Overclock Instability: Asus P5Q-SE2 with E7600

[addicted86]

I've read a lot about the Asus MoBo's OC, CPU, guides etc in here. I've got a lot of info from here:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/249352-11-overclocking-asus-series but still i can't manage to make my OC System stabile at higher frequencies. I'm posting this hoping i can clear out, and maybe will be of help to other's.

MB: Asus P5Q-SE2 (FSB max 1600 mhz)
RAM: 2x1gb + 2x512mb ( 800 mhz - 5-5-5-15 )
CPU: E7600 @ 3.06 mhz ( 266 x 11.5 @ 1.22v ) with "Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme" cooler
Temp:
idle: core1&2 - 30c & 38c
load 100% with prime95 : 47c & 46c

-----------------------------------
(other bios options if are not posted, means are AUTO)

OC nr.1 @ 3846 mhz: Stabile
Ai Overclock Tuner [manual]
FSB Frequency [333]
PCIE Frequency [100]

DRAM Frequency [800]

CPU Voltage [1.36250] (if Auto, halt on loading OS )

CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
PCIE Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
CPU Margin Enhancement [Performance Mode]
-------
CPU-Z show's core voltage: 1.312v-1.336v @idle, 1.296v @load 100%
Temp:
idle core1&2 : 30c & 38c
load 100% with prime95 : 51c & 51c


-----------------------------------
OC nr.2 @ 4025 mhz: after 5-10mins, error @ prime95 and BSOD sometimes
Ai Overclock Tuner [manual]
FSB Frequency [350]
PCIE Frequency [100]
FSB strap to north bridge [auto] or [333]

DRAM Frequency [841] (was set to 800 and it changes alone as i am increases the fsb; lower is 745 )
DRAM Timing Control [AUTO]

DRAM Static Read Control [AUTO] or [Disable]
DRAM Read Training [AUTO] or [Disable]
Mem. OC Charger [AUTO]
Ai Clock Twister [AUTO]
Ai Transaction Booster [AUTO]

CPU Voltage [1.41250] (CPU-Z show's core voltage: 1.38v @idle, 1.34v @load 100%
FSB Termination Voltage [AUTO]
DRAM Voltage [AUTO]
NB Voltage [AUTO]
SB Voltage [AUTO]

CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
PCIE Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
CPU Margin Enhancement [Performance Mode]

-----------------------------------
OC nr.3 @ 4140 mhz: loads OS and BSOD as soon as am i running anything.
Ai Overclock Tuner [manual]
FSB Frequency [360]
PCIE Frequency [100]
FSB strap to north bridge [auto] or [333]

DRAM Frequency [865] (was set to 800 and it changes alone as i am increases the fsb; lower is 775; higher is 900; auto is 900)
DRAM Timing Control [AUTO]

DRAM Static Read Control [AUTO] or [Disable]
DRAM Read Training [AUTO] or [Disable]
Mem. OC Charger [AUTO]
Ai Clock Twister [AUTO]
Ai Transaction Booster [AUTO]

CPU Voltage [1.43750] (lower voltage, halt on loading OS)
FSB Termination Voltage [AUTO] or [1.30]
DRAM Voltage [AUTO] or [1.80]
NB Voltage [AUTO] or [1.20]
SB Voltage [AUTO] or [1.10]

CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
PCIE Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
CPU Margin Enhancement [Performance Mode]
----------------------------------------------------------

So the temperature isn't a problem at all. I'm worried a bit of the Vcore difference shown between bios and cpu-z .OC nr.3, at cpu voltage 1.43750 in bios, cpu-z shows 1.38v between 1.41v. And that if i raise FSB more then 333, the problems appear so fast. I am/was hoping to get the FSB to 400. Waiting for suggestion's, hints anything.

 

[jasont78]

hate to say it but ur mobo is a cheap piece of *** which was never designed to overclock heavily. most of asus's older cheaper mobo's were terrible overclockers. spend a few dollars on a decent mobo. that said you did alright getting 3850mhz with that board and the benifit of that other 200mhz is worth the extra heat, power consumption and potential to damage the chip with continued higher voltage use.another limiting factor could be your power supply if its a cheaper one. if you want faster by a quad!

 

[hundredislandsboy]

I've overclocked extensively on an Asus P5Q SE PLUS, which is stable with a 1600, 1776, 1800, even 2000 Mhz FSB using an e8400.

With you're e7600, if you're stable at 3.84 GHz then you've got and okay chip to start with. If you want to see 1600 FSB, you'll probably have to lower your multipler to 9 or 10 and also bump your NB voltage to at least middle of the given range (1.55 v?)

You're overvolting your e7600 and that is be the cause of your BSODS. Try 9 X 400 with 1.35vcore. If that works, try 10 X 400 with 1.375vcore w/ NB @ 1.55v and .
IEST and C1E disabled.

Good luck.

 

[addicted86]

range:
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.10-1.40
Memory Voltage: 1.80 - 2.30
NB Voltage: 1.10 - 1.40
SB Voltage: 1.50 - 1.70

c1e, eist, disabled ofc 😀
------
9x 400 fsb
ram 800
fsb strap to nb auto
cpu voltage 1.38750 in bios; in win cpu-z 1.368v idle/1.320v full load
FSB Termination Voltage: auto
Memory Voltage: auto
NB Voltage: 1.40
SB Voltage: auto

This is stabile. No bsod, no error in prime95
------
10x 400 fsb
ram 800
fsb strap to nb auto
cpu voltage 1.40000 in bios; in win cpu-z 1.376v idle/1.328v full load
FSB Termination Voltage: auto
Memory Voltage: auto
NB Voltage: 1.40
SB Voltage: auto

Instant BSOD in prime95

 

[hundredislandsboy]

I don't know your exact BIOS but you are setting it to "unlinked" correct?

Now you know your mobo runs stable on 1600 FSB. And we know your CPU with stock bus speed 1066 is stable at 1600. Both are good and temps are good.

Now you'll be finding the wall - good so you know you've hit it and you don't burn up your chip or mobo trying to go past the safe limits.

Your e7600 might have came out of the factory never having the chance to hit 4 Ghz because of its binning or the luck of the draw from Newegg shipping warehouse? Just guessing.


"fsb strap to nb auto" might be the clue to go higher. I would not set the vcore past 1.375.

 

[addicted86]

i've just bought the mobo. replaced an old intel one. the bios isnt updated.

"fsb strap to nb" i've tried just with Auto and 333 setings.

another thought i am getting now is, about the ddram modules. it's any posibility that, maybe is an incompatility between the 2x1gb and the 2x512mb? allthough are from the same manufacturer

i am starting to think also, there is something wrong with a component.

 

[hundredislandsboy]

you're stable at 3.84 GHz

that's already a huge overclock so consider it a success

another 160 mhz isn't gonna make or break your benchmarks other than being slightly proud to see 4 Ghz.

remove the 2 X 512 modules until you're sure you're at the max stable settings and then insert them. if your system then becomes unstable you'll have to bump the voltage to all RAM.

 

[addicted86]

i will try a few more things, but yeah, i think i'll stop at 3.84

thanks for tips/hints