i7 930 overclocking thread

[Soujiro]

User Name: Soujiro
CPU: i7 930
FPO/Batch #: N/A
Store: NCIX.com Richmond
Purchased In: March 13 2010

OC: 4200MHz
Stability: 20 runs LinX stable; Prime95 WIP @ 2 hr
Temp (Idle / Load): 43C / 78C
Hyper Threading / Turbo Boost / Multiplier: Yes / No / 21x
Stepping: 5
Revision: D0
Vcore/Core Voltage: 1.325 (1.344 CPU-Z)
Cooling: Air
Cooler brand/model: Noctua NH-D14 with low-speed adapters
Case: Silverstone Fortress FT02

Motherboard: Gigabyte X58A-UD3R
Bios Version: F5 (March 11 2010)
Operating System: Win7 64

RAM brand & type: G.SKILL 3x2GB DDR3
RAM Part #: F3-12800CL9-6GBNQ
RAM rated speed: 1600 MHz
RAM actual speed: 1600 MHz
RAM Latency: 9-9-9-24 2T
RAM Voltage: 1.5V

This is my first real OC attempt. I was aiming for a silent build, which explains the temps. Without the low-speed adapters the temps drop another 6C to a more comfortable 72-73. Using a 22x multi kills stability over 4ghz.

Sorry for not having a batch number; the cpu is OEM, came in a small cardboard box (no, not fake ), and I found out about this thread after I put everything together.

 

[Thug Esquire]

User Name: Thug Esquire
CPU: i7 930
FPO/Batch #: 3001A135
Store: Fry's (Manhattan Beach, CA)
Purchased: March 2010

OC: 4 GHz
Stability: 20 LinX runs stable
Temp (Idle / Load): 43C / 89C
Hyper Threading / Turbo Boost / Multiplier: Yes / No / 21x
Stepping: 5
Revision: D0
Vcore/Core Voltage: 1.325
Cooling: Air
Cooler brand/model: Corsair H50 w/ Noctua P14 and Noctua P12 in push/pull config, exhausting out case
Case: Cooler Master Cosmos

Motherboard: EVGA X58 SLI LE
Bios Version: 44
Operating System: Win7 64

RAM brand & type: Kingston HyperX
RAM Part #: I'll get this later
RAM rated speed: 1600 MHz
RAM actual speed: 1600 MHz
RAM Latency: 8-8-8-24 1T
RAM Voltage: 1.65V

 

[eddieck]

User Name: eddieck
CPU: i7 930

OC: 3.4 GHz
Stability: 20 passes LinX stable
Temp (Idle / Load): 50C / 85C
Hyper Threading / Turbo Boost / Multiplier: Yes / No / 21x
Stepping: 5
Revision: D0
Vcore/Core Voltage: under 1.24V
Cooling: Air
Cooler brand/model: Intel stock

Motherboard: ASUS P6T SE
Bios Version: 0704
Operating System: Win7 64

RAM brand & type: Crucial 3x2 GiB DDR3
RAM rated speed: 1333 MHz
RAM actual speed: around 1600 MHz
RAM Latency: 8-8-8-18 1T
RAM Voltage: 1.66V

3/19: This is an OC I had on this chip before I reset the BIOS and forgot to write down the settings. Getting my D14 w/ Indigo Xtreme Monday and going for 4 GHz then. I'll update at that point.

 

[damstr]

My loads temps are way off I think for my 930 being watercooled which is around 74C load. This is with only 1.25 vcore.

Any thoughts before I take the waterblock off and see what's going on?

EDIT: Btw I noticed when using the CPUID hardware monitor it has temps for the CPU, then it has temps for each core. The CPU temp is about 12C cooler then the core temp...what is the difference?

 

[Thug Esquire]

My loads temps are way off I think for my 930 being watercooled which is around 74C load. This is with only 1.25 vcore.

Any thoughts before I take the waterblock off and see what's going on?

