Maximum Core i7 overclocks without voltage adjustments

[Phantomaniac]

I don't know if I'm alone here, but absolutely hate to run a processor at anything above stock voltage on a daily basis. I'd like to keep my processor life as close to the theoretical maximum as possible. So far I'm able to hit 3.5Ghz (175Mhz BCLK) on my 920 with the stock voltage of 1.2v. Unfortunately 3.6Ghz was not stable for more than a few minutes of Prime95. Regardless, I'm very pleased with my results. Its one hell of an upgrade from a Pentium 4.

Update: Here's a screencap of my rig mid Prime95 (blended torture test w/ 8 threads) with HWMonitor and CPU-Z up. I'd be happy to screencap other utilities upon request.

Overclock Stats

 

[VulcanX]

*cough* how the heck did u even afford all that? Must have cost an arm, and a leg, and a liver and kidneys *total shock*
But thats very nice rig dude. Also i heard that the overclocking is EXTREMELY different to the C2Q and C2D system(with the FSB and multiplier), how exactly do u OC the Corei7? Sorry for seeming so noob, been off these forums for ages *sad times in my life* LOL

 

[AdamK47]

I have my 920 @ 3.8GHz with 1.35V. I can run it at 3.4GHz with the stock 1.2V. That's with a 200MHz base clock in both cases, so the VTT needs to be at least 1.35V to keep the Uncore stable. I regularly run at 200x19 for 3.8GHz Core, 3600MHz QPI, and 3200MHz Uncore with the memory at 1600MHz DDR 9-9-8-20-1T.

 

[Phantomaniac]

Originally posted by: VulcanX
*cough* how the heck did u even afford all that? Must have cost an arm, and a leg, and a liver and kidneys *total shock*
But thats very nice rig dude. Also i heard that the overclocking is EXTREMELY different to the C2Q and C2D system(with the FSB and multiplier), how exactly do u OC the Corei7? Sorry for seeming so noob, been off these forums for ages *sad times in my life* LOL

Given I already had most of the hard drives, the build came to less than $1100, which I think is pretty inexpensive for a Core i7 rig. Although newegg did mail me an ice chest requesting half of my liver. I've never owned a C2D or C2Q but I think the principles of overclocking are the same: one base clock controls the speed of the core clock given some multiplier. It was about as easy as OCing my old Pentium 4.

Originally posted by: AdamK47
I have my 920 @ 3.8GHz with 1.35V. I can run it at 3.4GHz with the stock 1.2V. That's with a 200MHz base clock in both cases, so the VTT needs to be at least 1.35V to keep the Uncore stable. I regularly run at 200x19 for 3.8GHz Core, 3600MHz QPI, and 3200MHz Uncore with the memory at 1600MHz DDR 9-9-8-20-1T.

What are your temps like? I'm getting mid-high 60s after a few hours of Prime95 and I think I'd break 70 with any amount of voltage adjustment. :frown:

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

vote sticky
Please provide screen shots of test method, temp monitoring apps, and voltage readings

thanks,

529th

 

[VulcanX]

+1 to 529th, i would like that as well bcoz i wana be building a i7 940 and then put an aftermarket HSF and then OC the baby to summin intense and would like to know what is acceptable or isnt. And yeah $1100 isnt THAT much considerin what u got, in my country stuff is so expensive its like $300 or more just for the i7 920 *we need newegg in South Africa!* and isnt 60-70 degrees a lil high? im running stock HSF and OC y 6000+ to 3.2Ghz and get only 58 or so with the room temp being ULTRA hot

 

[AdamK47]

60 to 70 degrees isn't high. HardOCP did an overclocking temperature test with these CPUs. You can see it here, or here, or here.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: AdamK47
60 to 70 degrees isn't high. HardOCP did an overclocking temperature test with these CPUs. You can see it here, or here, or here.

i'm seeing three of the same links, "here, here and here"

 

[Phantomaniac]

Originally posted by: AdamK47
60 to 70 degrees isn't high. HardOCP did an overclocking temperature test with these CPUs. You can see it here, or here, or here.

Wow...they were pushing 80 at 100% CPU even with water cooling. I'm quite proud of my heatsink in that case, even if I am running my rig 300Mhz slower.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Phantomaniac

Originally posted by: AdamK47
60 to 70 degrees isn't high. HardOCP did an overclocking temperature test with these CPUs. You can see it here, or here, or here.

Wow...they were pushing 80 at 100% CPU even with water cooling. I'm quite proud of my heatsink in that case, even if I am running my rig 300Mhz slower.

That's on an OPEN TEST BENCH

 

[Phantomaniac]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN

Originally posted by: Phantomaniac

Originally posted by: AdamK47
60 to 70 degrees isn't high. HardOCP did an overclocking temperature test with these CPUs. You can see it here, or here, or here.

Wow...they were pushing 80 at 100% CPU even with water cooling. I'm quite proud of my heatsink in that case, even if I am running my rig 300Mhz slower.

That's on an OPEN TEST BENCH

Ah yeah...should have watched the video.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Phantomaniac

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN

Originally posted by: Phantomaniac

Originally posted by: AdamK47
60 to 70 degrees isn't high. HardOCP did an overclocking temperature test with these CPUs. You can see it here, or here, or here.

Wow...they were pushing 80 at 100% CPU even with water cooling. I'm quite proud of my heatsink in that case, even if I am running my rig 300Mhz slower.

