i7-2600 concern

[brassyme]

Hi folks,

I'm new to this so please don't shoot me when I say that I bought a I7-2600 non k version (because of price mainly)...yeah I know dummy...I am not an over clocker but like any extra pep I can get.

I have it on an Asus P8P67 mthbd and when I changed the EZbios section of the mthbd to performance, it changed the bclk to 103 and the multiplier to 42 and now turbo's up to 4.37 according to CPU-Z...

I have read that it should only top out around 4.2 (4 bins above the turbo 3.8) which is worrying me...any thoughts on whether this scenario is normal/safe?

I can always take it back (for a $45 restock fee) and get an i5-2500K (and over clock it) but don't know whether the difference in performance will be worth it or not...

Asus P8P67 mthbd
4GB (2x2GB) GSkill 1333 CL7 Ripjaws X
8800GT video card
CoolerMaster 500watt PSU
WinXP Pro SP3

 

[Diogenes2]

That's really strange.. I thought you could not adjust the multiplier on the non-K version ??

If you are really getting 4.37 - I'd keep it ..

 

[brassyme]

That's really strange.. I thought you could not adjust the multiplier on the non-K version ??

If you are really getting 4.37 - I'd keep it ..

Do you think I could temp fate and try to up it to 104 or 105 with Turbo on? Or turn off the turbo and see if it will go to say 4.0 on all 4 cores?

 

[Bryf50]

Ok, the only thing holding the non k 2600 is the 42x maximum multiplier. Now you can also overclock by changing the bclock but you can only get a few mhz's more then stock without instability. So your overclock put the processor to its maximum multiplier and increased the bclock a bit. Your overclock now is about the highest a 2600 will ever be able to go.

 

[brassyme]

Ok, the only thing holding the non k 2600 is the 42x maximum multiplier. Now you can also overclock by changing the bclock but you can only get a few mhz's more then stock without instability. So your overclock put the processor to its maximum multiplier and increased the bclock a bit. Your overclock now is about the highest a 2600 will ever be able to go.

...so basically you don't think that backing off the bclk to 100 and setting all 4 cores to 40 would work?
I figure you would suggest that I keep it instead of taking it back in favour of a i5-2500K as well?
your suggestions are appreciated...as you can see...I'm new to this overclocking thing...

 

[smakme7757]

If you want to overclock i'd take it back and get a 2500k. You obviously want to overclock to why not!

 

[Bryf50]

I'd keep it personally and leave it at the 42x multiplier. As for the bclock, I would check extensively if its stable and if so, there's no reason not to leave it too. Also report back what voltages the automatic overclock puts you at. A lot of times the auto oc's like to put on much more voltage then is required for the level of overclock.

In my opinion, a 4.3ghz i7 is an extremely fast processor and I don't think getting a few hundred more mhz would justify returning it for the 2500k.

 

[videoclone]

4.37Ghz isnt good enough? i think its more then enough just stick with it .. all is well.

 

[brassyme]

Thanks for all your help folks...I'm convinced...I'll just keep it...I'm going to be away for a couple of days but I'll post the voltages when I get back Bryf50...

 

[StinkyPinky]

I had no idea a 2600 could overclock that high.

Definitely keep it. 4.3Ghz is fast enough.

 

[Dadofamunky]

The BCLK cannot be increased beyond that point. This isn't a Nehalem. You got a very solid chip there - I'd say keep that sucker.

 

[HyperMatrix]

Trust me on this...don't take the bclk above 100. Or below. Keep it at 100 and only play with the multiplier. 42 multiplier should be attainable with 1.3v

If there is no price difference between the chips though, switch it out for the k-series. In th future if you spent $100 on a good cooling solution you can push the chip up to 5ghz. You may think 4.2ghz is fast enough. But another 20% processing power is really tempting. At least to have as an option. It can save you from having to replace your CPU with a new model in a year. So...long term savings.

Good luck either way.

 

[brassyme]

The voltages are set as follows Bryf50:
CPU 1.165 (I've seen it as high as 1.23 when at 4.3)
DDR 1.5
VCCSA 0.925
VCCIO 1.05
CPU PLL 1.8
PCH 1.05

 

[Bryf50]

The voltages are set as follows Bryf50:
CPU 1.165 (I've seen it as high as 1.23 when at 4.3)
DDR 1.5
VCCSA 0.925
VCCIO 1.05
CPU PLL 1.8
PCH 1.05

Looks pretty solid.