EDIT: Btw I noticed when using the CPUID hardware monitor it has temps for the CPU, then it has temps for each core. The CPU temp is about 12C cooler then the core temp...what is the difference?

I use a Corsair H50 (so, not really watercooling) and it peaks at 89 under LinX, and that's at 1.325v. It definitely seems hot. I need to find a way to put cold air inside my case. Hmm... like a duct from the fridge.

 

[bdr529]

User Name: bdr529
CPU: i7 930
FPO/Batch #: 3001A127
Store: Amazon
Purchased: March 2010

OC: 4 GHz
Stability: 20 LinX runs stable / prime95 all night
Temp (Idle / Load): 42C / 69C
Hyper Threading / Turbo Boost / Multiplier: Yes / No / 20x
Stepping: 5
Revision: D0
Vcore/Core Voltage: 1.29
Cooling: Air
Cooler brand/model: Pro Mega w/2 120x25mm fans
Case: LianLi B-10

Motherboard: EVGA X58 Classified
Bios Version: 1J
Operating System: Win7 64

RAM brand & type: Corsair Dom
RAM Part #:
RAM rated speed: 1600 MHz
RAM actual speed: 1600 MHz
RAM Latency: 7-7-7-20 1T
RAM Voltage: 1.65V

 

[damstr]

Think my CPU just runs hot. Took the waterblock off and remounted it with a little more thermal compound. Temps still the same. :/

 

[bdr529]

Think my CPU just runs hot. Took the waterblock off and remounted it with a little more thermal compound. Temps still the same. :/

less is better from what I understand

 

[damstr]

less is better from what I understand

Well what I had on there didn't even cover the whole CPU. Pretty much just the middle.

 

[bdr529]

THe cores only take up a section in the middle.

bottom right

 

[BBA]

Update: I got all my parts for my i930 3001A124 and am in the process of setting the system/OS up still (posting from it).

Trying to figure a few driver issues out before overclocking (x1950 OpenGL issues), although I did a canned 166MHz bclk profile (since it was there in bios and it was easy to choose). So far, it hasn't even batted an eye from running 3.65 GHZ. Once I load some tweaking tools and figure out how to set my mem to 1600 I'll do some max clock tests.

 

[sfsilicon]

Good luck! 4+ I hope.

 

[BBA]

I'm getting there...just figured out the OpenGL stuff, now I have to load office, setup the wife's email and activate it, then make a ghost image before I can really play. I don't want to have to re-load this ever again, especially not from bad overclock crashes, just too much of a pain getting the old hardware working right.

 

[sfsilicon]

Finally making progress again. After turning on HT I was getting some really high temps and instability. I had to take my OC down to 3.5GHz to get it stable and I was pushing both voltages (Vcore 1.3, Vdimm 1.6, Vqpi 1.35, Vppl 1.85).

My case is small (LianLi PCA05B) so my ambient temps are high. I ended up re-seating my heatsink and reapplying TIM. I also redid the fans near the CPU to vent air. Both helped with the temps and I've gotten the PC stable to 3801 MHz and lower voltages. I was able to do 20 runs of LinX with a maximum temperature of 76c. Voltages are now Vcore 1.3, Vdimm 1.6, Vqpi 1.3, Vppl 1.8. Next step is to see if I can get to 4+ again. Just 200 MHz to go...

 

[sfsilicon]

My case is small (LianLi PCA05B) so my ambient temps are high. I ended up re-seating my heatsink and reapplying TIM. I also redid the fans near the CPU to vent air. Both helped with the temps and I've gotten the PC stable to 3801 MHz and lower voltages. I was able to do 20 runs of LinX with a maximum temperature of 76c. Voltages are now Vcore 1.3, Vdimm 1.6, Vqpi 1.3, Vppl 1.8. Next step is to see if I can get to 4+ again. Just 200 MHz to go...

