New E8400 build - Trying to OC but can't break 3.45ghz - What am I doing wrong?

[msutiny]

Hello All,

I'm new to OC'ing but have been around computers for well over 10 years so I have "some" knowledge.

Here is my new rig.

Case = Cooler Master Cosmos
PSU = Cooler Master 750w Real Power
HD = 2 x 750gb WD Sata 300's
DVD Drive = Samsung S203b
Video = Evga 256mb 8600GT
Processor = E8400
Cooler = Tuniq 120
RAM = G.Skill DDR2 1000 (2 x 2gb)
Motherboard = Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R


I have read Graysky's guide to overclocking (Thanks Graysky BTW).

I started out with the RAM set down to DDR2 800 with 5-5-5-15, voltage for the ram on auto, the processor voltage on auto to get my Vcore at 1.184 in cpuz.

I then set everything as described in graysky's post and began upping the FSB frequency and stress testing. I found that I could get up to 3.45ghz stable at 1.268 Vcore (in bios) and ran prime95 overnight for 8+ hours with no issues. I then tried to up it to 3.6ghz and got errors in prime. No matter how much extra Vcore I fed the processor (fed it up to 1.3Vcore) I still would get errors in prime. I then tried to add +0.1 to the FSB and same thing, then tried +0.1 to Gmch with the same errors, then I tried +0.1 to both FSB and Gmch with the same results. I then repeated all of this with upping the RAM to DDR2 1000 with the same results.

Temps run from 29 - 30 at idle to 39 - 43 at full load (well 50% load on each core with prime since it won't run them both at 100%) so I know the temps are not an issue.

It seems that no matter what I do I cannot get past 3.45ghz.

I've seen many people able to get to 3.6ghz with these chips and some up to 4.0ghz on air.

What am I doing wrong to not be able to get higher?

Is it possible that my chip just isn't capable to go higher?

I'm considering exchanging the E8400 for a new one this week but i'm not 100% sure that the chip is my problem...

Any advice on what to try would be GREATLY appreciated!

MSU

 

[msutiny]

Found something interesting at the O C Forums.....

Same batch as my CPU....

Krakn posted:

CPU: e8400
ES/Retail: Retail
Batch #:Q740A523
Ship/Packaging Date:12/27/2007
Voltage(s) (Stock/OC'ed):1.225/1.40
Frequency(ies) (OC'ed):4GHz
Motherboard:Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R
BIOS: F10
-----
*Extra* Memory(ies) (Timing(s)): 5-5-5-12
*Extra* Memory(ies) (Voltage(s)):
*Extra* Third Party Cooling Solution:Artic Cooler Pro
*Extra* Paste(s)/Compound(s)/Other(s):AS5
-----
Additional Comment(s):

my Batch # seems pretty early, I've played around with the voltages quite a bit and still can't get a stable OC above 445 FSB. I think my memory is causing me problems, and the dividers on this Gigabyte board are it's one failing.

Still, 4GHz is nothing to sneeze at, I'm pretty happy with it, 10 hours Orthos stable and 11 seconds in SuperPi 1M. Games are running a lot better as well over the previous e4400. Would have been nice to hit 4.2 or more, but I'm not too worried about it that I can't.

__________________
Intel Core2Duo CPU e8400 @ 4GHz
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. P35C-DS3R mainboard
4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS (320MB)
1.16TB of HDD space
SB Audigy X-Fi
--------------------------------------------------------------------

This guy is getting 4.0Ghz on his with no issues so WTF am I doing wrong?

I see he is at 1.4Vcore but the side of the box for our batch states "1.225V max"

HELP!

 

[Pantlegz]

I'm having similar issues with my e8400 and an eVGA 780i. got 3.6 stable, temps are very low full load at 40c. I did get it up to 3.8 just a second ago but if I go for 4 or 4.05 BSOD almost instantly, or prime errors if I can get it open.

Vcore 1.4v - 1.32 with vdroop in windows, very well if ya ask me.
MCP 1.525v
SPP1.45v
FSB 1.3v
HT 1.25v
ram at 2.1v 5-6-6-15 (set on auto)

400x9 - works like a charm, peak temp at load 35c
425x9 - same as above but about 40c - 45 min prime stable stoped test to bump speed up
433x9 - Prime95 stable ~4 hours peaked at 53c
444x9 - BOSD/error in prime - Never got to work
450x9 - BSOD on boot

Also checking MCP temps in everest they seem ok hitting about 53c under load at 3.8, I'll re-check voltage and start stress testing at 3.8 and let ya know how it goes. maybe I can find a sweet spot at 3.9, would be so nice to break 4Ghz tho.

