Overclocking AMD Phenom II x4 955 (deneb) 3.2Ghz

[imported_thebluecoat]

Hello All,

I've been reading on how to overclock in this forum and found some users with this specific processor that have been overclocking to 3.4Ghz. I have read that increasing the Multiplier from 16x to 17x yields 3.4Ghz, and that 1.400volts will make this clock stable. I used AMD Overdrive Stability Test for the full hour and no crashes. However, if I try to use OCCT to create an extreme load on my CPU, my temperatures started to go above 60c 20 seconds into test, I'm sure I'd have popped my CPU if I left it running. Here are my concerns where I would appreciate any input.

Why are my temperatures so high with 62f ambient air.
Is my CPU/System cooling inadequate, I don't feel it is not.
(ZALMAN CPNS10x Extreme)
(Artic Silver 5)
(Antec 900) Proper cable management.
+ Installation of another 120mm fan total (5 fans) - cannot fit one in window because of CPU heatsink

Right now at stock 3.2Ghz, stock voltage no overclock, I am idle @ 32c.

Did I improperly apply artic silver? I followed the directions with a grain of rice amount and made the surface of it quite smooth. However I also applied the same amount on the heatsink's surface as the heatsink directions said (too much?) is this problem?

I just don't understand..

Thanks,
bluecoat

 

[schenley101]

your using a high voltage. but the temps aren't bad at all. also AS5 takes a long time to cure. my 955 is at 3.6 at stock voltage. increasing the voltage is usually what you do when all else fails, because it greatly increases power usage and heat.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

60 C doesn't seem too bad for the type of load you're putting on it and the voltage you're using. I agree with the above user: Don't increase the voltage unless you need to. And to run at 3.4GHz you shouldn't need a voltage increase.

 

[imported_thebluecoat]

So you both are suggesting that 60C is actually "okay" because of the "type of load" that OCCT places on the CPU, as in games/applications cannot duplicate this? I am just using the information that AMD has on their Phenom II x4 955 specification sheet that max operating temp is 62C. Being at 60c is ridiculously hot is it not?

Also, do you suggest I just increase my multiplier ONLY to achieve 3.4-3.6ghz? It seems like the times I have done that, it has not been stable. Explorer errors, blue screen through regular OS use.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Yeh, you increase the frequeny. If it's not stable you should increase the voltage by as little as possible until it's stable.

60C is on the high side, but it's still safe.

 

[lopri]

I use rice grain method for thermal paste. Phenom II CPUs are sensitive to heat - especially the IMC. More voltages than needed will hurt rather than help overclocking. Also, check where your NB voltage is. There could be two NB's in the BIOS, one being memory controller in the CPU and the other being the traditional NB on the board. What you want to check is the NB in the CPU. 955BE's NB operates at 1.10V default voltage.

What is your motherboard?

 

[imported_thebluecoat]

Originally posted by: lopri
I use rice grain method for thermal paste. Phenom II CPUs are sensitive to heat - especially the IMC. More voltages than needed will hurt rather than help overclocking. Also, check where your NB voltage is. There could be two NB's in the BIOS, one being memory controller in the CPU and the other being the traditional NB on the board. What you want to check is the NB in the CPU. 955BE's NB operates at 1.10V default voltage.

What is your motherboard?

Since you're helping me this may be overkill but these are the stats of my motherboard so you don't have to look it up. I will post back with my voltages later in the day.


Brand GIGABYTE
Model GA-MA770T-UD3P
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type AM3
CPU Type Phenom II X4 / Phenom II X3
FSB 5200 MT/s
Chipsets
North Bridge AMD 770
South Bridge AMD SB710
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR3 1666(OC)/1333/1066
Maximum Memory Supported 16GB
Channel Supported Dual Channel
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16 1
PCI Express x1 4
PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s 6
SATA RAID 0/1/0+1
Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset Realtek ALC888
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset Realtek 8111C/D(L)
Max LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 2
USB 8 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394 2 x IEEE 1394a
S/PDIF Out 1 x Optical, 1 x Coaxial
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers Support 4 USB 2.0
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 30.5cm x 21.0cm (12" x 8.27")

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: cusideabelincoln
60 C doesn't seem too bad for the type of load you're putting on it and the voltage you're using. I agree with the above user: Don't increase the voltage unless you need to. And to run at 3.4GHz you shouldn't need a voltage increase.

 

[imported_thebluecoat]

http://img.photobucket.com/alb...v13/bluecoat/Stats.jpg
These are my current stats with my overclock to 3.5GHz.
How do they look?





