Help Me Overclock!

[Izzy]

I recently built a new system. It's pretty nice, and has a ton of overclocking options.

My problem is, I'm pretty retarded when it comes to overclocking PCs. I get the basics of it, but how do people figure out what voltage they need to use once they've overclocked? That's just one question amongst many others that I can't think of right now.

I checked out a guide for overclocking an i7 930 with my motherboard. It gave some recommended settings, but when I was running the Intel burn test, on the 7th pass through my PC's screen went black and the computer was unresponsive. It definitely wasn't a heat issue, the CPU was only running at 72C degrees OC'd from 2.8ghz to 4.0ghz. Was this because my voltage settings were too low? What about the voltage settings to the RAM? Should I have increased that as well? Should I have increased the RAM frequency because it's PC12800 and I have it set a bit lower?

HAAAALLLPPPPPP!! For reference, here's the settings I used for my OC profile: P6X58D Premium with a Core i7 930.

Ai Overclock Tuner.....................[Manual]
CPU Ratio Setting......................[21.0]
Intel(r) SpeedStep(tm) Tech............[Disabled]
Xtreme Phase Full Power Mode...........[Enabled]
BCLK Frequency.........................[191]
PCIE Frequency.........................[100]
DRAM Frequency.........................[DDR3-1531MHz]
UCLK Frequency.........................[3063MHz]
QPI Link Data Rate.....................[Auto]

CPU Voltage Control....................[Manual]
CPU Voltage............................[1.26250]
CPU PLL Voltage........................[1.80]
QPI/DRAM Core Voltage..................[1.21875]
IOH Voltage............................[1.14]
IOH PCIE Voltage.......................[1.50]
ICH Voltage............................[1.20]
ICH PCIE Voltage.......................[1.50]
DRAM Bus Voltage.......................[1.64]
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA...........[Auto]
DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHA...........[Auto]
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB...........[Auto]
DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHB...........[Auto]
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC...........[Auto]
DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHC...........[Auto]

Load-Line Calibration..................[Enabled]
CPU Differential Amplitude.............[800mV]
CPU Clock Skew.........................[Delay 300ps]
CPU Spread Spectrum....................[Disabled]
IOH Clock Skew.........................[Auto]
PCIE Spread Spectrum...................[Disabled]

C1E Support............................[Disabled]
Hardware Prefetcher....................[Enabled]
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch...........[Enabled]
Intel(r) Virtualization Tech...........[Disabled]
CPU TM Function........................[Enabled]
Execute Disable Bit....................[Enabled]
Intel(r) HT Technology.................[Enabled]
Active Processor Cores.................[All]
A20M...................................[Disabled]
Intel(r) SpeedStep(tm) Tech............[Disabled]
Intel(r) C-STATE Tech..................[Disabled]

and my build:

12gb of PC12800 RAM
INTEL CORE I7 930 2.80G
ASUS P6X58D PREMIUM MB
ASUS 5870 EYEFINITY 2GB Edition
1000 watt power supply
1TB SATA III HD

[Celeras]

It could be anything at this point. You don't just take pre-cooked settings and go from 2.8 to 4ghz, you work your way up with one component at a time. Underclock and loosen ram timings and go from 2.8 to 3.0 at stock volts with an x21 multiplier. Check for stability. Stable? Go to 3.2. Eventually you'll have to increase vcore, do it. Repeat until you're at your desired clock, then work on tightening up the ram and see if you maintain stability. The benefits of this are actually understanding your stability, and not unnecessarily pumping extra voltage in components that don't need it.

Right now you're sitting at random voltage and stock ram. You have no idea if you're low on vcore.. and can't even back off your clock to test for stability because you don't know if youll STILL be too low on vcore. The only thing people can recommend for you is 'MOAR VOLTS', and you don't even know if that's the issue or what voltage it is.

Also, your temps are kind of high. Not dangerous, but high. You don't want to be going to 4.0 with an intel stock heatsink.

[Drako]

4.0 is too high to start, with i7 930 you should start of with 3.4 or 3.6, this is usually where the bad ones stop.

Most of them can get to 4ghz, but using stock cooler just decreases your chances. Get a real one first.

[Xaxius]

Most of them can get to 4ghz, but using stock cooler just decreases your chances. Get a real one first.

I can't echo this enough.

If you're in the market for a new cooler, I've heard folks have had a lot of success with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus. It can be found on Newegg.com for $49.99. Personally, I was concerned about noise and went with the Noctua NH-D14 ($89.99) which took my i5-750 up to 4Ghz with ease and is pretty darn quiet.

In any case, I would upgrade your cooler from stock if you're attempting 4Ghz.

[Olo401]

http://www.maximumpc.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=65445

Before you try to overclock again read this. It'll explain some of the finer points that you're missing and why you're getting failed tests/blue & black screens.

[hopefulki]

yeah what everyone else said is pretty spot on - you need to take it very slow and test each round, leaving RAM loose while you work on the CPU.

The coolers previously mentioned are good, I use http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=megahalems and I love it. I am @ 4.2 Ghz atm 24/7 with no signs of slowing, I just don't want to push it further. I use 2x Scythe Ultra Kaze 120mm (a bit loud, but worth it for the cooling power).

http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/...920-930-a.html - This is an amazing guide. If you read it, and do some research on OC.net, I am sure you will be pushing your CPU up in no time :D

There are bad batches out there which wont reach 4.0 GHz, but it's not very common, so it is probably just settings you need to play with.

