Never been able to solve this problem, calling everyone

[kingshaun2k]

Problem
Been trying to overclock this set up for a long time now and its always failed no matter what settings i try! The problem is that when i overclock it and turn it off when i'm finished with it and then go back on it hours later it will fail to load past the "Starting windows screen". The only way to get passed this screen is to remove the PSU cable, hold down the power button for 10 seconds or so and plug it back in and it starts up fine.

Things i've tried

- Latest bios and drivers
- Removed cmos batter for 9 hours
- 50 runs of Linx and it passed
- 2.5 hours of prime95 without errors
- 7 hours of Memtest86+ and no errors
- WD Diagnostic
- Windows Memory Diagnostic
- HD tune Pro
- Changed power cable
- Changed ram around in different slots


Pc Specs

- Intel i7 930
- Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel DDR3
- Asus P6TD deluxe
- Ati 5970 XFX Black Edition
- Windows 7 64bit
- Titan Fenrir Cooler
- Corsair HX 750W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply


Overclock settings

AI Overclock tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio Setting: 21
Intel (R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech: Disabled
Intel (R) Turbo Mode Tech: Disabled
BLCK Frequency: 181
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1451MHz
UCLK Frequency: 2903
QPI Link Data Rate: Auto

DRAM Timing Control:

1st Information :

CAS# Latency: 9
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 9
DRAM RAS# PRE Time: 9
DRAM RAS# ACT Time: 24
DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay: Auto
DRAM REF Cycle Time: Auto
DRAM Write Recovery Time: Auto
DRAM Read to Precharge Time: Auto
DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time: Auto
DRAM Back-To-Back CAS# Delay: Auto

2nd Information :

DRAM Timing Mode: Auto
DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHA: Auto
DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHB: Auto
DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHC: Auto

3rd Information :

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay (DD): Auto
DRAM WRITE To READ Delay (DR): Auto
DRAM WRITE To READ Delay (SR): Auto
DRAM READ To WRITE Delay (DD): Auto
DRAM READ To WRITE Delay (DR): Auto
DRAM READ To WRITE Delay (SR): Auto
DRAM READ To READ Delay (DD): Auto
DRAM READ To READ Delay (DR): Auto
DRAM READ To READ Delay (SR): Auto
DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay (DD): Auto
DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay (DR): Auto
DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay (SR): Auto

CPU Voltage: 1.27500
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.88
QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: 1.35
IOH Voltage: 1.20
IOH PCIE Voltage: Auto
ICH Voltage: 1.20
ICH PCIE Voltage: Auto
DRAM Bus Voltage: 1.64
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA: Auto
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA: Auto
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB: Auto
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB: Auto
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC: Auto
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC: Auto

Load Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Differential Amplitude: Auto
CPU Clock Skew: Auto
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
IOH Clock Skew : Auto
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Advance CPU Settings
CPU Ratio Setting: 21
C1E Suppport: Disabled
Hardware Prefetcher: Enabled
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: Enabled
Intel® Virtualization Tech: Enabled
CPU TM Function: Enabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
Intel (R) HT Techology: Enabled
Active Processor Cores: All
A20M: Disabled
Intel (R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech: Disabled
Intel (R) Turbo Mode Tech: Disabled
Intel (R) C-STATE Tech: Disabled

 

[kingshaun2k]

It's overclocked at 3.8Ghz at the moment.

 

[Reedweaver]

Have you tried to put the QPI Link Data Rate on the lowest setting instead of AUTO.

 

[kingshaun2k]

Many times

 

[Reedweaver]

QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: 1.35

Does this look a little low? The memory is rated at 1.85v...Nothing wrong with testing 1.65v.....I have read that over 1.65v may fry the CPU...

**I'm not an expert on this, I'm just saying what I can see, others might know better**

 

[Reedweaver]

CPU Voltage: 1.27500

Does this look low as well?

 

[kingshaun2k]

i read this somewhere.... Intel's safe range for QPI on the i7 is 1.35v. i've tried up to 1.35 on the vcore aswell but i get the same problem.

