Odd Problem while OCing Gigabyte DQ6

[gaddis]

I've been working on an overclock of my DQ6 rev2 with an E6600 CPU. I've run into an unexpected issue using the Easy Tune Utilitiy that I was wondering if others have seen. As I raise the FBS, I found it was faster to do this thru Easy Tune just to avoid the time needed to reboot & change the settings in the BIOS. I figured that once I found the optimal settings for FSB in Easy Tune, I would load them into the BIOS and be all set. Although I get to 350 FSB x 9 in Easy Tune (needed 1.49 vCore to get stable), that setting in BIOS will not allow the board to POST. I cannot understand why I cannot POST if changing the FSB thru the BIOS. Almost any slight FSB increase entered in the BIOS results in a system freeze during POST. If I leave stock settings in the BIOS and tell Easy Tune to go to 350 FSB once it loads in XP, all is well.

Anyone have any ideas? I don't want to rely on Ease Tune to manage my OCing over the long term.

BTW, I've disabled all the unnecessary features in the BIOS. Temps are well contolled by a Vigor Monsoon TEC Cooler. Idle = 32 degrees C for both cores measured by CoreTemp 0.94 beta at 1.49v vCore :?: :?:

 

[deadlydude]

Its possible that the Easy Tune voltage reading is in error (mine never agreed with what was in Bios). I would go to bios and back off some on the voltage ( so that it posts) and then gradally raise it.

 

[gaddis]

My vCore readings agree in BIOS & in EasyTune at idle. Easy Tune reads slightly lower than BIOS under heavy load (2 Prime95 torture tests running simultaneously). At stock vCore in BIOS, there is no joy in going beyond around 270 MHz FSB in BIOS. Very frustrating!

 

[deadlydude]

Easy now... step away from the easy tune...

Seriously, the bottom line is that if it wont post, it doesn't like the settings. When the MB boots it does a bios check. If it thinks it will crash with the settings, it won't post.

Your 1.49 Vcore is pretty high. The absolute max core voltage is 1.55volts per Intel spec sheet. (http://www.intel.com/design/processor/datashts/313278.htm)

Also, don't trust any "readings" of the Vcore voltage. They are usually lower than actual due to voltage drops from the source. Trust your bios setting only!

I would reset bios to defaults and start over using the bios settings rather than Easy Tune.

 

[sruane]

Easy tune is crap.

Are you using the F8 BIOS? It won't let you change the FSB. Try the F7 BIOS instead

 

[gaddis]

I know that Easy Tune is not the way to go for working the OC. I was only trying to use it as a time saver as I increaed the FSB by 2 Mhz each step to find where my wall was. I still can't understand why the settings that provide a stable OC (6+ hours 2x Prime95) in Easy Tune don't even allow a POST in BIOS. I did most of the OC work in F7 BIOS and just updated to F8 this morning. I am seeing no difference in results.

I just went back and tried again thru the BIOS. Can't even get a 280 FSB setting to POST. Tried vCore = 1.25 (stock), vCore = 1.35, vCore = 1.40, and vCore = 1.49.

 

[sruane]

Which BIOS? If F8, it won't work.

 

[deadlydude]

I know that Easy Tune is not the way to go for working the OC. I was only trying to use it as a time saver as I increaed the FSB by 2 Mhz each step to find where my wall was. I still can't understand why the settings that provide a stable OC (6+ hours 2x Prime95) in Easy Tune don't even allow a POST in BIOS. I did most of the OC work in F7 BIOS and just updated to F8 this morning. I am seeing no difference in results.

I just went back and tried again thru the BIOS. Can't even get a 280 FSB setting to POST. Tried vCore = 1.25 (stock), vCore = 1.35, vCore = 1.40, and vCore = 1.49.

Excuse me if you have already done this...You need to physically reset the bios (short the two pins on MB or remove battery) which return all settings to factory default, then let it boot to windows that way, then go back to bios and begin messing with voltages.

 

[suzukii]

I know that Easy Tune is not the way to go for working the OC. I was only trying to use it as a time saver as I incresaed the FSB by 2 Mhz each step to find where my wall was. I still can't understand why the settings that provide a stable OC (6+ hours 2x Prime95) in Easy Tune don't even allow a POST in BIOS. I did most of the OC work in F7 BIOS and just updated to F8 this morning. I am seeing no difference in results.

I just went back and tried again thru the BIOS. Can't even get a 280 FSB setting to POST. Tried vCore = 1.25 (stock), vCore = 1.35, vCore = 1.40, and vCore = 1.49.

STAY AWAY FROM THE F8 BIOS UPDATE.
See my post regarding the F8 BIOS Update & I am currently waiting Gigabyte's Tech support to get back to me on this new version. You'll know what I'm talking about if you read my post.

I, too, used Easy Tune in this manner, trust me, don't trust it. I spent countless with it only to find out that doing it the hardware in the BIOS is much more accurate.

 

[gaddis]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies. I do reset the BIOS by shorting out the 2 pins prior to selecting overclock settings in the BIOS. Doesn't seem to make any difference. BTW, here is a response I received from Gigabyte tech support when I asked them the same question.

"Hi

Unfortunately any results from overclocking will not be guarantee, you will need to perform on your own risk to determine which setting would be most stable. Any issue if you leave in stock specs with no overclocking performed?"

And this is supposed to be an enthusiast's board? It seems as soon as they hear "overclock", they run for the hills. I think it's ASUS for me next time.

Gaddis