SB Overclocking Thread

[mnewsham]

How does this look?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231396

That's fine.

 

[RussianSensation]

Build:

i5 2500K (Stock heatsink)
Gigabyte P67A-UD4
4GB AData 1333 MHZ 9-9-9-24

Stable @ 4.6 w/1.375v

Stable @ 4.8 w/1.475v

Temps are hot. Hits mid 70s at 1.475v. I would think mid 60s when I get my Megahelms on there.

hhehe you have no idea how good the top 5 air coolers are (of which Mega is one of them). My Core i7 860 would run > 90*C on stock cooling at 2.93ghz and the Mega keeps it at 62-67*C at load @ 3.9ghz. If you are hitting mid 70s on that tiny stock cooler, expect Mid 50s on the Mega (assuming you have a well ventilated case).

I might grab a 2500k platform just to jump to USB 3.0/SATA 3.0 and play with some more toys. The free compatibility with Socket 1156 is a nice bonus; so I can reuse the Mega.

 

[Surutcra]

I could have done it with less voltage but I wanted to make sure it was really really stable

http://is200.imagesocket.com/images/2011/01/10/5ghzstable2pngdcwa.png

this is with a Corsair A70 heatsink/fans. I'll post my 24/7 overclock that I will be using as a server later on. The mobo is Asus P8P67 (update your bios guys!!!!)

 

[mnewsham]

I could have done it with less voltage but I wanted to make sure it was really really stable

http://www.imagesocket.com/view/2011/01/10/5ghzstable2pngdcwa.png

this is with a Corsair A70 heatsink/fans. I'll post my 24/7 overclock that I will be using as a server later on. The mobo is Asus P8P67 (update your bios guys!!!!)

Wth does that say? Its all blurry.

 

[richierich1212]

That vcore seems really high, Surutcra. That's the kind of vcore you could pump through 45nm chips, but not 32nm.

 

[RussianSensation]

Wth does that say? Its all blurry.

1.472 V Core
5000mhz
Highest core got to 75*C.

The variation in temps seems very high between the cores which may mean the heatsink isn't properly seated, or more likely the thermal compound didnt' spread evenly between the HDT heatpipes.

Nice overclock. I imagine 4.7-4.8ghz at 1.40V is within your reach Surutcra.

 

[VirtualLarry]

1.425v (BIOS) on an IP35-E degraded my friend's E5200 after a year (and high temps, fan needed to be cleaned). It used to clock @ 3.75, now it only does 3.625 on same voltage.

I can't imagine what 1.4v+ does to a 32nm chip.

 

[richierich1212]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=18190523&postcount=103

"Hi there

Right guys myself and our technical guys have spent the entire weekend and this morning in discussions with Intel regarding the alarming amount of reports of Sandybridge CPU's dying and have been conducting our own testing as have Intel to find out what is a definite no no.


Sandybridge maximum safe voltages

Core Voltage - Not recommended too exceed 1.38v, doing so could kill the CPU, we therefor recommend a range of 1.325-1.350v if overclocking.
Memory Voltage - Intel recommend 1.50v plus/minus 5% which means upto 1.58v is the safe recommended limit. In our testing we have found 1.65v has caused no issues.
BCLK Base Clock - This is strictly a NO, anyone using base clock overclocking could/will cause damange to CPU/Mainboard. (Set manually to 100)
PLL Voltage - Do not exceed 1.9v!!



Processor - Basically we recommend customers not to exceed 1.35v to play it safe, all our bundles are set at 1.3250v or lower, any competitors offering bundles above 4.6GHz you should be enquiring as to what voltage they are using as we believe anything over 1.38v will limit CPU lifespan and anything over 1.42v will likely kill the CPU or severely limit its lifespan.

Memory - Intel recommend 1.50v plus/minus 5% which means 1.60v is the ideal safe maximum, but we have found in our testing all 1.65v memory is fine. We have also found most new 1.65v like Corsair XMS3 will run at its rated timings with just 1.50-1.55v which is well within Intel specifications. So people upgrading to Sandybridge you can still use your old DDR3, but we do recommend you run it at 1.60v or less. We are shipping most of our bundles which feature Corsair XMS at 1.50v-1.55v at rated timings. We've also discussed with Asus and MSI regarding voltages for memory and they also confirm in their testing 1.65v caused no issues with reliability.

Base Clock - To put it simple if you value the life of your components, do not overclock using base clock!

PLL Voltage - Again do not exceed 1.9v!


These are just guidelines we recommend you follow, if you want to push more voltage through your CPU's then just be aware they could die on you. Your warranty is un-affected and we will honor any CPU's that die, we just won't ask questions as to how you killed them.

Not all CPU's are as fragile as others, we have experimented upto 1.50v Vcore and 1.70v memory and had zero issues with reliability, so it seems some of fine when pushing hard.

"

 

[mnewsham]

^ thanks for that, clears up a few things.

 

[richierich1212]

Yeah if people aren't careful from here on out, we'll be getting reports of dead processors within a week or two.

 

[mnewsham]

Yeah if people aren't careful from here on out, we'll be getting reports of dead processors within a week or two.

Even after reading that 1.65V on the RAM is fine I am going to keep recommending 1.5V as that IS what it was designed for.