Update - seems I got everything tuned in, spec'd updated. 3.9Ghz Prime95 stable -



EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
BFG 8800GT OC x2 SLI
E8400 - 3.82Ghz
Tuniq Tower 120
4GB OCZ DDR2 8500
WD raptor 150GB 10k rpm
Antec TPQ 1000w

 

[msutiny]

Well I got it stable at 3.75Ghz. It won't go higher no matter what I do.

Thanks anyways!

 

[Xvys]

msuitny, I would put the vCore at 1.365v. This is a safe maximum cpu voltage...and up the NB voltage to 1.40v or even 1.55v to see if this helps stability with 4mb of ram. I would also enable the "load line calibration" or "cpu voltage damper" (not sure what Gigabyte calls it) as this often helps stabilize an o/c. I would also try increasing the vDimm to 2.0v or even 2.1v ram voltage for testing. You could also try putting the ram timings on Auto, or perhaps 5-6-6-18 if the setup is still not stable. These loosened ram timings make little difference in real world performance, but can help make a system stable.

You have good quality parts, so there is no reason why you shouldn't reach 4.0GHz with this setup. If the system is Prime stable for 2 hours, that should be stable enough for 98% of users, unless you plan on running your cpu at 100% 24/7. After you are satisfied the setup is stable, then perhaps you could try backing off on some of the voltages, or tightening the ram timings.

I was going to add, make sure the memory divider is at 1:1. If you are at 430FSB, for instance, your ram should also be running at 430MHz, and not automatically running at 5:6 divider (490GHz), since you are using 500MHz ram. It will be more difficult to o/c 4mb of ram to 490GHz, rather than 430GHz on many boards, regardless of the ram's rated speed.

 

[Xpoc]

msutiny
Your batch is week 40, and is considered a good batch. Mine is week 40 as well, but earlier pack date.

Batch# Q740A525T
Pack Date: 12/20/2007

I get a stable 4.1ghz OC with CPU-Z showing 1.343 volts, gmsh +2, fsb +1, pci-e +1, ram voltage at +5(because i got bad droop on ram voltage) it's running at 1:1, and also pci-e frequency is 100mhz.

I think my motherboard holds me back. I know my ram will do 500mhz+ @ 2.2v 5-5-5-15

 

[Laptop44]

I also have the same problem using 4 sticks of 1 gig Crucial Ballistic ddr -800. Can only get to 3.4 with 5-5-5-18 timings. Ram voltage is 2.164 and v core is 1.20. If I use two gig of G-skill with the dh9 it can go to 400-450 at same settings. Is there a problem overclocking 4 gig vs two? will try the voltage settings recommended.

I have the GA-35-ds3l and E 8400. How do you set the ram divider? Mine is 5:6 in cpuz

Any other info for oc on this board would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: Laptop44
I also have the same problem using 4 sticks of 1 gig Crucial Ballistic ddr -800. Can only get to 3.4 with 5-5-5-18 timings. Ram voltage is 2.164 and v core is 1.20. If I use two gig of G-skill with the dh9 it can go to 400-450 at same settings. Is there a problem overclocking 4 gig vs two? will try the voltage settings recommended.

I have the GA-35-ds3l and E 8400. How do you set the ram divider? Mine is 5:6 in cpuz

Any other info for oc on this board would be appreciated

Thanks

It's usually issues like this and not reading graysky's OC sticky that lead to these minimal Oc's.

Yeah, laptop44, you are correct. the ds3l doesn't oc as well as the other p35 boards too. (although im sure it could give you at least 445mhz for 4ghz)

Your vcore looks pretty low as well... Is 1.2 cpuz load, cpuz idle or bios?

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: msutiny
I then set everything as described in graysky's post and began upping the FSB frequency and stress testing. I found that I could get up to 3.45ghz stable at 1.268 Vcore (in bios) and ran prime95 overnight for 8+ hours with no issues. I then tried to up it to 3.6ghz and got errors in prime. No matter how much extra Vcore I fed the processor (fed it up to 1.3Vcore) I still would get errors in prime. I then tried to add +0.1 to the FSB and same thing, then tried +0.1 to Gmch with the same errors, then I tried +0.1 to both FSB and Gmch with the same results. I then repeated all of this with upping the RAM to DDR2 1000 with the same results.

You probably need more vcore. Try up to 1.4v, but don't push past this point yet.

Temps run from 29 - 30 at idle to 39 - 43 at full load (well 50% load on each core with prime since it won't run them both at 100%) so I know the temps are not an issue.

Running Prime95 like that will tell you nothing about temps or stability.

