i7 930 On GA-X58A-UD3R Problems

[crazy098]

I have a couple of problems. Using the guide I can get the block stable at 190 with QPI/VTT voltage of 1.455. Not sure if that's too high. I can also get the CPU clock stable at either 21 or 22 with a vcore of 1.2. However, when I try to set both, I can't get the system stable no matter what I do. It lasts for about 5 min under Intelburn then BSOD. I have 6GB Corsair Dominator 1600, all I did was enable the extended profile and set the spd to 6, then back to 8. Both were stable. I've tried increasing the Vcore up to 1.33, but that hasn't done anything except increase my temps. I have turbo disabled and LLC set to 2. I don't want to increase the VTT anymore as it's already high. I'm also pushing 95 celcius at full load on real temp. I'm pretty sure I can get it stable at 180 block, but I really want 4ghz.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.
Well I am no expert when it comes to overclocking but I do have the odd play around with my gear. The first thing to say is that no matter what you want your components might not be up to a 4 Ghz overclock and if that is the case it won't matter what settings you try and use. I think you might do better with manually setting the memory timings rather than trying to use the XMP settings though. I am sure someone with more experience of OC will help you out more.

[crazy098]

I seem to have discovered my problem. I read on another forum to basically leave everything alone and just increase vcore. I've gotten fairly stable at 191X21 with 1.325 vcore, except I keep getting rounding errors in prime 95 after about an hour. I've turned hyperthreading off to keep my temps under control and I'm hitting 83 at 100% load. I've found out what's causing my hot temps as well. The case fan that my Ultra 120 blows into isn't really doing anything and the hot air is circulating inside the case. I'm going to upgrade to a Cooler Master HAF X RC-942-KKN1 (not sure if all 8 of my HD's will fit, but I think so) from a Thermaltake armor case that's about 6 years old as well as a Noctua NH-D14 from my Ultra 120. I'm planning to do that sometime next week.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes that should help the overheating problem a lot. I believe that there are two versions of the HAF-X case and if you get the full tower I think you should be alright for hard drive space. Dead air inside a case can be a big problem and soon lead to heat buildup. You need a constant airflow through the case past all the major components. The Noctua NH-D14 is a superb heatsink and quiet too.

[absic]

I actually use the Noctua NH-D14 cooler and it is a very big cooler and, as DM says, is also very quiet. A little heads up for you though, it doesn't really like running the fans from the motherboard headers so you might want to consider doing as I have done and running them straight from the PSU. It does mean that they always run at full speed but there is no issue from noise because of this.

Because of its size, it does cover all of the RAM slots on my GA-790XTA-UD4 board and I had to remove the additional cooling fins from my Dominator RAM to accommodate it, so that is another thing to consider with this cooler.

Here is a link to a thread I have previously posted when I switched from my stock cooler: http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,1784.0.html

And here's a little picture of the fitted cooler:

[crazy098]

Well, I did a little cleaning and inspection of my case. I found that one of my fans had no power, and on another the vents were clogged with dust. I also mounted an upwards facing exhaust fan on my PSU bracket. I've been running Prime 95 large fft's for about 3 hours now, no errors. Core Temp reports highest core temp of 81 and I only hit that once. Usually runs 77-79. Easy Tune reports CPU temp of 64. VTT is 1.195 and Vcore is 1.35, 191X21, hyperthreading off. I'm assuming that once I get my new case and cooler my temps will drop even further and I will enable hyperthreading.

I was wondering though, should I try to increase the VTT a bit and back off on the Vcore to try to reduce temps or just be happy that it finally seems stable. Also, if I want to try to push it further with better cooling, is max vcore 1.35 or 1.4? I've read conflicting things. I also read intel recommends doing thermal testing with the case open. Seems odd, unless you plan on keeping your case open all the time.

[Dark Mantis]

Well, I did a little cleaning and inspection of my case. I found that one of my fans had no power, and on another the vents were clogged with dust. I also mounted an upwards facing exhaust fan on my PSU bracket. I've been running Prime 95 large fft's for about 3 hours now, no errors. Core Temp reports highest core temp of 81 and I only hit that once. Usually runs 77-79. Easy Tune reports CPU temp of 64. VTT is 1.195 and Vcore is 1.35, 191X21, hyperthreading off. I'm assuming that once I get my new case and cooler my temps will drop even further and I will enable hyperthreading.

I was wondering though, should I try to increase the VTT a bit and back off on the Vcore to try to reduce temps or just be happy that it finally seems stable. Also, if I want to try to push it further with better cooling, is max vcore 1.35 or 1.4? I've read conflicting things. I also read intel recommends doing thermal testing with the case open. Seems odd, unless you plan on keeping your case open all the time.

It's god that you have managed to sort out your airflow/cooling problem. Don't forget to try and make sure that the intake and outflow air volumes match as closely as possible.
Personally I would stick to your settings now if your system is stable as that is more important than an extra ounce of speed. Also I wouldn't go above 1.35v as even if it would take 1.4 it has got to be taking it's toll on the life of the chip. As far as using the case with the side off it really depends on the efficiency of your cooling system. If it is well set up and balanced properly removing the side of the case can actually reduce the cooling efficiency as the airflow becomes more static and tubulent.

[oggmonster]

+1 for the NH-D14 as seen here http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,3127.0.html