I'm running into a problem with 4GHz. My temps are fine <80c (each core is within 1C of each other and it doesn't get hotter with each subsequent LinX run) while running LinX. The PC runs ok under idle and will run a couple of loops of LinX, but instead of stopping with an error it goes straight into a BSOD. At 3.8GHz it is rock solid and I can run 20 loops of LinX w/o any problems. I also started a 8h+ Prime95 run today while I'm at work.

Any idea what I might be doing wrong? I could go higher with the voltages, but that tends to just increase the temps. Not sure if it is worth the extra 200MHz. I'd do it if I could get to 4.2 or higher.

The BSOD at 4GHz is suprising to me especially since at lower clocks it tends to only error out in LinX

I don't think the memory is the problem since I'm using the lowest memory and QPI dividers. I think I'm running just above DDR3-1066 with DDR3-1333 speced OCZ memory at 1.6V.

On the cooling side I have tried using a 100CFM fan (2400rpm) on the Cogage True Spirit and it didn't really help much. I'm having more sucess with using the 100CFM fan to blow cool external air directly to the heatsink intake fan and cooling the IOH (78c down from 85). The rear case fan is now exhausting the warm air from the heatsink.

 

[Thug Esquire]

I'm running into a problem with 4GHz. My temps are fine <80c (each core is within 1C of each other and it doesn't get hotter with each subsequent LinX run) while running LinX. The PC runs ok under idle and will run a couple of loops of LinX, but instead of stopping with an error it goes straight into a BSOD. At 3.8GHz it is rock solid and I can run 20 loops of LinX w/o any problems. I also started a 8h+ Prime95 run today while I'm at work.

Any idea what I might be doing wrong? I could go higher with the voltages, but that tends to just increase the temps. Not sure if it is worth the extra 200MHz. I'd do it if I could get to 4.2 or higher.

The BSOD at 4GHz is suprising to me especially since at lower clocks it tends to only error out in LinX

I don't think the memory is the problem since I'm using the lowest memory and QPI dividers. I think I'm running just above DDR3-1066 with DDR3-1333 speced OCZ memory at 1.6V.

On the cooling side I have tried using a 100CFM fan (2400rpm) on the Cogage True Spirit and it didn't really help much. I'm having more sucess with using the 100CFM fan to blow cool external air directly to the heatsink intake fan and cooling the IOH (78c down from 85). The rear case fan is now exhausting the warm air from the heatsink.

What is the BSOD you get? 101? 124?

 

[Cecil]

A bsod in Linx means it needs more Vcore 9/10 times. If it fails but doesnt bsod, its VTT or Vdimm related.

Make sure you use the 21x CPU multi, and 17x uncore.


If your temps are approaching 80C, then more voltage to get 4Ghz probably isnt a good idea. Up to low 80s is fine for linx, as you wont see much more then 70s doing daily tasks.

 

[sfsilicon]

What is the BSOD you get? 101? 124?

I'll need to get back to you on that. I'll push tonight and see what I get.

A bsod in Linx means it needs more Vcore 9/10 times. If it fails but doesnt bsod, its VTT or Vdimm related. .

Thanks this gives me an idea where to tweak. BTW, thanks for your guide it really was helpful. The i7 is quite different from the Core2Duo/Quad and previous generations where you primarily focused on Vcore and FSB.

Make sure you use the 21x CPU multi, and 17x uncore.

I have my CPU multiplier locked at 21x. My MB doesn't have an option to select 22x for all the cores all the time. I'm running Uncore at x12 which is 2x my dram multiplier (x6). The MaximumPC guide recommended this. I saw the 17x uncore in your guide, is that more stable? With 17x at what Bclk do I start OC'ing the uncore? Do you see any issue with not running uncore 2x dram mult?

If your temps are approaching 80C, then more voltage to get 4Ghz probably isnt a good idea. Up to low 80s is fine for linx, as you wont see much more then 70s doing daily tasks.

I'm getting 76c in Linx so I have a bit more room to increase Vcore. Is Vcore the best way to get more stability? I purposely brought Vqpi and Vpll back to stock since they would generate significantly more heat with only limited stability improvement. From your guide you say I shouldn't go over 1.4V on air.

