Overclocking help P5b & Q6700

[Driv3n]

I've read multiple forum entries on overclocking, temps, stressing systems, etc.

I would just appreciate any advice that anyone may be willing to share with regard to what might work with my build.

Please check my signature for system details.

I'm currently running the system at 3.2GHz by utilizing 320FSB with a 10x multiplier with vCore @ 1.3125v
DRam at 5-5-5-12 @ 2.25v
NB @ 1.45v

My temps are with speedfan 4.34:
Idle:
System: 32-33
CPU: 27-31 (depending on room's ambient temp)

Core 0: 28-29
Core 1: 28-29
Core 2: 19
Core 3: 19


Stressed 100% (all 4 Cores):
System: 41-47
CPU: 60-61

Core 0: 60-61
Core 1: 60-61
Core 2: 51-53
Core 3: 51-53

All temps are in Celsius and I could be wrong on the stressed Core temps, I can't remember if those #'s are 100% accurate or not at the moment.

The system will run for 20 minutes without throwing an error and sometimes will run for only 2-3 minutes without error.



Any suggestions for settings would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Ramspeed looks like your problem to me. Your overclocking your DDR2-800 ram to DDR2-960, and 4gb is not know to overclock well. Drop your mem ratio to 1:1

 

[Driv3n]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Your overclocking your DDR2-800 ram to DDR2-960, and 4gb is not know to overclock well. Drop your mem ratio to 1:1

This is going to sound really rookie, but how do I know which ram speed option in the bios will get me to a memory ratio of 1:1?

Thanks.

 

[Tempered81]

it should tell you in the bios, if not do the math 322mhz fsb at a ratio of 1:1 is 644mhz ram speed

400mhz fsb at 1:1 is 800mhz ram

333mhz fsb at 3:1 is 1000mhz ram

etc.

edit: also try coretemp to read your temperatures

 

[Driv3n]

I tried lowering the RAM to the lowest option in the BIOS, which is 533MHz which yields a 1:1 ratio via CPU-Z. But...the system failed on Core1 using Prime95 while stressing all 4 cores in less than 5 seconds with an FSB of 320x10.

I up'ed to 667MHz w/ 320x10...No Dice.

Here are my current temps:

Idle
System: 30
CPU: 25
Core0: 34
Core1: 33
Core2: 30
Core3: 30


Stressed:
System: 33
CPU: 44
Core0: 55
Core1: 55
Core2: 49
Core3: 48

Temps were observed with SpeedFan 4.34 beta 37 and CPUID Hardware Monitor.
Do my temps seem high?

The above temps were recorded with the original setup posted.

My main question, Will this setup hold up while gaming and browsing the web/multi-tasking?

I built this rig so I could start playing some games with my co-workers. I'm thinking of playing WoW with them and I'm intrigued by Crysis.


I know I'm new to this forum, but thanks for helping out.

 

[Tempered81]

your sig says 960mhz for your 800mhz specd DDR2 ram. That is what is too fast and holding you back

at a 1:1 divider that ram would be running at 644mhz on a 322mhz FSB. if you are at 1:1 on that sig, then 960mhz ram would mean your running a 480mhz FSB. I doubt you are using a 1:1 divider if this is the case

 

[Driv3n]

I get that.

But, When I select the 667MZ option in the BIOS and increase the FSB to 320, the MHz automatically changes from 667MHZ to 800MHz. Which, being DDR2 would be 400 at 1:1, right?

If yes, the system still fails prime95 in less than 2 minutes. Could there be a problem somewhere else?

Thanks.

 

[Tempered81]

Im sure sounds like your bios doesnt have the capability to manually set the divider FSB & strap. it just says memory :533;667;800;1066

on my board i can run my memory at any speed from 233mhz to 1000mhz+ in 1mhz increments.

 

[Driv3n]

Yep. The Asus P5B Deluxe automatically adjust the memory speed as the FSB is increased.

Any other ideas that might help?


By the by...How are my temps? Good, Bad, Average, or Whoa!! way to hot?

Thanks.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Yeah the P5B series have a little "quirk"

You have to set your FSB speed first, then go to the chipset page and change the ddr speed then exit bios. If you set ramspeed first then go to the jumperfree page it resets the ramspeed to default. But if you enter the bios, make changes on the jumperfree page and exit it won't reset the ramspeed.

