Newbie-overclocker

T

toma24135

n00b
Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
14
Hi, I just got a new computer and by following a guide found on the tomshardware forums I have overclocked it. I'm having a little difficulty overclocking it as much as I wanted to however and I wanted to double check with you guys to see if I have done everything correctly. So I guess I will start of telling you what I have so far.
System:
Processor: intel q6600
ram: Patriot Viper 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
mobo: Gigabyte GA-X38T-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X38 Intel Motherboard
video: 2x SAPPHIRE 100216L Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0
PS: ABS Tagan ITZ Series ITZ700 ATX12V / EPS12V 700W

My original goal was to overclock the processor to 3ghz (333mhz FSB X 9) however whenever I bring the fsb (which can go up to 700) above 326 the motherboard will reset the speed to auto. I'm not quite sure why I can't make it that last little bit faster. So I set it to 325. So far things have been going pretty well however the computer will crash somewhat randomly. (It's weird, it will crash with regular supreme commander, but not the expansion, and some other times it will crash just randomly, I have ruled out crossfire and have reinstalled the games and my video drivers and overheating, assuming that speed fan isn't fantastically inaccurate, and have run memory tests). I thought that my vcore voltage may be to low so I have increased it up to (just now) 1.3v in the motherboard, however CPU-Z reports a lower voltage.

Sorry about the wall of text, I guess my main questions are, have I done everything correctly? Does anyone know why I can't get my fsb up to 333 mhz? Does anyone have any ideas about the odd crashing?

Here is my cpu-z output:
CPU-Z 1.42 report file
Processor(s)
Number of processors 1
Number of cores 4 per processor
Number of threads 4 (max 4) per processor
Name Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Code Name Kentsfield
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Package Socket 775 LGA
Family/Model/Stepping 6.F.B
Extended Family/Model 6.F
Core Stepping G0
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 2925.3 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 9.0 x 325.0 MHz
Rated Bus speed 1300.1 MHz
Stock frequency 2400 MHz
Instruction sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T
L1 Data cache (per processor) 4 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache (per processor) 4 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache (per processor) 2 x 4096 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size

Chipset & Memory
Northbridge Intel X38 rev. 01
Southbridge Intel 82801IR (ICH9R) rev. 02
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR3
Memory Size 2048 MBytes
Memory Frequency 650.1 MHz (1:2)
CAS# Latency (tCL) 9.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRCD) 9 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 9 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 23 clocks
Command Rate (CR) 2T

System
System Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Name X38T-DQ6
System S/N
Mainboard Vendor Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Mainboard Model X38T-DQ6
BIOS Vendor Award Software International, Inc.
BIOS Version F2
BIOS Date 09/19/2007
Memory SPD
Module 1 DDR3, PC3-10700H (667 MHz), 1024 MBytes, PDP Systems
Module 2 DDR3, PC3-10700H (667 MHz), 1024 MBytes, PDP Systems

Software
Windows Version Microsoft Windows Vista (6.0) Home Premium Edition (Build 6000)
DirectX Version 10.0
 
under stress tests the highest reading that speed fan got was 44c (temp2) and the core temps that it found were around 30-32c. Toms hardware guide said that speed fan may be 15c below the actual temperature, but it still seems to be in a safe range. My personal guess was that the memory was over clocked too much, but I'm not sure. I have since brought it down to 9x300 however I haven't tested it enough to see if that fixed the problem. As a side note I just noticed that the +12v is (according to speed fan again) at 10.65-11.01v. Could this be the problem? Also do any of you know why I was unable to even set the motherboard to 9x333?
 
test your 12v rail with a dmm. If that is the actual 12v rail voltage, you need a new PSU.
 
First, you need someone with an X38T to help you, as the board has some quirks.


1) Your RAM voltage must be set to the required votage for the memory you bought (1.8V according to the manufacturer), the board defaults to 1.5V and reboots with stock timing if the RAM voltage isn't enough for the memory to work at a faster speed.

2) I recommend a BIOS (F4a) flash. Otherwise you cannot use XMP timings.

3) SpeedFan 4.33 sucks. It reports my +12 as +8.38V (Everest reports it as +12.39V). Temp1 is the motherboard sensor. Temp2 is some random sensor that does not give accurate CPU temps. Core0-3 need +15 C offset (see graysky's guide stickied at the top of the forum). 4.34 doesn't need the offset supposedly, but it is beta.

4) How much Vcore are you giving it? What are your various BIOS settings? I'll consider taking some screen shots if you need them.
 
EDIT: I have solved the issue below, you can safely skip down to post number 12. The only thing I learned in between is that I have trouble with the beta-bioses.