I'm guessing my 930 shouldn't go much higher on air (maybe 4.2). 4.0 stable at low temps/voltages is my goal.

 

[Cecil]

For air, 4Ghz is about as high as you will get if you have HT on.

No need to mess with PLL. You will reach many other bottlenecks before ever needing to add any. Really doesnt do anything to help til 4.6+.

Try your vcore and vtt at 1.35 (if you already have them this high, try 1.375ish). I dont see what board you have in your sig, so I cant comment on estimated vdroop. From my expierence Everest is closest to being right when it comes to voltage. Within .05 or so of actual voltage measured with a DMM.

Shouldnt really need much more then that. Most can do it with 1.3 or less.

The x17 uncore just offers best performance and in most cases more stability. Usually you should do double the ram, plus one more. So if you are only using an x6 multi on the ram, try x13 for the uncore. Though you really should try to get your ram up there. Most 1333 kits are good to go past 1700Mhz. Just set the timings to 8-8-8-24 and Vdimm to 1.65 and see if you can get the multi up to x8. Then work on lowering the timings.

 

[cory1234]

I've noticed most 930s don't overclock as high as the 920s on the extreme end..

 

[sfsilicon]

I've noticed most 930s don't overclock as high as the 920s on the extreme end..

Define extreme end? Water cooled to 4.8GHz? I've heard a lot of folks say that, but I really wanted to see data on that which is why I started this thread. Mine is giving me trouble, but my case is small and hot.
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1035436183&postcount=34

For air, 4Ghz is about as high as you will get if you have HT on.

I guess for encoding and video having HT on is better. Do you see any benefit of turning HT off to get higher clock speeds? I'm guessing I won't hit 4.6+ on air.

Try your vcore and vtt at 1.35 (if you already have them this high, try 1.375ish). I dont see what board you have in your sig, so I cant comment on estimated vdroop. From my expierence Everest is closest to being right when it comes to voltage. Within .05 or so of actual voltage measured with a DMM.

I'm still running Vcore 1.3V. I check the Bios, CPU-Z and the MSI Overclocking tool. It shifts droops a bit to 1.28/29 underload and as high as 1.304V.

I have the MSI X58 Pro-E motherbaord. I'll try 1.35V to 1.375 if I see a big jump in stability. I'll also get Everest to verify the voltage.

The x17 uncore just offers best performance and in most cases more stability. Usually you should do double the ram, plus one more. So if you are only using an x6 multi on the ram, try x13 for the uncore. Though you really should try to get your ram up there. Most 1333 kits are good to go past 1700Mhz. Just set the timings to 8-8-8-24 and Vdimm to 1.65 and see if you can get the multi up to x8. Then work on lowering the timings.

I was leaving it low till I got my CPU overclock stable, unless it will improve stability to do it now. It was interesting to read the voltage dependancies of the i7 series in your guide now that they have the memory and QPI buses integrated.

Do you see any issues with using 1.65 vs 1.6V for Vdimm? My bios gives the warning that that is the Intel limit is <1.65V. From your guide I know you recommend 1.65V and my memory is speced to run at 1.65V. I miss the Core2Duo days where only FSB and Vcore impacted your temperatures and overclock. On the other hand I didn't have a 4GHz 4 core 8 threaded beast on my hands.

Thanks for all your help. I'll test everything out when I get home.

