Need help with overclocking my CPU!

Mekkie

Junior Member
Jun 10, 2011
4
0
0
Hello there! Long time reader, first time I post.

So, I'm having a soon to be, outdated CPU, so I was fooling around with the thought of overcloking it. For this I really appreciate if you guys could help me out, and push me in the right direction.
I know how overcloking works, and how you're supposed to do it. Despite this, I'm sitll very unsure how to do it, and would require a very step-by-step guide, to follow, before I would do this.

So, hardware specs, that I find needed to solve this!

CPU: Intel Core i7 950 Bloomfield 3.06 Ghz. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115211)

Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D Premium (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131614)

RAM: 12gb of 1333Mhz Kingston DDR3 (3x4gb)

I don't know about the BIOS version, don't know how to check it, but I haven't updated it.

So, here is a very additionals. I have the standard CPU cooler, and I know I will need to replace it. So which cooler do you guys recommend for this?
And I suppose I need to update the BIOS aswell, and how do I do this?

I hope you guys can help me overclock my CPU, and thanks in advance :)!
 

wand3r3r

Diamond Member
May 16, 2008
3,180
0
0
The newest BIOS for that board appears to be 1501 (updated July 2nd)
here: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1366/P6X58D_Premium/#download

You will need a different fan, I have used the Noctua NH-C12P (12cm fan, the C14P is 14cm so more airflow/lower rpms) and the NH-D14. It depends on your budget.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tua+nh&x=0&y=0

Basically you probably can't even really do anything without an aftermarket cooler. Get that before you tinker around much. Take a look in the BIOS at the settings.

Basically what you'll need to do is adjust a few main settings:
BCLK = the base frequency 133MHz by default.
vCore = CPU core voltage (careful with this!)
QPI/DRAM = The memory (controller?) voltage, only needs to be adjusted with a bit higher OC's I believe.
DRAM voltage = max 1.64 or 1.66v but less if your memory specs allow it.

You can check out the RAM advanced settings and change the first 4 settings according to the timing specs of your memory.
for exampled 8-8-8-24
In the advanced RAM settings you'd set the first four with the timings of your memory.


You have 1333 MHz ram so you can adjust the BCLK up slowly but then ensure that the memory clock is MAX 1333 MHz which may require changing the memory multiplier down and you may end up with for example the next setting down at 12xx MHz because you can't go over 1333MHz (or you can always try but may need to loosen the timings).


Here's a good guide.
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx..._id=1&model=P6T+Deluxe&SLanguage=en-us&page=1

Core i7 950:

How to calculate the overlock - example.

A good starting point could be to calculate which BCLK you would need, to achieve your desired CPU speed. Let’s say that you would like a CPU speed of 3.6 GHz. The needed BCLK then is: 3600 / 24 = 150MHz, using the highest option for the CPU Ratio Setting, which is 24, manually set, for Core i7 950. CPU speed will be: BCLK x CPU Ratio Setting = 150 x 24 = 3600MHz (3.6GHz)



Let’s say that you want to use a DDR3-1600MHz memory. Determine the memory multiplier as DRAM Frequency / BCLK (1600 / 150 = 10.67) Use the nearest memory multiplier, which is 10. The nearest selectable option for DRAM Frequency will then be BCLK x memory multiplier (150 x 10 = 1500). Select DRAM Frequency [DDR3-1500] (which means a rather insignificant underclock of the memory).



The UCLK (Uncore) multiplier should be greater than, or equal to, 2 x the memory multiplier: 2 x 10 = 20.

Uncore Frequency is BCLK x UCLK multiplier (150 x 20 = 3000). Select UCLK Frequency [3000MHz].

This setting can also be left at [Auto].



The QPI (Quick Path Interconnect) is a high speed, bi-directional, link between the CPU and the X58 IOH (I/O Hub). There is hardly anything to gain from increasing the multiplier from the default value (18) so we leave it at that. This means a QPI Frequency of 150 x 18 = 2700MHz, or 150 x 36 = 5400MT/s (Mega Transfers per second).

This setting is preferably set manually to the lowest option when overclocking by raising the BCLK.



Next step is to lower the CPU Ratio Setting to 14 and run Memtest86+ v4.20 (or later) to verify the stability for memory, Uncore and QPI, without the risk of limitations due to the CPU speed. If errors occur, try to increase the QPI/DRAM Core Voltage.



If Memtest86+ runs error free, set the CPU Ratio Setting to 24 or [Auto]. The setting [Auto] means default 23 for i7 950, but with TurboMode Tech enabled, the CPU Ratio Setting will normally be 24.



Finally, running Prime95 for a total of 8 virtual cores, the PC has to be stable for at least overnight.

It's trial and error but just be careful if you put manual voltages. If you go to high on any of them it can fry something.
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
Before jumping into louder fans/more hardware/etc, you might just see what you can do on all stock volts with the stock cooler. My i7 920 d0 does 20x180 = 3.6 ghz just fine at stock, I don't get to really play with it until I go over 180 bclk. You have a base 23 multi, however, so that would be the same as about a 156 blck for you. Honestly, even getting to 3.6 is a pretty hefty jump for that cpu and could probably be accomplished without changing anything other than your bclk.

If you do that and want to get serious then start reading guides and posting specific questions here, we're happy to help.