No VCORE on GA-Z68P-DS3?

[jacc1234]

I cant seem to find a vcore option on my new gigabyte board. I have updated to the latest firmware and dont think its a issue with my specific board. I believe it was left out intentionally but it is not stated anywhere. So first off I want this post to be a warning to potential buyers.

Now...a few questions. There is an option for Dynamic VCORE and I have been experimenting with it but it doesn't seem to do much. What I know is that if I set it too low I get BSOD or POST issues.

I have been slowly lowering the setting but my VCORE as reported in Coretemp is staying at 1.3561 which I feel is too high. I think my temps might be lower now that I am down to -.1 on the dynamic vcore setting but I am still testing and charting the data.

Could someone explain what exactly Dynamic VCORE does and if its at all helpful with my situation?

Finally, I made a bit of a mistake yesterday and hope I didn't fry my 2500K. I accidentally set my System Agent Voltage to 1.305 instead of 1.135 and left the PC on overnight. So far it seems fine but I would like to hear from others about how bad this might be!

Thanks!

 

[Avalon]

If I remember correctly, dynamic Vcore is just a range that you're adding or subtracting to the default Vcore you have set. Your board should still have Vcore options in it, they may just be in a sub menu or something weird. Also try pressing CTRL + F1 when you're in BIOS, as some Gigabyte boards require this combo press to unlock additional overclocking features.

*Edit*
Meant CTRL + F1, not Alt.

 

[tweakboy]

Also if he ends up not finding a vcore option, advice is dont OC your CPU over 3.8Ghz

you can do that on default voltage. Leave dynamic voltage on auto,,, gl

 

[jacc1234]

I just tried ALT+F1 and it did not unlock any other options. I have checked the manual and all submenus and there is no direct option for setting the VCORE. :/ It seems to have ever other OC option so the omission seems intentional.

I am running the latest F5 bios and I have seen a few other posts asking about the VCORE option on this MOBO.

Currently I am still testing for a stable oc. I have it at 4.3 Ghz and a DVCC of -.07. My temps are 35-39 idle and 55-65 under 100% load. (prime95 large fft)

I started at -.1 DVCC and have been working my way up. I have seen a few degrees C difference from -.1 to where im currently, -.07.

Im still just surprised that there is no direct VCC option. I tried posting a review on newegg to let others know but it hasnt shown up yet.

 

[jacc1234]

Also if he ends up not finding a vcore option, advice is dont OC your CPU over 3.8Ghz

you can do that on default voltage. Leave dynamic voltage on auto,,, gl

Why would i leave it on auto if i can run it cooler? Also 3.8 is not really a worthwhile OC. Ive seen a bit of your "advice" in other threads and im going take it with a grain of salt.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Ive seen a bit of your "advice" in other threads and im going take it with a grain of salt.

No offense to the tweakster, but yes, that would be "wise".

 

[Rvenger]

I have this board and I can confirm that there is no direct Vcore adjustment.

You can adjust the Vcore through the Dynamic DVID setting and if you are careful, you can tweak the vcore using this setting just as well. Just make sure you have LLC disabled, then it will work just fine. IMO you don't want to adjust the Vcore anyways when Load Line Calibration is enabled. Also this board doesn't have different levels of LLC like the other more feature rich GB boards.

Honestly I have my 2600k at 4.4ghz right now @ auto voltage with LLC enabled. Bios boots to 1.33v and prime95 is showing 1.26 - 1.29v when stressed. Not bad.

 

[Avalon]

Oops, I'm sorry, I meant CTRL + F1, not alt. Give that a try and see if it unlocks a Vcore option for you.

I've got s775 Gigabyte P35 DS3L and s1156 Gigabyte P55 DS3L boards, which both have direct Vcore adjustment, but do require the CTRL + F1 key press to unlock some extra options. I'd find it odd that what's essentially the Sandy Bridge version of my boards is missing this option.

 

[jacc1234]

Will try CTRL+F1 when i get home.

I do have LLC enabled when changing the VCORE. I will just try setting vcore to auto and see how it goes when I get home. Currently I am still getting BSOD after a few hours of prime at -.05 DVCC.

How are you checking your VCORE in windows SLK?

Anyone have any idea what running my System Agent Voltage at 1.3 could have done?

 

[exar333]

Also if he ends up not finding a vcore option, advice is dont OC your CPU over 3.8Ghz
you can do that on default voltage. Leave dynamic voltage on auto,,, gl

Not sure where this is coming from. It's fine to run as high as you want on any reasonable voltage, assuming you test it to be stable.

 

[Rvenger]

Will try CTRL+F1 when i get home.