 

[videodrone83]

its 199$ now at MC

 

[baneonrt]

User Name: baneonrt
CPU: i7 930
FPO/Batch #: 3001A187
Store: Fry's - Sacramento
Purchased In: March 2010

OC: 4200 MHz
Stability: 30 min Prime95, hours of gaming.
Temp (Idle / Load): P95 load peaks around 82C
Hyper Threading / Turbo Boost / Multiplier: Yes / No / 21x
Stepping: 5
Revision: D0
Vcore/Core Voltage: Auto
Cooling: H50 Water
Cooler brand/model: Corsair H50 w/dual CM Excalibur fans

Motherboard: MSI X58 PRO-E
Bios Version:
Operating System: Win7 64

RAM brand & type: Corsiar XMS DDR3)
RAM Part #: CM3X2G1333C9
RAM rated speed: 1333 MHz
RAM actual speed: 1203 MHz
RAM Latency: 9-9-9-24 1T
RAM Voltage: Auto

I didn't spend alot of time on the OC. New to i7 overclocking. Just went into the bios to see if 166 worked, it did so upped it to 200. Got a memory related blue screen so dropped memory to 1200 and seems to be working fine ever since. I'd like to go in and optimize the overclock but haven't had time.

Steve

 

[Cecil]

Define extreme end? Water cooled to 4.8GHz? I've heard a lot of folks say that, but I really wanted to see data on that which is why I started this thread. Mine is giving me trouble, but my case is small and hot.
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1035436183&postcount=34



I guess for encoding and video having HT on is better. Do you see any benefit of turning HT off to get higher clock speeds? I'm guessing I won't hit 4.6+ on air.



I'm still running Vcore 1.3V. I check the Bios, CPU-Z and the MSI Overclocking tool. It shifts droops a bit to 1.28/29 underload and as high as 1.304V.

I have the MSI X58 Pro-E motherbaord. I'll try 1.35V to 1.375 if I see a big jump in stability. I'll also get Everest to verify the voltage.



I was leaving it low till I got my CPU overclock stable, unless it will improve stability to do it now. It was interesting to read the voltage dependancies of the i7 series in your guide now that they have the memory and QPI buses integrated.

Do you see any issues with using 1.65 vs 1.6V for Vdimm? My bios gives the warning that that is the Intel limit is <1.65V. From your guide I know you recommend 1.65V and my memory is speced to run at 1.65V. I miss the Core2Duo days where only FSB and Vcore impacted your temperatures and overclock. On the other hand I didn't have a 4GHz 4 core 8 threaded beast on my hands.

Thanks for all your help. I'll test everything out when I get home.

The warning is only there because the vdimm cant go more then .5V higher then the vtt without causing damage. So if you vtt is 1.3, then vdimm is safe up to 1.8 (1.725v is the most Ive ever used, 1.7 being the most Ive needed).

HT is about 20-30% faster then no HT in multi-threaded apps. So where you can get 4HT on, you could get about 4.2 or so with it off, and be about the same speed. I however figure a 4Ghz i7 is overkill for pretty much everything, so I might as well keep HT on.

Though, I run 4.4HT 24/7.

 

[sfsilicon]

The warning is only there because the vdimm cant go more then .5V higher then the vtt without causing damage. So if you vtt is 1.3, then vdimm is safe up to 1.8 (1.725v is the most Ive ever used, 1.7 being the most Ive needed).

HT is about 20-30% faster then no HT in multi-threaded apps. So where you can get 4HT on, you could get about 4.2 or so with it off, and be about the same speed. I however figure a 4Ghz i7 is overkill for pretty much everything, so I might as well keep HT on.

Though, I run 4.4HT 24/7.

Bumped up my Vcore to 1.344V but it droops up to 1.312V under load. Temps are at the border with 1 core at 83c and the others 82,82,81 max while running LinX. I'm now at 3948 MHz passing 20 runs of Linx. 3 more MHz to 4GHz. Will run some Prime over night before pushing on. I'd prefer lower temps at this point, but I think I will need to work on my 44c system temp first.

Thanks for all the info Cecil and all you guys on the thread.

Updated: Passed 20 LinX on 191 Blck. 4011MHz!!! I even hit 4.2GHz but it would lock up once I started Linx (getting too greedy).

I'm playing with the RAM and Uncor ratio now. I uped the dram ratio to 4 for a dram frequency of 1440. How do I set 8? The system calculates 2880 MHz for the DRAM frequency? Similar question on the uncore frequency. How do I do 17x? That would be 6.1 GHz. What is the max safe uncore frequency?

