Acceptable Min. Voltages Opty 170

[GZFant]

The summer here is starting to pick up and it was 86 degrees in my apartment yesterday. My CPU was running stock at 2.0GHz and was idling at 54C when normally I idle at 28-32C.

I jumped in a game of CoH and the computer froze. I thought maybe it was too hot.. Will lowering voltages from 1.34v cool it off a bit during the summer? What is acceptable?

Thanks

 

[F1shF4t]

With undervolting the limit is only stability.

1. As with overlocking every chip is different, so just start lowering the volts in small increments running a short stress tests in between.
2. When it starts failing, go back to your previous stable lowest setting and do a long stress test.
3. It passes your good to go, otherwise redo step 2.

Might be also worth re-mounting/cleaning the heatsink and re-applying new thermal paste.

 

[NXIL]

GZ,

voltage is not the problem; it's cooling.

Case intakes are blocked by dust/hair, etc, or, heatsink is covered with dust, or, a fan has failed somewhere.

I have an Opty 170, it generally runs about 10 degrees F /approx 5 degrees C warmer than ambient or background temp; it's a very cool running chip.

Again, recommend you check fans, intake ports, etc.

GL

 

[NXIL]

Might be also worth re-mounting/cleaning the heatsink and re-applying new thermal paste.

Excellent idea. Agree 100%--and while CPU fan/heatsink is off, clean it thoroughly, make sure fan in good condition, etc.

NX

 

[PliotronX]

Originally posted by: Dark Cupcake
With undervolting the limit is only stability.

This was canon with previous processors though there is one other aspect to take into consideration when undervolting with on-die memory controllers and that is the system memory voltage. The integrated memory controllers terminate at the system memory voltage and so too large a differential in CPU voltage and memory voltage could damage the controller (or diode protecting the controller IIRC). With socket 939 the general rule of thumb for minimum VCore was Vdimm / 2 - 0.325. This limit only really came into play when using voltage hungry memory such as Winbond chips which needed 3.3v+ and combine that with AMD's Cool'n'Quiet dropping the VCore to 1.1v and you had degenerative chips.

That aside, I agree with the others. I'm more curious in the state of the CPU cooler's TIM and fan and if there is any dust caked in it. I don't think lowering the voltage is going to really help that much and could cause further instability.

 

[NXIL]

Oh, and definitely check to make sure the power supply fan is working properly as well--lots of heat generated there, and unless that heat is pulled out of system, of course it will heat everything else up as well.

 

[heyheybooboo]

You might find CrystalCPUID gives you a bit more control than PowerNow/C&Q.

IIRC some folks have gotten Optys as low as .0875v but in my experience it generally will not function outside of typical PowerNow/C&Q parameters - will let you adjust multi's / voltages to your liking within them, however.

 

[GZFant]

Sorry, it's taken me forever to get back to you guys, school/work = no time =/

Anyways, I always make sure my fans/coolers/case are always free of dust. Running an Antec 300 with high speed Yate Loons. PSU is clean and fans work.
I thought maybe lowering volts might help with temperature. If it will only lower temps by a couple degrees, stability is not worth it.
Maybe I will mess around on a hot day and see what happens...

I have cool n' quiet enabled in the bios. I thought that was broken until recent with the new Phenoms. I'll have to read up.

Thanks again.

 

[geokilla]

Originally posted by: GZFant
The summer here is starting to pick up and it was 86 degrees in my apartment yesterday. My CPU was running stock at 2.0GHz and was idling at 54C when normally I idle at 28-32C.

I jumped in a game of CoH and the computer froze. I thought maybe it was too hot.. Will lowering voltages from 1.34v cool it off a bit during the summer? What is acceptable?

Thanks

Idling at 54C when you normally idle at around 30C is definitely right. Open up your case and clean the dust. Get some AS5 or related and re-seat the heatsink.

My AMD X2 3800+ operated at a low 1.1V under load according to CPU-Z, despite setting the Vcore at stock.

 

[NXIL]

Get some AS5 or related and re-seat the heatsink.

As an Opteron 170 owner/user, I agree with the above....if all the fans and vents are OK, then something else physical is wrong.

If you used the stock heatskink thermal pad that came with the CPU when you installed it, it could be that it has dried out/isn't making good contact anymore.

Or: heatsink slightly loose?

HTH

NXIL

 

[GZFant]

Yea, I am using a Zalman CNPS7000. I bought the processor used back in Sept. 08. I have some Arctic Silver, I will try re-seating the heatsink.

The days that it is idling at those high temps are the days it is 80-90degrees inside of my apartment. 20-30 degrees different than normal. Right now at 72F inside of the room, the CPU is idling at 29C.

I have a feeling it has to do with the temperatures of the room rather than the heatskink/dust. I will check and make sure though.

 

[NXIL]

Here: temps right now:

72F ~ 22C external temp
84F ~ 29C CPU temp per speedfan

CPU usually runs about 10-12F degrees higher than room temp, unless CPU is maxed out.

With CPU maxed over the last 5 minutes:

112F ~ 44C

Stock cooler here.

Your Zalman 7000 (B? CU? CU-Al? etc....): is the Zalman's fan set on "silent mode"? May be your fan works fine, but, doesn't speed up to compensate for more power use. (Or: some funky cool N quiet setting?)

I would assume your Zalman cools better than the stock fan, so your temps should be a bit better I think....

HTH

NX

 

[NXIL]

Edit: Zalman "speedmate" fan controller installed?

And, cool and quiet being used on top of that?

 

[GZFant]

Hmmm, the Zalman is the A64 compatible cooler. "Speedmate" fan controller? Never heard of that. I don't know if the fan increases over load. Cool n' quiet is enabled. I will try disabling it to see what changes. I swear I read something about early A64 Cool n' Quiet being a joke..