Overclocking Core i7 issue

[Paddyw01]

Hey guys,

My setup is an Asus P6T Deluxe Mobo, Core i7 920, 3GB CorsairXMS3, DDR3 PC3-10666 RAM and I've managed to overclock it to a stable 3.6GHz, taking into account not too high temperatures.
I increased the QPI to 180 (if I remember correctly) to achieve this and increased the core voltage to 1.3750 or 1.4 (can't quite remember as it was a little while ago), and I left the rest of the settings to auto, and to their factory defaults.
Recently, I had to restore factory settings though (bringing it down from 3.6 to 2.7 GHz) because I had a BIOS message saying "Overclock failed" during boot up, which worried the hell out of me. God I worry too much!!
I've read that this message appears whenever the PC isn't shut down properly so BIOS sees it as a failed overclock, as I had to press the reset button on my PC - thus not properly shut down.
My questions are: is this normal? Have any of you guys had this problem? Should I ignore this message and restore my overclock to 3.6GHz and run Prime95 for a few hours to test for stability?
I know that Intel designed Core i7 to be able to take a beating, but I don't want to mash my computer up if this is a serious issue or something.

I do miss those higher frame rates whenever I play Crysis

Any help would be great guys...

 

[FaceplantSi]

I don't know that board so others will be better suited to advise about the BIOS thinking it's a failed OC after a reset, but I'd check temps etc with everything at stock and if all seems well then start bringing the OC back up - do an Intel Burn test to check things out as it's much quicker than Prime testing, and if all checks out then keep on going. If you have a D0 chip then being able to achieve 4GHz is almost a cert, provided you have a decent HSF and a case with good enough airflow - even the older stepping CPU's are very good OC'ers and a lot hit 4GHz without too much effort.

Go for it, but keep an eye on those temps!

 

[Paddyw01]

Well temperature wise the highest I got (@3.6GHz) was 87C using the infamous socket 1366 Noctua cooler after having run Prime 95 for around 8 hours, so I'm not sure it's the temperatures.
What do you mean by Intel Burn test? Is this a program from Intel to stress a CPU or something?
Oh believe you me, my case is a custom Lian Li PC P80 with 6 intake fans, 3 exhaust blowers and 2 exhaust fans so the airflow is pretty good

I see from your sig that you've overclocked your i7 to 4GHz. What temps are you getting?

 

[elite.ire]

1.375v - 1.4v is going to result in some quite high temps on air cooling ,
im guessing urs is a c0 i7 920 like mine ?, and tbh i wouldnt worry about the failed overclock warning in the bios, i get that now and again with my asus rampage II extreme, i usually just restart and it boots fine...

 

[Paddyw01]

It might have been 1.2750/1.3volts. It was a little while ago so I can't quite remember the settings, but I thought I'd get some input from you guys before I attempted another overclock.

Oh and yes I guess it's the C0 like yours. It was the first wave of i7's that came out.
How often do you get those messages? Had you not reset your PC properly before those error messages? What are your temps/overclock speeds as well? Oh and do you think these kind of messages can just be ignored and won't harm the system?

Thanks guys for your help.

 

[elite.ire]

Well im at 3.8Ghz @ 1.37v, on prime it gets over 85C~ but realisitically its never going to be running at 100%, i get the messages now and again, usually happens when im messing around with overclocks and running benchmarks and it doesnt get a proper restart, im hoping its not harming my pc, ive been trashing it about since i got it though, trying to run 3dmark's at 4.2Ghz+ on air with HT enabled , and this is a bad c0 chip unfortuantly , but only cost me like £150 so its not all bad, nywhoo good luck with your overclocks

 

[FaceplantSi]

Well temperature wise the highest I got (@3.6GHz) was 87C using the infamous socket 1366 Noctua cooler after having run Prime 95 for around 8 hours, so I'm not sure it's the temperatures.
What do you mean by Intel Burn test? Is this a program from Intel to stress a CPU or something?
Oh believe you me, my case is a custom Lian Li PC P80 with 6 intake fans, 3 exhaust blowers and 2 exhaust fans so the airflow is pretty good

I see from your sig that you've overclocked your i7 to 4GHz. What temps are you getting?

Yes Intel Burn test is a prog to stress CPU - download from here.

My temps are currently avg 38/42 idle and 76/78 load - this running 1.2v. At the height of the recent hot weather you could add another 4 degrees to those temps - I like to try to keep below 80 if I can. These results may not of too much use to you since you have the C0 stepping chip tho.

Good luck with redoing the OC!

 

[Paddyw01]

Well im at 3.8Ghz @ 1.37v, on prime it gets over 85C~ but realisitically its never going to be running at 100%, i get the messages now and again, usually happens when im messing around with overclocks and running benchmarks and it doesnt get a proper restart, im hoping its not harming my pc, ive been trashing it about since i got it though, trying to run 3dmark's at 4.2Ghz+ on air with HT enabled , and this is a bad c0 chip unfortuantly , but only cost me like £150 so its not all bad, nywhoo good luck with your overclocks

I have to admit that i'm surprised you only hope it won't harm your PC. Personally, if anything could remotely damage my PC, I wouldn't do it as I spent so much money on it, and I hate RMA's.
Thanks for wishing me luck

Yes Intel Burn test is a prog to stress CPU - download from here.

My temps are currently avg 38/42 idle and 76/78 load - this running 1.2v. At the height of the recent hot weather you could add another 4 degrees to those temps - I like to try to keep below 80 if I can. These results may not of too much use to you since you have the C0 stepping chip tho.

Good luck with redoing the OC!

Thanks for the link mate.

I take it the reason why your voltage is so low for your high overclock is because you have the D0 stepping chip. Am I right?
I'm still fairly new to overclocking