use the bios to overclock. You should be able to get 3.2 on stock voltage. Just set it to 20x160. Just make sure you also change your memory divider so that the memory isn't running way over spec, at least until you get a handle on things. Oh, scan this thread and check out the i7 overclocking guides in trt740's sig, they are helpful.

Guys, if anyone is interested in purchasing a nearly new Asus Rampage II GENE let me know. It's a great little board, board, but I just had to try a Blood Rage. I thought I'd mention it here first, before I put it up for general sale.

 

[bettz]

Thanks for the reply going to do some reading up on Oc at the mo it looks very daunting I'd be happy with a spec of around 3.2-3.4 to begin with and see how i go. I think my case has enough cooling its like having Air con in my room .

I've been trying to have a go at changing the Ram timings to the recommended Programmable CAS Latency: 9-9-9-27 @ 1T

is this ok?

 

[Binge]

The ram at it's specified timings is fine. Ram tweaking is a lot harder than CPU tweaking because you could do more harm than good if you aren't doing it correctly.

Is it OK with you? That's all that really matters unless you're competatively benching.

 

[bettz]

Well i've just had a go at what you said Raising it to 20x160 and it seems ok on my welcome screen its showing 3.2 Ghz. I noticed the Ram can't remember what setting now was on 10x but after i changed the BCLK to 160 it changed the ram frequency from 1333 to 1600 is this ok? i also increased the Ram voltage to 1.64v as it said something about the recommended setting to be 1.65

I've included a Screen Capture of my temps aswell as they've jumped a little

 

[Binge]

What you're describing is completely normal for overclocking since the i7 processor is tightly connected to the system memory as are all CPUs. The increase in temperatures is a product of the higher operating frequency. Thanks for keeping us posted.

 

[bettz]

What you're describing is completely normal for overclocking since the i7 processor is tightly connected to the system memory as are all CPUs. The increase in temperatures is a product of the higher operating frequency. Thanks for keeping us posted.

No problem im grateful for all the help I will leave it for a while now Is it safe to run my ram at that speed? forgot to mention i've got turbo on aswell so that prob bumps the temps up abit.

 

[Chicken Patty]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I tried what Chicken said and manually set the voltages, starting low and working my way up. All it took was a manual pll voltage of 1.82 and upping the QPI to 1.375v. I made multiple runs through 3DMark06 without a hitch. I finally starting to fully understand what each voltage does and how to spot what to increase.

Here's where I'm at right now:

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii115/CU-Coder/920_43.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii115/CU-Coder/SuperPI_43.jpg

Just for grins I upped the voltage to a max 1.55v and had it running here:

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii115/CU-Coder/920_44.jpg

I found that I could run SuperPI at those speeds with 1.5v and 1.45v QPI. Now that I figured things out I can begin backing down the voltage. Thanks again for the help!

glad my advise was of help thats a damn good overclock even for HT off. keep us posted on your progress bro. Overclocking an i7 is learning how to overclock all over again dude, don't feel bad

 

[SystemViper]

glad my advise was of help thats a damn good overclock even for HT off. keep us posted on your progress bro. Overclocking an i7 is learning how to overclock all over again dude, don't feel bad

\


That wins statement of the month, So True....

 

[Jakethesnake011]

Has anyone fooled with the CPU skew and the ioh shew on the i7. Also what is the CPU amplitude I can pick 700/800/900/1000mV, I dunno what this is? Is it the agjust the CPU makes when under load. I tried both 700 and then 1000 and saw no difference. Also should I fool with the skew? If so what is anyone suggesting for good range? Like 300-400ps or more? I think a E8400 can use like 300 or 200ps around a 4.0+ overclock.

 

[SPARC]

glad my advise was of help thats a damn good overclock even for HT off. keep us posted on your progress bro. Overclocking an i7 is learning how to overclock all over again dude, don't feel bad

That is so true. I've been working on AMD systems and I was trying to translate my knowledge of oc'ing the Phenom II 940 to the i7. It's not that bad once you get used to all the changes.

I loaded up my Windows 7 image tonight and I'm going to begin testing on it tomorrow night. I'll post some more results later.

Thanks

 

[Fitseries3]

can i get some help here guys?

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?p=1327516#post1327516

 

[Chicken Patty]

That is so true. I've been working on AMD systems and I was trying to translate my knowledge of oc'ing the Phenom II 940 to the i7. It's not that bad once you get used to all the changes.

