ASUS P5N-E SLi E6600 Overclock Problems

[retardude48]

I have an Asus P5N-E Sli with 650i chipset. Please look at my specs below for my system details.

Recently, I tried to overclock my cpu a bit higher than my current overclock setup (3.0GHz at 333.3 bus speed with x9 multiplier running unlinked) since I've heard good things about overclocking this processor to the high 3 GHz with aftermarket HSF. I went to 345 which is 3.1 GHz, and when running prime 95, I received an error in the first core. I can properly boot up and load the OS and everything up to 375 bus speed. But it is when I stress test with prime 95, I always develop an error on the first core.

Right now, OC'ed to 3.0 GHz, I am running stable with no errors. I have done everything in my power to get this processor to overclock higher and running stable. It seems like I have hit the wall but other people with the same processor and board have been getting 3.8 GHz with aftermarket HSF. I would like to clock higher with my system. Any help would be appreciated.

Also, I have been following this thread closely to overclocking my system. Look at first post on page. http://forums.anandtech.com/message...yword=&STARTPAGE=92&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

 

[Volcanon]

Well you've left out two very important pieces of info.

VCore and temps.

We'll need them to move forward.

As stability drops, increase vcore to compensate while not breaching ~60-65C on full load and 10 hrs stable prime 95 is my general recommendation.

Edit: Obviously all processors have a safe limit for voltage too, make sure to not pass it It's probably around 1.4-1.45V for your processor, but don't quote me on that.

 

[retardude48]

Well you've left out two very important pieces of info.

VCore and temps.

We'll need them to move forward.

As stability drops, increase vcore to compensate while not breaching ~60-65C on full load and 10 hrs stable prime 95 is my general recommendation.

Edit: Obviously all processors have a safe limit for voltage too, make sure to not pass it It's probably around 1.4-1.45V for your processor, but don't quote me on that.

Well, my vcore and temperature is within range. Right now OC'ed to 3.0 GHz, my vcore is 1.325 V under load and 1.163 V idle (running speedstep at the moment) confirmed with cpu-z and everest ultimate editon. Temperature is hovering around 56C. According to intel, max voltage on my processor is 1.5V.

 

[retardude48]

Here are some screenshots to better help you guys try and figure whats wrong with my system hitting the wall with overclocking.

Idle:

Load:

 

[CamaroZ28]

Well I'm pretty sure we can rule out heat as your issue, seems like you have a lot more room for overclocking in terms of heat.

 

[H911]

I have the same mb and cpu like urs. I usually clock it at 3.0 @ 1.30 stock vcore.
Looks like you just have to pump up the vcore, give it a little bit more juice to oc it higher.
On P5N-E SLI mb, the northbridge is kinda warm usually coz of the fanless design.
Try to put it a fan on it and pump up the voltage on northbridge as well. That would also help.

 

[retardude48]

I have the same mb and cpu like urs. I usually clock it at 3.0 @ 1.30 stock vcore.
Looks like you just have to pump up the vcore, give it a little bit more juice to oc it higher.
On P5N-E SLI mb, the northbridge is kinda warm usually coz of the fanless design.
Try to put it a fan on it and pump up the voltage on northbridge as well. That would also help.

I recently did a overhaul on my system. Cleaned everything out, applied Arctic Silver 5 to the northbridge, added a Antec Tricool 120mm case fan to the side and toke out some filters that blocked air flow. I tried uping my voltage on the cpu and northbridge, CamaroZ28 can attest to that, with a faster fsb (~1400) and I could load vista and everything. It was when it came down to prime 95'ing, it always gave out errors in the first core.

Another possibility could be my ram. Newegg says 2.2V for me but knowing that, I went to the manufacturer's site and they claim 2.0V. I've read some posts on Newegg saying that they upped the voltage and crucial didnt change the numbers on their site. And I even think, when I got the box it came in, it said 2.2V. I did a google search and came back with a lot of people putting it at 2.2V. Is it just me, or is crucial's website not been updated for this error? See memory specs below.

Also, taking heat into consideration, I dont think my system is running hot. The 120mm addition to my system is blowing right next to the northbridge. Is there any programs that measure the heat dissipation of the northbridge? Looked everywhere for it and it doesnt show up on my Nvidia system monitor either.

 

[Volcanon]

Make sure your memory and CPU FSB are unlinked, but you seem seasoned a bit so you have probably already figured that out.

Anyway, just run memtest on your ram, if it fails, you have bad memory, if it passes, your memory is fine.

As far as memory voltage, well, if you're running it at spec, voltage of 2.0 or 2.2 probably doesn't matter.

As far as upping your CPU OC, you likely need to increase the voltage to get more out of it if you're running into stability issues. What aftermark HSF are you using?

 

[retardude48]

Make sure your memory and CPU FSB are unlinked, but you seem seasoned a bit so you have probably already figured that out.

Anyway, just run memtest on your ram, if it fails, you have bad memory, if it passes, your memory is fine.

As far as memory voltage, well, if you're running it at spec, voltage of 2.0 or 2.2 probably doesn't matter.

As far as upping your CPU OC, you likely need to increase the voltage to get more out of it if you're running into stability issues. What aftermark HSF are you using?

Well, dont have an aftermarket HSF yet b/c im not experiencing any heating issues but I am considering alot of options. Most likely gettin the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.

 

[Volcanon]

You seem to be hitting your heating issues now. 56C on full load is about 5-10C away from safe, so you're coming up on it fast. I'd be willing to bet that after upping your voltage to keep stable above 3 GHz, you'll probably hit the heat cap around 3.2-3.3GHz

 

[retardude48]

You seem to be hitting your heating issues now. 56C on full load is about 5-10C away from safe, so you're coming up on it fast. I'd be willing to bet that after upping your voltage to keep stable above 3 GHz, you'll probably hit the heat cap around 3.2-3.3GHz

Yea, your def. right on that bit. I will consider getting an aftermarket HSF.