I do have LLC enabled when changing the VCORE. I will just try setting vcore to auto and see how it goes when I get home. Currently I am still getting BSOD after a few hours of prime at -.05 DVCC.

How are you checking your VCORE in windows SLK?

Anyone have any idea what running my System Agent Voltage at 1.3 could have done?

I checked it through AIDA64 and Easytuner. Both are giving me the exact reading.


When I was running at 4.3ghz I had LLC disabled with +.04 DVID. Booted up at 1.34v and Prime was peaking the voltage out at 1.24 - 1.26v.

 

[Avalon]

Also a quick little addendum, I do agree with SLK about LLC. Leave it disabled. Anand explains why it's not really good to use here...

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2404/6

 

[Rvenger]

Also a quick little addendum, I do agree with SLK about LLC. Leave it disabled. Anand explains why it's not really good to use here...

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2404/6

That article is from 2007 but still holds true mostly. I am sure that LLC has improved since that article was published. I have mine enabled right now and all it does is it stabilizes the Vdroop for a better overclock. Instead of it drooping .06v, it might only droop .03. Thats what I seen with my own eyes in 2 days of testing. If you are using LLC, I would recommend not even adjusting the Vcore at all because I think it messes up the inter-workings of LLC in general which could cause unnecessary spikes in voltage.

One last thing I noticed while I was testing. When having LLC enabled, gigabyte does mention that if LLC is disabled, it will follow Intel spec. \ I have yet to see the Vcore go out of spec even with LLC enabled.

 

[sm625]

Hmmmm when I got my GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 I didnt have any trouble finding vcore. Seems like it would be pretty much the same board.

 

[Rvenger]

Will try CTRL+F1 when i get home.

I do have LLC enabled when changing the VCORE. I will just try setting vcore to auto and see how it goes when I get home. Currently I am still getting BSOD after a few hours of prime at -.05 DVCC.

How are you checking your VCORE in windows SLK?

Anyone have any idea what running my System Agent Voltage at 1.3 could have done?

I tried the CTRL F1 and it unlocked a couple more options such as PCI Latency timer and spread spectrum. Funny that Spread Spectrum was enabled and people who overclock would normally disable it to gain stability. I wonder why Gigabyte hid that option?

 

[Avalon]

My buddy just got in his new build yesterday, and he oddly enough had the micro-ATX version of that board, and it too did not have direct Vcore adjustment, just dynamic adjustment, so you guys are definitely right.

I also noticed that memory system multiplier was an option under two different sections in the BIOS. Sounds like poor BIOS implementation by Gigabyte...

 

[Rvenger]

My buddy just got in his new build yesterday, and he oddly enough had the micro-ATX version of that board, and it too did not have direct Vcore adjustment, just dynamic adjustment, so you guys are definitely right.

I also noticed that memory system multiplier was an option under two different sections in the BIOS. Sounds like poor BIOS implementation by Gigabyte...

No surprise from Gigabyte. I usually return everything I buy from Gigabyte due to Q/C reasons. Boards are too buggy, something just doesn't perform right etc. I actually might be happy with the GA-Z68P-DS3 though, its a little buggy in the bios but I seem to have worked around the bugs and have a pretty darn stable system now. I guess it can't be beat for $89 + free ship at newegg. Plus the latest bios update supports 22nm CPUs

For some reason I like to squeeze as much power out of the cheapest boards possible, makes it feel like a great value after the accomplishment.

 

[jacc1234]

I will confirm with SLK said, tried CTRL-F1 and it didn't unlock VCORE. Spread Spectrum is now disabled though

I am running at 4Ghz now with a vcore of around 1.28 and temps holding at 60C. I ran prime for 12 hours without issue. Im going to keep working on it to try and get 4.3-4.5.

I tried setting dynamic vcore to auto and enabling LLC but my temps on one core were hitting 71C which I don't want.

 

[Rvenger]

Im at 4.4ghz. I stressed some more with Intel Burn Test yesterday. I think my ceramique is finally starting to cure because my max temps went from 74c to 71c. It seems that core 2 is only hitting in the 70s

 

[jacc1234]

Nice! Im hoping I can squeeze a bit more out of it in the future by disabling LCC and then by upping the DVCC a little. Right now this PC is on 24/7 so I would rather it use less power and run a bit cooler.

I dont think I did any damage by running the system agent voltage at 1.3 for around 12h.

 

[Rvenger]

I don't think you should mess with the VCCSA because it doesn't impact overclocking. Its best to leave it at stock and I wouldn't recommend changing it. I don't think you have done any damage but I would leave it on auto. If you want more than 4.4ghz you will probably have to increase the VCCIO a little.


Jacc- Can you check something for me? If you go to adjust the turbo cores individually in the bios, does the 4th one always stick to auto no matter if you try changing it?