*** MSI P6N SLI Platinum OVERCLOCK 650i ***

[imported_Planatoid]

Originally posted by: Akuma2000
See my previous post.

The settings I mentioned was the most stable one for me.
It boots fine and Windows Vista 32bit runs fine.

But I still get randomly BSOD's
(sometimes after 5 minutes, sometimes after 5 hours, and etc.)

I really tried almost every possible setting in my BIOS, but I just can't find a stable solution.

I'm running my Q6600 on stock speed again, because I'm tired of trial and error these past 2 weeks...

On stock my PC runs without errors.

I'm thinking about selling my mobo, and buy a Gigabyte P35, which is wel known for it's overclock performance.
Or to sell my Q6600 and buy a QX6850
Orrrr (I hope) MSI brings out a new BIOS version, which allows better overclock performance!

Have you tried setting your memory timings manually? There's a chance they could change when you OC, and that's why you get BSODs. Also, are you sure it's not a driver BSOD?

 

[Akuma2000]

yeah I've tried the timings to 4-4-4-12 2T with 1.8 Volt (it's max)
No better results

I'm sure it's not a driver BSOD.
Because when NOT overclocked, my PC will run as long as I want to without BSOD's.

Any other causes you can think of?

 

[iluv2fly]

Akuma2000

What is standing out to me as a possible cause for your problems are your low CPU voltage for the speed that you are trying to run. Also your memory voltage seems to be low. I would also recommend setting your Memory timings manually for best stability.

I don't have your CPU but my E4300 needs at least 1.45v to overclock well. At the voltage and speed you are using my computer would not even boot. You can find my settings in the second post of this thread. They have been updated to show the 1.4 Bios settings. My computer is 100% stable at 3300mhz.

What ever you do, make sure you have good CPU cooling! I use water cooling so heat is never an issue for me.

Originally posted by: Akuma2000
---------
edit (so if you're reading this. I did NOT find a stable configuration)
----------

Damn, still blue screens
Guess I can't overclock with this board...

---------------

Moederbord: MSI P6N Sli Platinum (BIOS version 1.4)
CPU: Q6600 B3, VID: 1.2750
Overclock: 3.0Ghz

- C1E, HPET, Execute BIT, CPUID Limit, CPU FAN CONTROL: Disabled
- Spread Spectrum shit: Disabled
- FSB Clock: 1333 (MANUAL)
- MEM Clock: 800 (standaard)
- CPU Ratio / MULTIPLYER: 9
- CPU VOLTAGE: Bios: 0.0500V - Idle: 1.296 - Stressed: 1.270
- MEM VOLTAGE: AUTO (standaard)
- North Bridge Voltage: 1.5V
- South Bridge Voltage: 1.50 (standaard)
- FSB VTT Voltage: 6%

 

[imported_Planatoid]

Originally posted by: Akuma2000
yeah I've tried the timings to 4-4-4-12 2T with 1.8 Volt (it's max)
No better results

I'm sure it's not a driver BSOD.
Because when NOT overclocked, my PC will run as long as I want to without BSOD's.

Any other causes you can think of?

I think you should try loosening those timings at that voltage, try 5-5-5-15. There aren't any kits that I know out there that run default at 4-4-4-12 1.8v, I know most kits running those timings are supposed to run at 2.2v, although many can do so at a lower voltage. It's still something to try.

 

[iluv2fly]

Cynosure

Update your Bios. There was an issue with Intel CPUs and Microsoft that was fixed in Bios Version 1.3 and up. (on the Platinum version, not sure when it was updated on the sli-Fi version)

You also need to apply this microcode reliability update from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936357

Another thing that looks very iffy in you system is your Power supply. It seems too small for the components that you are using, (if you want to overclock).

Originally posted by: Cynosure
I've been having a lot of the same problems

I have an MSI P6N SLI-FI mobo (not the platinum) but there is no real support thread for that, so I've found my way here.

I occasionally get random restarts even with the restart on error option disabled.

I get BSOD's (BAD_POOL_CALLER and 0x0000007E) within 15 min of playing games, which have become worse by updating chipset drivers, etc.

Memtest86 run - PASSED
Chkdsk - OK
Defragmented - DONE
Windows repair - DONE
Clean install - DONE
Different hard drive - no effect
BIOS settings - Still crashes even on default speed and power
PSU - will be replaced soon
USB issues - trying this later today
BIOS update - next on list

I'm still trying to figure out why the system restarts, but I should have it extremely narrowed down after the BIOS changes in store for today and then a new PSU. Let me know if any of you have suggestions.