And definately choose a ddr speed that keeps your ram at or below 400mhz per cpuz.

But I think you have hit the point on the CPU were you will have to up the vcore if you want to go higher. From what you describe you have tested 3.2ghz with 1.31v set in bios with ram running less than 400mhz and you still failed prime.

Another "quirk" about the P5B series is they have a pretty bad vdroop, which means the vcore you set in bios shows a lower number in CPUz and it drops even further when you load the processor. So when overclocking you have to set the vcore higher in bios to get the desired vcore to the cpu.

Your temps indicate you have quite a lot of headroom for increasing volts and subsequently heat. I run my overclocked 65nm C2D on a P5B-E at 1.45v in bios which gives me 1.36v under load in CPUz with load temps in the mid 50's and I think most would consider those safe numbers

 

[aigomorla]

look in bios for FSB Termination voltage and up 2-3.


That will help with stability. After you found where your happy at, lower the fsb termination voltage by 1 and run tests on it again.

Pass then lower it again, and see where it starts to fail at.

If your failing under where you want to be at, try to max the fsb termination voltage and see if that helps. But i dont recomend you running it at full voltage all the time unless you have some beefy cooling on your NB.

 

[Driv3n]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Yeah the P5B series have a little "quirk"

You have to set your FSB speed first, then go to the chipset page and change the ddr speed then exit bios. If you set ramspeed first then go to the jumperfree page it resets the ramspeed to default. But if you enter the bios, make changes on the jumperfree page and exit it won't reset the ramspeed.

And definately choose a ddr speed that keeps your ram at or below 400mhz per cpuz.

But I think you have hit the point on the CPU were you will have to up the vcore if you want to go higher. From what you describe you have tested 3.2ghz with 1.31v set in bios with ram running less than 400mhz and you still failed prime.

Another "quirk" about the P5B series is they have a pretty bad vdroop, which means the vcore you set in bios shows a lower number in CPUz and it drops even further when you load the processor. So when overclocking you have to set the vcore higher in bios to get the desired vcore to the cpu.

Your temps indicate you have quite a lot of headroom for increasing volts and subsequently heat. I run my overclocked 65nm C2D on a P5B-E at 1.45v in bios which gives me 1.36v under load in CPUz with load temps in the mid 50's and I think most would consider those safe numbers

I don't know what's going on with this rig. If I lower the MHz on the ram, I seem to get Blue screens. If I run it a higher MHz, it will boot into windows and get online, and run Prime for 2-10mins. Who knows what's going on???

I up'ed the Vcore like you suggested and that seem to help significantly with the stability issue. I'm currently set at 1.4000v and it appears to be looking good.

I also up the FSB Termination voltage to 1.30 via the suggestion from aigomorla.

Does the ratio of the RAM really play that large of a role? I've had 2GB of these Firestix for over a year and they've always ran great. I don't remember the exact RAM speed, but I was running a 1500MHz FSB at 2.625Ghz in CPU-Z on my older C2D e6600 with 2GB and everything else the same. Other than running XP Pro.

The only things I've changed are:
2 more GB of ram for a total of 4GB.
Upgraded CPU to Q6700.
Installed Vista Ultimate 64 bit.

Does anyone know what the true ideal operating temps are for a Q6700? and what should be the max that is safe?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: Driv3n

Does the ratio of the RAM really play that large of a role? I've had 2GB of these Firestix for over a year and they've always ran great. I don't remember the exact RAM speed, but I was running a 1500MHz FSB at 2.625Ghz in CPU-Z on my older C2D e6600 with 2GB and everything else the same. Other than running XP Pro.

The only things I've changed are:
2 more GB of ram for a total of 4GB.
Upgraded CPU to Q6700.
Installed Vista Ultimate 64 bit.

Does anyone know what the true ideal operating temps are for a Q6700? and what should be the max that is safe?

At 1500mhz FSB you were running your ram at DDR750, now your running DDR960 plus you've doubled from 2 sticks to 4 sticks which makes it harder to overclock. And yes the mem ratio and ramspeed have a large role in determining how far you can overclock.

I don't see how running a lower ratio could cause a BSOD, unless your board is not functioning properly or your bios is borq'd or something

 

[Driv3n]

[/quote]

At 1500mhz FSB you were running your ram at DDR750, now your running DDR960 plus you've doubled from 2 sticks to 4 sticks which makes it harder to overclock. And yes the mem ratio and ramspeed have a large role in determining how far you can overclock.