OMG HELP ME PLEASE

I decided to try to update the bios using the utility that came with the motherboard. It was a nice windows util which went and downloaded the (supposedly) correct bios and everything. Now my computer won't start up, I don't even see anything on the screen. When I hit the power it will reset after a few seconds. I tried bridging the "clear cmos: jumpers for a few minutes and still nothing. I even tried removing the crossfire cables.

The motherboard is supposed to have a dual bios setup, so either the 2nd bios chip is broken, or the bios that the updater installed gets past the part where it checks to see if it should run the backup bios. Does anyone know a way to force the computer to use the backup bios??
 
Remove all but one stick of memory. Turn on computer. Wait for it to POST. Go into BIOS and set the memory voltages and other voltages/speeds to the right settings (auto should work, including "XMP profile 1" for the SPD).

Should start working again.
 
SUCCESS. I got the splash screen back. it's still acting a bit strange, but if it hasn't removed the bad bios that may be why, i'll update when I make progress.

and thanks, you guys have already been a ton of help and saved me many hours worth of work, i never would have thought of that
 
I seem to be having trouble getting past the spash screen. I get a message "cmos checksum error - Defaults loaded", which I guess makes sense since I cleared the cmos. I then get a box that states "post error occurs !" and it seems to want me to select something. It has a list of profiles to load, of which there is only 1, default. I would try to select it however it sems to freeze before I can (there is a timer that counts down, "system continue in X sec..." which never makes it all the way to 0). I'll keep trying to get past it, however sadly I don't have a ps2 keyboard with me so I can't be sure if that is part of the problem.
 
ok, here is my current status. I have tried different keyboards, doesn't seem to make a difference.

A few times I was able to get it to almost complete it's post, but it seems to be getting stuck at random points, sometimes I can get the splash screen to go away, other times I cannot, Thus far I have been unable to get into the cmos menu. Any thoughts?

edit:
i have restarted it many times and it seems to lag up at various places. sometimes the splash screen, sometimes at a point where it says "verifying dmi pool data" and sometimes right before that (the last thing written on the screen is "acpi controler 9" (device class, irq). So far I have not been able to enter the bios settiings or enter the quck flash thing however I do believe that it can recieve my keyboard inputs.

edit2:
I have been able to get into the quick flash thing (though it doesn't see my flash drive). and I have been able to get into the bios settings. the problem is that it still seems to freeze somewhat randomly. Still most of the time it either freezes at the splash screen, or it brings me to either a black screen or a blinking cursor after I made the selection.
 
To me it makes no sense that memory might be the cause of these problems, though from past experience I have learned to ignore logic when it comes to memory. I tried the other memory stick and it seems to be much more stable, I was even able to flash the bios again with the most recent version. I actually have gotten back into windows, (sorta, got to boot menu, selected start windows normally, then blank screen). I did some memory tests, but perhaps I should do them again. I'll post again when i have more news.

edit:
I noticed that the heatsink on the bad piece of ram was becoming unstuck, perhaps this was an issue.

BIG EDIT:
I am up and running again (on both dimms of ram, i'll do a memory check soon). For some reason vista 64-bit doesn't like bios version f4a or f5j, so I went back to f2, the only non-beta one and what I thought was likely the original bios on the motherboard.
 
thanks again to rainman for that fix.

I'll post what appears to be the siginificant bios options for overclocking, % will denote a number that one can input, to the right I will define the range. %=[min, max] or %={value1, value2, ...}, note that AUTO options are omitted.

CPU Clock Ration [%x] | [6,9] I put in 9
CPU Host Frequency(Mhz) [%] | [100,700] I put in 300, I want 333
PCI Express Frequency(Mhz) [%] | [90,150] I put in 100
Performance Enhance [%] | {Standard, Turbo, Extreme} I'm not sure what this is, but the util says that standard is best for overclocking.

System Memory Multiplier (SPD) [%] | {1.50A, 3.00A, 4.00A, 2.00D, 2.66D, 3.33D, 4.00D, 2.00B, 2.40B, 3.20B, 4.00B, 3.33C, 4.00C} I put in Auto which seems to give a 1:2 fsb:ran freq ratio. I honestly don't know what I should do here, I did a few tests and the numbers seem to be 2x the ratio. Under Item help the util states the following:
(G)MCH strapping
x.xxA -> 266MHz
x.xxB -> 333MHz
x.xxC -> 200MHz
x.xxD -> 400MHz
I tried to determine what this means however I have been unable to.

DRAM Timing Stuff: I left this all on auto.

