Setting manual ram settings P67-GD53?

Buchanan0204 · 11 Jun 2011 at 20:29

Hi,

I'm looking to change the ram from the default 1333Mhz to 1600Mhz and also alter the voltages and timings manually in the BIOS of a MSI GD53. The option I'm looking for is greyed out.

I have overclocked the 2500k to 4.2Ghz using the OC Genie button on the board. Not sure if this is causing the issue?

Any used this board or has it and can shed some light on it... would be great!

Plec · 11 Jun 2011 at 20:59

I'm typing from my laptop, so forgive me if i get some wording wrong, but from memory...

I haven't used the Genie (so it may be the problem) - but i would disable it and just set the the multiplier to 42 - you shouldn't have issues reaching 4.2GHz.

Then...

Disable XMP
Set DRAM Timing Mode - Link
Then enter the DRAM timing config/mode to set the timings
And you should then be able to set the voltage/frequncies in the required fields.

Buchanan0204 · 11 Jun 2011 at 21:32

Plec said:
I'm typing from my laptop, so forgive me if i get some wording wrong, but from memory...

I haven't used the Genie (so it may be the problem) - but i would disable it and just set the the multiplier to 42 - you shouldn't have issues reaching 4.2GHz.

Then...

Disable XMP

Set DRAM Timing Mode - Link

Then enter the DRAM timing config/mode to set the timings

And you should then be able to set the voltage/frequncies in the required fields.

Before I came on I had already disabled and set the multiplier to 45. Didn't realise how easy it was to set the frequency... 4.5Ghz seems to be the average for everyone.

What voltage would you recommend for 4.5Ghz? Something like 1.3V?

Cheers for your help I really appreciate it.

Plec · 11 Jun 2011 at 21:46

Buchanan0204 said:
What voltage would you recommend for 4.5Ghz? Something like 1.3V?

Cheers for your help I really appreciate it.

No worries.

Depends largely on the chip but when you go over 4.3/4.4Ghz you usually have to start playing with voltages over 1.2V/1.25V (in my experience).

Ideally, you would steadily work your way up 4.5GHz but the SB setups are such a doddle to OC (in comparison to older systems) that you can usually just tap in the required multiplier (within reason) and then set a voltage within tolerance. Not much finnesse, admittedly, but it will usually do the job if you need a quick result...

1.3V should keep things stable at 4.5Ghz but no higher than 1.35V (depending on cooler?) and if it is stable i would then experiment with lower voltages - incrementally.

Buchanan0204 · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:09

Plec said:
No worries.

Depends largely on the chip but when you go over 4.3/4.4Ghz you usually have to start playing with voltages over 1.2V/1.25V (in my experience).

Ideally, you would steadily work your way up 4.5GHz but the SB setups are such a doddle to OC (in comparison to older systems) that you can usually just tap in the required multiplier (within reason) and then set a voltage within tolerance. Not much finnesse, admittedly, but it will usually do the job if you need a quick result...

1.3V should keep things stable at 4.5Ghz but no higher than 1.35V (depending on cooler?) and if it is stable i would then experiment with lower voltages - incrementally.

Sounds good to me. I've just followed this tutorial with a pathetic result... Fails to boot into windows, blue screen straight away.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/07/how-to-overclock-the-intel-core-i5-2500k/5

I'll give that a go. Is there any settings like C1E etc I should be touching?

Buchanan0204 · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:25

OK... update.

I've messed around with the voltages. I've currently got it at 1.32V. I tried it at 1.3 and it just blue screened as soon as I started Prime95. I've manually set the timings to 9-9-9-27 and I set the ram to 1.5V.

It's been running Prime95 now for a few minutes and so far so good. Obviously this isn't and indication it's stable, I'll leave it for hours. However it's a step in the right direction.

I'm using a Titan fenrir Evo. The load temp at 4.5Ghz is 60°c. Is this OK in terms of SandyBridge standards. I have no idea what the ideal temp range is for them.

This system isn't mine. It's actually for a friend. I'm running an old but faithful [email protected] and it gets super hot under my CoolermasterV8. Idling at 50 and under load mid 80's. I know those chips can handle it.

Plec · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:30

Buchanan0204 said:
The load temp at 4.5Ghz is 60°c. Is this OK in terms of SandyBridge standards. I have no idea what the ideal temp range is for them.

Those temps are great - anything upto 70 degrees is fine under prime 95 (mine hits 73).