That's on an OPEN TEST BENCH

Ah yeah...should have watched the video.

I bet those temps stay the same or show lower temps on a custom H20 system.

 

[solofly]

Mine does ~3700 @ 1.22V (air cooled)

Keep in mind this is winter so I might be dropping a bit in the summer time...

 

[Phantomaniac]

Originally posted by: solofly
Mine does ~3700 @ 1.22V (air cooled)

Keep in mind this is winter so I might be dropping a bit in the summer time...

Very nice. I planned on upping the voltage a tiny bit to see if I could stabilize 3.6Ghz+ But for everyday use I'm more than happy with 3.5Ghz.

 

[JAG87]

Phantomaniac, have you left all voltages untouched? QPI and MCH as well?

Wondering because I will jump on i7 soon, and I like this idea of achieving the max overclock without altering any voltages.

 

[BoBoDuFlachi]

all the parts for my new rig arrive tomorrow..ready to overclock this baby

i7 920
evga x85 sli mb
evga gtx 295 plus
corsair core i7 dominator 6gb
corsair 1000 hx PS
zalman 9700
TT mozart tx cube case.

 

[aigomorla]

if you guys get an i7, try to get a B stepping.

those seem to do better with lower voltages.

Also people having a hard time hitting 4ghz, try lowering your multi to 19x.

I found out that some i7's overclock better on a odd multi.

I have a 920 here right now im monkeying with, but the voltage is not virgin.

 

[Phantomaniac]

Originally posted by: JAG87
Phantomaniac, have you left all voltages untouched? QPI and MCH as well?

Wondering because I will jump on i7 soon, and I like this idea of achieving the max overclock without altering any voltages.

Yes, all voltages are set to stock manually because MSI has some very bad ideas about how to auto adjust them. :roll: I'm actually thinking of trying to undervolt my IOH because it seems to run a bit hot.

 

[solofly]

Originally posted by: BoBoDuFlachi
all the parts for my new rig arrive tomorrow..ready to overclock this baby

i7 920
evga x85 sli mb
evga gtx 295 plus
corsair core i7 dominator 6gb
corsair 1000 hx PS
zalman 9700
TT mozart tx cube case.

Dude, I don't think Zalman 9700 is compatible with socket 1366... (unless your mobo has holes drilled to fit socket 775)

 

[Phantomaniac]

Originally posted by: solofly

Originally posted by: BoBoDuFlachi
all the parts for my new rig arrive tomorrow..ready to overclock this baby

i7 920
evga x85 sli mb
evga gtx 295 plus
corsair core i7 dominator 6gb
corsair 1000 hx PS
zalman 9700
TT mozart tx cube case.

Dude, I don't think Zalman 9700 is compatible with socket 1366... (unless your mobo has holes drilled to fit socket 775)

Zalman sells a 1366 mounting bracket so everything should be a-ok.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
if you guys get an i7, try to get a B stepping.

those seem to do better with lower voltages.

Of course. Can you point me to the mass of evidence?

 

[solofly]

Originally posted by: Phantomaniac

Originally posted by: solofly

Originally posted by: BoBoDuFlachi
all the parts for my new rig arrive tomorrow..ready to overclock this baby

i7 920
evga x85 sli mb
evga gtx 295 plus
corsair core i7 dominator 6gb
corsair 1000 hx PS
zalman 9700
TT mozart tx cube case.

Dude, I don't think Zalman 9700 is compatible with socket 1366... (unless your mobo has holes drilled to fit socket 775)

Zalman sells a 1366 mounting bracket so everything should be a-ok.

Finally they released one, good to know...(thanks)

 

[solofly]

So much for the excitement, I thought maybe I'll try the Zalman 9700 in place of my Ultima90 (Ultra won't fit in my case as it was designed mainly for water cooling) but that would be a downgrade in every aspect after reading Anand's review...

http://www.anandtech.com/casec...howdoc.aspx?i=3068&p=6

 

[BoBoDuFlachi]

Originally posted by: solofly

Originally posted by: Phantomaniac

Originally posted by: solofly

Originally posted by: BoBoDuFlachi
all the parts for my new rig arrive tomorrow..ready to overclock this baby

i7 920
evga x85 sli mb
evga gtx 295 plus
corsair core i7 dominator 6gb
corsair 1000 hx PS
zalman 9700
TT mozart tx cube case.

Dude, I don't think Zalman 9700 is compatible with socket 1366... (unless your mobo has holes drilled to fit socket 775)

Zalman sells a 1366 mounting bracket so everything should be a-ok.

Finally they released one, good to know...(thanks)

I ordered the mounting bracket as well when i ordered the 9700.. all the other after market i7 coolers just didnt seem too great.

After reading more about the GTX 295, im questioning weather the corsair 1000hx will supply enough amps on the 12 v rail for the card. anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN

Originally posted by: aigomorla
if you guys get an i7, try to get a B stepping.

those seem to do better with lower voltages.

Of course. Can you point me to the mass of evidence?

Collecting my own studies right now off friends and a bunch of people im in a group with.

So far A's require about 1.375-1.4Vcore to get 4.0 this is QPI voltage @ 1.425.

All the B's ive seen require 1.35-1.375 and they overclock better on the 20x multiplier.

But BTRY when have you seen me fubar an intel cpu?

So trust me on it.