Can someone also include advice on RAM timings, my defaults are DDR3 1333 9-9-9-24 @ 1.5volts which I've tightened to 7-7-7-20 @ 1.520volts, but I had to lower my memory frequency down to 533Mhz, from 666Mhz (Is this a worse performance hit?). It's G.SKILL F3-10600CL9D-4GBPK model RAM.

edited:grammar.

 

[heyheybooboo]

----->>1) Return your RAMs to stock speed, timings and voltage. At this point what you really want to do is take the memory completely out of the equation.

2) Set the motherboard/CPU voltages to stock.

3) Using only the multiplier (preferably in the BIOS) start increasing the CPU speed only. Continue setting the clock speed higher until you crap out. Drop back to your stable clock at stock volts and, with all the cores at 100%, monitor your temps and stability.

If you are comfy with your temps and do not fail the stress test - shut down, bump the vcore +.05v and again start working the CPU multi upward (preferably in the BIOS) until you crash.

4) At this point it is up to you. You can bump the vcore another +0.25 and try again (Always monitor your temps at load!) as above. Or you can drop the CPU multi a notch and start tweaking up the base clock.

When you start tweaking on the base clock you will begin to OC your IMC/NB and memory so I would suggest that you drop the memory divider (or keep it at 533MHz) and take it completely out of the equation.

The IMC/NB is a whole 'nother matter. For each 10% you increase the IMC/NB speed, memory bandwidth increases 3-4% and latency decreases 3-4%. The 'pros' over at XS are now achieving 50% OCs on their IMC/NB speeds. 2500-2600MHz should easily be within your range. So ...

5) Begin tweaking on the base clock --- an increase from 200MHz to 210MHz will get your feet wet. Drop the HT multi a notch and raise the IMC/NB multi to 11.

Using your example (cpu multi of 17.5) that will bring your CPU clock speed to 3675MHz and your IMC/NB to 2310MHz. Now, if you happen to have been successful with your OCing up above with a CPU multi of 18 you would actually be zooming along at an overall cpu speed of 3.78GHz which is becoming quite respectful. This example helps me with my next point: Sometimes it is better (and easier) to drop the cpu multiplier .5 (or even by 1) and bump the base clock to raise your overall CPU clock speed.

Alright -- what the heck --- now bump your NB volts (don't go over 1.2v at this time) and raise the NB multi to 12. Yippee! Your IMC/NB speed is now 2520MHz with the base clock at 210MHz with an overall CPU clock speed of 3.675GHz. So ...

With a CPU multi of 17.5, if you get your base clock up to 218MHz you will pass 3.8GHz (and 2600MHz IMC/NB) OR ...

With a CPU multi of 17 and a base clock of 224MHz, same deal (with the IMC/NB approaching 2700MHz on a 12 multi).

Yah got it? As always, keep an eye on your temps at load and keep your voltages as low as possible (BUT when you find a clock speed that you love but it's just not quite 100% stable, a little bump in that 1.2v NB might go a long way smoothing everything out ). And finally ...

6) Now you may start adjusting on your RAMs ....

 

[imported_thebluecoat]

That has to be the most dopest reply ever. I will experiment tonight, I just popped on windows 7 too.

Which of these has more performance or, which characteristics do these specs cater to?
With a CPU multi of 17.5, if you get your base clock up to 218MHz you will pass 3.8GHz (and 2600MHz IMC/NB) OR ...

AND
With a CPU multi of 17 and a base clock of 224MHz, same deal (with the IMC/NB approaching 2700MHz on a 12 multi).

 

[imported_thebluecoat]

http://img.photobucket.com/alb...3/bluecoat/Stats-1.jpg

I apologize at the resizing that photobucket did but if you can't read here are my stats currently:

100% load prime95 torture test (15mins in) holding at 45c
CPU Speed = 3675MHz
HT ref. clock = 210MHz
HT Link Speed = 2100MHz
NB Speed = 2100 MHz
Memory Frequency = 700.35MHz
PCIe Speed = 108.3MHz
---------------------------------------------- no voltage increase.

However, I cannot drag my slider beyond 10x HT Multiplier. I will choose BIOS overclocking but I don't want to be in this restart, restart, restart mode.
I do not think it is possible for me to hit the explained 2600MHz NB speed because of my HT Multiplier?

 

[heyheybooboo]

CPU Speed = 3675MHz at stock volts /// 45c at load Good stuff!

Originally posted by: thebluecoat
That has to be the most dopest reply ever. I will experiment tonight, I just popped on windows 7 too.