CPU - Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale @ 3.04
HSK - Stock cooling
MBD - MSI P6N SLI-FI
MEM - G.SKILL 1GB (2 x 512MB) PC2 6400
HD -- 80GB IDE salvage
VID - XFX 7900GS 256MB
PSU - 350W salvage

EDIT: It is important to note that I've never had trouble booting/posting, just staying stable.

 

[fortress001]

Hmm... It looks like you're right I'm having the same troubles you are. BSODs on loading with overclocks, and it certainly isn't a heat issue. I'm getting tired of pressing the CMOS reset button or booting into BSODs.

I think MSI may need to be pestered about another BIOS update. This Q6600 isn't getting the use it could.

Some of this may be my inexperience with overclocking but since I'm far from the only one having trouble here..

I do have the latest BIOS and that MS reliability patch. Doesn't help.

 

[Akuma2000]

Guys!

I'm soooooooooooo happy!!!

I've FINALLY found a stable overclock with my Q6600 B3.
100% for sure!!!

See my previous posts, FSB 1333 just doesn't work for me.
Multiplayer 8 also NOT.

I got it running stable now with these settings:

Q6600 B3 VID 1.2750 2.4Ghz @ 3.15Ghz.
FSB: 1400
MEM: 700 (instead of 800 stock, to run 1:1)
MP: 9
CPU V: 0.1275
MEM V: AUTO
NB: 1.5
SB: 1.5
FSB VTT%: 20%
C1E, Spread, HPET etc.: ALL OFF!

I've tried to clock more (even FSB: 1402), but that doesn't work anymore.
FSB 1400 is really the maximum!
But LESS also doesn't work :S Really weird.
1400 is the magic number I guess :S

My PC is now running for over 40 hours, without any crashes or errors or BSOD's
I ran Prime95 for about 3 hours without errors!
I've gamed about 7 hours (CS:S, Lost Planet and Stranglehold).
All without problems!!!

Ohhh menn, I'm soo happy!!

I got a Zalman CNP9700, and the hottest core gets 80C max on maximum load.
Average temp while gaming is 65-68 Celcius.
On Idle it's around 58 degrees.

I got 2 GeForce 8800Ultra's in Sli and with 3DMARK06 I get 15800 points (Vista 32Bit).

Anyway, thanks to everyone who was trying to help me.

 

[fortress001]

Ah! That's great!

I emailed MSI tech and they gave me a BETA bios that the tech said I could try but he also said and I quote:

"Intel's Quad Core processors are not designed for OC which you can get in touch with Intel for this and their Dual Core processors which are but you can try with the updated beta bios attached to this form."



I think I'll give your overclock a try later myself. Haven't even tried the beta yet.

[edit]

Hrm.. Your temps are a bit high there, I'd be a bit concerned, even if it is stable. Maybe you should try a lower FSB/MEM exact split, or a better heatsink/cooling solution?

 

[imported_Planatoid]

Originally posted by: Akuma2000
Guys!

I'm soooooooooooo happy!!!

I've FINALLY found a stable overclock with my Q6600 B3.
100% for sure!!!

See my previous posts, FSB 1333 just doesn't work for me.
Multiplayer 8 also NOT.

I got it running stable now with these settings:

Q6600 B3 VID 1.2750 2.4Ghz @ 3.15Ghz.
FSB: 1400
MEM: 700 (instead of 800 stock, to run 1:1)
MP: 9
CPU V: 0.0875
MEM V: AUTO
NB: 1.5
SB: 1.5
FSB VTT%: 20%
C1E, Spread, HPET etc.: ALL OFF!

I've tried to clock more (even FSB: 1402), but that doesn't work anymore.
FSB 1400 is really the maximum!
But LESS also doesn't work :S Really weird.
1400 is the magic number I guess :S

My PC is now running for over 40 hours, without any crashes or errors or BSOD's
I ran Prime95 for about 3 hours without errors!
I've gamed about 7 hours (CS:S, Lost Planet and Stranglehold).
All without problems!!!

Ohhh menn, I'm soo happy!!

I got a Zalman CNP9700, and the hottest core gets 80C max on maximum load.
Average temp while gaming is 65-68 Celcius.
On Idle it's around 58 degrees.