Your memory voltage is ideal but if you start getting more BSODs try bumping it up a few increments (i.e. 1.55V - but keep it under 1.6V) as long as it's within your memorys spec.

EDIT: What is the memory?

olivier renault · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:30

under 70C is good. At least for sustained periods. So 60 is very good, I doubt you gonna be running prime 24/7.

I think the thermal limit is around 80C.

1.3 seems high, but not over the top. Maybe you just lucked out on the silicon. I've read recommended Vdimm < Vcore + 0.5V. But yeah, keep it around 1.55V-1.6V. The lower the better.

Plec · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:34

EDIT x 2 :I use all the green features (luck of the chip) - but if you're having problems turn them off for now - also disable spread spectrum if you haven't already

Sorry, this was meant to be an edit within my last post.

Buchanan0204 · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:13

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

That's my RAM

OK... it blue screened. Can't seem to get this stable. I had the cpu Vcore set at 1.33. I don't think I should have to go any higher. I also had the ram set at 1.6V. I've now put this too 1.65v as it's the max it claims it can support.

I disabled c1e for now. As it was in the green options.

Anything else that could be causing this issue?

Plec · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:25

Buchanan0204 said:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

That's my RAM

OK... it blue screened. Can't seem to get this stable. I had the cpu Vcore set at 1.33.

I've now put this too 1.65v as it's the max it claims it can support.

Tbh, unless your friend has a poor chip (possibe), you shouldn't be having any problems hitting 4.5Ghz - so perhaps there's an underlying problem that needs identifying...

I would drop the clock to 4.3Ghz and the vCore to 1.3V. I would also keep the memory below 1.6V as it's not recommended to go above this with a SB setup.

Then i would rum memtest using the bootable ISO - just to rule it out as a possible problem.

EDIT: Scrub that - for testing purposes i would drop everything to stock - and then run memtest. Then introduce the clock again and retest...

Buchanan0204 · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:55

I agree. I changed a few more settings. Turned off all the green options as recommended by yourself.

I've kept the Vcore at 1.33 and the Dram at 1.65. I know it's not recommended however the ram is rated at that voltage and I can't see it intefering or affecting anything else by setting it that. It's now been running Prime for 35-40 mins without any issues.

If it blanks out again, I suppose I should drop the clock back to 4.2Ghz... however I'm quite a persistant person and would like to get it to work at 4.5Ghz.

I don't think I've got a bad chip... I think it's just my settings.

If it fails... I'll run memtest... I've had Kingston RAM before, DDR2 however, none the less it wouldn't operate at it's rated speed of 1200Mhz either. Not a lover of the brand, however it was cheap.

Plec · 12 Jun 2011 at 00:59

Your memory brand/spec is fine - but there is a chance it's the cause of your problems: either a corrupt stick (showing up when a clocks introduced) or a slight compatibility issue. Worth ruling out if the need arises...

But, as you've mentioned, you're probably a tweak away from finding a solution (and from your posts you certainly seem to know your way around a computer) - let me know how you get along.

Good luck with it - hope you find the right blend of tweaks.

Buchanan0204 · 12 Jun 2011 at 02:33

Just an update for yourself. I've just ended Prime95 manually. It was doing fine. However it did mention one error on the lowest part of the window. Not sure what it was for. However it never brought about any BSOD or errors etc.

I have now went on to run IBT and it passed the standard test first time. I then went on to run the Maximum and it's just passed that also.

It's all looking like happy days for me (my friend) as the machine is now looking pretty good. Can I safely assume after a few hours of prime95 and the maximum test on IBT that it is now 99% stable at 4.5Ghz.

Maximum temp when running the maximum test was 65°c for two of the cores and 70°c for the other two.

My Vcore is set to 1.328v. These are within the recommendations from OcUK & Intel according the product page. The RAM is at it's max at 1.65V. Now this concerns me as Kingston claim it's ok and that it's rated for this no problem... however it does state on the same product page that you should use 1.5v for the Dram voltage on sandy bridge. I'm not sure on this one.

Anyway. Thanks again for your advice and help.

Plec · 12 Jun 2011 at 03:02

Buchanan0204 said:
The RAM is at it's max at 1.65V. Now this concerns me as Kingston claim it's ok and that it's rated for this no problem... however it does state on the same product page that you should use 1.5v for the Dram voltage on sandy bridge. I'm not sure on this one.

Intel recommend 1.5V + or - 5% which is just under 1.58V. And as you're reaching the upper bracket with the Vcore (1.38V) - then 1.65V on the Dram isn't recommended.

