HELP: TH7II max voltage = 1.625????

[LarryJoe]

I am running my 2.0A@2.5 with 1.55 volts. I ma trying to go higher, but the Softmenu III on;y gives me 1.625 as the max voltage. This mobo is supposed to go to 2.2 (Not that I would go that high). I have cleared the CMOS and am using the latest BIOS. What gives? Is there a jumper I am missing? Is the Northwood locked or something to max out at 1.625?

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< I am running my 2.0A@2.5 with 1.55 volts. I ma trying to go higher, but the Softmenu III on;y gives me 1.625 as the max voltage. This mobo is supposed to go to 2.2 (Not that I would go that high). I have cleared the CMOS and am using the latest BIOS. What gives? Is there a jumper I am missing? Is the Northwood locked or something to max out at 1.625? >>

That's odd...I have my TH7II-RAID at 2 volts. Perhaps you have a different revision and it was locked.

 

[ginfest]

There is a new beta BIOS which will increase the max vcore to 1.85. It's beta "77". The older "37" and "38" BIOSes will only provide 2.0v max with the original P4 "Willemette", not the "Northwoods". Go to this link
Hard Forums/Strictly Intel
there should be a link to the BIOS. There are also a couple good threads on the TH7-II/P4 Northwood overclocking. Also check out
OC Forums
there is a lot of info on the TH7-II and OC

If you can't find the beta BIOS, PM me and I'll e-mail it to you.
Mike G


edit: forgot to mention, there is a pin/wire "trick" that can be done to get even more vcore than 1.85, check the 2nd link for answers

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< There is a new beta BIOS which will increase the max vcore to 1.85. It's beta "77". The older "37" and "38" BIOSes will only provide 2.0v max with the original P4 "Willemette", not the "Northwoods". Go to this link
Hard Forums/Strictly Intel
there should be a link to the BIOS. There are also a couple good threads on the TH7-II/P4 Northwood overclocking. Also check out
OC Forums
there is a lot of info on the TH7-II and OC

If you can't find the beta BIOS, PM me and I'll e-mail it to you.
Mike G


edit: forgot to mention, there is a pin/wire "trick" that can be done to get even more vcore than 1.85, check the 2nd link for answers >>

The pin/wire trick is a given. I assumed that LarryJoe had already done it and was still limited.

 

[LarryJoe]

Thanks all for the fast response. No I have not done the pin wire trick and if that is what it takes, that kind of sucks. So is this CPU locked for max voltage. Daovonnaex, did you have to do the pin wire trick? 1.85 would be fine with the beta BIOS, should I give this a shot?

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Thanks all for the fast response. No I have not done the pin wire trick and if that is what it takes, that kind of sucks. So is this CPU locked for max voltage. Daovonnaex, did you have to do the pin wire trick? 1.85 would be fine with the beta BIOS, should I give this a shot? >>

I did the pin wire trick, but that's because I need 2 volts (3.2GHz). 1.85v would be adequate, so I recommend the beta BIOS.

 

[LarryJoe]

I read the oc forum link and have not found anyone who has tried it. Is it safe?

 

[ginfest]

Personally, I wouldn't go over 1.7 vcore as there is a debate on how much these Northwoods can handle over the long run. You'll notice that most people who run with higher vcore have "exotic" cooling such as water blocks or Peltier.
The other factor is the built-in "throttling" of the chip, more volts=more heat, it may run at higher vcore, but if the temp reaches a certain point, the CPU may throttle itself back, negating the performance gained by the OC.
As always, your choice.

 

[LarryJoe]

I agree, however, 1.625 on the TH7II really equals 1.55. I just want to get to 1.6 actual.

 

[ginfest]

In the Hard Forum link I posted, some claim to be using the beta 77 BIOS, as you noted, the TH7-II seems to be "off" by 0.1+- v, ie 1.625=1.55. IMHO, if you use the beta and set it to 1.7, which we both agree is "safe", you'll have your 1.6+. Should be worth a try if it takes you over the hump.
There is a post here *foo
which explains the voltage inconsistencies.

 

[LarryJoe]

OK, first off thanks. This was a fun and safe Saturday morning tweak. This is the deal, I flashed successfully to the 77 BIOS. But I found this:

BIOS 38
2.0@2.5
1.55 volts stable

BIOS 77
2.0@2.5
1.68 volts untested stable

BIOS 77
2.0@2.666
1.68 volts got into windows but unstable.

Very strange that the 77 BIOS would require more juice than the same setting under the 38. All BIOS settings equal and using MBM5 for voltage comparison. I flashed back to the official 38 because the higher voltage needed is not worth the risk at this point and it also increased my temps. I think I will stay with the 38 and wait for Abit to release the next official BIOS, unless someone points out something that I was doing wrong.

Goes to show you how much a BIOS can effect overclocking. I never suspected the results above could be that far off.

Thanks for all the help.

LJ

 

[ginfest]

Thanks for posting your tests and adding to the body of knowledge on the P4 A/TH7-II OC. I feel like you, if it takes too much vcore, and the temps rise too high, it's not worth it. After all, these things "fly" as it is.

 

[LarryJoe]

Yeah, for the extra 100-133mhz, it is not worth it. I'll wait for the results of other to mature a bit and stay at 2.5 for now. Glad to contribute to the knowledge base.

LJ