I don't see how running a lower ratio could cause a BSOD, unless your board is not functioning properly or your bios is borq'd or something

[/quote]


Are the numbers you're presenting assume that the RAM was run at a 1:1 ration?
If it was running 2:3 would it still be 750?
Does it make a difference since it is DDR2, not DDR or is it just assumed we're talking about DDR2?


This part is going to read extra weird.

I've stressing the PC for the last hour and it has run longer than any other overclock yet.
Here are the settings:
FSB 330x10 = 3.3GHZ
RAM is still at 5-5-5-12 @2.25v equaling 990MHz (weird, I know)
CPU vCore = 1.4000v in BIOS, but displays 1.352v in CPU-Z and 1.35v in CPUID Hardware Monitor.

Temps:

Idle =

System: 31
CPU: 28

Core0: 38
Core1: 37
Core2: 34
Core3: 34


(this is the part that makes me a little nervous)

Stressed =


System: 38
CPU: 61

Core0: 72
Core1: 72
Core2: 66
Core3: 63


Are these temps TOO HIGH?
Is it common for a CPU to nearly double in temp when stressed to 100%?
What is considered a safe operating temp for the Q6700?


Thanks again to all.

 

[Driv3n]

As I read my question of DDR2 and DDR, I realize I'm a moron (duh)! Of course you were referring to DDR2. Pay me no mind.

Does anyone have any insight into my temps and whether they are considered too hot or not?

Thanks.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Your temps are getting "up there", but not too hot to run 24/7 in my opinion.

Then again, I run my E2140 at 85C core temp (0.96) constantly 24/7. It's still crunching.

 

[Driv3n]

OK. I'd like to say thanks to everyone that has provided suggestions that have helped me with my OC.

Here is where my rig sits as of this morning. Prime95 ran for 7.5 hours on these settings:

400x8 = 3.2GHz
DRAM Bus Speed = 400 @ 1:1 (timings are 5-5-5-12; which are MFG suggested for Firestix)
DRAM Voltage = 2.25v
FSB = 1600
CPU VCore = 1.4125
NB VCore = 1.40
FSB Termination = 1.40


Temps are as follows;

Temps:

Idle =

System: 31
CPU: 29

Core0: 40
Core1: 40
Core2: 36-35
Core3: 36-35


Stressed =


System: 37
CPU: 63

Core0: 74
Core1: 74
Core2: 67
Core3: 65



Is it common for a CPU to nearly double in temp when stressed to 100%?


What is considered a safe operating temp for the Q6700?


Does anyone know what temp Intel is referring to here Thermal specification: 71°C ?

The "maximum case temp" is mentioned, but I'm confused as to whether that actually refers to the "system temp" reading or "CPU temp" reading from any Temp Monitoring software?



Thanks.

 

[Driv3n]

Is it likely that my temps will drop very much by moving to a Zalman 9700 or Something else?


Thanks.

 

[Driv3n]

bump

 

[Driv3n]

Would someone tell me which setup would yield overall better performance and speed.

400 FSB 8x mulitplier = 3.2GHz
CPU VCore: 1.4000v
DRAM @ 1:1 w/2.25v

or

320 FSB 10x multiplier = 3.2GHz
CPU Vcore:1.4000v
DRAM @ 2:3 w/2.25v



I only ask because my temps are slightly higher with the 1st setting.

Thanks.

 

[Driv3n]

Originally posted by: Driv3n
OK. I'd like to say thanks to everyone that has provided suggestions that have helped me with my OC.

Here is where my rig sits as of this morning. Prime95 ran for 7.5 hours on these settings:

400x8 = 3.2GHz
DRAM Bus Speed = 400 @ 1:1 (timings are 5-5-5-12; which are MFG suggested for Firestix)
DRAM Voltage = 2.25v
FSB = 1600
CPU VCore = 1.4125
NB VCore = 1.40
FSB Termination = 1.40


Temps are as follows;

Temps:

Idle =

System: 31
CPU: 29

Core0: 40
Core1: 40
Core2: 36-35
Core3: 36-35


Stressed =


System: 37
CPU: 63

Core0: 74
Core1: 74
Core2: 67
Core3: 65



Is it common for a CPU to nearly double in temp when stressed to 100%?


