Safe voltage for i7-930?

[RaistlinZ]

I'll preface this by saying that yes, I'm still using the stock HSF that came with my i7-930. My Venomous X should arrive next week.

I've been trying to overclock my 930 a bit this week, but was wondering what a safe voltage and temperature should be for this chip? I can't get over 3.7Ghz stable but I've only pushed the voltage up to 1.235v (I think default was 1.200v @ 2.88Ghz)

In the BIOS it says my chip is idling at 53C. Is this too high? Trying to push the chip to 3.80Ghz eventually leads to system freezes, and I can't tell how hot my chip is actually running at full speed within Windows. My settings were:

CPU: 21 x 181 BClk, 1.235v
RAM: 8-8-8-26-88-2T, 1.60v

My RAM should more than be up to the task, as I've relaxed DRAM timings and upped the voltage already. Should I push my CPU voltage up more, and how much? Thanks.

 

[Bartman39]

I'm still using the stock HSF that came with my i7-930

Dood...! NO NO NO...! Do not OC that poor cpu with a stock cooler... If your idle`ing at 53C then your full load temps are through the roof...! Even with stock voltage on the cpu which should be 1.250V I would`nt even attempt to OC it much over 3.0Ghz which should be turbo mode anyhow... Get a good cooler on it like you have mentioned but dont jack with stock cooler on these cpu`s...

 

[RaistlinZ]

Roger that. I figured as much. From what I've been reading it seems my idle should be in the upper 30's. I'll drop it back down until my Ven-X arrives next week.

 

[Bartman39]

:thumbsup:... You`ll get there, nice setup for sure...

 

[ZimZum]

I have a similar setup as you. i7 930, P6X58D-E. I'm at 1.33 & 4.2ghz using a D14 HSF.

 

[redechelon]

Just to answer the original question, try keeping your load temps below 75C or so. By load, I mean with a stress test not a game... Prime95 or similar. You shouldn't ever reach this though because you're getting a Venomous X. Also, voltages should preferably be kept under 1.35v or so, but again... judging by your voltages @ 3.7, you'll never reach this. You'll likely be able to reach not only lower temps, but lower voltages also once your cooler arrives.

Just to give you an idea... so you know where you stand.
Have fun!

 

[betasub]

Temperature in BIOS doesn't tell you much (other than nothing is horribly wrong), because none of the power-saving modes are activated.

You should be able use the ASUS Probe software that came with your motherboard to monitor temps and voltages in Windows, and Tmonitor to observe the different multiplier states used in idle, load & Turbo (if activated).

 

[RaistlinZ]

Venomous X arrived today!

I'll get to tinker with it after work. Damn, this thing is huge! I'll check for that ASUS Probe software, I don't recall seeing it, but I'm guessing it must be on the software CD that came with the mobo. Nice to know the CPU is safe at voltages upwards of 1.30v. I'll let you know how it goes tonight.

 

[Zap]

To answer the subject, back when I used to read Intel white papers (figuring out pin mods and stuff) I recall Intel stating a VID +/- 10%.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Well, I got the Ven-X installed yesterday.

After hooking it up I tried my hand at overclocking, but the system would not even POST at over 3.15Ghz. This was at 21 x 150BClk. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Eventually I saw in CPUID that my FSBRAM ration was set to 2:12, which was pushing my ram up to 900MHz at a paltry 150MHz bus.

I had to disable the X.M.P or whatever it is, and set it to Manual, then adjust my DRAM ratio down to 2:8. This will allow me to push my BClk up to 200MHz and keep my RAM right in spec at 800MHz, CAS 7, 1T.

Right now the system is purring at 21x181, 4.0GHz, 1.300v. I tried to go to 21x200 4.20GHz, 1.300v but the system would eventually crash. The chip is still cool, so I'm not sure if it just needs more voltage at that speed, or if I need to disable Hyper Threading.

 

[M1A]

u say cool what are your load temps?

 

[lavaheadache]

My DO 930 hits 4ghz pretty easily just under 1.3 volts but I'm worried that it gets too hot with my 84f+ ambients. Easily climbs into the 80-85c range loaded with prime 95. I'm using a cooler master v8 btw. I dont run 4ghz though cuz of the heat and stick to 3.5 which keeps me in the low 70's loaded.

I too am unsure of what is too hot.

