Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

[NJL]

Hi,

My system is this:

Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P F7a
Intel Q9650 3,0@4,32 GHz (480x9)
Corsair Dominator DDR2 PC8500 4x2 GB
Club3D 4870x2
Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W CableManagement
3x Western Digital Raptor 150GB 16MB Raid0
Hitachi Deskstar 320GB
Antec P180
Swiftech 655
Swiftech GTZ (CPU)
XSPC X20 Delta (NB)
Ek 150ml res
TFC 480 w/8x YateLoons DL12 in push/pull @1000RPM
MasterKleer 11.1mm ID tubing
HP LP2475w 24" + ViewSonic VX922 19"
Vista Ultimate 64bit SP1

I'm having serious problems going beyond 480MHz FSB.
I've tried just about everything (probably just not the right thing...).
I've used higher Vcore (up to 1.5), higher VTT (up to 1.44) and higher MCH Core (up to 1.6) with the GTLs following.

I've tried with different multis at 500MHz FSB from 6-9 with no positive effect.

I've tried running only two sticks of RAM at 500x6 - also with no luck.

I can boot to Vista with no problems, but my quick and dirty test that consists of downloading a zip file and unpacking it, results in corrupted files.

With my current (shown below) stable setting at 480x9 I get no corrupted files and I can pass IntelBurnTest, OCCT and Prime95 (so far only tested for 8hrs).

Any suggestions are welcome.

My BIOS settings are as follows:


MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 4320


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 480
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100

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


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 900mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 1000mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 0


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 960
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................AUT O/stock
tWTR..........................................AUTO/stock
tWR............................................AUT O/stock
tRFC...........................................AUT O/stock
tRTP...........................................AUT O/stock
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:AUTO/stock

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................AUTO/stock

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:Auto/stock
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.........................:Auto/stock
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

LLC: enabled

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.4

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.38
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.5

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: set to stock when VTT was also set to stock, and from thereon only VTT was changed so this follows automatically

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......: as above

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.4
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; same procedure as CPU Ref.
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: 0.91
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: 1.5
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: 1.1

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.12
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: 0.91
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: 0.91
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: 0.91

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Disabled]
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]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Enabled]

[godto]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

set your trap to 400 ... 2.0D for now

Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 2
Static tRead Value.........................: 9 .. higher then you need more here 10-12 to make stable .. but 9 seem good for this ram under 500mhz

divider streingh = 1066

that will get you 500 easy ... it was your ram setting ... also ... when OC ... use 2 ram only ... when stable then use 4 ... that way it is much eaiser to OC. .. also try to put in the sub ram value .. don't use auto

[gigamush]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 100ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 200ps-300ps

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

+ 1 for ^^^

Maybe even
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 100-200ps

WOW that is a LOT of auto's for trying to push your system and wondering why it is not working. I would for sure be manually setting all that ram. What do you get in memset shown for the above stable settings?

[NJL]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

WOW that is a LOT of auto's for trying to push your system and wondering why it is not working. I would for sure be manually setting all that ram. What do you get in memset shown for the above stable settings?

Maybe so, but I cannot get it stable even at 480x9 with the settings that was provided here.

I'm sure I have a lot to learn about mem settings and as far as I could tell just by quickly browsing this forum, there are some guides for the mem settings - correct?

Anyway, here is my memset output:

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

Yes, at the top of the forum there is a memory sticky.

Here is what ranges I would advise for your above settings >>>

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 4320


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 480
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100

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


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 900mV 800 should be good
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 1000mV 900 should be good
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 50-150
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 150-300


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00B << use 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 960
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 5/6
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'........................................... 5
tRAS.......................................... 15/18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-5
tWTR.........................................4-8
tWR............................................6-12
tRFC...........................................65-75
tRTP...........................................4-8
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................800-1200 (Test all last, set 1066 now)

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:8/9-12 400/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.........................:Auto/stock 8/9-12 400/D MCH << Likely a issue, and since it is not shown in Memset you wont know what Auto gives you as what you see in the BIOS is not always used

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

LLC: enabled

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.4 << may need more, what is this in windows at idle and load?