 

[Cecil]

Bumped up my Vcore to 1.344V but it droops up to 1.312V under load. Temps are at the border with 1 core at 83c and the others 82,82,81 max while running LinX. I'm now at 3948 MHz passing 20 runs of Linx. 3 more MHz to 4GHz. Will run some Prime over night before pushing on. I'd prefer lower temps at this point, but I think I will need to work on my 44c system temp first.

Thanks for all the info Cecil and all you guys on the thread.

Updated: Passed 20 LinX on 191 Blck. 4011MHz!!! I even hit 4.2GHz but it would lock up once I started Linx (getting too greedy).

I'm playing with the RAM and Uncor ratio now. I uped the dram ratio to 4 for a dram frequency of 1440. How do I set 8? The system calculates 2880 MHz for the DRAM frequency? Similar question on the uncore frequency. How do I do 17x? That would be 6.1 GHz. What is the max safe uncore frequency?

Sounds like your board just doubles it, so the multis are different for it compaired to others. So 4x is 8x for others, and so on.

 

[sfsilicon]

Sounds like your board just doubles it, so the multis are different for it compaired to others. So 4x is 8x for others, and so on.

Ya, that's what I figured. I guess the +1 rule will be hard to do because of the doubling. I'm a couple of bios revisions behind so I'll try upgrading and see if they changed this.

 

[BBA]

Here is what I got: i7-930 3001A124, XFX x58i board, CorSair DDR3PC1600C7 (7-8-7-20-1T)


Ok, so I only have a vague idea of how to OC this thing, first is I set the bios to the canned profile called "i7-920 -> i7-965" Turbo boost on, all intel optimizations on, etc...highest temp is 68ºC with P95 torture test running for a few hours.

Then I set bclk to 175 MHz, loaded OS, P95 did some funky stuff. I rebooted, set QPI down a notch to 12 and 6, set core voltage to 1.25, rebooted, all is fine. Max temp with P95 torture test after about two hours is 70º.

Looking at CPUID Hardware Monitor, looks like the readings here don't make sense.
Under Winbond W83627DHG it says:
vcore = .99v
AVCC = 2.99v
vin1=.86v
vin3=1.07v

Under Winbond W83637HF it says:
CPU vcore=1.50v


Any of this make sense? I guess I am getting nervous about what needs to have what voltage in bios, why turbo mode should be on or off, what QPI, Uncore and mem ratios should be set to, etc... to get the highest stable OC.

I'll try pushing up to 190 bclk but who can give me some advice first?

 

[sfsilicon]

Here is what I got: i7-930 3001A124, XFX x58i board, CorSair DDR3PC1600C7 (7-8-7-20-1T)


Ok, so I only have a vague idea of how to OC this thing, first is I set the bios to the canned profile called "i7-920 -> i7-965" Turbo boost on, all intel optimizations on, etc...highest temp is 68ºC with P95 torture test running for a few hours.

Then I set bclk to 175 MHz, loaded OS, P95 did some funky stuff. I rebooted, set QPI down a notch to 12 and 6, set core voltage to 1.25, rebooted, all is fine. Max temp with P95 torture test after about two hours is 70º.

Looking at CPUID Hardware Monitor, looks like the readings here don't make sense.
Under Winbond W83627DHG it says:
vcore = .99v
AVCC = 2.99v
vin1=.86v
vin3=1.07v

Under Winbond W83637HF it says:
CPU vcore=1.50v


Any of this make sense? I guess I am getting nervous about what needs to have what voltage in bios, why turbo mode should be on or off, what QPI, Uncore and mem ratios should be set to, etc... to get the highest stable OC.

I'll try pushing up to 190 bclk but who can give me some advice first?

Cecil's guide (link in the 2nd post of this guide) helped me. He recommends Everest as the most accurate read out of Vcore.

