e8500 e0: getting over 4ghz without killing it

[Mr.Amateur]

As the title says, I have issues with my particular system...

e8500 e0 @ 4.00Ghz (500x8) 1.34V
Asus P5q Pro p45 chipset 1613m bios
Patriot Extreme Performance 2x2 GB DDR2-6400 (overclocked with cpu) 5-5-5-15 1:1
*see system specs for power supply and other information)

dRAM voltages are set at 2.1V
NB at 1.26V
SB at 1.1V
FSB termination voltage at 1.26V as well
333 FSB strap

I am at my wit's end trying to get past 4.0xx, but no matter what I try further overclocking fails. I almost passed an occt 2 hr stress test running at 4250mhz (1.4 core voltage), but 1hr 30mins in I am greeted with a black screen and restart. No matter how much I increased vcore, up to 1.45V, my overclocking failed. Though 4Ghz is not a miserly speed, I have seen other e8500 e0 overclocks on the internet faster with less voltage! I am about to replace my memory with a 2x2GB OCZ reaper set (1066), so I wonder...

1. Is RAM holding me back?
2. Since the memory has not arrived yet, is it still possible to obtain a stable (2hr occt) 4.2 ghz overclock below 1.4V? If so, any advice on how to do it?

Sorry for being wordy, it's the passion for overclocking

 

[Mr.Amateur]

thanks for replying

 

[thebeephaha]

I think your NB and SB need more.

 

[Mr.Amateur]

SB I can understand, but I don't have active cooling for my NB, so that's capped at 1.3V

 

[DonInKansas]

NB capped at 1.3? I run my p5k at 1.55 with no issues on stock cooling. I don't even think 1.3 is an option.

Asus boards like the voltage.

Have you tested the RAM? Maybe they are bunk. (Of course the new Reapers will fix that issue. )

 

[Mr.Amateur]

NB capped at 1.3? I run my p5k at 1.55 with no issues on stock cooling. I don't even think 1.3 is an option.

Asus boards like the voltage.

Have you tested the RAM? Maybe they are bunk. (Of course the new Reapers will fix that issue. )

Well I tried imputing 1.5V on my NB, but the numbers turned purple
So instead I set NB and vcore to 1.4V (450x9.5). Got to desktop alright, but restarted after 2 seconds of OCCT testing No idea how you're using 1.55 on the NB Don

 

[Kursah]

The number going purple in bios just is a means for warning, just keep an eye on your NB temps using the provided MB monitorring software or a program like Everest, I've ran my P5Q Deluxe NB up to 1.55v before, and temps didn't go over 41C.

Another thing I run my FSB and NB at similar values, for me some reason this seems to be some kind of voodoo OC stability helper in my mind, but when OC-ing my e8600 to 4.5Ghz and e8500 to 3.8-4.0Ghz it seemed to help.

Though, even for 500FSB I didn't need more than 1.26v on either the NB or FSB voltages. As far as getting further, it could be a limitation of the chip. What kind of temps are you getting at these attempted overclock runs in the goal of greater than 4GHz? I don't blame you for trying, the e8500 I have is a C0, it needs 1.23v for 3.8Ghz and 1.29v for 4.0Ghz, but from there the voltage requirements shoot up quite a bit, I needed around 1.45v for 4.4ghz iirc. Not worth it, the chip's sensors read cool.

What bios version are you running? Is it a modded bios? There might be something there, doubt it, but doesn't hurt to ask!

I'm going to have to say there's some sort of limitation, whether it's board or chip, it's there, could you list all of your OC settings? Also try an FSB strap set to AUTO, I've had better luck leaving it at Auto than manually setting it.

 

[Mr.Amateur]

The number going purple in bios just is a means for warning, just keep an eye on your NB temps using the provided MB monitorring software or a program like Everest, I've ran my P5Q Deluxe NB up to 1.55v before, and temps didn't go over 41C.

Another thing I run my FSB and NB at similar values, for me some reason this seems to be some kind of voodoo OC stability helper in my mind, but when OC-ing my e8600 to 4.5Ghz and e8500 to 3.8-4.0Ghz it seemed to help.

Though, even for 500FSB I didn't need more than 1.26v on either the NB or FSB voltages. As far as getting further, it could be a limitation of the chip. What kind of temps are you getting at these attempted overclock runs in the goal of greater than 4GHz? I don't blame you for trying, the e8500 I have is a C0, it needs 1.23v for 3.8Ghz and 1.29v for 4.0Ghz, but from there the voltage requirements shoot up quite a bit, I needed around 1.45v for 4.4ghz iirc. Not worth it, the chip's sensors read cool.

