ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

[elitimus]

I've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now and it has been a tremendous help with my new build. Its been about 8 years since I've done a custom build for myself so I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. I've noticed that the mods here are very helpful so I thought I would ask a few questions specifically about overclocking and bios settings.

ga-ep45-ud3r, e8500, pc-8500 g.skill 2x2gb ram.

Bios: CPU
Clock ration 9.0
FSB 400
All speedstep settings disabled

Bios: Ram
Performance Enhancement - Turbo
X.M.P. - Auto
Freq Latch - Auto
System Memory Multiplier - 2.66D I chose this because my FSB is 400
Manual timings of 5-5-5-15 per ram spec

Bios: Voltages
All CPU set to auto
Dram set to 2.0 per manufacturer range of 2.0-2.1
all other settings to auto

I am using a Zalman 9700 cooler to keep temps down.
Realtemp2.7 43-44C idle and 59-61C prime95 torture

I used Easytune 6.0 to overclock the CPU to 3.6Ghz with no issues. Prime95 ran for 5hrs small ffts wth no errors. I manually stopped it. I'm not looking for bragging rights or an extreme overclock. I'm more interested in a tangible improvement in performance and making sure my settings are not hindering such. So far this board's price vs performance has exceeded my expectations. Any further help adjusting my settings would be greatly appreciated.

Elitimus

[soldier]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

5 hours is very short for Prime 95. I've seen Prime fail at later time periods. Try out Intel Burn Test. In my opinion ( and alot of other people ), it much better than Prime 95 and alot of other stress programs.

The best thing about it is that it takes a couple minutes.

Give it a try.

http://www.ultimate-filez.com/?page=downloads

[elitimus]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

Thanks for the info on the program. I let it run for about 10 minutes but it did not stop on its own. How long should it take for results? Also if anyone would like to chime in on bios settings that would be helpful.

Elitimus

[cdelong]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

My settings for 4038mhz- basically the same set-up as yours..... specs in my sig.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ...........................:9x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.5
CPU Frequency .............................:4.03Ghz (425x9.5)
Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: Auto
C.I.A.2 ...........................................:[Disabled]
Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mv
PCI Express Clock Drive................: 900 mv
CPU Clock Skew ..........................: 50 ps
MCH Clock Skew .........................: 100 ps
DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
X.M.P………………………………………………..: [Auto]<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 333
System Memory Multiplier ..............:[2.00B]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ...............:800 850
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................: 6 [4]
tRCD ......................................... 6 [4]
tRP'........................................... 6 [4]
tRAS.......................................... 18 [12]
Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3 [4]
tWTR.......................................... 3 [4]
tWR............................................ 6 [8]
tRFC........................................... 52 [58]
tRTP........................................... 3 [4]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:0 [2]
Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ [Auto]
Static tRead Value.........................: 9
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:1 [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6 [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6 [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5 [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8 [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
DDR write training..............................[Auto]
Motherboard Voltage Control
Load Line Calibration........................[Disabled]
Voltage Type.………... [Auto]
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.3875v
CPU Termination…..... ......................:1.280V
CPU PLL………………….....................:1.3500V
CPU Reference.…………........................:0.760V [Auto]
MCH/ICH
MCH Core……………....1.3v
MCH Reference….…….Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…...... 0.910v
ICH I/O……………….....1.570V
ICH Core…………...……1.200V
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....2.0v (PI Blacks rated 1.8- 1.9v)
DRAM Termination .…0.910V- will not let me select 0.900v??
Channel A Reference 0.910V “
Channel B Reference 0.910V “

[elitimus]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

cdelong, thanks for posting your settings. Here's something I don't understand as far as ram settings go. With a latch of 333 and memory multiplier of 2.00 how does that get an 850mhz mem frequency? Nevermind, I just realized it's 2.00 x the FSB. Next question, instead of using auto for my cpu voltages should I manually set them and what would be a good starting point for the 3.6 overclock that i'm currently using. Thanks for the help.

[cdelong]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

voltages somewhat near mine should be a good starting point.

CPU
MCH/ICH

you also should manually set your advanced memory timings as in my above post.....

