Overclocking my E8400 help

laezyre

Senior member
Apr 19, 2008
200
3
45
I'm overclocking my E8400 after getting my vendetta recently. I have clocked it to 3.4 ghz with great stability, but 3.5 crashed playing Crysis after 10 minutes and 3.6 ghz would not load windows, but posted. I have my mobo auto selecting the voltages, but manually lowered the memory freq. to under the stock 800mhz for a 1:1 ratio. My cpu and gpu temps are all good. I'm guessing I may have to manually set the voltages which are autoset to 1.2v for the cpu and 2.08 v for the memory when at 3.4 ghz. Perhaps my memory is a tad weak for stressing. Any thoughts to increase my overclock? Thanks.

My system:

E8400 cpu with vendetta cooler (with push pins still) at 3.4 ghz, 1.2v

gigabyte ga-p35-ds3l mobo

4 gig ocz vista upgrade memory at 5-6-6-18 at 800mhz stock ddr2 1.87v not overclocked and 2.08 overclocked

msi 8800 gt OC 512 memory

HDD WD 250 gig with 16mg cache

case coolermaster centurion mid tower

windows vista 32 bit
 

Drsignguy

Platinum Member
Mar 24, 2002
2,264
0
76
Ok since I have the same MoBo that you have, try this.... leave all settings as is and boot to bios. Open to PC Health statis and check your vcore voltage. I am betting that since you have it set to auto, the vcore voltage is higher than 1.2v as I doubt that running @ 3.4 with such a low voltage. So, with that being said, you answered your own question, raise the voltage a bump. your vcore voltage that you just looked at will give you the hint of what to bump it up to.:thumbsup:

Edit: BTW @ that OC, im guessing that there is more to be looking at. Ram, Mch etc......
 

laezyre

Senior member
Apr 19, 2008
200
3
45
Thanks for the replies. My core cpu temps are maxing out at about 48 and 51 C. My gpu temp is about 55 C. My case temp is about 40 C and ambient temp is about 73 F.

I'll have to play with some voltages and try again.
 

laezyre

Senior member
Apr 19, 2008
200
3
45
I increased the cpu voltage to 1.27(cpu-z showed 1.25v) from default of 1.15 v and manually set the memory voltage at +.2v(default is about 1.87). I was able to get a stable overclock at 3.55 Ghz. I tested it playing Crysis for 3 hours with temps in the 53 to 56 C range. I ran the prime95 torture test stabily for about 5-10 minutes with no errors. I noticed my temps creaping into the upper 60's after 5-10 mins of prime 95, so I quit. I have to add my AS 5 still and the bolt-thru kit for the vendetta. That should bring the temps down some, I hope. With no thermal paste and those crummy push pins, I'll bet my contact surface is sub optimal. I have not done that yet due to my indecision about lapping.
 

Zapper48

Member
Oct 7, 2007
167
0
0
I'm using the Vendetta 2 on my E8400 w/bolt-thru kit.
500x8 4.0 ghz 1.375 vcore in bios.
Using AS5 gets me 37-38c idle and 55-58c load Prime 95 12+ hours.:beer:
 

laezyre

Senior member
Apr 19, 2008
200
3
45
Did you lap the IHS or vendetta Zapper? I wanted the vendetta 2 but I believe it won't fit into my coolermaster centurion mid tower case. I see you have a full tower case for it. You are just below the red zone on vcore. I wonder what type of lifespan a E8400 at 4 ghz will have.
 

Zapper48

Member
Oct 7, 2007
167
0
0
I didn't lap the IHS or Vendetta. I won't go above 1.4v so I should be fine for this 8400.
 

Zapper48

Member
Oct 7, 2007
167
0
0
Well Iv'e still got an E4300 to fall back on if I kill my 8400 but I think I'm good to go for a long time as is.