overclocking my e6400

[Raider1284]

I just setup my new system and I'm trying to overclock it. The stepping is L627 and I have a zalman 9500 on it. I am able to boot into windows fine at 300*8 w/ 1:1 memory ratio, but when I try 333 it becomes unstable in windows. I think tried jumping to 400 since I heard the 320-400 range is unstable and I got a "cannot boot windows, 'some system file is corrupt or missing' ". I have the pci locked at 33, and the pci-e locked at 100. I heard there is a sata lock, but i cant find it anywhere. Also where can i set the 1T/2T timing in the p5b bios?

My stats are:
p5b deluxe bios 0711
2gig patrio 5300 ram
e6400 w/ 9500 on it
320gb seagate drive 7200.10

I was able to boot into the bios at 400*8 and the bios supposedely said the cpu was at 70C. I'm assuming this bios isnt accurate, is there a known "it's off by this much" statement? When I was running it at stock speeds with the 9500 I was idling at 40C and was at 45C under load. With the stock heatsink at stock speeds I was idling at 45C and was at 55C under load. This seems really high to me, and multiple reseats didnt seem to help. Any ideas?

EDIT:
I'm now stable at 333*8, and its holding at 55C under heavy duel folding. I am really hoping to hit 400*8, but it seems like my temps are too high already. The vcore is at 1.3 once in windows (1.35 in the bios). Any suggestions to hitting the "ideal" 3.2GHz?


Thanks again.
Raider

 

[Accord99]

The P5B-deluxe changes to looser timings at 401MHz. Its reported BIOS temperatures are reasonably close to Core Temp and Intel TAT (within a few degrees) so 70C in the BIOS would be to hot, you'll probably throttle under high load. Try disabling static read control in the North Bridge configuration screen and see if it improves your stability at 333MHz.

 

[Raider1284]

is the p5b known to give accurate temps? and I thought the 9500 was a great cooler shouldn't it be able to handle the e6400 at 3.2?

 

[Accord99]

It's usually accurate. The 9500 is a good cooler and should be keeping it much cooler at only 3.2GHz; should be more like 50-55C at the BIOS. Are you setting the vcore manually or keeping it at auto?

 

[Raider1284]

the vcore on the cpu is set to auto actually. totally forgot about that. I'll set it manually. Any ideas on the corrupt windows? is there a sata lock? I have my drive setup with the AHCI. Would 1.375 (to account for vdroop) be enough for 3.2GHz?

 

[Accord99]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
the vcore on the cpu is set to auto actually. totally forgot about that. I'll set it manually. Any ideas on the corrupt windows? is there a sata lock? I have my drive setup with the AHCI. Would 1.375 (to account for vdroop) be enough for 3.2GHz?

The SATA frequency should always be locked, or at least matching the PCI-express frequency. The Windows corruption error sounds more like your RAM giving out at 800MHz though. You'll probably need to change timings to make it looser and/or increase the VDIMM.


1.375v should be adequate, I have a E6600 that does 3.2 at 1.35v. The auto vcore setting on the P5B-deluxe tends to over-volt on the high side, and could have caused your high temperature reading.

 

[jhh979s]

I have an e6400 as well, but a different board, I run mine at 400FSB with a 1:1 divider on ddr800 RAM. I am stable at 1.3625 volts. I also have the same cooler as you. Make sure you have tightened it down all the way. I thought my temps were a bit high so I took a screwdriver to it again and my temps went down 2-4 degrees. I also used AS5. In the CPU config I have everything disabled except virtualization I think(might be something else) I assume your board has alot of the same options. My idle temps now(at ~75 degrees F room temp) are 42-45C. But with the cold weather setting in its usually around 65F in my room and I idle around 36-38C. I use CoreTemp

 

[Raider1284]

what's should load temps be roughly on a e6400 running at 3.2Ghz?

I would have sworn I read someone that the p5b reports higher temps. I was expecting 30C idle when I was running at stock speed with the 9500, but I was idling at 40C!

 

[jhh979s]

My load temps if I remember correctly was 60C both cores, 75C room temp. Thats running Orthos Small FFTs. And since Intel says the max stable temp is 61.5C I consider it safe. But again, if you can keep your room temp down it will change your results for the better.
One more note, do you have the 9500 fan speed up all the way? It makes a 2-3 degree difference. If you havent already, download CoreTemp and give it a try.

 

[Kwint Sommer]

Originally posted by: jhh979s
My load temps if I remember correctly was 60C both cores, 75C room temp. Thats running Orthos Small FFTs. And since Intel says the max stable temp is 61.5C I consider it safe. But again, if you can keep your room temp down it will change your results for the better.

WTF!?! First, why is your CPU below room temp and second why is your room 3 quarters of the way from turning ice into steam?

