UD3P / E8500 C0 / 4x1GB D9GMH OC trouble

[Allubz]

Hi there,

I recently switched over from a Maximus Formula x38 @ Rampage x48 to the EP45-UD3P.

Today's overclock-day so here's a little worklog. Any input is very welcome.


The full system specs are in my signature, but we're dealing with an E8500 C0 here.
The RAM was capable of something remotely stable on 1200-5-5-5-18 4x1GB. I'm aiming at <=DDR2-1200.

I'm looking at getting the maximum out of my RAM while maintaining the highest stable CPU OC.

I consider "stable" roughly 5 minutes of OCCT testing. After such stability I move on to the next step, until instability shows up, then I back off and start long-term testing.

DRAM 1:1, 2v (should suffice up to DDR2-1050/1100 on loose timings)
LLC: Disabled
BIOS: F9

4.0GHz stable: (no tweaking or finetuning voltages)
9x445
vCPU: 1.4v (1.34 Win)
vTT: 1.3v
ref: 0.848v
PLL: 1.59v
vMCH 1.2v
ref: 0.783v
DRAMref: 0.91
ICH I/O: 1.59v
ICH Core: 1.2v

4.2GHz stable: (no tweaking or finetuning voltages)
9.5x443
vCPU: 1.475v (1.44v boot, 1.4v load Win)
vTT: 1.3v
ref: 0.848v
PLL: 1.59v
vMCH 1.2v
ref: 0.783v
DRAMref: 0.91
ICH I/O: 1.59v
ICH Core: 1.2v


4.3GHz UNSTABLE:
9.5x453
vCPU: 1.525v (1.47v boot, 1.44v load Win)
vTT: 1.3v
ref: 0.848v
PLL: 1.59v
vMCH 1.2v and 1.3v
ref: 0.783v
DRAMref: 0.91
ICH I/O: 1.59v
ICH Core: 1.2v


4.4GHz UNSTABLE:
9.5x464
vCPU: 1.55v (1.5v boot, 1.47v load Win)
vTT: 1.3v
ref: 0.848v
PLL: 1.59v
vMCH 1.3v
ref: 0.783v
DRAMref: 0.91
ICH I/O: 1.59v
ICH Core: 1.2v

Note: vTT 1.3v OCCT 15 secs. vTT 1.4v OCCT 3 secs.
Note2: Temperatures are always fine. Load on 4.4GHz is 65c


Any input on the 4.2GHz+ settings is more than welcome.


On to setting RAM settings:

My Maximus needed the following voltages for the following frequencies to be remotely stable:


Using the 4.2GHz template (9.5*443) with a lower multiplier.
MCH/DRAM Ref: Auto
DRAM Term: Auto
Channel A/B: Auto
DRAM Drive Strenght: 1066MHz
BIOS: F4

POST - Boot - OCCT (Unstable, 10sec))
Strap: 2.66D
Speed: DDR2-1181-5-5-5-18
Volt: 2.24v (2.21v win)
MCH: 1.3v
PL/TRD: Auto

POST - Boot - OCCT (Unstable, 1:30min)
Strap: 2.66D
Speed: DDR2-1181-5-5-5-18
Volt: 2.28v (2.21v win)
MCH: 1.3v
PL/TRD: Auto

POST - Boot - OCCT (Unstable, 15secs)
Strap: 2.66D
Speed: DDR2-1181-5-5-5-18
Volt: 2.28v (2.21v win)
MCH: 1.4v
PL/TRD: Auto

POST (Unstable)
Strap: 2.66D
Speed: DDR2-1181-5-5-5-18
Volt: 2.30v
MCH: 1.3v
PL/TRD: Auto

So, as it seems my UD3P doesn't like it when I up the voltage of my RAM, which I think is really odd. If anyone can give me info on this it'd be much appreciated.