What bios version are you running? Is it a modded bios? There might be something there, doubt it, but doesn't hurt to ask!

I'm going to have to say there's some sort of limitation, whether it's board or chip, it's there, could you list all of your OC settings? Also try an FSB strap set to AUTO, I've had better luck leaving it at Auto than manually setting it.

It's possible to monitor NB temps with everest?! If that's true, where to find such utility?

My bios is a modded one: 1613m (made by Ket)

For temps, 36/39 idle cores, and 60/62 on 100% load (Freezer 7 pro is awesome)

I'll try changing the FSB strap to Auto later, but by oc settings do you mean everything that CAN be manipulated, or what I changed from auto? Anyways, with everything else on auto, my most stable OC (4.00 ghz):

CPU Multi:8
FSB: 500
FSB Strap: 333
PCIE Freq: 100 (no point in changing...)
DRAM Timings: 5-5-5-15
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1002 (likes going a little over)
CPU Voltage: 1.34V
FSB Termination: 1.26V
NB Voltage: 1.26V
SB Voltage:1.10V
DRAM Voltage: 2.1 V (playing it safe)
CPU PLL Voltage (still clueless on what it does): 1.50V

...that's all I can remember

 

[JrRacinFan]

Try 8.5 multi and a lower fsb with a higher NB voltage. Keep your ram 1:1.


EDIT:

If it helps any these are results on a DFI Dark with an e8500 C0
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpost.php?p=989697&postcount=2405

Ram was crappy clocking 1Ghz 5-5-5-18 2.2v

 

[DonInKansas]

Change your FSB strap to Auto; see if that helps.

 

[Kursah]

Google Everest, its' gotta be a newer version, the beta subscribtion isn't exactly cheap, but Everest is a very kickass utility! Though you could just use the provided Asus PC Probe utility too.

I no longer use Ket's modded bioses as I found absolutely no difference in overclocking stability or higher overclocks, I'm on version 1702 directly from Asus...I dunno what version number that would be for the Pro's though, and really stability and OC-ability didn't seem to change from version 1306 from my perspective.

I still say try FSB Strab at AUTO, though it might not change anything.

So you have the CPU Load-Line Calibration enabled? If not, you shold, that will help provide more solid voltage values to the CPU. I would say try your SB voltage at 1.20v. Change CPU PLL voltage to 1.54-1.56v...seemed to help my e8600 with 4.5Ghz stability.

You would only need 444FSB to attain around 4.2GHz at the full 9.5X multi, that might help with the memory OC a little, and would allow you to more focus on your CPU OC at this time. Set the memory divider to a 1:1 and get DDR888 speeds for now, definately some more breathing room for now.

Also make sure that the Spread Spectrum options stay disabled, on my board they are default disabled, so that shouldn't be an issue with yours either iirc. Keep us posted! It looks like you're setting things right, but question is 1.34v for 4Ghz? What does it read in windows idle/load? I use Everest, PC Probe or CPU-z for that value while running orthos in small FFT's.

 

[Mr.Amateur]

Try 8.5 multi and a lower fsb with a higher NB voltage. Keep your ram 1:1.


EDIT:

If it helps any these are results on a DFI Dark with an e8500 C0
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpost.php?p=989697&postcount=2405

Ram was crappy clocking 1Ghz 5-5-5-18 2.2v

Wow...1.5V for 4.5Ghz
8.5x470 is stable, then again most ocs about 4ghz on this are stable...
Changed NB to 1.56V and fsb strap to auto, gonna try that with a higher oc

Google Everest, its' gotta be a newer version, the beta subscribtion isn't exactly cheap, but Everest is a very kickass utility! Though you could just use the provided Asus PC Probe utility too.

I no longer use Ket's modded bioses as I found absolutely no difference in overclocking stability or higher overclocks, I'm on version 1702 directly from Asus...I dunno what version number that would be for the Pro's though, and really stability and OC-ability didn't seem to change from version 1306 from my perspective.

I still say try FSB Strab at AUTO, though it might not change anything.

