Overclocking E8500 | Asus P5 Pro

[Seahawks_Fan]

I recently bought the 8500 and P5 Pro, and I am trying to get the 8500 overclocked to 4 Ghz. Whenever I set the Front Side bus past 415, the overclock fails Linpack/Intel Burn Test. I am running Windows XP 32 bit w/ 4x1 GB of RAM, system sees 3 GB.
This is what I have set in BIOS:

CPU Ratio: Auto
FSB Freq: 410
PCIe Freq: 100
FSB Strap to NB: Auto
DRAM Freq: 901 MHz
DRAM Timing: Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Auto
DRAM Read Tuning: Auto
Mem. Overclock Charger: Auto
AI Clock Twister: Stronger
AI Transaction Booster: Auto
CPU Voltage 1.275000 Volts
GTL Ref: Auto
PLL Voltage: 1.54 Volts
FSB Termination Voltage: Auto
DRAM Voltage: 1.90 Volts
N. Bridge Volt.: Auto
So. Bridge Volt.: Auto
PCIe SATA Voltage: Auto
Load Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIe Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Clock Skew: Auto
N. Bridge Clock Skew: Auto
CPU Margin Enhancement: Optimized
---------------------
CPU Configuration
Ratio: Auto
C1E Support: Enabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Technology: Enabled
CPU TM Function: Enabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled*
Intel Speed Step: Disabled
Intel C-State: Enabled

My temps are OK. I'm using Xigmatek HDT-S1283 to cool the CPU.

Also, the Idle CPU temperature is always 102 degrees Fahrenheit, even when the mobo and CPU are running at default speeds. Always the same high idle temp. Why???

I thought it would be somewhat easier to get to 4 GHz with a CPU like this one w/ 9.5 multiplier. When I go higher than about a 412 FSB frequency the PC fails IBT.

Is my CPU voltage too low? I read that these 45 nm CPUs should not be overvolted like the 65 nm chips. They are damaged by overvolting more easily.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[rekd0514]

I got to 4.0ghz on my E8400 at 1.28v on the vcore. I would think you would be fine on that voltage.

I will mark the things you may want to mess with to get it stable. You may want to check memory stability with memtest86+ as well.

CPU Ratio: Auto
FSB Freq: 410 maybe try auto
PCIe Freq: 100
FSB Strap to NB: Auto
DRAM Freq: 901 MHz
DRAM Timing: Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Auto i think I have this disabled
DRAM Read Tuning: Auto
Mem. Overclock Charger: Auto
AI Clock Twister: Stronger
AI Transaction Booster: Auto
CPU Voltage 1.275000 Volts
GTL Ref: Auto
PLL Voltage: 1.54 Volts
FSB Termination Voltage: Auto
DRAM Voltage: 1.90 Volts
N. Bridge Volt.: Auto
So. Bridge Volt.: Auto
PCIe SATA Voltage: Auto
Load Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIe Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Clock Skew: Auto
N. Bridge Clock Skew: Auto
CPU Margin Enhancement: Optimized possibly try performance
---------------------
CPU Configuration
Ratio: Auto
C1E Support: Enabled try disable
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Technology: Enabled try disable
CPU TM Function: Enabled try disable
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled*
Intel Speed Step: Disabled
Intel C-State: Enabled

 

[Seahawks_Fan]

Hey thanks for the info. I disabled DRAM static Read Control, and I now I can raise FSB to 416 and it passes IBT.

I set all the options you specified, and I raised FSB to 420. But at 4 GHz Intel burn test fails. The last 4 Mhz that I need on the FSB is being stubborn.

I will try slowing the RAM speed way down. Maybe the ram is holding me back. At least I can get to 3.9 Ghz now.

 

[MisterSparkle]

I'd keep the TM function on, it's a nice protection layer in case your CPU overheats and shouldn't affect overclocking.

You may have a FSB hole, maybe try upping the voltage to it's upper safe limit and kick the FSB up a fair bit, maybe to 450.

 

[Seahawks_Fan]

Thanks Mr. Sparkle. From quickly reading some internet posts, CPU TM function does not prevent overclocking. One poster on another forum actually tested 2-3 CPUs overclocked with TM enabled and disabled, and he found no difference in the ability to overclock. From what I have read, the TM function does exactly what you said, it throttles down the CPU when it nears its max safe temp (very high). I have it enabled now.

I upped my cpu voltage to 1.29375 volts, and I played around with the FSB, and set it a few times in the 420-425 FSB range. My system is not happy with anything over FSB of about 418 MHz.

Thanks RedK for the suggested settings. Disabling DRAM static read control helps.

I now have FSB set to 415, and my DDR-2 set to 997 MHz. My 4 sticks of 1 GB Corsair 800 RAM are quite happy running at 997.

Now I have a paltry o/c of 25%, from 3.16 to 3.94 GHz, but I am happy with it. Windows is stable, IBT passed, and my CPU voltage is well under the Maximum 1.35 volt limit.

I did notice that when I disabled the P-ATA Marvell controller, Windows booted much faster. The Window Boot Progress Bar that scrolls by only made 3 passes. When I upgrade my kids' PC I will remove my P-ATA drive and add it to theirs, then I can disable the Marvell controller, and I will try some more tweaks. (I have 2 SATA drives already.)

 

[MisterSparkle]

I tend to disable a lot of extras which motherboard manufacturers think their consumers want

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

You may want to set the TJmax on Core temp to 100c, the sensors are acctually reading 21c.

If your worried about voltages on a 45nm chip read this.

 

[Seahawks_Fan]

I have my CoreTemp application set to display Temperatures in Fahrenheit. 212 deg. F is 100 deg. C.

Thanks for the link. Good info.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

Oh, yeah you just have a stuck sensor, it's no big deal really. My e8400 had one and my q9650 has 3. It will work once it gets above that.

 

[Seahawks_Fan]

thx. I just read about stuck sensors on the semi-newer processors. Apparently the temp sensing is more accurate than before, but sometimes the themal sensors won't switch on until the CPU produces some significant heat. Mine switches on any time the CPU goes above 102 F. / 39 C. No big deal.

Does CoreTemp.exe detect correct FSB speed for this board? My FSB speed is 418, but Core Temp shows it at 333. CPUz works and shows proper FSB speed, though.