prime95 and quadcore

Slinkie · 7 Feb 2009 at 21:50

hey

I'm in the process of finding the limit for my CPU. Im using prime 95 to bench after each step up. What I have found is that one core fails after about 3 mins but the rest just keep going (its always core 2) I have the voltage set to the max along with northbridge etc

Settings are q9550
Fsb 506
multi 8.5
voltage 1.360 (1.4 in bios)
Nb 1.4
Vvt1.4

I know this means the overclock isnt stable but is there anything else I can try to get it to work.

For the record 4.25 is rock solid

Cold_And_Miserable · 7 Feb 2009 at 23:26

If you're ever in doubt about stability, use the Intel Burn Test or IBT. Run 10 laps of 3200 Mb say, if the figures go all over the place you've got trouble ahead.

Ben M · 7 Feb 2009 at 23:28

Slinkie said:
I have the voltage set to the max along with northbridge etc

Your voltages are all on their maximum? :confused:

Slinkie · 7 Feb 2009 at 23:41

As in maximum as recommended by intel etc. They could go higher but I don#t want to damage the CPU

cje · 7 Feb 2009 at 23:51

If you're getting Prime erros after 3 minutes, and you don't want to increase voltages, you'll have to drop your clock back down little by little until you find it is stable.

I second the use of intel burn test. But don't rely on that solely though. Intel burn test is a good quick way to see if your overclock is initially stable. then, you have to prime it for a good few hours to ensure long term stability. Also, be aware that Intel Burn Test will produce a lot of CPU heat. If you've only ran prime for 3 minutes, then you're going to see a big increase in temps when running IBT. Keep an eye on temps.

Ben M · 8 Feb 2009 at 00:09

Slinkie said:
As in maximum as recommended by intel etc. They could go higher but I don#t want to damage the CPU

...

If you want it to be stable, you need to put up voltages, it's that simple.

So either grow a pair, or be happy with 4.25 ghz

1kiwi · 8 Feb 2009 at 10:03

Ben M said:
...

So either grow a pair, or be happy with 4.25 ghz

Haha LOL - "Nooo sacrifice noooo victory"

Anyways..

While your clock is good, you may need to be more realistic with regards to your FSB. I.e., try raising your multi and dropping your FSB.

Slinkie · 8 Feb 2009 at 11:23

multi only goes upto 8.5 on the q9550 so i'm stuck with upping the fsb.

I left it over night running primr at 4.2 and it is 8hrs stable and quite cool so i might just leave it at that. As soon as the fsb needs to go over 500 the voltages need to be whacked up which isn't too go fo the temps!