New G-Skill pc 6400, Need some Overclocking Advice?

[bushwickbill]

So I finally Got myself some worthy Overclocking Ram to push this E6400 To new Levels. My Goal is 3.2 Ghz.
On my First new Run of Overclocking I set,
My Cpu to 370*8 At 1.3125 V.core in Bios, 2.960 MHZ
Mem Auto Speed at 1.9 Volts, 5,6,6,18 at 1:1 Ratio
First run of Orthos Blend test I see things are working as they should, But not sure if things are getting a little too warm or not.
I only let go for about 5 mins and took this Pic.
http://imageshack.us]

[/URL]
http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=504&i=2960mhzoctk8.png]

[/URL]


I am using three Apps to monitor temps as I really don't need a fried chip at this point in the Game. I have waited very patiently for this new Ram, Now that I finally have it I want to make sure things are done safely.
So guys, Should I keep going? And when looking a the temps. On "Speed fan" there is four temps!! CPU, Core 0, Core 1, Core 2
Which ones should I be worried about the most. "Core Temp" shows that both Cores are not above 50C.
So what is the best way to be sure of your temps?
Thanx guys, This will be a ongoing thread.

 

[sutahz]

1 application to monitor your temp should be fine. Once you see the difference between CoreTemp and the others, just do the quick math in your head.
I find it strange that Tcase (CPU) is higher then Tjunc (Core0/1 temps), my Tcase < Tjunc.
With your ram running 1:1 (are you sure about this? you say you have 'Mem Aut Speed' selected) then 3.2GHz wont stress your ram at all. 400x8=3.2GHz, 400x2 = DDR2-800.
A side note, I have some G.Skill PC6400 as well, I was able to get it memtest86+ stable at 1050MHz.

 

[bushwickbill]

So under further testing, I am starting to get Concerned.
At 390*8 =3120Mhz V.Core at 1.35 in Bios
MEM 1:1 2.0 Volts 5,6,6,18
I get to the Desktop, But I start Orthos and I get an Error as soon as the test is fully Running!
So I think I would have to up the V.Core, Which I haven't gone past 1.35 Volts before.
So What I did do was lower the Speed to
380*8=3040 Mhz, V.Core 1.35 Bios/ Cpu-Z reports 1.288 (Idle) and 1.256 (Orthos Running)
Ram at 1.9 Volts 5,6,6,18 1:1 2T
I Ran Orthos for 1 Hour and 20 Mins,
http://imageshack.us]

[/URL]


Temps as you can see are in the 50's under Orthos's Load. I ran 3DMark06 and hit a new Record for me of 11230 points Avg of three runs at Default Settings.
I really am nervous to put the V.Core past 1.35 Volts. Do you guys think My temps are safe enough to continue to up the V.Core? And I also have to Bump the Ram Volts to 2.0 just to get to the Desktop at 390*8. The Ram that I have, Is it going to be o.k. to run it at 2.0 or 2.1 Volts for any period of time? I really only want to Run my Chip at these speeds when Playing Crysis or any other Really intensive Game. I will back the speed down to around 2.7-2.8 Ghz for everyday use. I think I could tighten the timings up at 2.8Ghz, But they won't be able to be at 4,4,4,12 at anything higher will they?
This is new Territory for me, So I just need some reassurance that What I am doing is safe. I would love to Run my Rig at 3.2Ghz at 4,4,4,12. I would call it a day if I could achieve that. But it seems, To get my Chip to Run Stable at 390*8 I will really have to jack the V.Core up as well as the Ram volts. Is the Extra volts and heat going to be worth the Risk for a few more Hundred points in 3DMark06. How much more Gaming performance will I really see in Crysis by trying to push it that High?? As I have stated, Things at 380*8 seem to be fine, Stable, And I can leave the Ram at 1.9Volts.
Thanx guys for your help. I am almost Home

 

[myocardia]

Are you trying to find out how far your RAM will overclock, or your CPU? If your CPU, lower your RAM speed, run your RAM at a maximum of 1:1, not minimum of 1:1. If your RAM, stop overclocking your CPU.

 

[bushwickbill]

Basically I am trying to get my CPU up to 3.2Ghz with Ram at 4,4,4,12, That is my Goal for this Hardware set. I just got this ram and I am in new territory, above 3Ghz on my E6400. I am just nervous to up the V.Core above 1.35V as the temps are in the Mid 50's during Orthos stress test. And I also wondering if this Ram is alright to run at 2.0 Volts for any period of time.