If you want to toss specific settings around or need help, feel free to PM.

[Izzy]

I would never use a stock cooler lol. This is what I use along w/arctic silver:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118046.
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/...046-TS?$S180W$

Not OC'd, the processor runs at about 36C-45C.

I'll check out that overclocking guide. So basically I toy with the settings and run a burn test for awhile to make sure there's no crashes, then increase clock and adjust accordingly?

[hopefulki]

yeah basically, you can download Core Temp, and IntelBurnTestV2 which is a pretty solid stability test, and/or Prime95. When you find your final settings, do a long (10-12 hr) Prime95 run to test for stability, but until then you can do quick 15-20 min runs just to check for major errors.

[Izzy]

The heat sink I got is acceptable right? I've always gotten Zalman heat sinks and they've performed wonderfully for me.

[Senji]

That heatsink blows. If someone else linked it, I'd think they were trolling. Clean that thing up and send it back. Zalman makes good stuff, but its a way outdated design.

Zalman 10X, Titan Fenrir, Prolimatech Megahalems, Sythe Yasya, Corsair H50. The current king is the Noctua D14. The cheaper Noctua's with the same design are also good.

[Odesseiron]

Okay, I'm with Izzy on this one. Since he made a thread, it saves me from making one.

System basics:
EVGA X58 3 Way SLI Motherboard
INTEL CORE I7 930 2.80G
EVGA GTX 480 SC
Corsair 850W Power Supply
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

My case has 4 fans. 2 in the front, one very large one on the top, and one on the back. This is on top of the GPU, CPU and power supply fans almost blowing right on the CPU. I know some of this is hot air, but the other 4 fans should be able to keep it cool, no?

I can use the EVGA E-Leet tuning program to do everything at once.
There are slides for "QPI" & "PCI-E" Then below is the Turbo Mode controle for each core. There is then the voltage tab to handle all the voltages in one handy thing. Not sure where to start with those overclocking slides. Do I mess with the QPI and PCI-E slides? Or just go right to the cores? Also, do I need to adjust each core? Or.. just the first. Sorry, like Izzy, I am a noob at OC'ing.

[Olo401]

I would never use a stock cooler lol. This is what I use along w/arctic silver:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118046.
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/...046-TS?$S180W$

Not OC'd, the processor runs at about 36C-45C.

I'll check out that overclocking guide. So basically I toy with the settings and run a burn test for awhile to make sure there's no crashes, then increase clock and adjust accordingly?

That heatsink blows. If someone else linked it, I'd think they were trolling. Clean that thing up and send it back. Zalman makes good stuff, but its a way outdated design.

I have that same cooler on my machine right now and it's fantastic. The old versions (9500 and 9700) were just a step above a stock cooler but this one is fantastic. No it's not the absolute best, but it does a great job. Plus it's one of the shortest coolers on the market that has a 120mm fan which helps when you have a fancy looking case that isn't as wide as an HAF.

I will say this too - the thermal compound, and its proper application, makes a big difference. I'm using IC Diamond 7 and it really makes a difference. AC Silver 5 is also one of the better ones.

[Izzy]

My case has 4 fans. 2 in the front, one very large one on the top, and one on the back. This is on top of the GPU, CPU and power supply fans almost blowing right on the CPU. I know some of this is hot air, but the other 4 fans should be able to keep it cool, no?

Let me guess: Antec Nine Hundred!?!?

I swear everyone I know has that case (including me).

[Metafox]

I'm trying to research cpu coolers for a future build, and I've been having issues with figuring out my size limitations. The case that I've selected claims to have 190 mm and I'd like to add a 25mm thick case fan to the side. If I'm using a typical atx motherboard, how much room should I expect to have for a cpu cooler? And can anyone recommend an good cpu cooler for under $70 or so?

Here are the case and motherboard that I'm looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=nzxt%20gamma

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-423-_-Product

[Odesseiron]

Let me guess: Antec Nine Hundred!?!?

I swear everyone I know has that case (including me).

How did you know? Are you stalking me?? Well you are in NY....

[Boyiee]

I didnt know it was so common to get 930's to 4.0ghz. My e8500 sits at 3.81 without any voltages or really anything changed. Didn't really feel a need to go higher, could easily get 4.2 stable I'm sure.

Was planning to pick up a 930 and this makes me want to even more, but probably gonna wait for next series.

[Deadgye]

I swear everyone I know has that case (including me).

I feel like I'm the only one who got the 1200.

Anyway, I personally run with dram voltage at 1.66, with your base clock so high you've got to remember your ram is important too.

[Boyiee]

I'm probably upgrading from my 900 to a 1200. I hate the cable management in my 900. My PSU has so many fucking huge cables and the stretch for some is just way too far... although the 1200 wont help that stretch lol.

[Ezek]

I feel like I'm the only one who got the 1200.

Anyway, I personally run with dram voltage at 1.66, with your base clock so high you've got to remember your ram is important too.

Damn good case. See sig for youtube link for review. I also recommend the Silverstone Raven if you're looking for full tower cases aside from the 1200.

[Purrrfect]

http://www.overclockers.com/3-step-g...core-i3-i5-i7/
may or may not help izzy