Just finished installing my H50 p/p -- settings for OCing i7 930 to 3.6 GHz to try?

[Xpred]

My system:
i7 930
ASUS P6T SE
Corsair H50 with 2x GT AP-15 for push/pull
Antec 900 (semi-modded)
G.SKILL 2x3GB (6GB) RAM (rated at 1.5V DDR3-1600)

Hey guys, I just finished setting up my first aftermarket cooler system: H50 with it's 2x AP-15 push/pull fans. I need some help on how to OC my i7 930 since I haven't truly OC'ed in a proper way.

Anyhow, I ran Prime95 (Large FFT test) and tested for 20 minutes on my i7 930 running at stock 2.8 GHz. Everything passed. Using CPU-Z, at 100% load my CPU read 1.240V. My 6GB RAM was also running at its non-OC'ed DDR3-1066. My temperature readings using Core Temp after 15 minutes of 100% load were: 57, 54, 57, 53 for each of the cores.

All settings in BIOS are currently at default in terms of clocks/timing/etc.

I am trying to reach a 3.6 GHz (maybe 3.8 GHz later) overclock as well as OC my RAM to its rated DDR3-1600 speed. My questions are as follows:

1) How should I approach this? What settings would I need to change/mess around with to get a 3.6 GHz O/C (is there an easy way or some basic settings I should try)? Do you think with my current temps, this is doable?

2) How do I go about finding the perfect voltage? I think mine is auto right now at stock...

3) Am I still able to have HT or the SpeedStep enabled? I like my system right now where if I am idling...the clocks will slow down to a slower speed. Slower speed = low idle temperatures (although idle means nothing). But I also would like it to be able to get up to 3.6-3.8GHz when I am pushing it/playing games/when it needs to be. Is this still possible with an OC? Not sure if an overclock would turn these things off and force my CPU to run at its max speed all the time.

4) Browsing over the G.SKILL forums, if I wanted to OC my RAM to its rated DDR3-1600 @ 1.5V, all I would have to do is set it to the "XMP-1600" profile in its BIOS. Or I could manually set as well. Is this the best option as well? Does OC'ing my processor automatically OC the RAM too? Or would I have to set it to that XMP profile?

Thank you!

 

[john3850]

4) Browsing over the G.SKILL forums, if I wanted to OC my RAM to its rated DDR3-1600 @ 1.5V, all I would have to do is set it to the "XMP-1600" profile in its BIOS. Or I could manually set as well. Is this the best option as well? Does OC'ing my processor automatically OC the RAM too? Or would I have to set it to that XMP profile?
need to read link quick
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=230509

Run (small FFT test prime test
Dont oc your ram DDR3-1600 needs a 200 BCLK not a probem for most MB
http://www.tweakers.fr/download/CPU-Tweaker.zip good tweaker
Ser your PCI-E 101-103
Set cpu voltage manual 1.35v
vtt voltage 1.270v
cpu pll 1.88v
No HT or the SpeedStep. disable until you learn more also more stable disabled

 

[Anubis]

ahh be brave leave HT on

but what John posted is a good starting point. you will most likely be able to back down voltages a little as well

also you prob want to give your ram more then the standard 1.5v

 

[Xpred]

Alright. Thank you! Browsing more of the threads here while reading the aforementioned helpful links, I decided to test some overclocks.

Here is what I see from my current BIOS selections:

AI Tweaker section of the BIOS:
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
CPU Ratio Setting [21.0]
Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech [Disabled]
BCLK Frequency [172]
PCIE Frequency [100]
DRAM Frequency [DDR3-1379MHz]
UCLK Frequency [Auto]
QPI Link Data Rate [Auto]

DRAM Timing Control (haven’t messed with this since they’re on auto)

CPU Voltage [1.20000]
CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]
QPI/DRAM Core Voltage [Auto]
IOH Voltage [Auto]
IOH PCIE Voltage [Auto]
ICH Voltage [Auto]
ICH PCIE Voltage [Auto]
DRAM DATA REF/CTRL Voltage on CHA/CHB/CHC [All are on Auto]

Load-Line Calibration [Enabled]
CPU Differential Amplitude [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew [Auto]
CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
IOH Clock Skew [Auto]
PCIE Spread Spectrum [Disabled]

Advanced section of the BIOS:
C1E Support [Disabled]
CPU TM Function [Disabled]
Everything Else is Default/Enabled (HT is on!)

Nevertheless, I have bumped up my vCore to 1.20V, and it seems Prime95 is stable for at least 1 hour. Core Temp is reporting 60, 57, 59, 56 as my core temps @ 100% load after 30 minutes. My settings for the QPI/DRAM Core Voltage is still on [Auto] (as listed above). I will test my memory and rule out my CPU stability with Memtest & Intel Burn Test. My questions are as follows:

1) If they prove to be OK, should I continue to lower my vCore for lower heat usage until I find one that is 100% stable? Any other settings or timings I should try? I am kind of lost at this point in terms of what else I could focus on to truly find the most optimized OC for my system. Please advise.

2) After my OC is complete, am I still able to turn on SpeedStep? I really like to have low idle temps when my computer does not need to perform at its max. I am quite used to it at stock, but I was not sure when OC'ing, does SpeedStep or the other throttling settings (e.g., C1E, CPU TM) mess up the OC or cause problems with stability.

Thank you!

 

[john3850]

When you oc you need set your voltages high when starting then decrease.
The 900# cpu are the strongest out there do the large dia size.
A good high stable oc may require 1.4v volts and good cooling.

Your memory is still below spec
turbo off
Set your vtt to 1.270 one click up
Vcore start with 1.35v Cpu-z then decrease I use 1.29-1.31v cpuz not bios for MHz.
Lower your multiplier to 18
Raise your BCLk to 200 test game etc
Raise your multiplier to 19 and test.

I have never saw more then 1-2c temp difference by using EIST on a 1356.
The SB uses turbo 2 with EIST and helps lower the temp big time.
The vcore has the largest effect on temperature.
On a few of the latest boards given much and time and much knowledge you can set it up low power use.
Most systems will run 200x20 24-7.