 

[sutahz]

Im guessing the sticker on your ram (since we have no idea which kit you own) states 5-5-5-15 1.8-1.9V. To get mine to run at 1050MHz I used 2.0V (i had it at 2.17ish during the beginning of testing my ram). Don't worry about running your ram at 4-4-4-12, there is zero performance gain in doing that. Set your ram to all auto or 5-5-5-15-5 1.9V.
As far as OCing your processor, see how far you can push it using just 1.3V but do it slowly.
How many overclocking guides have you read?

 

[bushwickbill]

http://www.ncix.com/products/i...e=G.SKILL&promoid=1061
I forgot to change my Sig to reflect that i just put four 1GB sticks of G-Skill DDR2 PC6400, OOPS.
I ordered two kits of these. And I have read quite a few Overclocking threads. Is there one that I have missed that will help me? Show me a link, I don't mind reading and learning.
Currently I have the V.core at 1.35 in the BIOS, CPU-Z shows 1.256 volts on V.Core under Orthos full load. So V-Droop I am technically is under 1.3 Volts. That is my Concern, I am worried to push the V.Core any higher to get my CPU to go faster. I can post at 390*8=3120 and get to the Desktop, But as soon as I hit go on Orthos I get a error and the test stops. So I then upped the V.Core to 2.0 Volts and had the same problem. I have two choices to take. Either I up the V.Core to the next level, Or I up the Ram to 2.1 volts. I have the Ram set on Auto timings so i don't have to worry about them while I push my CPU.
I have seen many C2D E6400 running at 1.4 V.Core with no issues. I am just a little gun shy to try it on mine. Will it all be worth the Risk? I sure hope so

 

[Cutthroat]

You have a similar setup to me, here's a couple of pics of my "Jumperfree Configuration" BIOS screens that might help.

Top half:camera:

Bottom half:camera:

To get your E6400 over 3.2ghz you will likely need to get the voltage up to 1.37 or higher. Your CPU is safe up to 70C under load, but it would be preferable to keep it closer to 60C. My temps are ~40C idle and ~60C under load.

 

[bushwickbill]

Sorry for the Double post

 

[bushwickbill]

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=286345
It took bumping the V.core from 1.35 to 1.425 Volts, and the Ram needed to be at 2.1 Volts to Run stable on Orthos. I know you had stated that I shouldn't be concerned with Temps. During my Orthos run at 3.2Ghz the Temps hit 60C for the hour. My Ram was running at 5,6,6,18.
I then backed the speed down a notch and tried to tighten the timings, they went to 4,4,4,10 at 1.9 volts Weird how the Ram needed to be at 2.1 volts to run at 800Mhz.Temps were in the mid 55's during my 1 Hour 20 Min run of Orthos.
http://imageshack.us]

[/URL]


3DMark06
3.2 Ghz 5,6,6,18=11407, New Record
3.040 Mhz 4,4,4,10=11235
I didn't want to push things any further considering the V.Core was getting up there. 1.425 is starting to push it for the Extra 160Mhz on the CPU isn't it?! I know some chips can handle major volts and heat, But 60C under Load seems like it is getting a little hot.
So if you guys think It is o.k. to Run my CPU at 3.2Ghz with those temps (60 under orhtos load) for Gaming, Then I will. I would like to try and tighten the timings at those speeds and see if I could break the 12000 Mark on 3DMark06??
I know I shouldn't put everything into that test, But it is the Fastest way to see my Gains. I have heard it can be safe to pump up to 1.5 Volts into my Chip?
Thanx for your help guys, Let me know what you think?

 

[bushwickbill]

Did Everybody have a great Christmas?!
So I need some help to figure out if I can tighten My Ram timings further than 4,4,4,10 to increase performance? As I have stated I Don't think
I can run my chip any faster than 3.2Ghz, Being as the temps got up to 59-60C under full load. To run at 3.2Ghz I had to Put V.core to 1.425 in Bios, CPU-z showed 1.328 when Orthos was running(Massive V-Droop?). So Being As CPU-Z is reporting such a V-Droop, I am not really putting 1.425 Volts into it right?
But these timings, I have never set them manually before. My Cpu is at 3040 Mhz, Ram is at 760 Mhz at 1.9 Volts at 4,4,4,10. I have it set on the first speed after Auto in the BIOS. So how owuld I go about trying to tighten up my Ram timings for more Performance. Something also that I don't get is this. When My CPU is at 3040, Ram at 1:1 5,6,6,18 I pull 11230 in 3DMArk06. When I drop the timings to 4,4,4,10 I get 11235 in 3DMArk06. Why such a small increase in points? Shouldn't running the timings at a fater speed give me more points in 3DMark06?? Is there something I am not understanding about Ram timings Vs Ram speed? I DL Sandra lite for testing my Ram, But I don't understand how to use it for testing purposes.
I am looking for the Best setup for playing Crysis. I am not soo concerned with Video encoding or burning, Just Gaming. Need some tips on how to better maximize my Rig for Gaming.
Thanx for the help everybody so far

