i7 950 + GTX 580 overclocking

bazke · 28 Jan 2011 at 21:32

Okay, I've been running my 950 at 4GHz stable for a while and decided to see if there is more to get.

I can't get past 4.2 (200*21), system keeps crashing frequently. I can't really tell what the actual vcore going to my CPU is, CPU-Z/HWmon says one value while I key in something completely different in BIOS. For example, telling BIOS to go to even 1.4 makes CPU-Z report around 1.3. Speedstep enabled, but at full load. My PSU is a Fractal Design Newton R2 1000W.

I'd like to figure out what causes this, or at least what the true vcore is.

Secondly, the GTX 580. It overclocks AWESOMELY, running at 950MHz stable. However when under load it makes a few weird noises. One being the squealing but only when running F@H. Not much to do about this - thanks nVidia!

The other noise it makes is when BOINCing, it sounds kind of like a mechanical hard drive moving the arm. It's not the fan, but something else. It does this both at default clocks and overclocked. Same cause as squealing, different symptom?

I don't have a list of my specific BIOS settings, but if anyone feels like helping me out on that front I'll get them!

Cheers

bifday2k · 28 Jan 2011 at 21:50

If you want the vcore to read more or less what u enter in the bios, then you will need to turn on Load Line Calibration. Its near the bottom in AI Tweaker.

Also the more u go past 4ghz the more you will also have to up the Qpi.

bazke · 28 Jan 2011 at 21:51

Ah, of course! I had completely forgotten about LLC. I'll go do some testing, thanks

Olly · 28 Jan 2011 at 22:12

bazke said:
For example, telling BIOS to go to even 1.4 makes CPU-Z report around 1.3. Speedstep enabled, but at full load.

That's Vdroop. Without LLC it sets the Vcore to is max, i.e 1.4....then under load as the CPU draws more power it will drop. Check CPU-Z at idle and see what the voltage is.

Enabling LLC will set the Vcore to be the lowest, so under load it might draw a little bit more but nothing major.

by crashing you mean BSODs ? if so, get the error code at the bottom..101 needs more vcore and 124 needs more VTT

bazke · 28 Jan 2011 at 22:19

Olly said:
That's Vdroop. Without LLC it sets the Vcore to is max, i.e 1.4....then under load as the CPU draws more power it will drop. Check CPU-Z at idle and see what the voltage is.

Enabling LLC will set the Vcore to be the lowest, so under load it might draw a little bit more but nothing major.

by crashing you mean BSODs ? if so, get the error code at the bottom..101 needs more vcore and 124 needs more VTT

Aha, great LLC explanation. Thanks for that

And yes, BSOD has become my.. friend. Did not know about the error codes, that should help a lot. Thanks again!

q6600 · 29 Jan 2011 at 11:38

take a look on my bios settings ( just be careful with vcore, i got w/c)

q6600 said:
bios setings for 4.5 stabil

and my video card oc

Bubo · 29 Jan 2011 at 21:26

What voltage are you running the 580?

bazke · 29 Jan 2011 at 22:22

I got my 580 running at 930MHz/2200MHz at 1.0V. Heaven and Furmark stable but any higher and it's unstable, no matter voltage..

And q6600, thanks for that! Got mine running stable at 4.4, but temps out of control.

Edit: Clarification

Bubo · 30 Jan 2011 at 00:16

1.0? The stock voltage on my zotac is 1.05. What make is yours?

bazke · 30 Jan 2011 at 01:13

It's Gigabyte.

q6600 · 30 Jan 2011 at 09:31

Bubo said:
What voltage are you running the 580?

for that bench v was 1.188

q6600 · 30 Jan 2011 at 09:37

bazke said:
I got my 580 running at 930MHz/2200MHz at 1.0V. Heaven and Furmark stable but any higher and it's unstable, no matter voltage..

And q6600, thanks for that! Got mine running stable at 4.4, but temps out of control.

Edit: Clarification

yes i950 is quite hot after a certain vcore.