Interesting i7 920 Overclock

Dynahi

Member
Aug 20, 2008
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I posted my experience on Hard, unfortunately I could not get many responses.

The summary of my overclock is I can get my i7 stable @ 3.8ghz (19x200) with 1.16 vcore (no vdrop). Passes prime, linx, OCCT no problem. I'd like to go further but the temperature is what's holding me back. Even at 1.16v, using a Silverstone TJ10 case, the temperature is around 73-77 under load. I'm using a Xigmatek S1283 with bolt kit and a Asus Deluxe V2. I have a C0/C1 stepping, one of the late March batch. Please help me reach 4.0+ghz. I checked the thermal grease, it looks perfect dead-center.
 

faxon

Platinum Member
May 23, 2008
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you're just hitting the thermal dissipation limit of your cooler plain and simple. the S-1283 is a great design and at only $30 these days its an excellent budget cooler. on the flip side the I7 is one of the hottest running chips since the dual core P4s due to the addition of a memory controller on package. in order to hit 4+ghz you're going to need to pick up a lapped TRUE or a megahalems if you want to do it on air.
 

Diogenes2

Platinum Member
Jul 26, 2001
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What is your ambient temp ? 73 - 77 may not be out of line ..

There is something besides temp keeping you from reaching 4g . Lowering the temperature won't necessarily make a 3.8 chip do 4 g..

4g is not a given with any i7, and most people who are reaching 4g with a C0 aren't doing it at 1.16 - 1.3 + is more realistic ...
 

kami

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
17,627
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The i7's run hot, plain and simple. They can also run quite a bit hotter than that (though not safely for long periods of time), so I doubt temp is holding you back from 4ghz. If voltage doesn't help or the temp trade off is too much, you just don't have a 4ghz chip.
 

imported_Shaq

Senior member
Sep 24, 2004
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If it is 75C under load in LinX/Linpack that is no problem. Mine hits 85C in LinX and never goes over 65C in anything else. 100C is max temp and you are only reaching high temps when checking for stability. That is a great voltage for 3.8. That chip might do 4.2 at only 1.35v which is the best of the C0's. You can always get a TEC for it to keep temps down if it concerns you that much. And for a good chip like that it is worth it.
 

Dynahi

Member
Aug 20, 2008
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Hey Shaq,

I started at 1.2v then worked my way down by slimming down the voltage. The problem is temperature didn't fall proportionally by dropping the voltage. So I'm getting the same temperature even at less voltage. LinX is definitely a CPU slayer, I am getting around 85-88C on it. I think I will look into upgrading my air cooler.

Edit: Is there a quicker way to run Prime95? Normally I do blend first 5+ hours then small FFTs. Do you have a customized setting?

Thanks guys
 

faxon

Platinum Member
May 23, 2008
2,109
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try using OCCT's stress testing utility. it uses the same algorithm as p95 but it generally finds stability issues 10 times as fast. it also comes with linpack built in, and it monitors the CPU voltage and temperatures for you as well, though i have found CPU-Z to be a bit more accurate for voltage measurments
 

Trevelyan

Diamond Member
Dec 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: faxon
you're just hitting the thermal dissipation limit of your cooler plain and simple. the S-1283 is a great design and at only $30 these days its an excellent budget cooler. on the flip side the I7 is one of the hottest running chips since the dual core P4s due to the addition of a memory controller on package. in order to hit 4+ghz you're going to need to pick up a lapped TRUE or a megahalems if you want to do it on air.

Can you give me a link to a CPU cooler you recommend if I'm going to buy an i7 920 and try to overclock? I'd prefer it to not be too loud also...
 

imported_Shaq

Senior member
Sep 24, 2004
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Originally posted by: Dynahi
Hey Shaq,

I started at 1.2v then worked my way down by slimming down the voltage. The problem is temperature didn't fall proportionally by dropping the voltage. So I'm getting the same temperature even at less voltage. LinX is definitely a CPU slayer, I am getting around 85-88C on it. I think I will look into upgrading my air cooler.

Edit: Is there a quicker way to run Prime95? Normally I do blend first 5+ hours then small FFTs. Do you have a customized setting?

Thanks guys

That is the limit with your cooler then. You can get a TEC(Thermoelectric cooler) for about $100 and it is better than regular air coolers. TigerDirect has one and the reviews look like it is 20C cooler than good air coolers. If I had a better CPU I would get one, but at 1.45v I am at the limit anyway for everyday use.
 

Shmee

Memory & Storage, Graphics Cards Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 13, 2008
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Your temps are getting up there, but you may hit a frequency wall soon anyways; 3.8-4 is up there with a C0. I know my C0 has major stability issues anywhere over 3.8, even though temps are very low. If I had D0, I could probably get over 4.2 on this cooler.
Like above said, seems you have a good chip for a C0, given stability at lower voltage. IMO an even better cooler is required for more overclocking. Also, if you don't care about it, you can turn off HT, which will drastically lower temps and increase stability, perhaps helping you push it higher. Most games actually do worse with HT on anyways.

For a good cooler, you could get the megahalems, or a true/true black like I did and lap it.