E6420 on ASUS P5N-E SLI 650i

[Keysplayr]

Under Jumper Free Configuration > FSB Configuration, there is a setting for memory to be "Linked" or "Unlinked". The memory is currently set to 800MHz and stays there when "Unlinked" is chosen, as I increase the FSB speed. Is this the correct thing to do when o/c'ing on this board? I have the FSB set to 1500MHz (375) and the E6420 is running at 3GHz.

"If" I have to increase the CPU voltage, which is currently as 1.35v, is that the VCORE setting?

Please, anyone with this mobo who has experience o/c'ing with it, chime in.

Thanks guys/gals.

Keys

 

[Keysplayr]

Ran 2 instances of ORTHOS with proper affinity for 3 hours and 40 minutes with Zero errors. Enough to declare the o/c is stable?

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Under Jumper Free Configuration > FSB Configuration, there is a setting for memory to be "Linked" or "Unlinked". The memory is currently set to 800MHz and stays there when "Unlinked" is chosen, as I increase the FSB speed. Is this the correct thing to do when o/c'ing on this board? I have the FSB set to 1500MHz (375) and the E6420 is running at 3GHz. YES

"If" I have to increase the CPU voltage, which is currently as 1.35v, is that the VCORE setting?
YES

Please, anyone with this mobo who has experience o/c'ing with it, chime in.

Thanks guys/gals.

Keys

Short and sweet LOL.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and perhaps visit the P5N-E SLI forum.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

Good luck!

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Ran 2 instances of ORTHOS with proper affinity for 3 hours and 40 minutes with Zero errors. Enough to declare the o/c is stable?

Absolutely!

 

[Keysplayr]

Thanks bud!! Holy Lord that thread you linked to is long. I'll wade through it though.
And check this out, if CoreTemp is correct, I am running idle temps of 24C Core0 and 21C Core1. When loaded under ORTHOS, it reached 48C on both cores. Freezer 7 pro.

I'm more than happy with 3GHz. Thanks for the help. :thumbsup:

 

[Keysplayr]

I looked through post 92. A lot of good general information. I have a few questions.
Is it unusual to obtain 3GHz from 2.13 at stock voltage? Are there any better tests to stress the system? Should I flood it with 2 instances of ORTHOS and run 3dmark06 at the same time?

I just really want to make sure it's solid. And also any other recommended adjustments in BIOS would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[JustaGeek]

If you can run it stable at the stock voltage, there is no reason to increase it. I run mine at 1.3V, and it shows as 1.28V in Everest, dropping to 1.24V under load, perfectly stable though.

I think that you have a fine overclock going, and there is no reason for concern. Believe me, this board will let you know very quickly if something is unstable...

Now, I would just enjoy the games and any other applications that you might be using.

Good luck!

 

[lopri]

Which Orthos? I'd suggest LargeFFT. Running 3DMarks simultaneously with Orthos could serve other purposes (PSU test, for example) but for CPU-memory subsystem test, running Orthos (Prime95) only is recommended. 3DMark05 CPU test is also a very quick and quite useful.

 

[Keysplayr]

Thanks again!!

BUT TODAY, I noticed something strange. My CPU does not like to be overclocked when it's cold, or room temperature.
Explaination: Last night, all was peachy at 3GHz. I tried and tried to make the system crash. ORTHOS, 3DMark and various apps running in the background (Excel, Firefox windows, Steam updates. NAV scan. My system hated me. After that and time for bed, I shut it down. Next morning went to work, came home and turned it on. Windows loaded fine. STEAM crashed, and firefox had errors and the app closed with one of those "send" or "dont send" windows. Then a BLUE SCREEN and reboot.

It rebooted fine with no problems. Ok, so now what do I do. I ran it ragged again for about two hours. Not a single problem. So I shut it down for about a hour. Went back and started it up again. KERRRRRAAASSSHHH again, the same way as before. But on automatic reboot, it was fine again (once it warmed up). So tell me, how strange is this?

I got a feeling I'm alone in this one. hehe.

Any thoughts?

 

[JustaGeek]

I'm gonna give you my settings, but you might want to increase the voltage of the CPU and NB. Main thing: use BIOS 0401 - I used 0608, and had huge startup problems. Unless, of course, it does not support your CPU (it was released in January).


Manual Overclocking - Unlinked

1300 / 800

Memory timings recommended by G.Skill for HZ series:

FSB: 1066 (mine 1300)
DDR2 Speed: 800
Voltage:..........2.013V
TCL................4
TRCD.............4
TRP................4
TRAS.............12
CMS..............2T
TRRD.............1
TRC...............2
TWR..............2
TWTR............6
TREF.............1
TRD..............2
TRFC...........27
ASY LAT........2

VCore 1.3V (you might wanna try 1.3125)
NB Auto (try 1.56V if you are unstable - your FSB is pretty high)

LDT frequency 5x default - try 4x if unstable.


You probably need some active cooling for the North Bridge - even 80mm fan attached to the PSU main power cable, and heatsink on the Southbridge.

Try this one:

http://www.compusa.com/product...ll&product_code=291975

Use the larger silver one w/ included 3M thermal tape for the SB, and the fan alone for the NB.

Hope this helps.

 

[Keysplayr]

I could understand the extra cooling if I had this problem "after" the system heats up. But it's just the opposite. It's only unstable when starting up cold. After the system heats up, I can't even "make" it crash.

I am using the 0604 BIOS. I updated in anticipation of Penryn. Our boards support 45nm Penryn and the 1333fsb with the 0604 BIOS.
Thank you for the BIOS settings. My memory, the G.Skill, runs stock at 5-5-5-15 1.8v-2.0v. CAS 5.
This is the exact memory I'm using:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231098

 

[JustaGeek]

Use this link to set your memory timings, look for DDR2 800, NQ series:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=132494

BTW, I used the 0608 BIOS, and had a similar problem - except in my case, it just wouldn't POST. It would get stuck after displaying the CPU info, and would not proceed to the memory check. The only way for me was to hit the Reset, and then it would post - sometimes after 2-3 "Reset treatments". It would be perfectly stable in Windows though.

BIOS 0401 works great for me, but I don't think it supports your E6420 CPU. Try the earliest version of BIOS that supports your CPU, and use ONLY the Award Flash utility in DOS, with all the switches applied to clear the "remnants" of all previous settings.

Also, do the "long" CMOS clear after the update - leave it for 10 minutes with the jumper in "clear" position, and hit the "Power" button in the meantime to drain the capacitors.

AWDFLASH procedure:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...ey=y&keyword1=AWDFLASH

Create the bootable CD if you don't have the Floppy drive.

Otherwise, you might have to wait for a better BIOS release.

Good luck!

And try to disable "Halt on errors" from "All" to "None" in BIOS - it seemed to help me a bit on startup.

 

[Keysplayr]

My friend you've been a great help. I'm going to work on a subtle NB cooling solution and that kit you linked to for the southbridge looks good. I will play with the settings a bit more tonight when I am done with work. But if it is indeed a BIOS problem, I am stuck with it. Again, thanks for your help.

Keys

 

[JustaGeek]

Cool - let me know how you are making out.

Hope the problems go away.