 

[momo56]

I had the exact same problem but on a q6600 system. It was an asus blitz formula board. Maybe its an asus thing? I remember someone telling me it was something to do with the ram. A few months later the system wouldn't boot at all. Turned out one of the modules was faulty.

Now I have an asus rampage 2 extreme. It happened to me once. I changed the pci-e frequency to 101 mhz and that seemed to solve the problem for me.

Also I doubt it relevant but anyway I would take the qpi link data rate off auto. I just leave it at the lowest number. The one above slow mode. Helped me achieve higher overclocks.

Also the CPU differential amplitude I have at 800. Again helped me achieve a higher overclock.

 

[kingshaun2k]

I've tried changing the pci-e volatage to 101 and that didn't sort it either, would it matter if i used the black slots instead of the orange ones? Tried the CPU differential amplitude at 800 and it still didnt load and like i said i've set the QPI link data range on the lowest setting many times before and its never solved the problem, i think ive tried nearly every setting in tons in different combinations.

 

[Reedweaver]

Have you got a C0 or D0 stepping CPU?

 

[Reedweaver]

Is the problem that you cant overclock it at all, without getting the 'Starting Windows Screen' ie You can overclock to 3.6ghz and it will boot everytime OK

OR

When you try to hit 3.8 or 4.0ghz it shows the 'Starting Windows Screen'

 

[kingshaun2k]

I have the D0. Ive tried quite a lot of different different speeds and it will work fine but when i turn it off and go back on it it will stop on the starting windows screen. The only way to get passed this is to remove the power cable, hold the power button for 10 seconds or so. Plug the power cable back in it will load passed that screen just fine! Thats the weird thing about it lol

 

[kingshaun2k]

Bump...

 

[John24]

Sounds like it could be a dodgy PSU.

 

[kingshaun2k]

Yea i was thinking of that, whats teh best way to test it? i don't have a spare one and i dont wanna spend over £100+ to buy a new one to find out its not the PSU lol

 

[momo56]

lol buy one, use it then give it back within 7 days under DSR. Only end up paying £5 for postage

 

[DragonQ]

You can get problems if your QPI/DRAM voltage is too high and yours is pretty much as high as you should go. Try lowering it to 1.3 and upping the VCore to 1.3?

 

[kingshaun2k]

Well it worked when i turned it off so lets hope it wasnt a 1 off, Thanks very much <3

 

[AndyOcUK]

AI Overclock tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio Setting: 20
Intel (R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech: Enabled
Intel (R) Turbo Mode Tech: Enabled
BLCK Frequency: 200
PCIE Frequency: 101
DRAM Frequency: set this to rated speed (or near as)
UCLK Frequency: 2903
QPI Link Data Rate: Auto

DRAM Timing Control:

1st Information :

CAS# Latency: 9
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 9
DRAM RAS# PRE Time: 9
DRAM RAS# ACT Time: 24
DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay: Auto
DRAM REF Cycle Time: Auto
DRAM Write Recovery Time: Auto
DRAM Read to Precharge Time: Auto
DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time: Auto
DRAM Back-To-Back CAS# Delay: Auto


CPU Voltage: 1.27500
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.88
QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: 1.35
IOH Voltage: 1.20
IOH PCIE Voltage: Auto
ICH Voltage: 1.20
ICH PCIE Voltage: Auto
DRAM Bus Voltage: 1.65

Load Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Differential Amplitude: Auto
CPU Clock Skew: Auto
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
IOH Clock Skew : Auto
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Advance CPU Settings
CPU Ratio Setting: 21
C1E Suppport: Enabled
Hardware Prefetcher: Enabled
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: Enabled
Intel® Virtualization Tech: Enabled
CPU TM Function: Enabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
Intel (R) HT Techology: Enabled
Active Processor Cores: All
A20M: Disabled
Intel (R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech: Enabled
Intel (R) Turbo Mode Tech: Enabled
Intel (R) C-STATE Tech: Enabled

 

[reygjabla]

Some DO's require higher than 1.275 VCore to get to 4.0 GHz.