 

[retardude48]

If I get errors during Prime95 by setting the voltage manually instead of auto with the same bus speed and settings and I get an error, do I keep uping my voltage till there is none? During auto voltage, I am stable 3.0 GHz with full load. Scroll up for pics.

On P5N-E SLI mb, the northbridge is kinda warm usually coz of the fanless design.
Try to put it a fan on it and pump up the voltage on northbridge as well. That would also help.

Also H911, what is your voltage for you NB set at when OCed?

 

[retardude48]

*BUMP*

 

[nefariouscaine]

ah ha - you got a similar setup to something i used for at least a year - first off after playing with 2 of these boards i found out that NB voltage was best left on auto - even clocking the boards above 400mhz FSB this held true

second note - you *must* remove the stock TIM on the NB - replace it with some Ceramique as your best bet - the stock stuff on there is hard as hell so have patience when removing it - make sure you put a fan on that NB heatsink too - it gets hot even when running stock but those Nvidia i6xx chips are ok to run at 50c+

if you are planing on overclocking seriously don't bother with that Freezer 7 Pro - don't get me wrong its not bad for a budget HSF and should be better at cooling at say a 3ghz OC but if you want much higher you need something better - plenty of options out there - I like the Ninja - TRUE - Ultima 90 etc - many others far better than the Freezer for OC purposes

it also looks like you're getting some pretty serious vDroop - if you're an overclocker and serious about it there is a very easy pencil mod that can be done to your board that will stabilize it but will raise the voltage around .03v from what you set it too (meaning a 1.20v setting will be 1.23v - thats approx and varied - only real thing needed for that is a stable hand and a number 2b pencil (plus you gotta remove the board...)

1.3v (real voltage) should be enough but you're getting a hefty droop under load as this board is known for - auto on this board is also known for overvolting alot

note on the Ballistix voltage - its not a sure number - they are rated at up to 2.2v - I've run mine at far less and/or more - the current rev is spec'd to 2.0v and likely you have 2.2v stuff as the 2.0v is very very new - you might want to think about mounting a fan over the sticks too - i always have for a few years now - 2.2v is pretty darn high and can get really toasty

this damned message of mine is long enough - key is cooling and voltage (stable and the right amount of it)

 

[retardude48]

ah ha - you got a similar setup to something i used for at least a year - first off after playing with 2 of these boards i found out that NB voltage was best left on auto - even clocking the boards above 400mhz FSB this held true

second note - you *must* remove the stock TIM on the NB - replace it with some Ceramique as your best bet - the stock stuff on there is hard as hell so have patience when removing it - make sure you put a fan on that NB heatsink too - it gets hot even when running stock but those Nvidia i6xx chips are ok to run at 50c+

if you are planing on overclocking seriously don't bother with that Freezer 7 Pro - don't get me wrong its not bad for a budget HSF and should be better at cooling at say a 3ghz OC but if you want much higher you need something better - plenty of options out there - I like the Ninja - TRUE - Ultima 90 etc - many others far better than the Freezer for OC purposes

it also looks like you're getting some pretty serious vDroop - if you're an overclocker and serious about it there is a very easy pencil mod that can be done to your board that will stabilize it but will raise the voltage around .03v from what you set it too (meaning a 1.20v setting will be 1.23v - thats approx and varied - only real thing needed for that is a stable hand and a number 2b pencil (plus you gotta remove the board...)

1.3v (real voltage) should be enough but you're getting a hefty droop under load as this board is known for - auto on this board is also known for overvolting alot

note on the Ballistix voltage - its not a sure number - they are rated at up to 2.2v - I've run mine at far less and/or more - the current rev is spec'd to 2.0v and likely you have 2.2v stuff as the 2.0v is very very new - you might want to think about mounting a fan over the sticks too - i always have for a few years now - 2.2v is pretty darn high and can get really toasty

this damned message of mine is long enough - key is cooling and voltage (stable and the right amount of it)

Thanks for responding. I did replace the original TIM on the northbridge with AS5. It was a pain in the arse to remove it. I ended up scratching my heatsink a bit but no worries.

I think I am having problems with voltage. Using CPUZ and Everest Ultimate Edition, both report voltage of 1.325V at the max when I am in fact voltaged to around 1.45V when I set it up in the bios. I dont know whats wrong with this. I started up another thread bout the best bios for overclocking this board would be. I havent had any response yet. Right now I am in version 1101. After I get done with finals, I will definitely be putting more time into overclocking this processor higher to the high 3's.

Also for HSF, I am looking very hard into getting the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 since it is on the egg for $27 w/ free shipping, after rebate though.

 

[retardude48]

Time to check back on this post. Since then, I have bought an aftermarket HSF and it kicks arse. It is the OCZ Vendetta 2. But I am still having the same problems. I can load Vista at 375x9 and changed around the northbridge voltages slightly to 1.53. Now for cooling, all this stuff, just to make sure its not a cooling problem, I toke off my side panel and stuck a giant fan there to cool everything (ram, northbridge heatsink...etc). Also I have OCed my ram to 450mhz x2. Its at the same cas latencies as before. So, with all these settings, I am able to load vista but during prime95, I develop an error right off the bat on the first core. How can go about not developing this error?

Also to note, there is something weird my bios. I set the cpu voltage to 1.425V and reboot and go into the bios again. I then check under the hardware monitor and it shows that cpu voltage is ~1.52. I dont know if my processor is getting fried or not. But when I go into vista, everest and cpuz both show 1.325V no matter what voltage I set in my bios during load. I think my board is seriously messed up here. Any ideas/suggestions?