X5677 vs E5620 Results.

[mysticjbyrd]

I recently purchased an e5620 to replace my i7-930, which I thought was on the fritz. I currently have it a 4ghz, and it's not the max OC.

I found an x5677 for only $50, so I decided to test this thing out as well. Currently the best I have gotten this thing is 155 BCLK = 4.36 Ghz Boosted. 160 is almost stable, but it requires a large jump in voltage, and heat, which isn't worth it.

 

[2is]

It's called silicon lottery, not all die's are created equal, even if it's the same CPU model.

 

[Burpo]

The X5650 overclocks well, but it only has a 23X max turbo (1 core) & 22X multiple cores. You can run 200+ bclk easy, but getting that kind of bclk with an X5670 or higher is harder to do. With the higher multi and much faster bclk, temps quickly become a problem.. The silicon lottery does have a lot to do with it, but so does RAM & the motherboard..

 

[mysticjbyrd]

It's called silicon lottery, not all die's are created equal, even if it's the same CPU model.

I understand that, but I wasn't referring to my cpu in that instance. That was the highest I could fine researching on the net. I guess Burpo could have gotten an amazing cpu, but I kind of doubt it.

The X5650 overclocks well, but it only has a 23X max turbo (1 core) & 22X multiple cores. You can run 200+ bclk easy, but getting that kind of bclk with an X5670 or higher is harder to do. With the higher multi and much faster bclk, temps quickly become a problem.. The silicon lottery does have a lot to do with it, but so does RAM & the motherboard..

So, whats the difference between the various models of the same cpu generation? It almost seems like the lower end models are just underclocked, but it has to be more than that. Different grades of silicon or something.

Sorry for all the dumb questions.

 

[MongGrel]

Well, Burpo knows the whole thread in general obviously.

Lot of things here.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2335636&highlight=l5639&page=103

Played around the other day and have my X5680 @ 4.7 atm.

bclk is a rough thing to push on the higher ones.

Even run a X5650 on my HTPC ()

 

[laamanaator]

One thing that affects system stability and max cpu clocks is Uncore frequency. When OC'ing by increasing BCLK, it effects CPU core, Uncore and memory(X58 only, not the never chipsets(Zxx etc.)). Based on my experience with X58 OC'ing, uncore reaches max frequency faster than the cores do. So making sure that your uncore is operating at a stable frequency can get you 200 mhz, probably even more.

 

[MongGrel]

Never used an E version myself.

Those are quad versus hex cores.

 

[mysticjbyrd]

Never used an E version myself.

Those are quad versus hex cores.

Mostly play games on it, so it doesn't benefit much from the other 2 cores. They are also much more expensive. I can get an e5640 for $10.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I was recently looking around for some guidance on Uncore speeds and came across a nice explanation & guide over socket 1366 here at techpowerup.

 

[mysticjbyrd]

I was recently looking around for some guidance on Uncore speeds and came across a nice explanation & guide over socket 1366 here at techpowerup.

Nice info thx.

I was curious about my original question, so I thought I would give it a shot. I just got a x5677 in today, and I am going to see how high I can OC this thing.

 

[Burpo]

Set multiplier @ 26 & raise bclk & volts.

What kind of deal did you get on the X5677?

Cheapest I've seen is $70, and for a few dollars more you can get a hexcore..

 

[mysticjbyrd]

Set multiplier @ 26 & raise bclk & volts.

What kind of deal did you get on the X5677?

Cheapest I've seen is $70, and for a few dollars more you can get a hexcore..

$50

I figured for that price I could try it, and sell it, if I can't get a decent clock.

The x5677 has an unlocked multiplier? Cpu world doesn't show it as unlocked,
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/620/Intel_Core_i7_Extreme_Edition_i7-965_vs_Intel_Xeon_X5677.html

 

[Burpo]

No, not unlocked, but 28x is max turbo multi.. so 26 X 175 bclk = 4550mhz, should be pretty easy..

 

[mysticjbyrd]

No, not unlocked, but 28x is max turbo multi.. so 26 X 175 bclk = 4550mhz

Yah, I was just confused when you said to set it to 26. I don't have the option to set it to anything, it's just 26 by default.

Current settings

155 Bclk
Vcore: 1.32v
IOH: 1.1v
QPI: Default

Going to try higher blck

 

[Burpo]

Need to raise QPI volts to go higher..

 

[mysticjbyrd]

Need to raise QPI volts to go higher..

Do you happen to know what the default QPI is? I know the maximum should be about 1.35v, but my bios uses an offset.

I cant get 167 to boot windows.

Highest setting I have tried,
Vcore: 1.38v
IOH:1.25v
QPI: +120 mv

Memory multiplier was 8 for 1333

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

For my EVGA board the QPI PLL default was 1.100v, as well as the IOH Vcore = 1.100v

 

[mysticjbyrd]

For my EVGA board the QPI PLL default was 1.100v, as well as the IOH Vcore = 1.100v

So, it changes with Motherboard manufacturers. Damn. I wonder if I can contact MSI...