 

[finbarqs]

Wow!!! Am I the only who can get stable 4.0GHz clock @ 1.3675? What are your other Voltages? I left everything to auto, and the only thing I changed was memory, to 1.65v!

 

[RaistlinZ]

Well, I have it now at 4.20GHz (20x200) at 1.34v. I can't call it "stable" yet since I've only been able to test during regular gaming, and I don't have Prime95 installed yet. It kept going to blue screen at 1.3275v so I just said heck with it and started jacking up voltages across the board.

I can do 4.11GHz all day long at 1.3125v or thereabouts. If 4.20GHz passes torture testing I'll be happy with that. I don't feel like pushing speed and voltages higher on just air cooling.

 

[Bartman39]

Sounds pretty sweet... :thumbsup: I told you that you would get there...

What kind of temps at that speed/voltage...? Check the max temps with prime95 for sure even if it seems stable as it can change with ambient temps changing possibly making it unstable...

 

[finbarqs]

Wow... I've been working REALLY hard to try and get a stable overclock. The EASIEST is the multiplier @ 21, bclock at 166. Stock voltage (auto) and +25mV on VTT and Stock memory voltage. Easily passed intel burn test on max stress.

 

[SHAQ]

Up to 1.4v is fine unless it is folding 24/7 then I would be cautious. If it only lasts 3 years you'll be on to something else anyway. I haven't even had a CPU beyond 2 years since 2003. Not that I think you will have problems but it is good to keep it in perspective. You can't fry the chip outright unless you get close to 1.5v and beyond. I have been at 1.4v for over a year now and I plan to keep it for another year before I move to the new Sandy or a 970/980.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Well, 4.2GHz is officially a no-go. Anything over 4.0GHz will eventually crash under Prime95. Upping the voltages didn't help.

On the plus side I have found a nice sweet spot at 19x211 = 4,009MHz stable under Prime. Memory is set at 2:8 ratio running 827MHz at 7-8-7-24-88-1T, which I think is pretty good.

One odd thing, my CPU core temps when idle are like 43 39 42 38, and at full load 79 76 79 75. Is this common? It seems one side of the CPU is running hotter than the other. Not sure if that's an issue or not. My Venomous X should be seated pretty well and even.

 

[TheUnk]

I got my 930 to 4GHz with a vcore at 1.2, prime95 stable for 8 hours. Load temps under 70c. CoolerMaster Hyper 212.

I didn't try to go any higher. I mainly game on my PC so don't think much will benefit from it.

 

[finbarqs]

wow ... you guys have awesome CPU's! Maybe I should start going to x20 instead being gung ho about x21... or even 19!

 

[ZimZum]

Well, 4.2GHz is officially a no-go. Anything over 4.0GHz will eventually crash under Prime95. Upping the voltages didn't help.

Try disabling HT.

 

[james1701]

Wasn't disabling HT shown to cause some cpu's to die an early death, at least with the 980's, or was that disabling cores?

 

[aigomorla]

Wasn't disabling HT shown to cause some cpu's to die an early death, at least with the 980's, or was that disabling cores?

disabling cores...

Which is why i will never disable any cores in bios.

 

[GLeeM]

wow ... you guys have awesome CPU's!

Before comparing, make sure that you know if HT is on or off, this makes a HUGE difference. Also, find out which program they are using to measure temp. I don't know what ASUS Probe is like, but if it is like Speedfan then it reports about 10C less than Real Temp or Core Temp!

 

[MJinZ]

Well, I got the Ven-X installed yesterday.

After hooking it up I tried my hand at overclocking, but the system would not even POST at over 3.15Ghz. This was at 21 x 150BClk. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Eventually I saw in CPUID that my FSBRAM ration was set to 2:12, which was pushing my ram up to 900MHz at a paltry 150MHz bus.

I had to disable the X.M.P or whatever it is, and set it to Manual, then adjust my DRAM ratio down to 2:8. This will allow me to push my BClk up to 200MHz and keep my RAM right in spec at 800MHz, CAS 7, 1T.

Right now the system is purring at 21x181, 4.0GHz, 1.300v. I tried to go to 21x200 4.20GHz, 1.300v but the system would eventually crash. The chip is still cool, so I'm not sure if it just needs more voltage at that speed, or if I need to disable Hyper Threading.

Hello Math. 21*181 = 3801