The key voltages if your going for a 4GHz OC are Vcore, Vqpi, Vdimm. He gives ranges, but what to watch here is to set these manually so that your motherboard doesn't modify them on the fly. I started with Vcore 1.3, Vqpi 1.3 and Vdimm 1.6 to be safe. Run LinX 20x to get your max temps (use realtemp which shows max temps per run). Stay below 83 for all cores in Linx. If your stable and cool bump bclk up. Once you reach 4GHz follow his steps to see if you can get your temps even further down by winding down your voltages.

Keep hyper threading on, turn off turbo boost unless you want to run at lower speeds.

 

[ManicOne]

Vcore @ 1.22V here, 4.01GHz. More stable then a stable table. Will check my uncore etc and get back. There are definitely ways to sweetspot this cpu.

 

[BBA]

Cecil's guide (link in the 2nd post of this guide) helped me. He recommends Everest as the most accurate read out of Vcore.

The key voltages if your going for a 4GHz OC are Vcore, Vqpi, Vdimm. He gives ranges, but what to watch here is to set these manually so that your motherboard doesn't modify them on the fly. I started with Vcore 1.3, Vqpi 1.3 and Vdimm 1.6 to be safe. Run LinX 20x to get your max temps (use realtemp which shows max temps per run). Stay below 83 for all cores in Linx. If your stable and cool bump bclk up. Once you reach 4GHz follow his steps to see if you can get your temps even further down by winding down your voltages.

Keep hyper threading on, turn off turbo boost unless you want to run at lower speeds.

Thanks, I'll get everest. So, running at 3.8 with turbo boost on, hitting 4.x under load would be like running 4.0 with it off? Looks like I'll definitely be in the 4.x range after getting it all figured out.


BTW: How are folks showing their CPUID screenshots here?

 

[ManicOne]

First things first kill Turbo boost, and all power saving measures. Run on an uneven multi at all times. 21 is your friend. Kill VDroop with LLC if you can. Oh fukk it this guide is da bomb (for 920s, but perfect for 930s, no EIST problems for anyone with a 930):

http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/538439-guide-overclocking-core-i7-920-4-a.html

 

[sfsilicon]

Hey BBA and ManicOne please post you full OC info as per post 1 when you get a chance, so that we have a comparable format. TY!

I was talking about HT. TB gives you an extra x1 clock when your not using all cores equally (e.g non multi core apps). Turn it makes the OC more predictable. Uncontrolled multiplier changes can impact stability.

On HT it is a question if your app can use the 8 virtual cores or not. It creates 10c more heat, so some people turn it off to reduce temps. Cecil said that 4.0 w/ HT is comparable to 4.2 w/o HT.

 

[Schwartz]

User Name: Schwartz
CPU: i7 930
FPO/Batch #: 3952A521
Store: Amazon
Purchased In: March 2010

OC: 4200 Mhz
Stability: 9 Hours of Prime - I stopped it manually. Hours of Gaming.
Temp (Idle / Load): Warmest core: 40 / 83
Hyper Threading / Turbo Boost / Multiplier: Yes / No / 21x
Stepping: 5
Revision: D0
Vcore/Core Voltage: 1.3625
Cooling: Air
Cooler brand/model: Thermalright Venomous X + 2x Noctua NF-P12

Motherboard: Asus P6X58D Premium
Bios Version: 0703
Operating System: Win7 64

RAM brand & type: G.Skill DDR3 6x 2GB
RAM Part #: F3-12800CL8TU-6GBPI
RAM rated speed: 1600 MHz
RAM actual speed: 1600 MHz
RAM Latency: 8-8-8-21 2T
RAM Voltage: 1.6V

 

[BBA]

I will post up that format when I figure out more what all the voltage settings are. The guides here do not match what my sys board has and everest gives a 'unrecognized motherboard' popup...damn XFX doing their own thing.

Oh, I did run it a few hours at 4 GHz with TB enabled and it spiked quite a bit higher but I had to knock down the uncore/mem to 12/6 to do it. I'm just weary of the voltages being reported...something tells me it's not reading right when even with stock settings and no OC it's reporting up to 1.5 volts on cpu core. (not possible).

