How to apply C.I.A.2 and Turbo Boost Tech to Overclock? EX58-UD5, F9m BIOS

[HowardB]

OK bare with me on this cos its a bit of a long post and you have to read down, the questions are at the end

So here goes: using the F9M BIOS I have managed to set an effective OC of 3.8 GHz on my EX58-UD5/Win7 (32-bit) based system. Below are the settings I used having taken Lsd's and Wazzas advice and read up a bit on optimal BCLK/CPU clock ratio combinations. So here are the settings which worked for my system

Performance Enhance ...................... [Standard]
CPU Clock Ratio ................................ [x20]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) ........ x10 (OCZ Blade memory runs at a final frequency of 1900 MHz, it is rated at 2000MHz)

Advanced CPU Features:

Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech .................. [disabled]
CPU Cores Enabled ............................ [All]
CPU Multi Threading .......................... [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) ................... [Disabled]
C3/C6/C7 State Support .................... [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor ......................... [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function ............................ [Enabled]
Bi-Directional PROCHOT ..................... [Enabled]

Uncore & QPI Features:
QPI Link Speed .............................. x36 (QPI frequency 6.48 GHz)
Uncore Frequency .......................... 3800 MHz (Uncore Multiplier x 20) Isonchronous Frequency ..................[Enabled]

Standard Clock Control:
Base Clock (BCLK) Control ................ [Enabled]
BCLK Frequency (MHz) ..................... 190


Advanced Clock Control:
PCI Express Frequency (MHz) ........... Auto [100]
C.I.A.2 [Disabled]

CPU Clock Drive ..............................Auto [800mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive ................... Auto [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew ............................. Auto [0ps]
IOH Clock Skew ............................. Auto[0ps]

Advanced DRAM Features:
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) ......... [Disabled]
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) .......... [Quick]

Each Channel A + B + C set:

CAS Latency Time ......................7
tRCD ........................................8
tRP ..........................................7
tRAS ........................................20
Command Rate = Auto

CPU Vcore ............................. 1.325V (Manual)
PCIE 1.500v ........................... Auto
QPI/Vtt .................................. Manual 1.4V
QPI PLL 1.100v ....................... Manual 1.88V
IOH Core 1.100v ..................... Manual 1.24V
ICH I/O 1.500v ....................... Auto
ICH Core 1.1v ........................ Auto

DRAM
DRAM Voltage 1.500v ..............1.66 DRAM (passes MeMTest)

Termination 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-C Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-C Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]

My CPU idle temperature is around 36- 38 degC

CIA2 is currently disabled in my setup and the CPU frequency is 3.8GHz. If I enable CIA2 and set it to "Turbo" according to the manual I get a dynamic overclock of 15 or 17% on CPU frequency depending on CPU loading.

So finally the questions

1. If I turn CIA2 on does that mean I can effectively reduce BCLK from its current 190 (3.8GHz CPU frequency) to 165 (3.3GHz) so that with CIA2 enabled I get an effective OC of 3.3 + (0.15 x 3.3) = 3.795 ?

2. Manual entry for CIA2 says OC applied is dependent on CPU loading. Anyone know at what percentage threshold the dynamic OC from CIA2 kicks in? It would be nice if it had a low thrershold for the 15% OC and a slightly higher one for the 17% OC

3. Does anyone know how the effect of CIA2 combines with other OC features in the BIOS such as Turbo Boost Tech (Advanced CPU features) and the performance enhance setting. Are the effects of these settings purely additive should they be used in combination with one another?

OK thats it

[Psycho101]

Re: How to apply C.I.A.2 and Turbo Boost Tech to Overclock? EX58-UD5, F9m BIOS

You can't use CIA2 and have an altered BCLK or indeed any over clock at all. CIA2 is a form of OC in itself. One can't Over clock an over clock. CIA2 is in all honesty a pile of poo.

I'm not sure if the effects of Turbo Boost and CIA2 are addative, but I can say with certainty that they certainly should not be used in combination with eachother. Set the OC you want manually. Any thoughts of having a system able to raise/lower CPU speed depending on load using CIA2 is unfortunately a pipe-dream. If it worked I'd have done it myself as the effect would be a more power efficiant machine.

CIA2 is really there for bragging rights. All mobo manufacturers have an "Auto Over Clock" feature, and they're all rubbish.

You can check if it's possible to use them and whateffect it has simply by trying it out. You won't break anything. Set your custom BCLK, and if CIA2 gets greyed out then it's not usable. If it is usable, set the smallest CIA2 level, boot and see if its stable. Check what speeds you're getting with CPU-Z.

You probably won't find anyone who has tried to combine a normal "best practice" BIOS OC with CIA2, which is why I recommend trying it for yourself.

[HowardB]

Re: How to apply C.I.A.2 and Turbo Boost Tech to Overclock? EX58-UD5, F9m BIOS

OK thats clear then I will just do it manually no problem :P

[Psycho101]

Re: How to apply C.I.A.2 and Turbo Boost Tech to Overclock? EX58-UD5, F9m BIOS

That's the best way. You'll then have a guaranteed stable OC, as long as you test it thoroughly.

It's always better to do the OCing yourself as you can taylor the speeds and temperatures etc to suit your individual needs.