EP43-UD3L, E6750 - Help me OC above 400FSB

[orion2001]

Thanks for clarifying that. Yup, I was just concerned that it isn't a Max setting like the Vcore which is a bit ridiculous in terms of how high they let you set it to make Intel Toast :D

So with all your recommended settings and CPU termination voltage set to 1.2V (after setting to optimized defaults), I was still unable to post at 425 FSB. I've already set the CPU multiplier to 7x to prevent the CPU from causing any trouble. I dropped the FSB down to 415 and was able to post. Memtest86+ ran 20+ loops for Test5 without and errors. Intelburntest also looked stable.

Any suggestions for what might help me get to 425 fsb? (That is my end goal). Btw, what is the upper FSB limit on the EP43-UD3L? Am I being too optimistic about getting to 425 FSB or should it definitely be doable (assuming that RAM and CPU aren't the limiting factor).

[Psycho101]

I would definitely set CPU termination to at least 1.3v up to 1.38v. The setting of it to 1.2V is temporary while adjusting MCH reference. After setting a 0.74 or 0.72 MCH reference, you should adjust CPU termination back up. You may also need to give more Vcore, PLL up to 1.61V or an increase in Static tRead. It is also possible that there's not enough overclocking headroom on your RAM. You could be beyond its limits at the current voltage you've set, or you may be at its absolute maximum.

I'm unsure of the over all FSB limit on the P43's. Max FSb depends usually on the particular CPu firstly. Obviously there will be a point where with a perfect CPU FSB will be limited by the chipset, but where that point is, I can't be certain. I would say that with the voltage adjustments available the board should do at least 450-460 FSB with a dual core as a guaranteed value, probably more though YMMV.

[Chike]

Originally Posted by orion2001

Any suggestions for what might help me get to 425 fsb? (That is my end goal). Btw, what is the upper FSB limit on the EP43-UD3L? Am I being too optimistic about getting to 425 FSB or should it definitely be doable (assuming that RAM and CPU aren't the limiting factor).

I have no idea, I couldn't boot with 422FSB, it may be the chipset or it may be the CPU, it may be the RAM. I have a 1066 modules I'll try after I replace my HS.

[Chike]

Originally Posted by Psycho101

I would definitely set CPU termination to at least 1.3v up to 1.38v. The setting of it to 1.2V is temporary while adjusting MCH reference. After setting a 0.74 or 0.72 MCH reference, you should adjust CPU termination back up. You may also need to give more Vcore, PLL up to 1.61V or an increase in Static tRead. It is also possible that there's not enough overclocking headroom on your RAM. You could be beyond its limits at the current voltage you've set, or you may be at its absolute maximum

To temind you, we (EP43-UD3Lers) don't have MCH Reference or PLL, what you see in his first post is all we have, and voltage changes in steps of 0.1v only. (due to the 4 phase fets?)

[orion2001]

Thanks for the info Chike, and also the suggestions Psycho101. Currently here is what I've tried to boot at 420 FSB:

Tried 1.3V CPU Termination Voltage - No luck
Tried Increasing MCH Core - 1.2V - No luck
Tried upping Vcore - 1.375V from 1.35V - No luck

A little scared to push my Gskill from 1.9V to 2.0V since they are a pair of budget sticks and I hate corrupt memory. I'd be surprised if it is the memory since 415FSB didn't give me a single error on Memtest86+ or IntelBurnTest.

Psycho101, unfortunately I don't have any access to PLL voltage, etc...the OC options on this board are a bit limited in comparison to some of its more expensive cousins.

Any more suggestions? At this point, I don't think the jump to 425 would give me that much more performance...but it is more of an academic/OC curiousity that is driving me now :).

[orion2001]

Ok, so I tried 2.0V for RAM, and no luck posting either. Now the problem is that the BIOS refuses to re-load the failsafe defaults so it keeps cycling on and off trying to post. I shut off the main PSU switch. Do I have to manually reset the BIOS and if so, how do I do that? Remove the CMOS Battery? I hope I didn't fry the RAM in the few seconds it was trying to post =)

Edit - Rebooting again after having the PSU shut off for a while seemed to do the trick. It posted back with the fail safe defaults. Looks like I'm stuck at 415FSB at the moment.

[Chike]

Originally Posted by orion2001

Ok, so I tried 2.0V for RAM, and no luck posting either. Now the problem is that the BIOS refuses to re-load the failsafe defaults so it keeps cycling on and off trying to post. I shut off the main PSU switch. Do I have to manually reset the BIOS and if so, how do I do that? Remove the CMOS Battery? I hope I didn't fry the RAM in the few seconds it was trying to post =)

Boot looping is common when there's problem with BIOS settings.
Turn off the PSU when the computer shuts off, optionaly press the power button, whait 15-20 seconds (the coputer will attempt a restart), then turn the PSU back on and power up.
If it doesn't boot wait at least 5 loops, then do it again.
If second/third time it doesn't boot, you may need to clear the BIOS.

[Psycho101]

I would definitely try 1.4V Vcore. You should be more than fine with the value at this speed.

Can MCH core go up any higher? Up to 1.38V is ok, though something like 1.2-1.28 should be enough. As Chike pointed out, you have no MCH reference, so ignore my references to it in previous posts.

Double check your tRead settings and perhaps raise it to 10/11 to test.

If you hold [Ctrl] and press [F1] on the main BIOS menu, you may reveal more options in the MIT section. If the key strope has been entered correctly, the screen will quickly blink. Check the MIT section and see if any more adjustment options appear.

[orion2001]

Hmm...Orthos Prime gave me an error 5 seconds into the test (Blend) at 415 FSB!! I'm back down to 400 now! Looks like I'm hitting some sort of wall...I'm gonna have to tweak more to figure out if it is Memory, CPU or Mobo related

[orion2001]

Oops, didn't see your posts... I'll go ahead and give those a shot. Thanks a ton!