Which of these has more performance or, which characteristics do these specs cater to?
With a CPU multi of 17.5, if you get your base clock up to 218MHz you will pass 3.8GHz (and 2600MHz IMC/NB) OR ...

AND
With a CPU multi of 17 and a base clock of 224MHz, same deal (with the IMC/NB approaching 2700MHz on a 12 multi).

It can vary from one CPU/mobo combo to the next. It's important you understand the distinction between the two, though --- that's a good thing. Over reliance on that unlocked CPU multi can be a bad thing. :thumbsup:

I prefer a higher base clock but sometimes, dammit, it just won't go there. It is entirely possible with your motherboard you may leave the CPU multi at stock, raise the base clock as high as 250MHz and hit 4GHz. (interestingly enough, if you drop your memory divider to 533 your RAMs will be running spec 1333MHz at CPU 4GHz.)

It's also important for you to understand this is more of a marathon than a sprint. As lopri noted, the PhIIs are really sensitive to voltage and you should always use the minimum possible when dialing everything in --- then when you need a slight volt bump for stability it is there. So ...

With AMD your RAM speed is 'double-pumped'. When you have a reported 700MHz speed in CPUz it is actually running at 1400MHz. It's good to know you can take it that high if necessary but you need to dial it back to see how high you can clock your CPU.

It will also help you immensely to become comfortable working in the BIOS --- Gigabyte has something called 'MB Intelligent Tweaker' or MIT. The tweaks in MIT (and the BIOS overall) go well beyond AMD OverDrive (but AOD is still a really neat tool). And hitting "Ctrl-F1" at the main BIOS screen will expand your tweaking options. So ...

1) I think you may be confusing the HT link multiplier with the IMC/NB multiplier. I'm not familiar with your motherboard but there should be a setting (most likely in MIT) that will allow you to set the 'HT Link Frequency' either with a multiplier or a 'locked' speed'. As long as you HT Link Freq is higher than your RAM speed you are good-to-go. Your HT Link speed should not exceed your IMC/NB speed. A setting a notch or so below your IMC/NB will be just dandy.

2) You need to lock your PCIe Freq at 100MHz. There is little if anything to gain from an increase and higher speeds create instability.

3) You need to drop your memory clock from 667MHz to 533MHz. That will drop your RAMs speed to 1120MHz (reported 560MHz) at base clock 210MHz.


I'm not suggesting to you that this is in anyway possible with your quad but I have a Gigabyte 785g running an unlocked Sempron 140 prime stable with a base clock of 284MHz.

And you are highly encouraged to purchase MOSFET cooling for that motherboard before getting too carried away - LOL.

Good luck! Let us know how your OC progresses.

 

[imported_thebluecoat]

These settings failed prime95 (@5mins): http://img.photobucket.com/alb...v13/bluecoat/Stats.jpg

So did these M.I.T settings which failed prime 95 (@5mins):
CPU Clock Ratio = x17.5 3675mhz
CPU NB Frequency Multi = x11 2310mhz
CPU Frequency = 210
PCIe Clock = auto
HT Link Freq = auto
Memclock = Manual
Memclock = x5.35 1119Mhz (I dropped my divider to attempt spec like you suggested)
SYSTEM VOLTAGE CONTROL = AUTO

Doing a lot of mixing and matching! but I really feel like through my playing around that it would be impossible to increase base clock to reach ram spec
on a x5.35 multiplier. Maybe my system is sensitive but I don't see my CPU base clock going above 212Mhz (I think) prime95 is failing something over and over. * note: I took into account that you said "HT should never exceed NB speed" and with those M.I.T settings they were exactly equal, and sometimes HT would exceed NB by 1-2Mhz, and sometimes NB exceeded HT by 1-2Mhz (fluctuations between the two). So in the AMD Overdrive settings that you see, I dropped the NB Multi to 9x because I was concerned about HW damage by the way you warned me.

Since these settings are failing, I just set back to stock to await my next suggestion! lol

edited: grammar

 

[heyheybooboo]

You are on your own, sir. No more hand holding for you!

Using 'Auto' settings is pretty much a big no-no. As an example: Manually set your PCIe clock to 100MHz (which is stock). Manually set the HT link freq to 1800MHz or select the '9' multi.

Dropping the NB multi to '9' is seriously backing up. You should easily be able to run a 11x-NB with the base clock at 210MHz with stock volts.

Same thing with 'System Voltage Control' ---- remove the 'Auto' and manually enter your voltage settings, even if they are 'stock'.

And if I remember correctly, the BIOS on some Gigabytes will change that pretty green 'System Voltage' to a flashing RED RED RED.

Laugh in the face of danger, my friend :laugh: