any tips for making 4.5 i7 920 stable?

[Appledrop]

edit its an i7 920 d0

Hey. currently running 100% stable at 4ghz with ram at 1700mhz on an asus rampage 2 extreme

Did manage to boot at 4.6, but subsequently errored before windows
I havent been touching voltages much at all, since I have no idea whats safe etc - my last pc was an a64...

Basically although i'm very happy with 4.0, I want to know whether i'm at the limit, and would like to know what voltages I should try.. thanks

Ram=ocz 1866mhz cl9

and cooled by CoolIT domino ALC unit, which keeps things pretty cool

 

[jandlecack]

What volts are you currently using? I strongly suggest not leaving CPU and QPI at Auto at these frequencies, that could bode terrible things.

Try 4.0GHZ with 1.25 LLC enabled and go from there.

 

[Appledrop]

Hmm, it is Auto.. heh. Thats bad really?
I thought Auto was just like, fixed default voltages... Does it scale the voltages with speed then?
If thats the case, perhaps I am at the limit then, since I was hoping to increase volts for some headroom..

Thanks anyhoo... I guess LLC is cpu core voltage? Don't know these new acronyms

 

[jandlecack]

It scales voltages up yea. I don't know on what basis but it could bump up your volts to 1.3V or above from my experience.

LLC is Load Line Calibration, a feature in your BIOS. Use it for relatively low volts like 1.25V to stabilise and eliminate Vdroop. I need to either use LLC at 1.25V to get 4GHZ, or bump up the voltages significantly more.

 

[Rubycon]

LOL there is a HUGE difference between 4.0 and 4.5+ as far as voltage requirements and thermal management for performance gained. i7's seem to "shut off" abruptly at a certain speed and it's nearly a hockey stick curve on what voltage increases are required. Walk before running! Try going up slower and find your max and back off a little for a safety net.