I got 2 GeForce 8800Ultra's in Sli and with 3DMARK06 I get 15800 points (Vista 32Bit).

Anyway, thanks to everyone who was trying to help me.

Congrats! It's certainly been a struggle for me as well.

Yeah, damn dude, those are some nasty temps. I know my CPU got to 80C once, and that wasn't good. I'd really suggest looking at lapping your CPU and HS. I did it, cost about $10-12 in sandpaper from an auto parts store, but it really helps. I had to lap my CPU with 240 grit sandpaper for about 10 minutes before it got flat, they can be that bad.

It's seriously not difficult at all, and it shouldn't be dangerous as long as you're not stupid. Just keep yourself grounded, and I put the little black CPU cover on the bottom of it. It shouldn't matter if you don't have it, but I had one lying around so I used it.

Also, your VTT voltage is maxed out, that's interesting. It never seemed to help me, weird....

 

[Akuma2000]

THnx

BTW, I've also contacted MSI support.
They keep repeating this line:

we don't recommend you overclock too much for system stability and please go to bios to load optimized defaults & save.

So they keep telling NOT to overclock... damn.
Just develop a good BIOS!!!


Anyway, my temps are indeed high when heavy loaded.
I made a typo, on idle, my temps are around 50 Celcius (hottest core 51).

These temps are fine btw.

The Q6600 B3 has a max recommend temp of 62 Celcius.
This is the T-Junction Temp (the temp which is shown in your BIOS for example).

So each core can get around 75-80 degrees without any problems.

In my case, when my cores get above 70 degrees, my T-Junction Temp gets around 50 degrees.

So I'm still safe

 

[h4x0r]

I'm looking forward to seeing what my e6750 will do...I haven't had much time to do anything other than setup the machine and make sure everything else is running. Anyone else use the e6750? if so, what settings did you use and how well are they working?

 

[fortress001]

Akuma! I've duplicated your overclock. My Q6600 2.4 is now a Q6600 3.15. And with the G0 and my cooling setup my full load temps are a mere 50 degrees Celsius, idle 38!

Idle wattage is now 20 more watts than previousl , and full load wattage is higher (I've got a Kill-A-Watt so I can measure). But it's not that bad.

Before the system drew 160-180 Watts, now it draws 200 Watts doing simple tasks, and 300 under full load. Since I'm setting up another older system for an always on NAS, and using this one for video encoding/games/etc. I'm not minding the draw. If I kept this always on, I'd do things differently to be a bit power conversation and energy bill conscious.

This is a stable overclock for me so far (a couple of hours), and it's passed MemTest86+ just fine. Very nice overclock! It's great to see a Quad Core doing this.

My memory and processor benchmarks are up 21-24%, and the feel of my normal tasks and programs is zippier. I think I'll see how fast I can encode in High Definition in a bit.

 

[Akuma2000]

That's great fortress

Good to hear that my findings can help you too

The G0 is indeed much cooler than the B3 (read in a lot of forums).

But my case is also very hot, because of my 2 8800Ultra's.
These things are producing 70 celcius easily!!!

I already got a 12CM fan exhaust en and a 12CM fan on the sidepanel blowing cool air on the CPU cooler. My CPU has a Zalman CNP9700.
Got a Coolermaster Mystique 632S mid tower (guess, this one is a little to small for my setup )


What kind of CPU cooler do you have?


*EDIT*
I forgot to mention that I increased my CPU V in BIOS to 1.2750 (not 0.0875).
These is the minimum CPU Voltage to run Prime95 stable for more than 3 hours.
So that's why my temps are also higher than yours.

*UPDATE*
I also forgot to mention, yesterday I've enabled C1E and Intel EIST. Seems to be running stable so far!
Saves a little power consumption and heat

 

[fortress001]

That's a nice case! I nearly chose a Zalman or an Enzotech but I found cheaper that was pretty equivalent.

I bought the Ultra-90 heatsink because it was only $20.00, and is in the top of the charts in heatsink ratings (google 'heatsink review'). The newer Ultima-90 does much better, probably beats the Zalman but is twice the price -- still it's small potatoes and worth it, but I am trying for budget speed. It's a real good heatsink, if I wasn't overclocking I might not even need the fan on it.

But it barely fits in my wider than usual full tower case. If I hadn't measured first I might've made a big mistake and gotten an Ultra-120, which most cases at all would not fit.

