Undervolting? E6750 @3.2Ghz 1.225Vcore

[Tebor0]

I have a fair amount of experience when it comes to reading about overclocking and I've always been one to purchase the equipment but I've never really gone and done much with it. Right now I'm running an Asus P5K Deluxe with a E6750 underneath a Zalman 9700.

With most of my BIOS settings on AUTO the vcore turned out to be around 1.3 when I bumped the FSB to 400 and got a 3.2Ghz clock and this seems to match with what most set it at based on my google search.

On a whim I decided to go back into my BIOS and drop it down to 1.225. After several stress tests it's still running smooth.

Is this better/different/worse? I like the drop of 5degrees C I got with the lowering of the vcore but I don't want to be damaging anything. Should I continue to drop the vcore (or raising the FSB at this voltage) until I get errors in my stress tests or is there a bottom limit for this that may not be detectable with a benchmark?

TIA

 

[Blitz KriegeR]

To put it simply, yes, that is better, and no, you cannot damage your CPU by under-volting it. You should indeed keep lowering your vcore until your system becomes unstable. The lowest value that keeps you running is always best.

More voltage is what damages the CPU, decreases it?s overall lifespan, and increases operating temperature at an exponential rate.

As far as trying to further the overclock by pushing the FSB, that is up to you, but that is another option; you could attempt to find the maximum operating frequency at your current voltage.

Also, what are you using for your stress test? Apps like orthos or prime 95 are the best for testing cpu/ram stability. There is no ?bottom limit? or anything, if there is a problem with stability due to frequency/voltage orthos/prime will find it. Just let it run for 1hr (initially stable) 2hrs (probably stable) 4hr (most likely perfectly stable) 8hrs (safe to say 100% stable).

Oh, one last thing? Before you try any of the above be familiar with how to reset your cmos incase of a no-boot condition! (volt too low or freq too high)

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
Best regards,
KriegeR

 

[Tebor0]

Awesome. Thank you!
I'm pretty comfortable with the small OC I have but it's nice to know I have some moving room.

I've been using Orthos for my stress testing.

Quick response, FedEx arriving with my 8800GT. Turning out to be a good day >

 

[harpoon84]

Just on a funny note, when I undervolt my E4400 to the lowest possible setting in the BIOS (1.1V) and it says 'CPU overvolt, press F1 to continue'.

 

[Phunk0ne]

I am running an E6750 with a Gigabyte P35-DS3R F6 bios with an TR U-120Extreme and a Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F. I first checked to see where my top was @ 1.45volts and hit 3.8GHz. So I went back to 3.2 (4x800) and check to see how low I can undervolt the cpu.
In my bios, I've set it @ 1.25 (vs. 1.35 what my bios gives for stock value?). In CPU-Z, it shows 1.2V @ 2.4GHz (CIE and EIST turned on). But when I stress test it with Orthos, my core voltage drops down to 1.184 V ?

why is this so?

 

[Zoomer]

That means that either the probe is inaccurate, or the board's voltage regulation isn't very good.

I get the same problem with my 965 S3. 1.16~1.3v in cpuz.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Phunk0ne
In CPU-Z, it shows 1.2V @ 2.4GHz (CIE and EIST turned on). But when I stress test it with Orthos, my core voltage drops down to 1.184 V ?

why is this so?

That means that your motherboard has .05v of vdrop, plus .016v of vdroop.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: Phunk0ne
In CPU-Z, it shows 1.2V @ 2.4GHz (CIE and EIST turned on). But when I stress test it with Orthos, my core voltage drops down to 1.184 V ?

why is this so?

That means that your motherboard has .05v of vdrop, plus .016v of vdroop.

Explain the difference between vdrop and vdroop. I've only heard of vdroop.

 

[MetaDFF]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: Phunk0ne
In CPU-Z, it shows 1.2V @ 2.4GHz (CIE and EIST turned on). But when I stress test it with Orthos, my core voltage drops down to 1.184 V ?

why is this so?

That means that your motherboard has .05v of vdrop, plus .016v of vdroop.

Explain the difference between vdrop and vdroop. I've only heard of vdroop.

I think Vdrop is the difference between the voltage you set in your BIOS the value that CPU-Z reads back. Vdroop is the voltage difference between the reported voltage when there is no CPU load versus when the CPU is under load.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: MetaDFF

I think Vdrop is the difference between the voltage you set in your BIOS the value that CPU-Z reads back. Vdroop is the voltage difference between the reported voltage when there is no CPU load versus when the CPU is under load.

Sounds perfect

Cookies for you.

 

[A554SS1N]

I assume vdroop is the only one that matters then?

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: MetaDFF
I think Vdrop is the difference between the voltage you set in your BIOS the value that CPU-Z reads back. Vdroop is the voltage difference between the reported voltage when there is no CPU load versus when the CPU is under load.

Another At-A-Boy.

So what is the primary cause, PSU or MB or ?

Thanks

 

[TC91]

@harpoon84, you must have either speedstep or c1e on or both, which causes the bios to report this. happened to me on my a64 2800+ when i had cool and quiet on, and i undervolted the cpu and the bios gave me the same error.