*** Clock Driving & Skew Control ***
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [%mV] | {700mV,800mV,900mV,1000mV} I have 800mV
CPU Clock Skew Control [%] | [100ps,1500ps] I have Normal
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control [%] | [100ps,1500ps] I have Normal

System Voltage Control [%] | {Auto, Manual} I have Manual
DDR3 OverVoltage Control [%] | [+.05V, +1.55V] I have Normal
PCI-E OverVoltage Control [%] | [+.05V,+.35V] I have Normal
FSB OverVoltage Control [%] | [+.05V,+.35V] I have Normal
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [%] | [+.025V,+.175V] I have Normal
MCH Reference Voltage Control [%] | {+10%, -10%] I have Normal
DDR Reference Voltage Control [%] | {+10%, -10%} I have Normal
DDR Termination Voltage Control [%] | {+50mV, -50mV} I have Normal
CPU Voltage Control [%] | [very low, very high] I have 1.28750V

So you were saying that I should increase the ddr voltage, if so by how much? Any input on these values would be greatly appreciated.

As a side note, the reason I have been using SpeedFan 4.33 is because other programs that you guys mentioned don't have verified vista 64bit drivers and 64 bit vista will not let me use them (I was able to install unverified stuff with 32 bit vista, but not 64 bit, I believe that it's a policy change).
 
DDR3 OverVoltage Control [%] | [+.05V, +1.55V] I have Normal
Click to expand...

When you flash the BIOS, this must be set to 1.8V (+0.3V) or the board will continue the reboot cycle. It is the source of your lockups and whatnot.

Like I said earlier: flash the BIOS, reboot with only one stick. When you finally get into BIOS, the first option you need to change immediately is the DDR3 OverVoltage Control. Also, set the memory to XMP Profile 1 (standby a few seconds for a screen shot). Then F10 and reboot.
 
004.jpg


006.jpg



The number one cause for the reboot cycle on this board is memory timings. It will force itself to reboot if there are weird timings. When you flash the BIOS, the timings seem to get all wonky. So, you need to remove all but one stick of memory and fix the voltage and speed/timings in BIOS before you can do anything else. If you still don't believe me, go read the thread on XS.
 
I'm about to try it now. Don't worry, I never doubted you, i'm just pretty new to this stuff. I noticed that you overclocked all the way up to 3.6ghz. What are your thoughts on that, the only thing I have to go by is what toms hardware guide said http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/11/08/dual_vs_quad/page17.html .

edit:
success. 9x333 is up and running. I have to reinstall some drivers for some reson, but other than that i'm good. I'll look into the temp stuff in a few minutes.
 
I wasn't worried. It was an odd problem that took me many hours of tweaking to solve.



As long as you can keep the chip cool, you can crank it up. Some OC better than others. Mine will run either 9x400 or 8x450. I'm trying to squeeze a little more out and hit 3.7 or 3.8 right now.
 
Well I was wrong before. I posed in a rush before checking cpuz. However I was able to get it to start up at 8x400. Right now i'm in the process of tweaking it, stress tests currently fail.
 
Voltages probably need to be upped if you're going to start increasing the speed.
 
I think I finally have it. I have the voltage just under 1.4v and so far prime95 has completed 9 tests successfully.

Speed fan 4.33 reports my temperatures as:
temp1: 34C
temp2: 53c
temp3: -2c
temp: 2c
hd0:32c
hd1: 28c
core 0: 42c
core 1: 41c
core 2: 41c

for some reason it stopped showing core 3 a few days ago, I'm not sure why. I have the motherboard set to have an alarm go off at 70C, so I guess so long as I am under there I am pretty good. In the end I don't know why 9x333 doesn't work for me however I am happy with 8x400, so w/e. For now I think I will leave it at 3.2 ghz for a while, later on when I learn more I may try again, but 3.2ghz isn't bad.

Thanks a bunch for all your help, especially rainman. I feel like I owe you guys one, if I see anyone who is even more of a newbie than myself on here I'll try and help them however finding that person won't be easy.
 
You might want to add 15 C to all the core temps in SpeedFan 4.33 if you haven't yet.
 
Still having video card problems. I have two ATI radeon HD 3850 cards and one of them is giving me "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" in the device manager. The problem started after I installed the new bios, so perhaps it's a bug. I'll look around a bit more before I re-flash the bios.

edit:
yea, I have been assuming that they are 15c higher, I haven't found the menu item to make the adjustment.
 
In the end it turns out it was the bios that was causing the problem. The good news however is that I was able to keep my overclocked settings :).
 
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