Anyway, I guess I'm chickening out on pressing the issue for a few days until I think about the voltages (whats dimm ref, dimm bias, dram ref, IOH this IOH that, ICH this, ICH that...etc...)
In short, if you have an XFX x58i and have done some overclocking enough to know everything about it, please PM me.

 

[sfsilicon]

I will post up that format when I figure out more what all the voltage settings are. The guides here do not match what my sys board has and everest gives a 'unrecognized motherboard' popup...damn XFX doing their own thing.

Oh, I did run it a few hours at 4 GHz with TB enabled and it spiked quite a bit higher but I had to knock down the uncore/mem to 12/6 to do it. I'm just weary of the voltages being reported...something tells me it's not reading right when even with stock settings and no OC it's reporting up to 1.5 volts on cpu core. (not possible).

Anyway, I guess I'm chickening out on pressing the issue for a few days until I think about the voltages (whats dimm ref, dimm bias, dram ref, IOH this IOH that, ICH this, ICH that...etc...)
In short, if you have an XFX x58i and have done some overclocking enough to know everything about it, please PM me.

Are you using auto or setting the main voltages manually? In auto the will set the voltages to try to reach stable states. Only way to really check what the voltage is to set it manually and check the set voltages after reboot.

Read Cecils guide (see second post) no need to adjust the other voltages. No need to set Vpll until you hit 4.6GHz.

 

[BBA]

User Name: BBA
CPU: i7 930
FPO/Batch #: 3001A124
Case: Chenbro xpider (old)
PSU: Corsair TX650W
Store: Microcenter (CPU), NewEgg (RAM), Tiger Direct (H50) and CompUSA (PSU)
Purchased In: March 2010 (Except for case which was from Kyle at Q-Conn'04)

OC: 4200 Mhz
Stability: 2 Hours of Prime, stopped because I got tired of the fan noise.
Temp (Idle / Load): Warmest core: 39º / 78º
Hyper Threading / Turbo Boost / Multiplier: Yes / Yes / 22x (Turbo boost)
Stepping: 5
Revision: D0
Vcore/Core Voltage: 1.35 (manual)
Cooling: Corsair H50

Motherboard: XFX X58i
Operating System: Win7 Ultimate x64

RAM brand & type: Corsair CMX6GX3M3C1600C7
RAM rated speed: 1600 MHz
RAM actual speed: 1568 MHz
RAM Latency: 7-8-7-20 1T
RAM Voltage: 1.6V (manual)

I probably could have gone higher without turbo boost that occasionally put the first core up to 4370 and such, but I don't plan on running with so much noise for so little gain.
I put it back down to 160 MHz FSB and quiet fan settings and that's where I'll stay unless I get the occasional need for speed.
Right now max OC does me no good, since I still need to upgrade video cards (X1950XTX Crossfire for now).
I did notice the last 2 cores running about 4º colder than the first two, but maybe turbo boost was causing that.

 

[sfsilicon]

I did notice the last 2 cores running about 4º colder than the first two, but maybe turbo boost was causing that.

In my case it was uneven mounting of the heatsink. After reseating I was getting 1 core 1c higher than the rest.

 

[BBA]

In my case it was uneven mounting of the heatsink. After reseating I was getting 1 core 1c higher than the rest.

So, I should get another bit of AS5 and try again.

 

[sfsilicon]

So, I should get another bit of AS5 and try again.

It's worth a shot, though if the H50 surface is not flat then only lapping will help.

The new version of the Cogage True Spirit 1366 has a really nice bolt retention. It goes tight enough so that you can't move the heatsink after tightening down. I used a bit less TIM the second time around and did 2 opposing sides first (instead of trying to tighten all four). I also made sure that I did 5 rotations on each side alternately while keeping the heatsink flat so the retention kit would evenly go down. Then I repeated the same procedure on the other 2 opposing bolts.