What is considered a safe operating temp for the Q6700?


Does anyone know what temp Intel is referring to here Thermal specification: 71°C ?

Holy Thread resurrection, Batman!!!

Since this original thread was created, I had 3 out 4 Firestix go bad and had to RMA repair my MoBo on the same day. I have since had the repairs completed and replaced the 4GB of Firestix with 8GB of Crucial Ballistix.

Now my system won't boot unless I up the Vcore to 1.4750
I also had to up the NB Vcore and FSB Vcore.

Any ideas as to why this might occur?

My temps have also increased 2-4 degrees at idle and almost 7-10 degrees while stressed.
I'm considering picking up a Zalman 9700NT, will this drop my temps much over my current Blue Orb 2?

 

[elconejito]

Hey there Driv3n. I was running a P5B with a Q6600 and 8GB of RAM up until december. The problem is that the P5B doesn't like 2GB sticks of RAM. If you have a 2GB stick of RAM (doesn't matter how many sticks) you can't run the RAM at over 800Mhz. There is a thread over in the motherboard section called "Official P5B" thread (or something like that) and myself and a couple of others have run into this problem. It's on the last few pages of that thread.

The solution is to either run the RAM at less than 800Mhz (literally, 799Mhz is OK but 800Mhz is not) or use sticks that have less than 2GB. The root of the problem is that there is a timing that needs to be set for the RAM and you can only manually set it to 42 (I think) and it needs to be higher, like 54+ IIRC. Some RAM manufacturers set this correctly in the SPD, but it's hit or miss whether it will work. For me it was just easier to run the RAM at 1:1, and then I eventually just got a new mobo.

Also, if you're stuck at a certain FSB, try going up a little higher. The P5B has lots of "holes" where no matter what voltages you give it, it fails Prime every time. so if 400 isn't working, try 399 or even 401 (or maybe 390/410, you get the idea). I was running my Q6600 at FSB 359 and it was rock solid, and barely had to give it any more voltage.

Hope that helps.

EDIT: It just sank in that you're running your FSB at 400Mhz. Drop it down a few Mhz and keep it running 1:1 and you should be fine.

 

[Driv3n]

Thanks for the info. I have been considering a new board, but would like to keep this one if I can. I'm running 1:1 at 402x8 for 3.2GHZ. I can eve get it to boot at 402x9 for 3.6GHZ, I can browse the web and have spent hours on just web browsing, but Prime95 fails in about 15 seconds and the temps get pretty high. 71+
Do I have any options to run a 3.6Ghz 1:1 stable overclock with this setup?
Will a 9700nt or some other cooler decrease my temps and increase my chance of a successful 3.6 overclock?

Thanks for all of help.

Lastly,

elconejito,
What board did you decide to upgrade to?

 

[elconejito]

a better cooler will help the CPU, but it won't help your RAM. My Q6600 idles around 30c and maxes at around 50c with a Zalman 9700.

Try lowering your FSB just a few Mhz into the 390s. 390x9 will give you 3.5Ghz... isn't that close enough to 3.6?

 

[elconejito]

Originally posted by: Driv3n
Lastly,

elconejito,
What board did you decide to upgrade to?

A gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L. I wanted to either push the RAM I had over 800mhz or what I really wanted was to get some faster 1066 RAM. Couldn't do it with the P5B so I had been considering changing it. But I didn't want to because it was such a full-featured board and had been rock solid the whole time I've had it, plus the expense, yada yada yada.

Well, as it turns out I sent my brother parts for a new rig to replace his old P4-based Dell, a quad-core like mine, but with the DS3L. He didn't need anything fancy, wasn't going to go crazy with overclocking and it was his first build by himself (he's helped me several times with mine). Anyway, he had some issues and we couldn't tell what was the source, the motherboard, cpu, RAM, PSU, etc. It ended up being the PSU but we had already ordered another mobo and were going to RMA the one he had thinking it was bad. But then it turned out to be the PSU that was the problem. So i had him cancel the RMA return on the motherboard and just send it to me... which I used to replace my P5B Deluxe, which is now in my parents computer, overclocking an e6300. The DS3L I think was about $80 at the time, and the newer EP45-DS3L is maybe $90. A really good deal if you want to spend just a little bit more is the EP45-UD3P which last time i saw was about $120.