how high of volts?

[swtethan]

I have a e6400 clocked at 3.0ghz (1.34v core) right now since its the summer and I really dont want to have it run too hot (had it at 3.12 @ 1.38v). Anyway, I have been having problems with crashes (datacache.dll steam crash) what could be causing this? It happened to me before @ 3.2ghz and now still even when I lowered the clocks. I checked my memory and it seems I have been undervolting my memory (1.9 instead of 2.0 , damn you patriot!). It says on their site that my memory is rated 5-5-5-12, but on the heatspreader its says 5-5-4-9, last time I checked, the site said 1.9v... now its 2.0??? WTF!! same model # and everything! helppppp! I dont want to damage my ram, but if the site says so..... I dunno... help! model # is PDC22G6400ELK oh... and I cannot get past 3.2ghz on my A-stepping chip, is this normal?


I reformatted this weekend and installed all drivers + steam correctly. Still get the crash.


also would see BSOD's once in a while.


Cliffs:
1. Have overclocked system steam would crash often
2. Saw my memory is undervolted, checked 2 months ago when I built this system, patriot recomended 1.9v and 5-5-4-9. Now they recommend 2.0v and 5-5-5-12? Same kit # and everything
3. Curious on would this fix things?


EDIT: how high of volts can i go? im at 1.45 right now

 

[lopri]

Undervolting isn't memory's fault, but the motherboard's fault. And until you actually measure with a DMM, you can't really trust software reading. To fix the BSOD/crash issue, I'd first try giving a little more juice to MCH and/or memory.

 

[swtethan]

I set it at 1.9v because its what patriots website said, but now its says on their site 2.0v and the timings changed on me? Its the same kit, same ram... wth happened? My memory hasnt changed but they change the voltage settings on me? lol I guess ill try 2.0v tonight. What should my northbridge be at? it used to be 1.45 but now i downed it to 1.25 and it still runs fine.

 

[swtethan]

Also, @ 3.12ghz I was at 1.425v BIOS but 1.38v in windows. Which voltage should be considered? I dont wanna set it to like 1.5V in bios and have it fry my chip even though it might show like 1.40 in windows.

Is there a database of C2D overclocks with voltages? how far can I push this thing?



Both the IHS and HSF are mirror lapped, temps are great.

 

[swtethan]

help anyone?

 

[swtethan]

Well i got my cpu to 3.3 ghz...... but at what cost? 1.45v! is this high?


412x8 (close enough, right? lol)

 

[lopri]

WRT your concern on vCore, you can get ball-park figures by software readings (including those from BIOS). It is quite normal that you see less vCore in Windows, and even less while CPU is under heavy load. These days BSOD and lock-ups are (at least from my experiences) either memory/chipset problem or drivers (especially disaply drivers, network drivers, disk-controller drivers). If you were able to resolve the BSOD by raising vDIMM/vMCH slightly, I wouldn't worry. Just like vCores, memory voltage readings can be way off if you follow software readings. It might be upsetting that you have to set 2.0V instead of 1.9V for your memory, but until you measure the exact point with a DMM, you can't really be sure whether the board is actually supplying 2.0V or not. (chances are not, unfortunately) So as long as the vDIMM is in the ball-park, no need to worry.

1.45V isn't too high for a typical E6400, as long as temperatures are in check. E6400s are a lot cooler than E6600s, and you can possibly get a way with up to 1.55V, counting in vDroop. Again, try to keep the temperature below 65C. It shouldn't be hard with an E6400.

 

[Emo]

The Asus P5B Deluxe is notorious for undervolting and vdroop. I have my E6400 @3408 set at 1.45V in the bios which shows as 1.4V in Vista and 1.38V under load. I wouldn't worry about it if you have a good cooling setup.