Overclocking Q9450 on Asus P5K-e/wifi-AP

Hi,

I'm somewhat of a noobie when it comes to overclocking. This is my first real attempt at overclocking a PC. I have successfully overclocked my PC to 3.4GHZ on auto VCore (1.320V CPU-Z) running stable 24/7 tested with OCCT and Prime95.

I have recently upgraded my watercooling to include both sets of mosfets and the north and south bridges, so I thought I would push my machine to 3.6GHZ. I found I had to up the VCore inthe bios to over 1.4 to be stable for about 30-40 minutes in Prime95.

My questions are, with all components under liquid cooling, is it safe to run VCore at over 1.4 to achieve stability for near 24/7 use?

Secondly, how is it that others have achieved an overclock to 3.6GHz using about 1.13V?

My specs for the attempted 3.6GHz overclock are as follows, I have tried to include as much information as possible.

Motherboard: Asus P5K-E/WIFI-AP
CPU: Intel Q9450 (Batch: L813A997, Version: E34934-001, stepping: 7, Revision: C1) @ 3.6GHz
CPU-Z: 1.416 V (Idle) 1.368 (Load)
RAM: 4GB. 2 x Corsair XMS2 DDR2 CM2X2048-6400C5 5-5-5-18 running at 901MHz
Power supply: OCZ 1010W GameXStream (using 248 Watts under load according to Zalman ZM-MPC2)
GPU: Asus EN8500GT Silent Magic
Operating System: Windows XP X64 Professional
case: Thermaltake Kandalf LCS
Cooling: Liquid cooling in single loop to RAM, CPU, GPU, top mosfets, left mosfets, North bridge, South bridge.

Temperatures reported by Real Temp 2.60: 27 32 32 39 idle and 58 56 60 60 load

Bios Version: 1013

Jumper free Configuration
CPU Ratio Setting: Auto
FSB Strap to North Bridge: Auto
FSB Frequency: 450
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: Auto
DRAM Command Rate: Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
Timing Information: 5-5-5-18-3-42-6-3-3
CAS# Latency: 5 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
RAS# Pre Time: 5 DRAM Clocks
RAS# ACT TIme: 18 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to RAS# Delay: Auto
REF Cycle Time: Auto
WRITE Recovery Time: Auto
WRITE to READ Delay: Auto
READ to PRE Time: Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
Transaction Booster: Auto
CPU VOltage: 1.4375V
CPU PLL Voltage: Auto
FSB Termination Voltage: Auto
DRAM Voltage: 1.90V
NB VOltage: Auto
SB VOltage: Auto
Clock Over-Charging Voltage: Auto
LOad-Line Calibration: Disabled
CPU GTL Voltage Reference: 0.63x
NB GTL Voltage Reference: 0.67X
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

CPU Configuration
CPU Ratio Setting: Auto
C1E Support: Enabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Vanderpool Technology: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
Intel SpeedStep Tech: Disabled

Would replacing my RAM with 1066 RAM help improve my overclock and would other components, such as my not so great graphics card, impede my overclocking ability?

Thanks in advance

 

Firstly, upgrade to RealTemp 3.0 (it has the correct TJMax of 100 for your CPU and some other improvements), it will show more accurate temps.

Only increasing your Vcore and leaving everything else on auto is not the way to go. Your Vcore setting of 1.4375V is too high, you should be able to hit 3.6GHz on about 1.30 - 1.36v. So I'd say something else is causing the instability.

At 3.6GHz, you will need to look at increasing other voltages such as NB, SB, DRAM, etc.

If you think your RAM is holding you back, go back to a stable setting (say 3.2GHz) and change the RAM multiplier so it is running at 900MHz (or there abouts) - also increase the DRAM volts by 0.1v for stability. Then run your stress tests and see if you have any problems. If you do, then you know your RAM is hitting its limit.

 

Thanks for the reply Chopbuster,

I thought RAM may be an issue, so I tested my RAM running at 901MHz in Bios at 1.8V with a couple of cycles through Memtest without error before trying for my 3.6GHz mark.

Previously I was able to run stable with RAM at 1.8V @ 3.4GHz CPU, so I upped the RAM voltage to 1.9 (information printed on the heatspreader).