[elitimus]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

I just can't leave well enough alone. I'm up to 3.8Ghz with a 9.0 multi and 425 FSB. I'm using a 2.5a memory multi to get 1063 out of my 1066 ram. That was as close as i could get without going over. Not really interested in OC the ram. (Tried and hung in the bios). My timings are 5-5-5-15 and the only thing i changed in the advance timing control was the Static Tread Value to 9, other wise auto. Here are the voltages I'm using.

CPU
MCH/ICH

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

Looks good

I would suggest you use 2.40B for 1020 ram speed, or 2.00D for 900 ram speed with tighter timings as the 2.5A is on the 266 strap and likely wont be stable for very long

If you do need some help eventually after you get done testing let me know and fill in your settings below and post a link to your ram >>>

This is Just a template I use to ask people their settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: 
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 


[b][u]Clock Chip Control [/u][/b]
[b][u]Standard Clock Control[/u][/b]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100[/B]

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


[b][u]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/u][/b]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 


[b][u]DRAM Performance Control[/u][/b][u][/u]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[b]Standard Timing Control[/b]
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

[b]DRAM[/b]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[elitimus]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

lsdmeasap, thanks for the info about the ram. Here are my current settings. And here is a link to my ram RAM. If anything needs tweaking please let me know. Thanks again


MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: .0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.82GHZ


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800mv
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900mv
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<<
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<<


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Auto
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.4B per your recommendation
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066 1020
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD ...................................5
tRP'....................................5
tRAS....................................15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................4 Auto
tWTR..........................................4 Auto
tWR............................................13 Auto
tRFC...........................................68 Auto
tRTP...........................................4 Auto
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:0 Auto

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:9
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:9
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage ControlCPUMCH/ICHDRAMAdvanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB</pre>

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

Well this may help some, how stable is that 2.40B for you?

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: .0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.82GHZ


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800mv
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900mv
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 50ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 50-150ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.4B per your recommendation
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066 1020
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD ...................................5
tRP'....................................5
tRAS....................................15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................3-5
tWR............................................4-8
tRFC...........................................52-62
tRTP...........................................3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................800-1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:6-9 (6/7-10 333/B MCH - 9-12 400/D MCH)
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:6-9 (6/7-10 333/B MCH - 9-12 400/D MCH)
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.35
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.24-1.32/4
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.5

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.20-1.3
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: 1.50-1.6
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: 1.1-1.2

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1

[elitimus]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

This overclock is giving me a fit for some reason. My last run of prime95 small fft failed at 7hours on the first thread, the second was still going. Here are the setting for that.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: .0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.80GHZ


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 400Mhz reduced trying to get stablity from previous 425 which failed at 5hrs.
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800mv
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900mv
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<<
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<<


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Auto
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD ...................................5
tRP'....................................5
tRAS....................................15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................4 Auto
tWTR..........................................4 Auto
tWR............................................13 Auto
tRFC...........................................68 Auto
tRTP...........................................4 Auto
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:0 Auto

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:9
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:9
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage ControlCPUfrom 1.24 since i reduced fsbMCH/ICHDRAMAdvanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

So these are my 7hr stable settings. I'm really trying to leave the ram settings alone other than static tread because i just don't understand them very well. My vdroop per cpuz is 1.28-1.29 at load. My e8500is C0. Do i just need more vcore? Should i enable load line calibration? From all the posts i was thinging 3.8 would be a bit easier. HELP!

Elitimus

[elitimus]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

Just a quick note. Going to try vcore of 1.36 and see how it goes today.
Elitimus

[cdelong]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

1.3875v or 1.38125v.... don't be afraid scarecrow..... give 'er some juice and go back to 425fsb ;)

[elitimus]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

hehehe....I may just do that. The 1.36 vcore with the above settings has gotten me 8.5hrs stable and still going as I type this This is my first OC experience so I've been babystepping trying to really grasp what does what without seeing smoke. I'm going to let this continue as I leave for work and see how far it will go. Is 8+ hours considered stable enough? Thanks for the help guys!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: ga-ep45-ud3r overclocking questions?

What do you get with 1.36 set in the BIOS in windows with CPU-z for actual voltage?

And Auto ram timings may just hold you down at some point, and for sure is not going to perform the best at all

You can check and see just what Auto is actually giving you with this here (DO NOT use this to "SAVE" a setting) You can apply and test timings with this in windows but try to hard and you will just have to restart your PC >>
Tweakers.fr Memset 3.6

GREAT TOOL!!!