Overclock a Dual Xeon 2600 V3 setup + motherboard options?

[markgreenstein]

Can this be done? If so does each CPU need to be set the same? Which Haswell chips allow this? Also any ideas on a motherboard - building just a compute intensive platform (no graphics needs, just statistical calculations)?

TKS!!

 

[kanewolf]

Xeons might be overclockable, but minimally. 5% is good. Don't expect a lot. The thermal parameters are less tolerant on the server CPUs since they are intended to be durable and reliable.

Depending on what software you are using, you might benefit from NVIDIA graphics if your code can support CUDA.

 

[mlga91]

All Haswell xeons have their multiplier locked, you cant overclock them.

 

[kanewolf]

All Haswell xeons have their multiplier locked, you cant overclock them.

You can tweak the base clock a little but that is about all I have seen done. Maybe 105 vs 100Mhz -- hence my 5%.

 

[markgreenstein]

Thanks everyone! Any ideas for a motherboard (Dual Xeon V3).

 

[kanewolf]

Thanks everyone! Any ideas for a motherboard (Dual Xeon V3).

A genuine Intel motherboard first then a Supermicro. Remember that if you fill both sockets you should populate DIMMs for each socket. That means you need to buy DIMMs in multiples of EIGHT for maximum performance.

 

[mlga91]

All Haswell xeons have their multiplier locked, you cant overclock them.

You can tweak the base clock a little but that is about all I have seen done. Maybe 105 vs 100Mhz -- hence my 5%.

Changing the BKLC? Its not worth it actually, you lose more stability than the performance that you gain.

 

[kanewolf]

All Haswell xeons have their multiplier locked, you cant overclock them.

You can tweak the base clock a little but that is about all I have seen done. Maybe 105 vs 100Mhz -- hence my 5%.

Changing the BKLC? Its not worth it actually, you lose more stability than the performance that you gain.

I didn't say it was a GOOD idea. I just said it was possible. Some manufacturers "cheat" on BCLK by running it a little "hot" to get better benchmark values compared to the competition.

You should be able to tell where I lean by my recommendation of a genuine Intel motherboard.... Can't get more conservative than that.