To do proper stress-testing, go to the stickied guides and find Prime95 25.6 or later:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=1901991&enterthread=y

Then make sure both cores are loaded 100% each via Windows task manager.

It seems that no matter what I do I cannot get past 3.45ghz.

If you are not testing properly, your results are invalid. So we don't know that your 3.45 GHz overclock is stable, either. Also, any advice is just guesswork at this point.

I've seen many people able to get to 3.6ghz with these chips and some up to 4.0ghz on air.

What am I doing wrong to not be able to get higher?

Is it possible that my chip just isn't capable to go higher?

Yep, that happens sometimes. Bad chips do exist. I've gotten two (one my E4400 and another an X2-4200). That's just the chance you take when you overclock. Of course, you could just be making a mistake...it's not clear yet. You need to retest before drawing any conclusions.

 

[richwenzel]

one thing is for sure, your temps are better than mine...

im at 3.75 with 1.3 vcore (as read by everest, cpuid)...thats 3 hours prime 95 stable (didn't try for longer, just figured it was good enough)

at 3.9 same vcore my temps go to 60, zerotherm btf 92 OC, 2 120mm on high in an ammo case, abit ip35-e, and its not very stable...i have the NB up 1 notch (forget number, at work)....i have about .08-.1 vdrop, my setting is 1.385 and depending on clock i go between 1.28 and 1.3 in everest and cpu....

im gonna leave it at 3.75 for now...but im still jealous of your temps...

 

[msutiny]

nullpointerus....

Thanks for the reply. I have run both cores at 100% for over 8 hours utilizing the newest version of orthos at 3.75Ghz with max temps at 54c (see my other posts). Getting past 3.75 though has been impossible.

Jaredpace is trying to help out and I've tried many different settings. May be able to try more tonight.

It went to 3.75Ghz easily after I did more testing and re-read graysky's posts but like I said - above that has been a challenge. I've tried upping Ram voltage, NB voltage, FSB voltage all individually and then again at the same time with almost every possible different setting with no results. I've even had the vcore up to 1.45v incrementally and still get fails in orthos nearly instantly (usually within like 20 - 30 seconds). It appears I may have hit the theoretical wall but like I said - I'm going to keep screwing with it and see what happens.

Thanks for all the advice thus far!

 

[msutiny]

Yeah, temps are pretty good at full load - It's the tuniq plus I have the fan from the tuniq pointing directly to the back of the case and another 120mm fan right on the back of the case sucking the heat away immediately and pulling it out of the case. The coolermaster cosmos has 4 - 120mm fans in it which run super quiet. I actually really like the case.

 

[PolymerTim]

Have you tried lowering your CPU multiplier to 6 during FSB and memory testing. Sometimes this helps separates the effect of the max chip speed from MB/RAM limits. CPUs have a max FSB as well, but I think you're not as likely to run into that with a dual core.

 

[Dadofamunky]

Originally posted by: msutiny
nullpointerus....

Thanks for the reply. I have run both cores at 100% for over 8 hours utilizing the newest version of orthos at 3.75Ghz with max temps at 54c (see my other posts). Getting past 3.75 though has been impossible.

Jaredpace is trying to help out and I've tried many different settings. May be able to try more tonight.

It went to 3.75Ghz easily after I did more testing and re-read graysky's posts but like I said - above that has been a challenge. I've tried upping Ram voltage, NB voltage, FSB voltage all individually and then again at the same time with almost every possible different setting with no results. I've even had the vcore up to 1.45v incrementally and still get fails in orthos nearly instantly (usually within like 20 - 30 seconds). It appears I may have hit the theoretical wall but like I said - I'm going to keep screwing with it and see what happens.

Thanks for all the advice thus far!

The G.Skill memory has to run at 2.1V without fail.

Also, judiciously bump the NB voltage. I've also raised my Vcore to 1.5V (do not use that voltage with the e8400 though!) and with those things I've been able to get a 1 GHz overclock and stable temps. Cannot get past there for love or money though.

You have a 9 multiplier, it should not be too difficult. It's probably a board issue. Gigabyte makes good boards but I'm an Asus kind of a guy.

 

[OLpal]

Hi, Msutiny
We're running similar systems to a point, i'm @ 3.6gig running cool & silent like a bad mutha !! Auto on the Vcore even !!

Heck Quad Q6600's are sweating like wore out pigs trying for 3.6ghz..
I know everyone wants to push past 4 gig but why ; other bottlenecks occur there & performance gains in programs is minimal over 3.6 gig

You need a quality power supply, & you should have a good CPU cooler, as the stock one is like a celeron cooler on the E8400

Enjoy your puter !! OL"PAL