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.38
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.5

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: set to stock when VTT was also set to stock, and from thereon only VTT was changed so this follows automatically

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......: as above

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.4 << 1.3-1.35
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; same procedure as CPU Ref.
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: 0.91 << Auto or .68-70

ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: 1.5
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: 1.14-1.2

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.12
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: 0.91
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: 0.91
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: 0.91

[NJL]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

Thanks for the suggestions - I will try them tonight.

How would I go about testing the stability with this, since it's mainly RAM settings?

Should I use MEMTEST86+ or "just" continue my very lowtech method of downloading zip files and test for corrupt/non-corrupt files in addition to OCCT and Intel Burn Test?

Preferably a method that will show errors as fast as possible.

Thanks
NJL

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

Memtest86+ for ram testing is what I use, here is the latest Beta that will correctly pick DDR type and timings in P45 >>>
Index of /download/beta/211b6

I would use both, any method you normally use plus any others is always good. More then one test/type of test can only add assurance

Fast as possible would be Intel Burn test, but your CPU has to be 100% Stable for that to tell you if ram is a issue (post #3) >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/intel-burn-test-27994/

[NJL]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

Ok, tried your settings last night and no luck

I didn't try all of them though - just the "mid" values as I thought I couldn't push my RAM too much.
That didn't work, so I bumped it up to the max - or slowest I assume?
This didn't work either.

All settings were tried with 1066 driving strength.

I know I probably should've spent a lot more time tweaking, but I was hoping that I could at least get it stable at 480x9 with slow settings.

Am I wrong in assuming that the slowest settings should work "just like that"?

If so - is there a specific order for the settings to be applied in order to get it stable and not necessarily fast?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

Mid values? You should use all highest I suggested until you get stable, lower or mid may be unstable. Ahh ya, sorry I reply as I read. Yes higher values are looser/slower/more stable

Na, nothing will work just like that. It is not easy for sure with such a advanced BIOS, those would be P35 boards.

Set all Very high, then lower one at a time testing as you go. Best to keep your ram VERY Looser (Even looser then I posted is fine) until you get your CPU where you want it then you can work on lowering voltages and tightening up your ram

[NJL]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

Mid values? You should use all highest I suggested until you get stable, lower or mid may be unstable. Ahh ya, sorry I reply as I read. Yes higher values are looser/slower/more stable

Na, nothing will work just like that. It is not easy for sure with such a advanced BIOS, those would be P35 boards.

Set all Very high, then lower one at a time testing as you go. Best to keep your ram VERY Looser (Even looser then I posted is fine) until you get your CPU where you want it then you can work on lowering voltages and tightening up your ram

My problem is that I can pass Intel Burn Test and OCCT at 480x9, but if I download zip files (or even copy files from drive to drive) they will be corrupted. I have not tried Prime as I assume it would fail - just don't have to the time to wait for it to fail as I can easily tell by the corrupted files that something is wrong.

I do not have any problems running 460x9 (haven't tried 470x9) so I don't think it's problems caused by harddrives or other stuff - am I correct?

Judging by my situation at 480x9 I assume that my CPU is stable and my RAM is not.

I will try looser RAM settings tonight to see if that helps.

If I cannot get it to work - not even "only" with 2 sticks (2x2GB), is there any RAM you can recommend if I *need* to have 8GB or is 8GB out of the question for FSB higher than 480?

Sorry for my ramblings - I'm a n00b at this - and I know it :-)

Thank you VERY much for your help so far - it's very much appreciated!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

PCI Express set to 100? How many passes and what settings for Intel Burn test, and how long OCCT test?

Could be your ram or CPU? Have you tested your ram with memtest86+? That would be where I would look first. Run 5-10 full passes and if all is well then you know your issue likely lies with other things.

8GB should work for you, but yes 8GB does hinder overclocking for sure. Loosening it up should help though. Have you played with MCH or Ram skews at all, as this may also help

[NJL]

Re: Trouble with 480MHz+ on GA-EP45-UD3P w/Q9650

Well, I managed to burn my PSU and mobo (user error - don't ask :-/), so I won't be doing any OC'ing anytime soon as it's going to take some time before I get replacement.

Also I've decided to go for the GA-EP45-DQ6 instead, but I think most if not all the settings should apply to that board also.

I will make sure to troubleshoot my RAM before anything else when I start OC'ing on the new board.

Thanks for your help so far, and a merry christmas to ya!