1st time overclocker i7-860

[Guest]

I have just bought a complete new rig and i intend to overclock the i7-860. I have some specific goals with regard to overclocking, but since i have limited experience in this field i would be very grateful for some assistance.

Before i start i have some specific questions.

1) The i7-860 runs at 2,8 Ghz and has this turbo boost functionality. Will over clocking disable this turbo boost so that i need to over clock higher then the maks turbo for any effect?
2)Now my cpu ramps down when idle, will over clocking force the cpu to always work at maks speed?



First of my goals :

I wish to do some simple moderate cpu overclocking only. I have read the i7 over clocking guide in this forum. Though it is a nice guide that will overclock cpu/memory etc i am looking for a more simple approach.

The only experience i have with overclocking is on my previous core2duo 2,4 build. Here i only changed the FSB and increased the voltage slightly so it ran at 3.0 Ghz. I left the memory at auto.

So, my goals with this over clock is:

1) Achieve a stable higher cpu for gaming purpose (using a HD 5970)
2) I dont want to over clock the RAM
3) I dont want to alter core voltage

The question is, is this an ok way to do it if i only want a slighly higher cpu (want atleast the same performance as a 870).

Can i then just enter the bios and up the FSB/memory frequency a few steps?

 

[Rustyy117]

With regards to your questions

1) Turbo boost will always work, even if you overclock (unless you choose to disable it in the BIOS)

2) If you Overclock I believe your CPU will no longer "Ramp down", But I can't be sure as I've always disabled energy saving tech.

If your using the stock cooler, which I assume you are. I wouldn't up the voltage at all, maybe try and get as high an Overclock with stock voltage.

That should be pretty simple. Just make sure you've manually set your RAM Timings and speed and I would also manually set the Vcore as the BIOS is rubbish at setting the Vcore and will put it to high. Then just up the BLCK slowly, After each time you up the BLCK go into windows and stress test your CPU with Prime95 or OCCT for 15mins, If all is well (including temps) then go back into the BIOS and up the BLCK again, keep doing this until it fails or the temps get to high, then go back into the BIOS and decrease the BLCK and stress test for 8 or more hours. Simples : )

 

[Guest]

Thx for the reply (thumbs up)

Got a strange issue with the RAM though. The RAM i have is :

CORSAIR 4GB (KIT) DDR3 1600MHz/ CL7/ DOMINATOR GT

Using it on a GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD6, P55, Socket-1156, which support for DDR3 2600+/2200/1600/1333/1066/800 MHz memory modules

The cpu is a it-860, which i understand is limited to 1333 Mhz modules. However, it seems like the RAM is running at CL9. see below :

Is this normal/correct? What should i do?

 

[Guest]

Picture didnt work, here it is

 

[Guest]

Here is another relevant picture for the RAM

 

[Rustyy117]

yeah thats pretty normal if you havent set the timings yourself, When I installed my OCZ 1333mhz 7-7-7-21, my BIOS set the speed as 1066mhz and the timings as 6-6-6-16 ( Lower timings are better, but the BIOS still wasnt accurate.)

I had to manually set the timings and speed, which only takes a moment.

 

[Rustyy117]

oh and also set the correct memory voltage, my BIOS set mine to 1.5V when on the sticks it says 1.65V

 

[Guest]

oh and also set the correct memory voltage, my BIOS set mine to 1.5V when on the sticks it says 1.65V

Here is the spec on my RAM

Model
Brand CORSAIR
Series DOMINATOR-GT
Model CMG4GX3M2A1600C7
Type 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
Tech Spec
Capacity 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Speed DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Cas Latency 7
Timing 7-7-7-20
Voltage 1.65V
Multi-channel Kit Dual Channel Kit
Heat Spreader Yes

However, i found this elsewhere :

Speed Rating
PC3-12800 Tested Speed 1600Mhz Size 4GB Kit (2 x 2GB) Tested Latency 7-7-7-20 Tested Voltage 1.65 Performance Profile
XMP

SPD Speed 1333Mhz SPD Latency 9-9-9-24 Package 240pin DIMM Fan Included No



NB! I decided to not install the fan on the RAM since it would partially block my hyper 212 plus cpu cooler. guess i dont need the fan on the RAM, since you can buy it without.

QUESTION :

So i should set the timings 7-7-7-20 and the voltage to 1.65....anything else i need to change at the same time ?

 

[Rustyy117]

Yeah change the timings and voltage like you said, and also the speed (mhz) if it isnt at its rated 1600mhz, You do this by changing the Memory Mulitplyer

For example I have my memory multi on x8 which is the lowest, the next multi is x10 and will bring my memory to 1600mhz which is to fast for my 1333mhz memory

 

[Guest]

Hmmm, dont know if this is related, but in the bios i had to settings for the RAM.

was an extreme profile that was disabled and the memory was thus running at CL9 1333 Mhz and 1.5 v.

When i set the setting to profile 1 the memory was running at CL7 at 1600 Mhz and 1.65 v.
See spec above where both 1600 Mhz and 1333 Mhz is mentioned.

My mobo supports 1600 Mhz, but i belive the i7-860 is limited to 1333 mhz.

When i set the ram to run at the profile with 1600 this is the cpu-z.



As you can see it is now running at 1600, but one of the timings is 10 instead of 7.

I am really getting confused here. Since the i7-860 is limited to 1333, should i not push my memory frequency to 1600?

 

[Rustyy117]

Seems like its running fine at 1600mhz, although that timing should be 7 not 10, also the command rate(CR) should be 1T not 2T