 

[Cutthroat]

You can try to increase your DRAM voltage to get better timings, but you're not going to get much better than 4-4-4-10. I'd leave it where it is, and as you noticed, no increase in gaming performance anyway.

3.2 - 3.4GHZ is appox the max overclock on the E6400 on air, no matter how you go about overclocking.

1.425v is higher than I would go for vcore even, mine overheats in the summer at 1.4125v without the side panel off and a fan blowing on it.

Now you could try a multiplier of 7 and see if you can get the fsb higher, you can get more performance that way, you will likely have to mess with other voltages to get higher than you already have. Or you could be happy with what you have (it's a good overclock) and if you are sure you are stable try to reduce your vcore just a notch, run for a couple of days and if it's still stable continue to lower the voltage until you find the point it is no longer stable. Right now I'm at 1.4v in bios 1.38 in Windows 100% load.

 

[bushwickbill]

That is my issue now. I have V.Core set to 1.425 in Bios, But under Orthos Test, CPU-Z shows 1.328. So the V-Droop on this board is bad, But does that mean I can increase the V.core knowing I am not near 1.425 according to CPU_Z?! I am not trying to Brake any record or anything, I am just wondering if Having the CPU at 1.425 in Bios is safe for prolonged use considering the real V.Core is alot lower.
I want to try and keep the timings at 4,4,4,10 while slowly creeping my CPU speeds up to 3.2GHz. And, I have never used Memtest before for testing Ram Stability. I only have used Orthos or Prime. By trying to push the Ram To 800MHz at 4,4,4,10 timings, How can I tell for sure that my Ram is Stable? Do I need to use Memtest? And can you use Memtest from a USB flash drive instead of making a bootable disc(I have no clue how to make one)?
I know I am very close to my Max performance of this Rig setup, Just need a little more help to get my Ram stable at 800MHZ 4,4,4,10.

 

[Cutthroat]

Vdroop is not a bad thing, it's done by design. There is an article around here somewhere that deals with vdroop well. basically what it shows is that when the system returns to idle that the vcore can spike up to what you have it set at in the BIOS. Personally I would not want to increase the vcore beyond 1.425 on that chip cooled with air. You should try messing with other voltages to get your OC stable, try your DRAM voltage at 2.1-2.2v, increase SB & NB voltage a bit. Look around for others with a P5B and a E6400 to see what settings they used in thier BIOS.

 

[kb2114]

I doubt that voltage reading is correct, CPU-Z is sometimes funny about showing the right voltage. Try downloading Speedfan and monitoring the voltage there.

 

[bushwickbill]

The Revision of the P5B that I have, Has no NB or SB Voltage Adjustments I too believe that my max CPU speed is going to be 3.2Ghz while Air cooled. I can live with that I just want to get this Ram running as fast as i can while being Stable.
Is memtest the only Test available that can tell you if your Ram is stable? Doesn't Orthos's Ram Test do a good job of Stressing your Ram? I remember trying Memtest, I had to run three separate apps of it to Test all of my Ram. It only can test 1.5GB of ram per application? And how long do you run Memtest for. Is %100 Coverage considered Good?!
And lastly, If I put 2.1 Volts in to the Ram to try and keep the Timings tight at 3.2Ghz, What are the chances of the Ram frying. When Ram is about to fail, Does it just produce Errors, Or does it just Fry Never to be used again? I would really hate to Burn this Ram out being as it is less than a week old!!
I will run Speed Fan to monitor my V.Core and compare it's readings to CPU-Z. I suppose there is no Apps to monitor Ram temps?? Does Everest Ultimate do a good job of monitoring V.Core? I know it works good for Monitoring GPU speeds and temps, Never thought to use it for V.Core.
I will report my Findings.

 

[Cutthroat]

I can't comment on Memtest because it's been so long since I've used it. I just use Folding@Home for stability testing.