I wonder how much more power you're drawing idle using SLI like that. I was building budget and am not an extreme 3D gamer, I just want to be able to play them well in larger resolutions. In future I will probably either one of the cards you have, or double up the one I have if the power draw isn't too bad. I got a passive cooled card, since the fans on my case are all quiet and stir the air around enough, and I think I could get away with two because the air goes in and out right and the heatsinks on the card work REAL well. These days you either need a side fan, or a top vent to really keep a case cool. Since I got a Katana case it has a double size side fan which blows quiet when fan controlled and stirs up the air so there are no hot pockets anywhere.

With that and the toolless hard drive enclosers you can stick in that have 120mm fans on them, eveyrthing is cool in a case like this and it's easier to overclock or not if you just want things to last a long time.

I'll never need to do water cooling this way, to do it and match the air cooling performance on this I'd have to spend at least over three hundred bucks. And it still wouldn't cover all the motherboard and case decently if I did.

This thing is still stable at the lower voltage rating btw over here. I'll turn EIST and C1E back on, though it looks from CPU-Z that despite them being off the system is still controlling and turning down the multiplier at times to power down!

 

[imported_Cynosure]

Originally posted by: iluv2fly

Update your Bios. There was an issue with Intel CPUs and Microsoft that was fixed in Bios Version 1.3 and up. (on the Platinum version, not sure when it was updated on the sli-Fi version)

You also need to apply this microcode reliability update from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936357

Another thing that looks very iffy in you system is your Power supply. It seems too small for the components that you are using, (if you want to overclock).

It seems my problem was power related, but I still haven't ruled out video drivers as a cause (different versions had no effect).

I flashed the BIOS, but that caused even bigger problems, so I recovered and reinstalled. A couple days later, I received my new power supply.

After installing the wonderful 500W TT PSU (only 40 bucks!), I upped the CPU Volt to +.0625. (RAM remains at 2.2V)

I've only had 1 restart when I was using two screens, playing games fullscreen on one and watching stuff on the other at the same time.

I have since disabled the 2nd screen, and haven't had another BSOD, restart, or anything else. Looks like I'll be looking to get a bigger widescreen soon.

Running the e4300 stable at 675 x 9 (3.04 ghz).



@ whoever is running Vram @ 1.8 V..... that's not the max. Most DDR2 ram that runs @ 800 mhz and higher requires 2.1V minimum.

@ Akuma. Glad it's working! I never leave the mem clocked at default, but rather configure for the 1:1 match. For anyone else wondering, if you have an odd FSB, you have to round up on the mem clock (ie 1333 / 2 = 666.5 = 667 mem clock). Don't use decimals.


Edit: The word "since" removed by the Redundancy Department of Redundancy for multiple usage in the same sentence.

 

[imported_Planatoid]

Originally posted by: Cynosure

Originally posted by: iluv2fly

Update your Bios. There was an issue with Intel CPUs and Microsoft that was fixed in Bios Version 1.3 and up. (on the Platinum version, not sure when it was updated on the sli-Fi version)

You also need to apply this microcode reliability update from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936357

Another thing that looks very iffy in you system is your Power supply. It seems too small for the components that you are using, (if you want to overclock).

It seems my problem was power related, but I still haven't ruled out video drivers as a cause (different versions had no effect).

I flashed the BIOS, but that caused even bigger problems, so I recovered and reinstalled. A couple days later, I received my new power supply.

After installing the wonderful 500W TT PSU (only 40 bucks!), I upped the CPU Volt to +.0625. (RAM remains at 2.2V)

I've only had 1 restart when I was using two screens, playing games fullscreen on one and watching stuff on the other at the same time.

I have since disabled the 2nd screen, and haven't had another BSOD, restart, or anything else. Looks like I'll be looking to get a bigger widescreen soon.

Running the e4300 stable at 675 x 9 (3.04 ghz).



@ whoever is running Vram @ 1.8 V..... that's not the max. Most DDR2 ram that runs @ 800 mhz and higher requires 2.1V minimum.

@ Akuma. Glad it's working! I never leave the mem clocked at default, but rather configure for the 1:1 match. For anyone else wondering, if you have an odd FSB, you have to round up on the mem clock (ie 1333 / 2 = 666.5 = 667 mem clock). Don't use decimals.


Edit: The word "since" removed by the Redundancy Department of Redundancy for multiple usage in the same sentence.