So you have the CPU Load-Line Calibration enabled? If not, you shold, that will help provide more solid voltage values to the CPU. I would say try your SB voltage at 1.20v. Change CPU PLL voltage to 1.54-1.56v...seemed to help my e8600 with 4.5Ghz stability.

You would only need 444FSB to attain around 4.2GHz at the full 9.5X multi, that might help with the memory OC a little, and would allow you to more focus on your CPU OC at this time. Set the memory divider to a 1:1 and get DDR888 speeds for now, definately some more breathing room for now.

Also make sure that the Spread Spectrum options stay disabled, on my board they are default disabled, so that shouldn't be an issue with yours either iirc. Keep us posted! It looks like you're setting things right, but question is 1.34v for 4Ghz? What does it read in windows idle/load? I use Everest, PC Probe or CPU-z for that value while running orthos in small FFT's.

Ah, Load Line Calibration is disabled; had some stability issues when it was on. I'll try that again..
As for bios, there aren't many changes from the ones on ASUS's website.
1.56v on CPU PLL...interesting
As for memory dividers, P5Q Pro has nothing that allows me to change that, so as far as I know it's ALWAYS 1:! I'll try 444x9.5 without changing vcore...
Spread spectrum is disabled, 1.34 in the BIOS, which translates to max. of 1.33V on cpu-z (idle 1.32V)

Thanks everyone (doesn't mean the end yet...)

 

[Kursah]

The memory dividers aren't shown in the x:x format, but rather the speed of your memory at a certain ratio. I.e. at 400FSB you would be 1:1 at 800 speed, 4:5 at DDR1000 and so on.

LLC should help with more stable voltages, I've not heard of instability from it, but it should help you lower your CPU voltage values closer to what the chip actually needs with lower vdroop.

Keep us posted on your results!

 

[r9]

Increase NB SB voltage. Try other CPU multi. Lower memory speed just to rule it out.
Don`t compare your cpu with other not all are the same. And 1.5 hours is stable enough for me.

 

[Mr.Amateur]

Well, as I tried to go 9.5x444, my computer went haywire ; I'm running it at stock speeds...for now... I assume my NB had something to do with my malfunction

Must stay vigilant!

 

[Mr.Amateur]

So far so good, 444x9.5 at 1.36V in the BIOS (1.344V on cpu-z)

Unfortunately, I fear this stability will not last after 1 second on OCCT...well, time to find out.

EDIT: Comp froze on me while trying to reply; also 1.5 on NB makes restarting impossible (on...off) Error was detected on core 0 after 2 seconds of OCCT...overclocking is a serious business

 

[JrRacinFan]

Wow...1.5V for 4.5Ghz

Remember though that was a C0 and only ran it for a few moments. I wouldn't dare try to stable it out for 24/7.

 

[Mr.Amateur]

I wonder...is it possible to avoid increasing NB voltages by replacing RAM? If not, then I'll invest in a 40mm fan.

 

[pabloc74]

trying touch only cpu volt and mem volt, try to set the mem the loweest as you can, and then try max oc.
i don't know much about oc, but with only touch vcore i make this..

 

[Mr.Amateur]

Woah, is that fully stable pabloc? Also, you do mean touch cpu voltages and memory voltages right, and set the lowest volts for memory? Or am I misinterpreting something..

 

[pabloc74]

Woah, is that fully stable pabloc? Also, you do mean touch cpu voltages and memory voltages right, and set the lowest volts for memory? Or am I misinterpreting something..

in that case the vcore was 1.35 and memory was reaper 1150 2.1v (stock) (1100mhz on screen with 2.1v) stable 24/7, and see taht was an C0 step, your cpu could be better

 

[Mr.Amateur]

in that case the vcore was 1.35 and memory was reaper 1150 2.1v (stock) (1100mhz on screen with 2.1v) stable 24/7, and see taht was an C0 step, your cpu could be better

Amazing! Looks like upgrading to those reapers will be worth it.

For the time being (before my memory arrives from newegg), I'll be tinkering with the bios to get some results.

Note: I switched the position on my Freezer 7 Pro to point towards the NB. It looks strange, but it should draw heat away from the NB heatsink.

 

[Scrizz]

definately try setting you mem lower

 

[Mr.Amateur]

By mem, do you mean timings?

Edit: NB HAET 1.5V! hopefully new memory will create a work-around.

 

[pabloc74]

By mem, do you mean timings?

Edit: NB HAET 1.5V! hopefully new memory will create a work-around.

no, frequency