I haven't been able to find enough information or have been game enough to change other settings, such as CPU PLL Voltage, FSB Termination Voltage, Clock Over-Charging Voltage.

I had read somewhere that for my processor it was safe to alter CPU GTL Voltage Reference and NB GTL Voltage Reference to .65X (or thereabouts)

If my RAM is okay at 901MHz and my PCI-E clock is set to 100, is the only other possibility for a Prime95 failure (not BSOD, just reported hardware error on one of the 4 working threads using the large In-Place FFTs) voltage?

If I were to set my CPU voltage at between 1.3-1.36 what would be a good place to start with the NB and SB voltages and would I also need to adjust the aforementioned CPU PLL Voltage, FSB Termination Voltage, Clock Over-Charging Voltage of which I know nothing about

I will also upgrade my realtemp app as suggested.

Thanks

 

I suggest you go back to stock settings and do A LOT more research before going any further.

Each motherboard is different, so make sure you find out what all the options are in your BIOS and understand what each setting does (and their limits).

Once you have a good understanding of your MB (and overclocking in general), then take all the main voltage settings off auto and set them at their default values. Start increasing your vcore a little at a time and test. As soon as it is not stable, then start tweaking the other voltages, one at a time (also in small increments) ... test after each change ... rinse ... repeat.

 

Since I have been running successfully for a while now on 3.4GHz @ 1.32V I fail to see how going back to stock is helpful.
I have researched as best I know how, to find the information I need, but so far I have been unable to find what these other settings (CPU PLL Voltage, FSB Termination Voltage, Clock Over-Charging Voltage) do, hence my post here, in an "overclockers" forum.
Even if someone can point me in the right direction of a tutorial or guide that has helped them, I'm all ears.
Thanks

 

It's helpful because you said that you reached 3.4GHz on auto voltages and a Vcore of 1.32v. With voltages on auto, they will be higher than necessary. I'd say that you could probably get to 3.4GHz with a Vcore of less than 1.32v too (but every CPU is different so can't say for sure).

Starting at stock (or a small overclock) with voltages set to normal/default and increasing one at a time in small steps then testing will give you your lowest voltages (less heat, longer life) and a stable overclock.

I am not familiar with your motherboard, hence why I suggested you research it more .... or perhaps someone else here can help out?

 

So are you saying the AUTO value increases the other voltages in some incremental way with the FSB or Vcore? I'm wondering this myself since I have the same motherboard (firmware 0902) and I'm overclocking a e8500. I have it at 4.2GHz so far (air, TRUE 120) with everything else on auto, divider set to 9.5. I've never been able to get a clear answer from the gurus on what voltages are safe for Northbridge.

While I'm here, I'm also running DDR2-800 RAM (Kingston HyperX). Is this going to be a big bottleneck? Is it worth going to DDR2-1066?

 

Hi again,

Firstly I must apologise to Chopbuster for saying I needed to go back to stock and learn all there is to know about my mobo. At first I thought you were mocking me, but I realise now you were, in fact, helping me. My sincerest apologies.

Now...

After digesting information on PLL and GTL provided by another forum and finally realising "it's all about the noise", I decided to put my new-found knowledge to the test. Going back to square 1 and working my way up, I managed to achieve a stable clock on 3400 (425x8) but using less Core voltage (CPU-Z 1.304 instead of 1.320) than previously by adjusting most bios settings from auto to their minimum allowable setting. I had to adjust CPU GTL and NB GTL to their highest allowable setting to maintain this speed at the new Vcore. This was prime tested for 16 hours (manually stopped) with no problems. Temps were within spec at 60-63C under load.
I then pushed it to 3504 (438x8). I had to add one extra notch of vcore (CPU-Z1.320) to be prime stable for 13 hours (manually stopped) with no issue.
Going for broke, I pushed it to 3600 (450x8) leaving vcore at ZPU-Z 1.320, after inital successful runs of 1 hour on small FFTs and large FFTs, I ran blend test. It ran for 5 and a half hours before core 4 (#3) had a hardware error. This core is also the highest temperature core. It ran to 65C.
After the error, I had severe problems with computer running very slow and Real temp's XS bench yielded 143. I had discovered that if I quit Real Temp V 3.0 the computer ran fine and up to spec. I have since downloaded V3.13 (beta) and have received a XS Bench of 1133 (3400MHz) and 1170 (3504MHz).
Sorry for the long background lesson, but I just had to share what I've learned.
Question: Is it better to run at 3400MHz with the lower vcore or do you think I can run at 3504MHz on 1.320 for 24/7. Is the maximum VCore setting for Q9450 1.36 and if so, how much of a difference can 0.04V under maximum VCore be with regard to CPU life span and performance degradation?
Below are my new bios settings. I have combined both settings for 3400 and 3504 (in brackets) for comparison.
Thanks for the help guys, you have helped me no end.
Bios Version: 1013