Seriously, what are you using to read those temps. Speedfan and Asus Probe don't work with most motherboards and E6600/E6700. They are all 15c to 20c above the actual value and at 75c to 80c your CPU is not going to stable regardless of settings.

 

[Raider1284]

he obviously meant 75F, but you mentioned that most temp sensors are 15C off? Is that really true? If so then my cpu running at "55C" under load is really around 40-45C? which means it would be safe to overclock it until it hit say 60-65C under load?

 

[NoStateofMind]

First, your limiting factor is RAM. I'm not sure how well those Patriot 5300's OC.

2nd, Temps are too high for what you have. I have my E6400 OC'd to 3.2GHz w/Scythe Infinity load @ 46C and idle @ 35C. Try reseating your HSF. Check to make sure the thermal grease is spread evenly. Use a razor blade to check how even your chip is. It may be concave or convex. If it is, read this link about lapping.

Do you have good airflow? What fans? Case?

Check these things and report back

 

[Raider1284]

well the ram are these guys http://www.guru3d.com/article/memory/351/5/ which will supposedely do 900+ with relaxed timings, so I doubt its the memory. Though I noticed at stock speeds of 667 they got there ram to do 7290, which makes me think my ram is running in 2T timings, as opposed to 1T. Anyone here know how to change the command rate on the p5b?

And the fact that your load is 10C below mine while being overclocked way more is def troubling. I'll try the lapping method but I got to admit taking gritty sand paper to a 200+ cpu is a really scary thought. What's the risk in doing this? How do you know if your about to go through the IHS? Is it safer just to remove the IHS?

For a case I have this guy http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811125436 the "infamous" water cooling case, and I have a 80mm and 120mm exhaust fan as well as the enermax liberty psu exhaust fan.

In terms of the heatsink, it only lets you fasten it down so much ( to make it impossible to crush it would be my guess) but Ill check the concavity when I get back home.

Thanks again guys, this has been really helpful so far

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
well the ram are these guys http://www.guru3d.com/article/memory/351/5/ which will supposedely do 900+ with relaxed timings, so I doubt its the memory. Though I noticed at stock speeds of 667 they got there ram to do 7290, which makes me think my ram is running in 2T timings, as opposed to 1T. Anyone here know how to change the command rate on the p5b?

And the fact that your load is 10C below mine while being overclocked way more is def troubling. I'll try the lapping method but I got to admit taking gritty sand paper to a 200+ cpu is a really scary thought. What's the risk in doing this? How do you know if your about to go through the IHS? Is it safer just to remove the IHS?

For a case I have this guy http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811125436 the "infamous" water cooling case, and I have a 80mm and 120mm exhaust fan as well as the enermax liberty psu exhaust fan.

In terms of the heatsink, it only lets you fasten it down so much ( to make it impossible to crush it would be my guess) but Ill check the concavity when I get back home.

Thanks again guys, this has been really helpful so far

That may be good RAM. No doubt. But, it is only rated for 5300 speed. So ANY speed over that is not guaranteed.

IHS removal? Hell no! I wouldnt ever take that chance unless you have tons of blow away money.

Lapping your CPU is easier than you think. I lapped mine. Altho you will void your warranty (OC'ing does the same). Noticed a couple degree drop, but mine wasn't concave or anything, I just wanted better temps. Just keep checking the IHS for evenness with a razor at an angle toward light. It will show you how flat it is.

As for fans, I had 2x120mm front and rear. My temps were not what I liked so I added a side fan (80mm) and dropped my temps 4-5C. Its worth a shot for you if you can.

Alot of people hate the mounting mechanism for socket 775. I cannot blame them. Installing my Scythe Infinity was a PITA to say the least. I would suggest you check to make sure the clips are fully locked as well. Install the HSF on the motherboard outside of the case. Thats what I had to do.

Good luck, and let us know the updates

EDIT: Also, do you have anything set to "auto" in the BIOS? Which if any?

 

[Raider1284]

The MCH and a couple of others is set to auto, but the cpu and memory is manually set. I'll break open the cpu and check if its concave. That sucks that it voids the warranty. Can I call them up and ask for a another due to the concavity and that its running too hot? Isn't it technically a production defect to have concave IHS'?

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
The MCH and a couple of others is set to auto, but the cpu and memory is manually set. I'll break open the cpu and check if its concave. That sucks that it voids the warranty. Can I call them up and ask for a another due to the concavity and that its running too hot? Isn't it technically a production default to have concave IHS'?

Unfortunately, all the chip has to do is run at stock speed within power/heat specifications. It running a little hot means nothing, because its meant to be run @ stock. So getting another CPU from Intel is very unlikely. There is NO REASON for them to do so. Now if your chip was running over 60C @ stock, then maybe. Otherwise the only way to change your situation is to return it to where you bought it from (altho you might not be allowed) or get lap happy.

Best of luck