Intel Xeon X5450 - Can I Push it Further?

[TopHatProductions115]

I currently have the computer described here and here. At this point, Windows 10 has my CPU listed as the Xeon X5450, but limits the clock speed to 2.0GHz. I'm guessing that I'd fix this by overclocking the processor, but I'm also probably incorrect. Furthermore, I'm considering a CPU upgrade, as indicated at the bottom of the Reddit post - either the X5460, X5470, or X5472. So I'm actually asking 2 questions while wasting less space in the forums (betting on the possibility that this may have already been answered). I'm currently toying with SetFSB, and would like any tips/suggestions/guidance you wish to throw my way. I am a newb to Intel and Overclocking Xeons, after all (been using stock AMD for years).

TL;DR
Should I oc this Xeon X5450, or should I upgrade? If upgrade, what CPU is next? If overclock, what settings do you recommend?

EDIT :: I should have listed my motherboard, as suggested by william p. The newer, second link should have more details. The motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P.

 

[william p]

Not all chipsets support LGA771 Xeons. You listed everything at Reddit except what MB you have.

 

[william p]

One of the anti overclocking features is for the chipset to down clock the CPU to it's lowest multiplier 6X333=2GHz. Go to Delidded.com and see what's going on with Xeon compatability.
https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=delidded.com&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
You might try Throttlestop 6.xx It's a laptop anti-throttling program. turn off C states,and EIST might get you up to speed.

 

[TopHatProductions115]

Not all chipsets support LGA771 Xeons. You listed everything at Reddit except what MB you have.

Sorry about the oversight. My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P.

 

[william p]

http://www.delidded.com/lga-771-to-775-adapter/3/#gigabyte
Looks like it should work.

 

[TopHatProductions115]

One of the anti overclocking features is for the chipset to down clock the CPU to it's lowest multiplier 6X333=2GHz. Go to Delidded.com and see what's going on with Xeon compatability.
https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=delidded.com&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
You might try Throttlestop 6.xx It's a laptop anti-throttling program. turn off C states,and EIST might get you up to speed.

I'm currently working on updating the Microcode now. I'm currently trying to find a way to extract my current BIOS, because I've only been able to find BIOS update files so far on the official Gigabyte website...

 

[TopHatProductions115]

I've just finished updating my BIOS using the file modified in the Microcode tutorial. However, my clock speed is still a bit low. I'll be looking at the Throttlestop program now.

Also, just noticed this motherboard model:
http://www.gigabyte.us/Motherboard/GA-EP45T-USB3P-rev-10#ov

I might actually try to upgrade to that within a few months if I can get some more funds - I do have some DDR3 RAM sitting around

But for now, I'll stick to my guns

 

[william p]

There are several revisions and several BIOS for that board with varying CPU support. The CPU support link at delidded has specific info.
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/

 

[TopHatProductions115]

There are several revisions and several BIOS for that board with varying CPU support. The CPU support link at delidded has specific info.
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/

I found my motherboard (specific revision and all) at this link:
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-EP45-UD3P(rev._1.1).html

I did a Ctrl+F on the page, but Xeons are not mentioned anywhere. I already performed the Microcode update, but nothing seems to have changed significantly. I guess something may have taken effect in the background. Still under-clocked @2.0GHz, instead of the officially-supported 3.0GHz. I'll have to look more into this. Maybe SetFSB or the program you mentioned? I'm probably wrong though.

 

[william p]

It's a socket 775 board. X5xxx Xeons are socket 771 so they won't be listed. There are X3xxx Xeons which are LGA775 (mostly). Delidded lists succesful conversions.

 

[TopHatProductions115]

It's a socket 775 board. X5xxx Xeons are socket 771 so they won't be listed. There are X3xxx Xeons which are LGA775 (mostly). Delidded lists succesful conversions.

In that case, how should I proceed next?

 

[william p]

Delidded.com is the resource for all things LGA771 to LGA775. You have to open some pages to get to more menus
https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=Delidded.com&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

[TopHatProductions115]

Delidded.com is the resource for all things LGA771 to LGA775. You have to open some pages to get to more menus
https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=Delidded.com&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I found my CPU (Xeon X5450) on this list:

http://www.delidded.com/lga-771-775-cpus/?filter=socket-lga-771,series-xeon,node-45nm,stepping-c0&speed-min=3

Mine appears to be on the list of recommended CPUs for 771-to-775 modding, which does relieve some concerns. But, I'm still reading through the pages. Still haven't reached the part about the forced underclock. On this one currently:

http://www.delidded.com/lga-771-to-775-adapter/2/

EDIT :: Okay, I was on this page when it donned on me:

http://www.delidded.com/lga-771-to-775-adapter/3/#gigabyte

My CPU isn't on the list for the Gigabyte EP45-UD3P. Does that mean that my CPU/Motherboard combination is unsupported? That it wasn't tested? What do I do next?!

 

[william p]

That's just users reporting success or failure. The down clocking issue is real. I think usually with FSB overclocks. if you get the right microcode loaded i don't think it will happen anymore. I think it means the BIOS doesn't know what to do with that CPU and is palying it safe.

 

[TopHatProductions115]

That's just users reporting success or failure. The down clocking issue is real. I think usually with FSB overclocks. if you get the right microcode loaded i don't think it will happen anymore. I think it means the BIOS doesn't know what to do with that CPU and is palying it safe.

In that case, does that mean that I flashed the wrong Microcode? Because I used the method that adds the Microcode, in opposed to replacing it. Should I flash with stock/unmodified Microcode soon?

 

[TopHatProductions115]

Okay, this is going to sound strange. After just waiting for a few Windows 10 updates, it appears as though I can now use my CPU at full speed. 3.0GHz is listed for the CPU pretty much everywhere in the system, and the 2.0GHz limit doesn't appear anywhere now. This is quite strange, but I'm not listing this as a solution. I still need to test the system more before I confirm anything...

 

[TopHatProductions115]

I changed my CPU to the Intel Xeon X5472, and the correct clock speed for that CPU appears to be in effect as well. With no further modifications. Think that Windows Update(s) fixed it?

 

[william p]

Here are the world records at HWBOT for that CPU.
http://hwbot.org/hardware/processor/xeon_x5472/
Considering that I'm getting more than that out of a Dell Dimension E520 QX6800 combo. I think you could set a new record for that CPU!
Windows has C States that downclock the CPU when it's lightly loaded. So yes Windows can do exactly that. In Throttlestop software it can be turned off to hold maximum speed all the time. Xeon swapping generally causes BIOS issues but I guess yours was C States.