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E8400 & nForce 780i Solid/Stable Overclock
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Posted by: rjbarker
Ok folks, this is strictly for those that have an E8400 and are a little "nervous" about OC'ing this particular Processor. It is very easy and I will emphasize that this is in no way considered an "aggresive OC"..!!
Many on the Forums are running the E8400 to 4.3 Ghz.....!......Howver, in my own opinion, the noticeable gains when "gaming", going from 3.6 Ghz to 4.xxxx are negligible and not worth limiting the Life Expectancy of your CPU by pushing relatively higher Voltages through it.
My settings here are with the Phoenix BIOS version PO2, which came onboard my Evga 780i A1 MOBO.
Warning: I highly recommend a decent HSF assembly if you plan on allowing your OC'd Rig to remain in that state for the remainder of its days.
Anyhow, going for a 3.6 Ghz (solid. stable n fast OC for Gaming) on an Intel E8400 Wolfdale CPU - FSB 1333 Mhz - 6MB L2 Cache
In BIOS:
System Clocks:
Ensure Multiplier is set to 9X. (My Evga nForce booted up stock @7x essential giving me only an E8400 with a Stock Speed of 333.25Ghz x7 = 2.33 Ghz. If you want a true 3.0 Ghz, ensure this is set to 9x , 333.3 Mhz x9 = 2.999...Ghz!
CPU N/2 Ratio - Disabled
PCIe x 16_3 - 100 Mhz
SPP (Northbridge) Ref Clock -200 Mhz
All Spread Spectrums - Disabled
FSB & Memory Configurations (this is where it gets fun!)
SLI-Ready Memory - I have mine disabled, but am thinking of trying some testing with it set to "Expert"
FSB Memory Clock Mode - "Linked" (have also tried "unlinked")
FSB Memory Ratio - "Synched" with a 3.6 Ghz OC and 9x Multiplier, the FSB (QDR) will be set to 1600 Mhz. Essentially the FSB is then 1600 Mhz /4 = 400 Mhz. If your Memory is PC2 6400 800 Mhz, this means "Synching" your Memory is optimal, as the Memory is the same BUS Speed as the FSB.
PC2 6400 is 400 Mhz!!! BUT @ DDR2 = 800 Mhz.
Memory will indicate 800 Mhz
Memory Timings:
4-4-4-12 2T , I was able to get my Crucial Ballistix Tracer to operate at the 1T Command Rate with a 3.4 Ghz (1515 Mhz FSB) and "unlinked", but the Timings I found had to be loosened slightly at 3.6 Ghz.
CPU Configuration
Limit CPUID Max Valu - Disable
Intel Speed Step - Disabled
CPU Thermal Control - Disable
C1E Enhanced Halt State - Disabled
Execute Disable Bit - presently still "enabled", but many go with "disabled"
Virtualization Tech - "Enabled" (same as above though)
Voltages:
All Voltages for both my 3.4 and 3.6 Ghz Overclock are left on "Auto" except:
3.4 Ghz - CPU Core 1.2125v (lowest I could go and remain stable)
3.6 Ghz - CPU Core 1.2750v (lowest I could go and remain stable)
Memory Voltage set to 2.150v (Crucial Ballistix Tracer is Stock 2.2v) - if thier are any problems Booting into Windows after Tightening your Memory Timings, you may simply have to slightly increase your Memory Voltage. Just be sure to stay within the Voltage Parameters of your particular brand of Memory.
* Operating Voltages vary from chip to chip, so just because these Voltages worked for me, does not mean that they'll work on your E8400! Use strictly as a "guide".
I'm quite confident that I could get a very stable OC at 3.8 Ghz by simply changing the FSB (QDR) to 1700, however, this would result in a Bus Speed of 425 Mhz, that would mean woth my set-up being Linked n Synch'd, my Memory would be runniing at 425 Mhz - DDR2 = 850 Mhz. This may require "loosening" the Timings, changing the Command Rate to 2T if previously set to 1T or even a slight increase in Memory Voltage.
Anyhow, thats about it. Very simply and very safe, provided you are after a reasonable OC and use the minimum Voltages required for a Stable OC.
1. Monitor Temperatures closely, do not allow Temp to remain high and stay around 65 - 70c for a long period. Invest in a decent HSF and try to keep Temps to 50 - 52c Max
2. Test stability after OC'ing using Prime95, OCCT and Memtest.
3. Be sure to write down all of your settings that you change in the BIOS, most importantly, write down and keep track of your Voltages!
Any idiot can hammer the Voltage to everything, get his PC to Boot up into Windows and claim "a 4.3 Ghz OC".....trust me, his System won't last long!
Have fun!
Set a "limit" for yourself, then back it down a notch, my limit was a 3.8 Ghz OC and I've backed it to 3.6 Ghz!!
Anyhow, I must say, an E8400 (cost me $205 CDN) OC'd to 3.6 Ghz, puching a 8800 GTX on a very good PSU, will result in amazing gameplay!!
Cheers
Posted by: rjbarker
Update
"I'm quite confident that I could get a very stable OC at 3.8 Ghz by simply changing the FSB (QDR) to 1700, however, this would result in a Bus Speed of 425 Mhz, that would mean woth my set-up being Linked n Synch'd, my Memory would be runniing at 425 Mhz - DDR2 = 850 Mhz. This may require "loosening" the Timings, changing the Command Rate to 2T if previously set to 1T or even a slight increase in Memory Voltage."
To get stable at 3.83 Ghz:
FSB - 1700 Mhz x9 Multiplier
vCore increased to 1.350v (still below Intels Maximum 1.3625v)
Linked and Synch'd Memory:
Timings unchanged 4-4-4-12 2T However, becuase the Memory is now OC'd to 850 Mhz - the Memory Voltage I increased to 2.2v (recommended Voltage for Crucial Ballistix Tracer)
Ran Prime 95 Small FTT for 2.5 hrs all good no errors.
3.8 Ghz is also a good stable OC - Maximum Core Temps on 100% CPU Load 52c!
Thats it!
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