 

[coffeejunkee]

Bloomfield/Lynnfield was also designed for 1.5V but plenty of people run 1.65V mem.

Pity Intel mentions no maximum recommended voltages in the datasheet.

Corsair Vengeance is 1600MHz 1.5V. Kingston LoVo and GSkill Eco are suitable as well. Most other 1600MHz and faster will need 1.65V.

I wouldn't mess with the PLL voltage. This new clock generator doesn't seem to like being played around with.

 

[tech960]

from my understanding the memory controller cant be configured from the BIOS anymore, (kinda like you cant change the BLCK) and the stock setting much prefers 1.5V to 1.65V from what i understand the 1.65V will be too much (it will work but will wear the controller down faster)

I might be wrong this is just my understanding

On the ASUS QVL or qualified vendor list for ram, most of the ram is rated 1.65v

I went with some nice G-Skill CAS 7 1600 @ 1.6v for $159

 

[coffeejunkee]

Pity Intel mentions no maximum recommended voltages in the datasheet.

Oops, totally missed it. Datasheet 1, page 80, table 7-6:

1.575V max for ram...will be a problem to run your 2133MHz at that voltage.

And vid range up to 1.5200...seems high (page 78)

 

[Hulk]

When SB overclocks are posted I assume this means the overclock with all four cores active?

 

[Red Storm]

When SB overclocks are posted I assume this means the overclock with all four cores active?

Pretty nice of Intel to not only simply the overclocking, jeez it's just the multi and a nice even "100" for the number so the math is brainless, don't even have to deal with "33's" or "66's." But they're also offering fully unlocked cpu's at great prices.

You know it's funny but in a way I think we have AMD's lack of competition at the high end to thank for this happening. It's possible that if AMD were pushing clocks right now with Intel, say they were both at 4.2GHz then there would be little room left for most overclockers and not a huge incentive for Intel to market such a chip as many people might ruin their chips in hopes of huge easy overclocks.

But since these chips can run 20% or more over their rated frequency Intel can pocket a few extra dollars on the k's, suck up to the overclocking community, and still leave themselves plenty of room to offer faster stock chips in the future.

Of course this all makes sense but it's weird. Normally Intel would lock all chips and offer an Extreme SB at 4.0GHz or somewhere around there and charge $1000 for it. Instead they are kind of hooking us up with the k's.

That seems a bit backwards to me. If AMD were competitive, we would be getting even better processors at the same prices or better.

 

[Markfw]

This thread should be about your overclocks on SB chips. Lets stay on topic here please.

 

[GrumpyMan]

What kind of temperatures are guys going over 4.0 with those SB 2600K's? And please tell if it's a stock or other cooler. Thanks!

 

[996GT2]

What kind of temperatures are guys going over 4.0 with those SB 2600K's? And please tell if it's a stock or other cooler. Thanks!

Mid to high 50s load with a 2500K @ 4.2 and 1.272v. Hyper 212 Plus. My temps are on the high side though because I didn't apply the TIM optimally the first time (direct contact coolers have a different procedure than other heatsinks). Once I redo the TIM, it should be a bit better still.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Mid to high 50s load with a 2500K @ 4.2 and 1.272v. Hyper 212 Plus. My temps are on the high side though because I didn't apply the TIM optimally the first time (direct contact coolers have a different procedure than other heatsinks). Once I redo the TIM, it should be a bit better still.

Hey, that still looks pretty damn good though. Cool :thumbsup:

 

[aigomorla]

And yes, that whole "aftermarket cooling industry is done" idea is false. Your temps get pretty high as you push past 4.5 or 4.6.

this is why i told everyone to wait til retail.

I knew the ES's we were seeing were funky on the temp side.

The retails probably have a better calibrated temp sensor, however the temp load should still be constant in relationship to the voltage it draws.

Now if someone could tell us how they do off the wall on a retail to compare to an ES.

 

[Insomniator]

Currently @ 4.2 GHz (42x100) on my i5-2500K. Gigabyte P67A-UD3 board and Hyper 212 Plus cooler. Seems fine in initial runs of Prime95, but I'm starting an overnight run soon.

How is that board? I'm thinking about it... kinda worried about the lack of cooling.

 

[Hogan773]

I plan to get a 2600K and prob ASRock or ASUS board.

While I am interested in getting a nice OC, I don't want to push the voltage to a level that risks shortening my CPU life at all. I've been on the same PC for 6 years now - not saying it will be 6yrs till the next one, but I'd like to keep that option. I'm not a gamer.

From the prior posts, can I assume that if I keep voltage around 1.3 and just get whatever stable OC I can at that level, that I'm not doing any long term damage to the chip? Or do you think a higher voltage is still safe for the long term.

My e-peen needs are modest and frying up my chip just so I can take a screenshot at 5.0ghz isn't worth it to me. That screenshot aint worth spending another $300 on a replacement.

 

[996GT2]

How is that board? I'm thinking about it... kinda worried about the lack of cooling.

Looks to be a pretty good board unless you are going for a max overclock. It has a decently sized heatsink over the VRMs and 4 fan headers (2 PWM, 2 3-pin) to let you plug in as many fans as you want. All of the motherboard fan headers can be temperature-controlled if you want a quiet system.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I want to get 4.4/4.5 on mine, so I'm interested as to what voltages are needed for this. I want to stay under 1.30v