E8500 / Gigabyte X48-DS4 - please check my BIOS settings

[client_9]

Hi,
I'm new to overclocking and I just thought I'd post some BIOS & CPU-Z screen shots ...

Not sure I have the Memory Multiplier set correctly (see pic below)
Quoting my BIOS,
" (G) MCH Strapping: x.xxD -> FSB 400Mhz "
so I have my MULTIPLIER @ 2.00 D currently.

I'm not sure I have the voltage section correct -
my BIOS is flashing "System Voltage NOT Optimized!!!"


I've disabled the CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) and CPU EIST Function.


So, before I really stress anything, I just wanted post these settings. Please tell me if you see anything incorrect or not optimized.

Thanks in advance!

____ and the memory multiplier sub-screen:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU: Core2 E8500 3.16GHz (o'cd to 3.8 @ 1.25***volts) - 37 degrees idle / 54 degrees load
Heatsink: Freezer 7 Pro
Motherboard: Gigabyte X48-DS4
Graphics: HIS Radeon HD4850 IceQ4 TurboX (2 in XfireX )
Memory: 4GB Dominator 1060Mhz
PSU: Corsair 750w
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64

 

[client_9]

Can anyone tell me if my Bus speed and memory are 1:1 ???

 

[SpidersWeb]

Yes that is 1:1.
I have the same RAM and CPU.
I found my Corsair would do DDR2-5-4-4-12 @ 930Mhz, so once you've finished overclocking, try seeing if the timings will go lower (if you can be bothered).

Your CPU voltage is below Intel's highest in the recommended range. You should be able to easily do 4Ghz without increasing it much.

 

[client_9]

Yes that is 1:1.
I have the same RAM and CPU.
I found my Corsair would do DDR2-5-4-4-12 @ 930Mhz, so once you've finished overclocking, try seeing if the timings will go lower (if you can be bothered).

Your CPU voltage is below Intel's highest in the recommended range. You should be able to easily do 4Ghz without increasing it much.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the reply. So, you're @ 4Ghz? If so, please tell me what voltage.

Yes, I'm interested in optimizing the memory too. I just need help w/ the math.

 

[SpidersWeb]

na I'm at 4.37 @ 1.52V
4Ghz usually can be done under the intel spec of 1.375V.
I did 3.8 with everything on auto. Needed VCore a little higher for 4.
Once I got past 4, everything needed increasing (VCore/NB/VTT/RLL). I took some risks with trying higher than recommended settings.

Remember to keep VTT under 1.4V to avoid cooking things, and don't raise PLL too far either. Both are known to cook stuff.

Highest I got was 4.5 but that wasn't 100% stable, I'm sure it would be if I could get more VCore voltage but my motherboard is a cheap Asrock. One of the cores is fine, but the 2nd core has errors in Prime95 after a few runs at 4.5Ghz.

Do the overclocking first, then when you're happy, play with the RAM.

My settings for 4.37 stable (which will be different to what you end up with)
VCore: 1.52 (max according to Intel is 1.375V, overshocked runs his at 1.8 though haha)
NB: 1.4ish
VTT: 1.32V
GTLRef: 0.67*Vtt
PLL: can't remember, I think its 1.54V

Gotta watch temps though, I'm using a CM Hyper NS520 and on extended 100% CPU load of both cores I'm in the 60-64C range. You just don't want to start jumping too far in to the 70's.

Edit: FYI to get to 4Ghz all you should need is to bump up Vcore a bit, if that wont go stable then bump the NB a bit, you should not have to do much for 4 (I didn't). But when you go past 4 things get tricker.

 

[SpidersWeb]

Also I'm not sure how your motherboard copes when you give too strong settings.
After three attemps mine starts at default settings but keeps my BIOS settings so I can reapply them after adjustment.

If yours doesn't do anything like this, you may need to use the CMOS clear jumper.

Thought I should add that.

 

[client_9]

na I'm at 4.37 @ 1.52V 😱
.........................
Edit: FYI to get to 4Ghz all you should need is to bump up Vcore a bit, if that wont go stable then bump the NB a bit, you should not have to do much for 4 (I didn't). But when you go past 4 things get tricker.

Wow! Ok, thanks a lot for the help! So many games coming out ... can't wait to play @ 1080 w/ all the fixins'!

thanks again.

 

[SpidersWeb]

mmmm 1080
enjoy!

I'm lacking in the graphics department, its on my to-do list though

 

[richardscott]

4.37@1.52 seems very high to be vcore i mean, i had a e8400 c0 at 4.6@1.6 so mabee you load temp are high.

anyway not much speed gain from 4-4.37 so id keep it at 4 for reliability my e8600 is at 4.8@1.47 for comparison but temps are below 0 which helps

 

[SpidersWeb]

1.52 is VCore. It's actually set to 1.6 in the BIOS which is the highest my Asrock allows. Actual is only 1.52 though in CPU-Z. It's above Intel specs but it's lower than overshockeds 1.8V. It is higher than normal, but one of the cores will just not play ball and needs the boost. Each chip is different as you know. It's also possible that its my cheap Asrock motherboard not providing a stable enough power supply, wont know until I do more testing on new stuff.

100% load on Prime95 after a few hours average in the low 60s (core temp), but I have huge air flow.

I know what you mean, any sane person would keep it at 4, but I can't help myself.
Worst case scenario, I'll buy another (maybe an E8600 this time), they're cheap and I have an emergency backup CPU if I need it.

Will be getting newer motherboard + water cooling at some stage, see how high I can get it stable with even more voltage. But this isn't my thread My recommendation is 4Ghz with these, easy to do and don't usually need to leave the Intel safety zone of 1.375V.

 

[richardscott]

as for safety for cpu life i ran my e8400 at 4.6@1.6v for 4 months and even managed to sell it on ebay lol 😀 only lost £14 on the cpu as for my e8600 ive had it a year now running at 1.47 so cpu life isnt shortened that much tbh dont be supprised if it lasts longer than you expect

 

[client_9]

Not sure I have the Memory Multiplier set correctly (see pic below)
Quoting my BIOS,
" (G) MCH Strapping: x.xxD -> FSB 400Mhz "
so I have my MULTIPLIER @ 2.00 D currently.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU: Core2 E8500 3.16GHz (o'cd to 3.8 @ 1.2???? volts)
Heatsink: Freezer 7 Pro
Motherboard: Gigabyte X48-DS4
Graphics: HIS Radeon HD4850 IceQ4 TurboX (2 in XfireX )
Memory: 4GB Dominator 1060Mhz
PSU: Corsair 750w
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64

I don't understand the MCH Strapping .... Can someone tell me if I set this correctly? I have it at 2.00D

I don't understand the MCH Strapping .... Can someone tell me if I set this correctly? I have it at 2.00D

thanks!

 

[SpidersWeb]

How it's done varies between companies.

In this case 2.0 means 400 (the FSB) x 2 = RAM speed.
So the RAM is running at 800Mhz (which is normal for DDR2-800). From what I understand, this is actually known as 1:1.

If you had DDR2-1066 you'd select 2.6 which would give you DDR2-1040 (400 x 2.6 = 1040Mhz).