**** CPU?

Smorgasbord · 1 Jun 2009 at 20:46

Hi,

It appears that all CPU's i buy are utter *****.

I'm trying to overclock my E7200 with my P5QL Pro motherboard (I know this isn't the best, but still) - anyway it won't even hit 3GHz stable

I've tried all different combo's of BIOS settings and it just won't have it. By the way, my cpu is M0 stepping if that makes much difference with a VID of 1.25v?

Have I just got extremely bad luck or have i just coincidentally had three poor overclocking CPU's?

TIA,

EDIT: I meant to put this in the overclocking section - sorry!

Plec · 1 Jun 2009 at 21:49

Smorgasbord said:
I've tried all different combo's of BIOS settings and it just won't have it. By the way, my cpu is M0 stepping if that makes much difference with a VID of 1.25v?

Have you tried running your memory below stock via the mem divider or slightly lower timings? Memory settings and its frequency can be the biggest stumbling point for overclocking.

If you haven't tried the above - try dropping the frequency of the memory via the divider and if neccessary slackening the timings. If that enables you a higher overclock then gradually try upping the frequency and tighter timings.

Get a balance that works for you - i run my memory slightly under stock but have the advantage of a much greater CPU overclock.

Smorgasbord · 1 Jun 2009 at 22:40

Plec said:
Have you tried running your memory below stock via the mem divider or slightly lower timings? Memory settings and its frequency can be the biggest stumbling point for overclocking.

If you haven't tried the above - try dropping the frequency of the memory via the divider and if neccessary slackening the timings. If that enables you a higher overclock then gradually try upping the frequency and tighter timings.

Get a balance that works for you - i run my memory slightly under stock but have the advantage of a much greater CPU overclock.

hello,

I've run my memory 'underclocked' and in sync with different clock speeds. I can get it to boot at 400*8 - It's just not stable, but the temps are ok, 55oC under load.

Could it be NB, FSB Voltages or the FSB Strap?

Plec · 1 Jun 2009 at 22:56

It's proabaly best if you list your complete spec and your current primary voltages and present memory timings/frequency and start from there.

Then we'll know what your default starting point is and work up from there.

EDIT: have you tried 9.5 x 333 (a lower fsb with higher multiplier clock)?

BigBruiserAl · 1 Jun 2009 at 23:59

I had the same prob with my 7400, turned out i didt do my homework. Went into the bios set all mem timeing manualy and volatge as sticker on mem. changed it to run 1:1 then set FSB, set vcore to about 1.35 an boom 3.8 stable and the my VID was poo 1.285 i think

Smorgasbord · 2 Jun 2009 at 18:46

Hi,

my present setup is:

CPU Clock: 333 (9.5 Multi for 3.16GHz)
vCore: 1.35v (BIOS)
FSB Termination Voltage 1.3v
RAM: 2.0v (Recommended - OCZ SLi 4GB 800MHz)
DRAM Frequency: 667MHz (1:1)
NorthBridge Voltage: 1.3v
PCI-Express Frequency: 100
FSB Strap to Northbridge: Auto

Ta,

Plec · 2 Jun 2009 at 19:37

So, have you managed to get it stable over 3Ghz using the higher multiplier and lower FSB i suggested?

If you have you could start to slowly increase the FSB in increments of ~10MHz and when it buckles go back 20 or so Mhz to when it was last stable and bench test.

Get back to us with you results and setting and we'll move on from there...

Smorgasbord · 2 Jun 2009 at 20:04

No, those settings i gave you are stable to boot into Windows, but fails Prime95 immediately.

Plec · 2 Jun 2009 at 20:12

Ok, it's proabaly best that you set it to your last known stable overclock and list your respective settings and volatges for that setup.

Also, list the memory timings you are using.

Smorgasbord · 2 Jun 2009 at 20:24

Plec said:
Ok, it's proabaly best that you set it to your last known stable overclock and list your respective settings and volatges for that setup.

Also, list the memory timings you are using.

Hi,

I've loosened the RAM timings to 6-6-6-18 for now.

I've dropped the multi to 9, reduced the vCore to 1.3v along with the NB and FSB, and so far it's not failing a stress test, floating around 58-62oC.

The Ram is running 1:1 (667MHz) - The default is 800MHz @ 5-4-4-15

Plec · 2 Jun 2009 at 22:44

Well, that's some progress as it's running virtually at 3GHz which it wouldn't before - although, granted, with reduced memory timings - but their is usually a trade off.

I would run with this for a couple of days and use it and abuse it with games and apps - perhaps do a few passes of memtest. If it remains stable - then we have at least found a stable platform to work from.