I don't wish to rain on your parade further but the fact that you had an error in prime would also indicate that the system isn't stable - plus ideally you need to run 20 loops of IBT.

And even if it were to pass the above you will then need to use it and abuse it as it may still buckle in everyday use - i've had systems prime for 24 hrs and yet would still BSOD in general use. :/

The above doesn't mean that your system isn't stable for general use but the fact that you got an error in prime95 does, i'm afraid, indicate an instability that may show up in every day use.

Perhaps save your present clock in a profile and then reset to defaults and memtest overnight? If it proved to be a memory problem it would be one of the easier solutions...

Buchanan0204 · 12 Jun 2011 at 03:05

Plec said:
Intel recommend 1.5V + or - 5% which is just under 1.6V. And as you're reaching the upper bracket with the Vcore 1.65V on the Dram isn't recommended.

I don't wish to rain on your parade further but the fact that you had an error in prime would also indicate that the system isn't stable - plus ideally you need to run 20 loops of IBT.

And even if it were to pass the above you will need to use it and abuse it in everyday use as it still may still buckle in everyday use - i've had systems prime for 24 hrs and yet would still BSOD in general use. :/

The above doesn't mean that your system isn't stable for general use but the fact that you got an error in prime95 does, i'm afraid, indicate instability that may show up in every day use.

Perhaps save your present clock in a profile and then reset to defaults and memtest overnight?

I'll do just that. Save to a profile. Reset and run memtest. He's becoming pretty impatient for it aswell. It's becoming quite irritating, I tried explaining overclocking isn't a 5 minute thing and a time can't be put on it. grrr!

Anyway. I'll see what memtest has to say.

P.S. Does prime95 export logs anywhere if at all?

Plec · 12 Jun 2011 at 03:17

Look in the prime95 folder - result.txt, stress.txt or similar (i'm on my laptop so can't access mine).

If passes memtest i would consider dropping the clock to 4.4 or 4.3 - you may find that it handles this without any issues and at lower voltages.

EDIT: Best of luck - i'm turning in for the night/morning. I'll look out for your progress later today.

Buchanan0204 · 12 Jun 2011 at 14:22

OK... a little update. It passed memtest with no worries. Thank god.

I'm going to wait it out before dropping the clock as I feel quite cheated. Apparently these chips are supposed to reach 4.5Ghz very easily. I thought it would have been an easily achievable and realistic overclock... seems I was wrong.

Anyway. I've managed to get it (nearly) stable with 1.5V on the ram which is progress I suppose.

Moving onto the CPU. It just failed IBT on Maximum after 7 runs. It never blue screened, just told me it failed and gave the message. This I suppose is alright considering the immense amount of strain. However this was at 1.32V. I've bumped it up to 1.328V and running it again. It's currently running it's tenth pass without a hiccup.

So to conclude the ram is running at it's 1.5V as recommended. It's 95% stable. However the core clock does seem just a little high compared to what Bit tech recommend. It is still however within the recommended voltage range from OcUK and Intel. The max they say is 1.38V. Which is quite a bit away from where I am. So everything is in range and we're nearly there. Am I being picky about the Vcore or should I be aiming lower. Remembering the temps are fine under this hovering around 70°c on maximum stress.

Cheers

If anyone else wants to jump in and share their views. I'd love to hear from you!

Plec · 12 Jun 2011 at 14:27

It sounds as though you just have chip that requires a bit more juice than others @ 4.5GHz (but it's not on it's own - as mentioned previously once you pass 4.3/4.4GHz some 2500k demand significantly more juice to keep stable)

As you've stated you're still within tolerence at 1.328V and if you read other threads you'll see others running similar voltages or higher...

Your cooler is certailnly up for the job, looking at your temps, and your memory is now well within range.

I would say you're almost there...

Buchanan0204 · 12 Jun 2011 at 14:33

Plec said:
It sounds as though you just have chip that requires a bit more juice than others @ 4.5GHz (but it's not on it's own - as mentioned previously once you pass 4.3/4.4GHz some 2500k demand significantly more juice to keep stable)

As you've stated you're still within tolerence at 1.328V and if you read other threads you'll see others running similar voltages or higher...

Your cooler is certailnly up for the job, looking at your temps, and your memory is now well within range.

I would say you're almost there...

Suppose I'll just keep it at this. Just monitoring CPU-Z there. The Vcore has jumped to 1.336V. No idea how that happened! Still within range.

It just passed 20 passes on maximum with IBT. Surely that's good enough?