X3350 / Q9450 Overclocking Thread

[lytalbayre]

Originally posted by: lytalbayre
Here are my preliminary X3350 OC results.

1.2250vcore, 3.52Ghz at 440mhz bus x 8 mulitplier. Memory running at 880mhz, 5-5-5-15.

Cooling with a thermalright 120 extreme with a noctua fan. Have a rocket fish case with two Silenx 120x38mm fans.

Temps are about 30-40c idle, and 50-60c under load. Ambient temp is pretty low however, at around 65farenheit.

The memory is 1066 memory, would l be better off not running it in a 1 to 1 configuration and maxing out the memory speed??

So it looks like my NB is limiting any further OC here. 440mhz bus with memory running 1:1 at 5,5,5,15. If I speed up the memory with a 2.4 multi (even though it is within specs, and the voltage is correct) then the system boots, but application failure and instability ensue.

Also, if I up my bus by even 5mhz, same instability comes into play even though my memory and CPU still have headroom.

NB is at stock voltage.

So, I guess that I should accept this as the best OC with this set-up....

One question I have is that if I lower my bus to around 425-430mhz, I would be able to lower my memory timings to 4,4,4,12, but I would sacrifice 80-120mhz on the cpu... What is better, running the memory a little slower with better timings, or running the cpu and memory a little fast but the mem. will have slower timings???

 

[bryanW1995]

why don't you up the voltage on the nb???

 

[runawayprisoner]

Originally posted by: bka4u2c
Well my case does have a top exhaust fan but it's a 92mm fan and its not directly over the hard drives and CPU. Now you've given me reason to spend more money on upgrades. That should make the wife ecstatic. But I can always tell her a "runawayprisoner" told me I need a need new case so I can turn my CPU heatsink horizontal and drop my temps by 4-5 degrees. At which point she'll say, "HUH?" that just might work, thanks. Off to look at new cases.

LOL Good luck, mate. And by the way, there are some good deals at the moment. Check the deals forum.

 

[lytalbayre]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
why don't you up the voltage on the nb???

I've read several posts and got the impression that upping the NB voltage doesn't allow for much more headroom and could easily cause instability and conflict with the cpu...

I guess I can try it, but I'm certainly not trying to be too extreme.

 

[bryanW1995]

is your vcore after vdroop or vcore in bios?

try increasing your NB voltage a notch or two. As long as you have adequate cooling it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Xpoc]

Just got my Q9450 last night, and hit a wall at 3.6Ghz. I haven't really had a chance to see if I can go beyond 3.6ghz. I'm going to need a better heatsink.

 

[bryanW1995]

wow, I'm impressed that you got that high with a cnps9500a. That gives me hope for my 9450 that I'm pairing with a cnps9700...

what temps are you showing under prime 95? coretemp .97.1 and realtemp?

 

[Xpoc]

Temps were in high 60's and low 70's using core temp. I just subract the 10c to get Real Temp, which would be high 50's low 60's.(I didn't realize Real Temp works with Vista now. lol) I Was stressing with OCCT
Vcore was 1.33v Not sure if i can use less. mch was 1.5v and fsb was +.20
Haven't messed with any other settings.
At 3.4Ghz temps don't go above 52c using real temp, but voltage is lower.
I did try 3.8ghz and the bios reset.
I have this chip installed in my X38-Ds4, but am going to try my Asus X38 P5E also.
I would like to break 2000 CPU marks in performance test 6.1. haha that's not why i bought it though, but would be a bonus.


EDIT: The Zalman 9700 should do a better job.
I was thinking about getting the Ultra 120 or Tuniq tower. Im not gonna try any higher until I get something better.

 

[imported_BigJim]

Originally posted by: bka4u2c

Originally posted by: BigJim

Originally posted by: BigJim
"In every case where the CPU cooler used a "U" shaped heat pipe rod in their design, having the unit positioned with the rods running horizontally proved to offer a cooling benefit... This goes to show you that heat-pipes are in fact prone to suffer the effects of gravity in their design. Once the vapor cools and becomes liquid, it seems to have an easier time completing the thermal circuit from side to side than it does from top to bottom."

http://benchmarkreviews.com/in...9&limit=1&limitstart=8

Its been a day and no replies. People, people, can I get my props? Comparing a vertical TRUE to a horizontal Vendetta 2, I just saved you 7.75 degrees, Celsius no less, and $25! Even when both motherboards are vertical, I still saved ya' 6 degrees. That oughta translate to some hella MHz. Hear me now, believe me later! ;-)

*Q6600 G0 Stepping Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz (Overclocked to 3.3 GHz)

I gave it consideration, but my hard drives are directly above the CPU so If I turn it horizontal the fan would blow directly onto the hard drives. The hard drives do have an exhaust fan behind them that exhaust directly out of the case (Thermaltake VA8000). If I position it so the fan blows down then it goes directly on my video card and NB. Solution?