Smorgasbord · 3 Jun 2009 at 14:29

Plec said:
Well, that's some progress as it's running virtually at 3GHz which it wouldn't before - although, granted, with reduced memory timings - but their is usually a trade off.

I would run with this for a couple of days and use it and abuse it with games and apps - perhaps do a few passes of memtest. If it remains stable - then we have at least found a stable platform to work from.

quick update, about 30-40 minutes after posting that last night, the stress test failed

Monkeynut · 3 Jun 2009 at 15:59

What power supply do you have?

Plec · 3 Jun 2009 at 16:42

Monkeynut, poses a good question - you never did list your full spec and the PSU's make and wattage could prove very relevent to your problems.

Smorgasbord · 4 Jun 2009 at 10:28

My full system specs are as follows;

Intel E7200
4GB OCZ 'SLI Certfiied' Ram (800MHz @ 5-4-4-15)
1TB Samsung Spinpoint HDD
500GB Samsung Spinpoint HDD
Optiarc DVD-RW
Cooler Master 520W Modular PSU
Sapphire HD-4770
ASUS P5QL-Pro mobo.

Anything else you need, just let me know...

Plec · 4 Jun 2009 at 13:36

Well nothing obvious jumps out - some would argue that you have a relatively small PSU - but it's more than capable of doing the job you're asking of it.

However, there’s a risk that the PSU may be running below par and, as such, when you bump up the clock it’s drawing power that the PSU can’t supply (Obviously, don't rush out and buy a new PSU, it’s only a Possibility.).

Smorgasbord said:
Have I just got extremely bad luck or have i just coincidentally had three poor overclocking CPU's?

Did you have the same PSU when you were clocking your other 2 cpu’s? If you did i would be very tempted to try clocking it with a spare PSU, if you can hold of one, and see if you get the same results. If it suddenly becomes stable you have your answer if not at least you can rule out the PSU as a possible factor.

I would have suggested loosening your memory but you’ve tried the settings I would have advised and you have decent sticks but again these could be the weak link - have you run memtest for a few hours? (Again, is it possible to try a different set?)

Smorgasbord said:
I've loosened the RAM timings to 6-6-6-18 for now.

The Ram is running 1:1 (667MHz) - The default is 800MHz @ 5-4-4-15

The only other pertinent piece of hardware that would be handy to know is what cooler have you got on top of the CPU?

Smorgasbord · 4 Jun 2009 at 13:40

Plec said:
Well nothing obvious jumps out - some would argue that you have a relatively small PSU - but it's more than capable of doing the job you're asking of it.

However, there’s a risk that the PSU may be running below par and, as such, when you bump up the clock it’s drawing power that the PSU can’t supply (Obviously, don't rush out and buy a new PSU, it’s only a Possibility.).

Did you have the same PSU when you were clocking your other 2 cpu’s? If you did i would be very tempted to try clocking it with a spare PSU if you can hold of one and see if you get the same results.

I would have suggested loosening your memory but you’ve tried the settings I would have advised and you have decent sticks:

The only other pertinent piece of hardware that would be handy to know is what cooler have you got on top of the CPU?

My cooler is a cheapo Akasa 965. I was led to believe this should be competent of handling an E7200 and a Q6700 should i ever upgrade.

When I had my E6400 and my Q6600 I had a 450w PSU at the time. To be fair, my E6400 would overclock to 3GHz, but it ran extremely hot (with a TRUE120

)

With the Q6600 and my E7200 I bought these thinking i could get easy OC to 3GHz plus, but struggled on both.

Plec · 4 Jun 2009 at 13:47

You may not have noticed my edit about the memory as your post appeared when i refreshed.

You have decent memory but it still could be a factor - have you got a couple of other sticks you could try?

If not try clocking the system with just one stick installed and see what results you get.

Also, if you haven't done so already, run memtest for a few hours.

The Akasa should be fine - i have one fitted in one my rigs and it's very capable - as long as all the push pins are firmly secured. (It's a b*st*rd to fit as you probably know.)

Smorgasbord · 4 Jun 2009 at 13:50

Plec said:
You may not have noticed my edit about the memory as your post appeared when i refreshed.

You have decent memory but it still could be a factor - have you got a couple of other sticks you could try?

If not try clocking the system with just one stick installed and see what results you get.

Also, if you haven't done so already, run memtest for a few hours.

Yes, I actually have 2 x 1GB sticks of Corsair Ram spare (dual channel kit), so i'll give that a go later on.

My cpu does run pretty hot at idle though, about 45oC. Under load it hits about 59oC - would you consider this normal for an E7200?

uv · 4 Jun 2009 at 13:56

Does the RAM pass memtest at completely stock settings?