Idk why anyone would design something this way.

EDIT: I have seen some people list everything between 1.05 and 1.2v as default.


Currently have 165 blck loaded into windows,

Vcore: 1.4v
IOH:1.2v
QPI: +120mv

It's not stable though, and I don't think I should go over 1.35 vcore volts.

EDIT:

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19344829

This person states it is set to 1.1v. That sounds about right from what I can gather.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

So, it changes with Motherboard manufacturers. Damn. I wonder if I can contact MSI...

Idk why anyone would design something this way.

EDIT: I have seen some people list everything between 1.05 and 1.2v as default.


Currently have 165 blck loaded into windows,

Vcore: 1.4v
IOH:1.2v
QPI: +120mv

I don't think I should go over 1.35 vcore volts though.

Are you talking about the CPU Vcore or the QPI PLL voltage? If CPU then I would stick with the Intel recommended safe operating voltages and not venture beyond 1.35v. The Vcore is a big debate but user experience is the best teacher, IMO. Intel white paper says 1.40v max, but at the same time Intel recommended safe operating is 1.35v

Keep an eye on your Uncore speed too. If it starts going beyond 3GHz you might want to raise it. My board default is 1.20v CPU Vtt To be safe I run my CPU Vtt between 1.250 & 1.275v when in the 3GHz range + or - I never set my CPU Vtt to 1.35v in bios It always over-shoots according to my multi meter on the board terminals.

 

[mysticjbyrd]

Are you talking about the CPU Vcore or the QPI PLL voltage? If CPU then I would stick with the Intel recommended safe operating voltages and not venture beyond 1.35v. The Vcore is a big debate but user experience is the best teacher, IMO. Intel white paper says 1.40v max, but at the same time Intel recommended safe operating is 1.35v

Keep an eye on your Uncore speed too. If it starts going beyond 3GHz you might want to raise it. My board default is 1.20v CPU Vtt To be safe I run my CPU Vtt between 1.250 & 1.275v when in the 3GHz range + or -

The only voltages I can change are,
Vcore - CPU core voltage

IOH voltage

Ram Voltages: I always leave this at 1.5v, default.

QPI/Uncore Voltage

I was trying to keep QPI and Vcore at 1.35V or less, as that's within intel's safe specs.


At 160 bclk,

Vcore - CPU core voltage = 1.32v

IOH voltage = 1.2v

QPI/Uncore Voltage = +120 mv (1.22v *Assuming that random dude on dell support forums was correct about default QPI voltage)


EDIT:
Here is something interesting...

* For PC3-12800 and PC3-15000 XMP memory, go into the Bios and turn on XMP. Go into the Overvoltage Config and set QPI and Uncore voltage to +200mv. Leave everything else on Auto
* Dell Part numbers

I have PC3-12800, but I never bothered to increase the voltage with the i7. I wonder if I messed up my memory slot by not supplying enough voltage? It might have even caused the stability issues with the mild factory OC on the 930.

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19353401

That was a dell representative, so I think that confirms the default QPI is 1.1v.


EDIT2:
What do you mean by 3Ghz uncore? QPI is listed at about 6 GT/s

 

[sm625]

I assume what they do is bin all their chips immediately after production. Marketing gives them the info on how many of each SKU they need. Let's say Intel wants 20% of the batch to be the highest binned SKU, for example, the i7-6567U. So they take the top 20% best binned parts and make those into i7-6567U. Then they take then next 20% and make those into i7-6500U, and so on down the line. The leftovers become celerons and pentiums.

 

[mysticjbyrd]

Highest voltages I think are safe, (correct me if I am wrong)
Vcore - CPU core voltage = +140mv = 1.38v

IOH voltage = 1.3

Ram Voltages: I always leave this at 1.5v, default.

QPI/Uncore Voltage = +240 = 1.34v


167 simply will not boot windows with anything I try, including the maximum voltages. I am going to try 160.

 

[mysticjbyrd]

Final Results, I couldn't get 160 stable, and I tried nearly every permeation I had available. I kept getting memory read errors in Wildstar, an MMORPG I play. Some variations were really close with the game running a good 30 minutes before crashing.

Highest set I tried,
Vcore - CPU core voltage = 1.4v
IOH voltage = 1.3v
Ram Voltages: 1.5v
QPI/Uncore Voltage = 1.34v

I currently have the machine up and stable at 155 BLCK, 4.37 Ghz. It's a lot less than I wanted, but the huge increase in voltages and temperature for 160 doesn't seem worth it. I am disappointed in the result, and I might sell this chip, and try again with e5640.

Vcore - CPU core voltage = 1.34v
IOH voltage = 1.1v
Ram Voltages: 1.5v
QPI/Uncore Voltage = 1.3v


On a side note, Wildstar is actually one heck of a stability tester, as it would generally crash within 5 minutes.

 

[Burpo]

You'll see a major difference going with the lower watt CPU's. They have more headroom to overclock & less heat.

 

[Shmee]

Do these xeons generally OC better than a 980X? I got a 980X, ES though, launch silicon pretty much,