How about laying your entire case horizontal? Actually that usually results in the heatpipes being vertical, which costs you a couple degrees. At which point you can consider having your entire case vertical. I rest my case. This is easier than re-orienting your heatsink, unless of course you are already in the middle of upgrading your TRUE to a Vendetta 2.

 

[imported_BigJim]

Originally posted by: GarfieldtheCat

Originally posted by: lytalbayre
...The memory is 1066 memory, would l be better off not running it in a 1 to 1 configuration and maxing out the memory speed??

IMHO, it's not worth it....you won't gain much in the way of a speed increase in applications, and it will put more stress on the NB and RAM.

Take advantage of the RAM running a bit under spec and see if you can decrease the voltage to them, cooler RAM is happy RAM

Your post made me think of something. The speed and load and heat on the CPU vary all the time. While we test with OCCT or dual-prime to check worst case stability, after that the CPU generally lives a pretty cool life.

So my theory is, DRAM, by its very definition of being contantly refreshed, is basically running full throttle 24x7. No such thing as more or less load on the DIMMs. Mine seem to run about the same temperature before during and after OCCT. (Though there is such a thing as more load on the northbridge, when you run a memory test.)

Having said all that, my RAM has an SPD setting specifically for EPP. So whats so wrong about running it at exactly those specs: timings and voltage which cpu-z reveals are specified right in the SPD? I'm doing something the manufacturer specifies.

I realize most reviews show that 1066 or 1333 memory isn't worth the price, but I think we should look at some benchmark results.

 

[bka4u2c]

Originally posted by: BigJim
How about laying your entire case horizontal? Actually that usually results in the heatpipes being vertical, which costs you a couple degrees. At which point you can consider having your entire case vertical. I rest my case. This is easier than re-orienting your heatsink, unless of course you are already in the middle of upgrading your TRUE to a Vendetta 2.

I'm not sure I get exactly what you saying. Lay the case flat on its side so the heatsink is then upright although still positioned vertically (parallel to case)?

And I use a Tuniq Tower 120 although I was considering the Noctua NH-U12P.

I did do some new case window shopping and found I like the Antec Nine Hundred and the Thermaltake Armor+. I really like the the way the power supply is mounted on the bottom of the Antec case. But I love my Thermaltake Armor VA8000 case and the Thermaltake Armor+ is quite nice with the sliding motherboard tray. Microcenter currently has is for a very reasonable price compared to other online stores, it has a MIR, however they are currently out of stock at my local store but even if I had it shipped it still be way under the $200 that other stores are charging. I already have a use for my old case so I would probably only be out of like $20 with the MIR. The hardware crack pipe strikes again. :laugh:

 

[imported_BigJim]

Not sure how to explain it better. Check the article http://benchmarkreviews.com/in...9&limit=1&limitstart=8 Which says do whatever you need to to the case, so that the copper pipes in the heatsink run horizontally. 95% of the time this means your motherboard, and case, are vertical. At that point sometimes you could spin your heatsink to fool with the airflow direction, but anyway all those spins the pipes would still be horizontal.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Okay... Q9450 with ASUS P5E-VM HDMI...
And I can't boot beyond 512 FSB...

But on the bright side, 475 FSB booted up with all stock volts. Seems promising. I'll go look for a hard drive now... whee!

 

[Foxery]

My Xigmatek heatpipe arrived already. <3 Newegg and their warehouse in a neighboring state!
info: http://www.frostytech.com/arti...iew.cfm?articleID=2233
Installing this was a disaster that made me hate life. Now that it's finally in, the results are impressive.