Jumper free Configuration
CPU Ratio Setting: 08.0
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 400
FSB Frequency: 425 (3400MHz Real temp XS Bench 1133) 438 (3500MHz Real temp XS Bench 1170)
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-850MHz (3400MHz) DDR2-876MHz (3500MHz)
DRAM Command Rate: 2N
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
Timing Information: 5-5-5-18-3-42-6-3-3
CAS# Latency: 5 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
RAS# Pre Time: 5 DRAM Clocks
RAS# ACT TIme: 18 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to RAS# Delay: Auto
REF Cycle Time: Auto
WRITE Recovery Time: Auto
WRITE to READ Delay: Auto
READ to PRE Time: Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
Transaction Booster: Auto
CPU VOltage: 1.3250V (3400MHz CPU-Z 1.304 idle, 1.296 load) 1.3375V (3504MHz CPU-Z 1.320 idle, 1.312 load)
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.50 (minimum allowable setting)
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.10V (minimum allowable setting)
DRAM Voltage: 1.90V
NB VOltage: 1.25V (minimum allowable setting)
SB VOltage: 1.05V (minimum allowable setting)
Clock Over-Charging Voltage: Auto
Load-Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU GTL Voltage Reference: 0.63x (required maximum setting)
NB GTL Voltage Reference: 0.67X (required maximum setting)
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

CPU Configuration
CPU Ratio Setting: 08.0
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Vanderpool Technology: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
Intel SpeedStep Tech: N/A

USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
USB 2.0 Controller: Enabled
BIOS EHCI Hand-Off: Enabled
Port 64/60: Disabled
Legacy USB Support: Auto

 

Would you care to share this link?

 

JulesKor ... thanks, I wouldn't mock you ... just trying to help.

Where you have marked voltages with "(minimum allowable setting)", is that the default/normal setting? i.e. when you take it off auto, it should default to a certain value, is this the value you are using? I wouldn't recommend taking them all to the lowest values.

You will need to increase your Northbridge and Southbridge voltages a little from the stock settings, to help you get stable at 3.5 - 3.6GHz.

Here is a good overclocking guide using an Asus board:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-240001_11_0.html

Good luck.

 

Hi Mudhoney,
There are three links which helped me. The first discusses what GTL and PLL are in detail, while the second link has a more layman's approach (for a different mobo, but the principles are the same). I've added the third link as a good way to test your overclock (particulary the 1, 2 and 3 steps for stability testing using Prime95)
http://www.edgeofstability.com/articles/dfi_p35/gtl/gtl1.html
http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=476249
http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=576031

Chopbuster,
If I take my mobo's bios settings off auto (ie: manual under Jumper Free Settings and all options are open to me to change) the default value under the voltage settings is [Auto]. If I enter the pulldown menu options I see a list of Auto, 1.25, 1.4, 1.55, etc. for NB voltage for example. I'm not sure what the default setting is for any of the voltages. This is under Jumper Free Settings. Unless I am looking in the wrong spot?
Or do you mean the values that appear when you select "restore default settings" or something?, I'm not at my computer at the moment, so can't be sure what the exact term is. When I clicked on that to return to stock and begin my overclocking again, I noticed it had values in there. One that shocked me was for CPU PLL Voltage which it set to 1.6 (and in everything I've read on this setting, 1.6 can mean certain death)
If I was stable at 3504MHz using Vcore of 1.3375V (bios) and all related voltage values (ie NB, SB, FSB Termination, NB GTL, CPU GTL, etc) are set to their lowest value, I have no more room to manouevre to reduce temperatures, is that correct? And is it good that these other voltages are set at their lowest value and I can still maintain a stable overclock?