GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

[New2OC]

Hi

I'm completely new to overclocking and am looking for some guidance on achieving a stable 3.0-3.4 GHz overclock without frying anything.

What I have;

Gigabyte GA-X48-DS5 motherboard, bios version F7

Intel Core2Quad Q6600

Kingston HyperX 8GB DDR2 1066MHz Non-ECC CL5 5-5-5-15 2.2-2.3V
(4x 2GB) KHX8500D2K2/4G

ASUS EAH5450/DI/1GD3(LP) ATI Radeon HD 5450

Seasonic M12 SS-500HM 500W PSU

At the moment everything in bios is set up to optimized defaults.

Thanks in advance.

[Chike]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

Are you with stock cooler? You will need a good aftermarket cooler for 3/4GHz or more.
Is memory running at 1066 now?
Can you post a screen capture of results, and MemSet main snd SPD(click spd) windows?
You can download MemSet from http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte...ity-tools.html

[New2OC]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

The cooler is an arctic freezer 7.

I'm not looking to get it as high as 4GHz, I'd be happy with 3GHz and really happy if I can get to a stable 3.4GHz.

The screenshots you requested;

MaxxMem;


MemSet Main;


MemSet SPD;

[Chike]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

That was a typo, sorry, I meant 3.4GHz or more.
Lets try 3,0GHz for a start,

 
Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [[COLOR=red]Enabled[/COLOR]]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [[COLOR=red]333[/COLOR]] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [[COLOR=red]100[/COLOR]]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
Performance Enhance = [[COLOR=red]Standard[/COLOR]]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [[COLOR=red]2.40[/COLOR]]
Memory Frequency (Mhz)_ 800 _ 800
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Auto]
 
CAS Latency Time________________ Auto
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ Auto
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ Auto
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ Auto
 
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ Auto
Rank Write to READ Delay________ Auto
Write to Precharge Delay_________ Auto
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ Auto
Read to Precharge Delay__________ Auto
Static tRead Value_______________ Auto
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]
 
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal]
 
System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [normal] <<< up to +0.2
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal] <<< up to +0.1
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal] <<< up to +0.15
Loadline Calibration________[[COLOR="red"]Enabled[/COLOR]]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [] << default+ as needed
Normal CPU Vcore ?.?????
 
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [[COLOR=red]Disabled[/COLOR]]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [[COLOR=red]Disabled[/COLOR]]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Where ranges specified start low. DDR2 OverVoltage first, then MCH OverVoltage, and last FSB OverVoltage.
All of those if needed, otherwise leave normal.

Run memtest86+ before running windows.
IBT(Intel Burn Test)/LinX give good indication if there is enough vcore, expected GFlops with 3072MB are ~40.8 or more. Increase vcore if they are significantly less.
Max vcore is 1.5v for the CPU, but you shouldn't need as much for 3GHz.
UBT/LinX produce a lot of heat, watch cover core temperatures with CoreTemp or Real Temp, while under 75c core temps it's OK.
After IBT/LinX if temps allow to tun them run 8+ hours Prime95 blend torture.

BTW what is the CPU stepping and default vcore?

[New2OC]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

This is a screenshot of what CPU-Z says about my processor;



I can't try those settings right now, but I will later this evening.

How important would you say running Prime95 for 8 or so hours is? it's a long time.

[Chike]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

It is very important, actually this is short, for better assurance of the OC stability it should be run longer 12-24 hours.
You can customize the blend to run shorter time each test 7-10 minutes and run more FFT sizes.
But it is up to you what to consider as stable.

EDIT: stepping is B3, but i cannot make what the default vcore is, this should show as normal vcore in BIOS.
If your settings fail and you have question about them please use the template to post the settings in question.

[New2OC]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

It says Normal Vcore is 1.3V in BIOS.

Tried the settings, BIOS keeps resetting back to 2.4GHz. I'm assuming settings didn't work and went back to default.

I set up all settings same as in your post except following 3 settings, which I couldn't see in the BIOS;

Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]

[Chike]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

Those settings do not show because the CPU does not support them, not a problem.
You will probably need 1.3-1.35v vcore for 3GHz.

[New2OC]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

Finally got a chance to try again yesterday.

I set the Vcore to 1.35V, all other settings as you stated and it worked, CPU stayed at 3GHz and bios didn't reset.
Memtest 86+ reported no errors, and IBT reported successful with 39 GFlops.
CoreTemp reports CPU @;
30-35 C idle
40-45 C with general browsing etc.
68-72 C during IBT.
Haven't tried Prime95 yet, will probably do it tonight.

PC Health Status in BIOS reports;
Vcore - 1.348V (occasionally flashes at 1.332V)
DDR18V - 1.872V
+3.3V - 3.344V
+12V - 12.365V

Should I start dropping the Vcore slowly now since I set it to 1.35V straightaway?

[Chike]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

Di you run IBT standard test or 3072MB?
What is TJmax according to CoreTemp?

[New2OC]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

I ran IBT standard, then high, which reported successful with 39 GFlops.

Just ran IBT with 3072 MB, reported successful but GFlops went down to 36.
CoreTemp reported temps between 69-74 C.

TjMax is 85 C according to CoreTemp.

GFlops aren't good enough are they?

[Chike]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

I expected 3GB to give more not less, do you have anything that run in the background except CoreTemp?
And for best results even CoreTemp better be minimized.
39GFlops are 1 something GFlop less than my estimate, doesn't mean that I can't be wrong.
I wouldn't recomment OCing any higher unless something is done about temperatures

[New2OC]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

Had the same thought, gonna stay with 3GHz.

What I had running is what runs at startup, which is firewall, av, ati catalyst, audio manager, coretemp, asus smartdoctor, asus gamerosd.

But those were running when I ran IBT at standard and high yesterday.

[New2OC]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

I started dropping the Vcore slowly, and so far have got it down to 1.31250V.
Memtest reports no errors.
IBT reports successful with 39 GFlops. CPU temps 64-68 C during IBT.

In PC health status BIOS reports;
Vcore - 1.300V
DDR18V - 1.872v
+3.3v - 3.344v
+12v - 12.365v

There's a red flashing message in BIOS "System Voltage NOT Optimized", is something off? as so far I have left the other OverVoltage (DDR2/FSB/(G)MCH) values at normal.

[Chike]

Re: GA-X48-DS5 overclocking advice

Where is the red flashing message, PC Heakth or M.I.T?
Note that room temperature effects temperatures lineary or worse, so absolute values only has meaning if tests are done at the same ambiant temperature.