The only 800MHz RAM that needs 2.1v+ are the ones with tighter timings, e.g. 4-4-4-12, or 5-5-5-12. Kits that run at 5-5-5-15 generally work with 1.8v just fine.

 

[Baseline]

Originally posted by: fortress001
Akuma! I've duplicated your overclock. My Q6600 2.4 is now a Q6600 3.15. And with the G0 and my cooling setup my full load temps are a mere 50 degrees Celsius, idle 38!

Idle wattage is now 20 more watts than previousl , and full load wattage is higher (I've got a Kill-A-Watt so I can measure). But it's not that bad.

Before the system drew 160-180 Watts, now it draws 200 Watts doing simple tasks, and 300 under full load. Since I'm setting up another older system for an always on NAS, and using this one for video encoding/games/etc. I'm not minding the draw. If I kept this always on, I'd do things differently to be a bit power conversation and energy bill conscious.

This is a stable overclock for me so far (a couple of hours), and it's passed MemTest86+ just fine. Very nice overclock! It's great to see a Quad Core doing this.

My memory and processor benchmarks are up 21-24%, and the feel of my normal tasks and programs is zippier. I think I'll see how fast I can encode in High Definition in a bit.

Would you mind posting your bios settings that were different than Akumas? I have a MSI P6N Plat with a Q6600, but it's a g0 like yours, not a B3, so I'm trying to get a ballpark area of where my settings/voltages should be. (using a Tuniq 120 cooler so I should be able to push the chip a bit).

 

[Akuma2000]

Today, I spend a few hours overclocking again

I've found out that FSB from 1600 - 1649 is NOT bootable!

FSB at 1650 is bootable again!

I can even boot 1650 with a multiplyer of 9 and my Q6600 will run at 3.7Ghz

But it is NOT stable

With these settings (most stable), I can boot into Windows:
Q6600 @ 3.3Ghz
FSB: 1650
MP: 8
MEM: 825 (overclock of 25Mhz, to let it run 1:1, tried stock, also not stable).
CPU Voltage: tried from 1.50 till 2.5, not stable
NB: 1.5
SB: tried 1.5 till 1.7, not stable
VTT%: 20%

With Prime95, I'll get a reboot or BSOD after 2 minutes or something.

Damn! Guess that 3150Mhz is really the maximum overclock for this motherboard...

 

[Baseline]

Hey Akuma, I have the same board and CPU (b3 Q6600), what settings do you think would work well for a 3.0GHZ OC? That is my target OC, and I don't really care to go higher than that.

Also, is maxing the VTT% at 20 really helping? Seems kinda high.

Any settings relevant to getting this chip to 3.0GHZ on this board would be much appreciated.

I think my RAM and HSF will not get in the way of me reaching 3.0GHZ. I have 4G (2x2) G-Skill DDR2 800, and a Tuniq 120 as my HSF.

 

[Akuma2000]

Read my previous posts on the previous page.

Also read the posts of Planatoid.

With this board, we just can't have a stable overclock at 3.0Ghz.

The only stable overclock I can find, is at 3.15Ghz.
The settings are also given in my previous posts.

 

[fortress001]

Would you mind posting your bios settings that were different than Akumas?

I didnt' use anything different.

Unfortunately I've since upgraded to 4GB of RAM and am having stability problems again! I don't have any successful news as I'm taking a break from OCing it until my NAS is setup as a backup.

This is a difficult board to work with the Quad cores!

 

[iluv2fly]

MSI posted a new bios v1.5

 

[Akuma2000]

Correct.

I'd flashed my BIOS last week.
And I hoped I could overclock more.

But 1.5 does not make any difference

And actually, I got around 300 points LESS in 3DMark06 :S

 

[iluv2fly]

I did benchmark before and after swapping to the 1.5 bios. I lost about 100 points in 3dmark06. Not very much but I was expecting the same results or better. Weird!

 

[ELicious]

I'm very disappointed in this board. First board I got wouldn't even post at all. 2nd board I got runs fine up to 1199 FSB. Anything in the 1200 range and it won't post. At 1333 it will post but it won't boot into windows with NB voltage from 1.25-1.4V. This is going from a 9x multi to 6x and downclocking my RAM from 800 Mhz to 666 Mhz so I know it's not the CPU or RAM that is holding me back.

I will try to update the bios to 1.5 tonight but I'm doubtful that will change anything. The bios is 1.3 right now.