I loaded up my Windows 7 image tonight and I'm going to begin testing on it tomorrow night. I'll post some more results later.

Thanks

im trying to apply my knowledge with first gen phenoms, to my 940, stuck at 3.5 ghz stable. Havent really messed with it though, im sure if I do i'll go higher.

 

[Thrackan]

No problem im grateful for all the help I will leave it for a while now Is it safe to run my ram at that speed? forgot to mention i've got turbo on aswell so that prob bumps the temps up abit.

First off, "safe" is relative. Theoretically, there is a higher chance of failure and a shorter lifespan of your components when overclocking.

Now that's theory. In common practice, when you don't do silly things like blasting huge voltages through your chips or hit them with a hammer when they don't boot up, you should have a decent lifespan of your chip anyway.

Regarding temps, my personal "no-go" zone is over 80 degrees, but the chip can take the occasional 90 I guess. I'd suggest cutting back on voltage though if your temps reach over 80.

Last thing about temps: these chips run HOT. Like hotter hot than the big ol' P4's did. It's hard to maintain decent temps on an overclock when just using air. Water or better is recommended

 

[Tatty_Two]

\


That wins statement of the month, So True....

Your damn right there!

 

[trt740]

I have come to the conclusion after having 3 chips and 4 I7 motherboards. The average 920 I7 will only do 3.8ghz on air 24/7 with reasonable temps, speed step off and Ht on. Also overclocking these chips is the hardest overclock I have ever experienced. Still 3.8ghz is 1200 mghz and thats hell on wheels with these chips. Thats just my 2 cents.

 

[Thrackan]

I have come to the conclusion after having 3 chips and 4 I7 motherboards. The average 920 I7 will only do 3.8ghz on air 24/7 with reasonable temps, speed step off and Ht on. Also overclocking these chips is the hardest overclock I have ever experienced. Still 3.8ghz is 1200 mghz and thats hell on wheels with these chips. Thats just my 2 cents.

I think you are not far from the truth there.
I've seen some 4+Ghz clocks, but only a select amount of chips actually have any form of stability on those speeds. Mine for instance boots perfectly fine but always hangs on stress, be it within the minute or within 3 hours.
Guess I'm not lucky enough to have one of those select chips
Most 920's seem to have absolutely no problem with 3.8 but are stuck under 4Ghz.

The thing that "bothers" me is that there is still no pattern to be found as to which batch of chips do make these high speeds work.
Neither does there seem to be a universal solution on how to clock any chip past 4Ghz and keeping it stable.
Most of all, voltages applied to 920's in order to achieve high clocks seem to fluctuate a LOT as well. Both on the CPU vCore and the QPI/Vtt voltages.

The fact that a pattern is not recognised could simply be caused by fluctuating chip quality, even within a batch, or that this platform is *still* too young to be totally dissected by the overclocking community.

To follow up: My hopes are that Intel evened out some rough edges in the production process for their D0 stepping. If that fixes the problems people have in reaching 4Ghz stable, this proc will be even more valuable than it is right now. I'd get a D0 for sure in that case.

 

[Tatty_Two]

I can get 4gig without using turbo with HT on, fully stable in ALL benches without problems although the temps are in the 70's but no more, I can only acheive that because all I need is 1.3V (no HT) 1.34v (HT). My problem is I cant go higher than 4gig ATM even unstable. Still trying to get to grips with this board.

 

[trt740]

I can get 4gig without using turbo with HT on, fully stable in ALL benches without problems although the temps are in the 70's but no more, I can only acheive that because all I need is 1.3V (no HT) 1.34v (HT). My problem is I cant go higher than 4gig ATM even unstable. Still trying to get to grips with this board.

4.0ghz on air is truly about the absolute max (24/7) and 3.7ghz to 3.8ghz is the most reasonable for 24/7 use. Be happy you have done well.

 

[Tatty_Two]

4.0ghz on air is truly about the absolute max (24/7) and 3.7ghz to 3.8ghz is the most reasonable for 24/7 use. Be happy you have done well.

Sadly.... I am never happy

 

[kid41212003]

You will need to move to better cooling solution before considering benching at 4GHz+ with HT on .

I'm selling my watercooling system, and I'm using this Noctua.
I could bench at 4.2GHz before, and when I moved back to air, it's just not possible anymore, kept crashing, I guess with HT on and at 4.2GHz, it's just too hot for Aircooler to handle.