Q9300 (2500 MHz stock)
Old cooler: 3000 MHz, 1.16 volts in BIOS / 1.12 in CPUz, 66-68C under load
Xigmatek: 3405 MHz, 1.32 volts in BIOS / 1.27 in CPUz, 62-66C under load

This is with 454 MHz FSB. Small bumps to the northbridge voltage and GTL REF let me come down from 1.34 volts. I can't boot into Windows at 3500mhz without using voltages that worry me, so I'll probably stay here.

OCCT won't run because it thinks my temperatures are 10' too high and shuts down immediately to avoid overheating, so I'm stressing with Prime95, and will leave Folding@Home on overnight.

 

[runawayprisoner]

I found another golden chip, guys!

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=344121

Two in a row! And it's a new motherboard, too!

 

[khurios2000]

Originally posted by: runawayprisoner
I found another golden chip, guys!

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=344121

Two in a row! And it's a new motherboard, too!

batch and voltage@4G?

 

[runawayprisoner]

L803B462

Voltage was kind of scary...

vCore: 1.42v
vPLL: 1.76v
vFSB (VTT): 1.50v
vNB: 1.71v

 

[OLpal]

Wow i think he's stressing that toy, pretty harshly !!
& that new MB is a simple G35 video http://www.newegg.com/Product/...1237&Tpk=P5E-VM%2bHDMI
hard to understand it taking that abuse !!

When i build a 9450 , i'll be content with a 8 X 400 3.2ghz overclock,,, but if they prove a 3.6ghz oc doesn't get to hot & it's reliable.. that would be awsome !!
Wouldn't you guys think he'd have @ least used a P35 , X38 or X48 motherboard !??
Does sound promising if the chips are gonna be golden like the E8400 was & is !!

Ol'Pal

Originally posted by: khurios2000

Originally posted by: runawayprisoner
I found another golden chip, guys!

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=344121

Two in a row! And it's a new motherboard, too!

batch and voltage@4G?

 

[runawayprisoner]

Actually, most P35 and X38 boards run into FSB walls with this chip for some reason. G35 is the only thing I've seen that can get this chip over 475 almost every time so far. Temps were great even at 3.80GHz because these are 45nm processors.

 

[OLpal]

Thanks, that's good to know.. Wouldn't have thought that though , as i have always believed the on-board video motherboards to be inferior to the enthusiast power boards !!
Very interesting !! Teach an'ol dog new trick, you did !.

Ol'Pal

Originally posted by: runawayprisoner
Actually, most P35 and X38 boards run into FSB walls with this chip for some reason. G35 is the only thing I've seen that can get this chip over 475 almost every time so far. Temps were great even at 3.80GHz because these are 45nm processors.

 

[runawayprisoner]

It's not a new trick. I suspect there's something wrong here. I mean... I don't deny that this mATX board is good, but there are boards out there that are ten times as good like Maximus Formula and such... and people are not getting over 450 FSB or 460 FSB for whatever reason. Could be their voltage settings, though.

Edit: But it seems like 790i boards are getting nice results, too. Maybe newer chipsets just work better?

 

[marrr]

I was gonna try overclock my q9450 but im getting 80c. When i run prime on stock speeds with a lapped true...

 

[tenax]

and that's at stock voltage? either your true is not mounted right (i would guess if you lapped a true, you know what you're doing) or the sensors are whacked..which is highly possible..the fact is you may have to live by referencing cpu voltages to temps here and on other sites..for example, my sensors are locked at 126C on all 4 cores in coretemp, 221C in abit's bios..clearly, i wouldn't be typing this if that was the case..so, i have my voltage no higher than 1.3 for my overclock and i'm quite comfortable that my cpu is not in any danger of overheating at load based on other voltages/temp situations with these that i've referenced.

 

[marrr]

my core voltage is 1.144. I think the reason im getting crappy temps is cause i can still wiggle my true when its screwed down.

 

[imported_ST]

after reading so many good results, i caught the q9450 bug too..and utilized it with the p5e-vm hdmi....but for a different purpose undervolting for htpc usage. on stock intel hsf, got 2.7GHz @ 1.00v (OCCT'd) - strange i actually like the crappy vdroop. :X

Just for kicks, i overclocked it once, just to see what she would do...stock voltage @ 1.10, it ran 3.0GHz no sweat....now going to throw on my Ninja Rev. A and also lap the q9450 and see what she can do after....