Achieving 4.0 GHz overclock with i7-930 and Asus P6TD Deluxe

[Mannekino]

Hi,

I need some help in hitting the 4.0 GHz (20x200) sweet spot with my current computer. I've been watching some video's of Overclock3D and I figured this is the best place to be to get some advice. If you need more information please let me know.

My computer specifications are:

• Asus P6TD Deluxe
  
• Intel Core i7-930 (Stepping: 5, Revision: D0)
  
• GeIL memory kit of 6 GB (3x 2 GB, 1600 MHz, 7-7-7-24)
  
• Two Sapphire HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 video cards in CrossFireX
  
• 1.000 Watt, modular power supply from Cooler Master
  
• Corsair F-series 160 GB SSD
  
• Three Western Digital 300 GB VelociRaptors HDD in RAID 5

Currently I'm running the processor at 3,78 GHz. After a good gaming session the processor get between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius. When the processor is idle the temperature it is between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius. Often times lower but the fire place is on and it is pretty hot in the house now

.

I can increase the speed of both exhaust fans of my Cooler Master Cosmos S case to increase the cooling of the processor. But I believe my current temperatures are well within what is considered acceptable.

Below is a breakdown of all my currently relevant settings. What would you suggest that I change to achieve my goal of 4.0 GHz (20x200). Is it possible with my computer? After watching some video's from Overclock3D on YouTube I figured that my "CPU Voltage" setting is perhaps to high. Default it is 0,969 I believe (correct me if I'm wrong).

Advanced

> CPU Configuration

CPU Ratio Setting: 21

C1E Support: Disabled

Hardware Prefetcher: Enabled

Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: Enabled

Inten(R) Virtualization Tech: Disabled

CPU TM Function: Enabled

Execute Disabled Bit: Enabled

Intel(R) HT Technology: Disabled

Active Processor Cores: All

A20M: Disabled

Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech: Disabled

Intel(R) C-STATE Tech: Disabled

Ai Tweaker:

Ai Overclock Tuner: X.M.P.

- eXtreme Memory Profile: Profile 1

- Profile Info: 1600MHz-7-7-7-24-2N-1.60V-1.40V

CPU Ratio Setting: 21

Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech: Disabled

BCLK Frequency: 180

PCIE Frequency: 100

DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1443

UCLK Frequency: Auto

QPI Link Data Rate: Auto

> DRAM Timing Control:

1st Information: 7-7-7-24-5-72-12-8-24-0

DRAM CAS# Latency: 7 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 7 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# PRE Time: 7 DRAM CLOCK

DRAM RAS# ACT Time: 24 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay: Auto

DRAM REF Cycle Time: Auto

DRAM WRITE Recovery Time: Auto

DRAM READ to PRE Time: Auto

DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time: Auto

DRAM Back-To-Back CAS# Delay: Auto

2nd Information: 2N-56-58-58

DRAM Timing Mode: 2N

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHA: Auto

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHB: Auto

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHC: Auto

3rd Information: 8-8-18-8-8-8-7-6-4-7-7-4

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(SR): Auto

******* Please key in number directly! *******

CPU Voltage: 1.30000

CPU PLL Voltage: 1.90

QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: 1.40000

IOH Voltage: 1.20

IOH PCIE Voltage: Auto

ICH Voltage: 1.20

ICH PCIE Voltage: Auto

DRAM Bus Voltage: 1.60

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHA: Auto

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHB: Auto

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHC: Auto

**********************************************

Load-Line Calibration: Enabled

CPU Differential Amplitude: 900mV

CPU Clock Skew: Auto

CPU Spread Spetrum: Disabled

IOH Clock Skew: Auto

PCIE Spread Spectrum

 

[SnW]

Hey man welcome aboard

,

did a fast look and it seems you have to tight memory timmings al tho its rated at those timming..

lower those and IMO 4gig should be a breeze

you can also up the memory Voltage to 1.65...

What happens ones you try 20x200 ?

 

[tinytomlogan]

Hi,

I need some help in hitting the 4.0 GHz (20x200) sweet spot with my current computer. I've been watching some video's of Overclock3D and I figured this is the best place to be to get some advice. If you need more information please let me know.

My computer specifications are:

• Asus P6TD Deluxe
  
• Intel Core i7-930 (Stepping: 5, Revision: D0)
  
• GeIL memory kit of 6 GB (3x 2 GB, 1600 MHz, 7-7-7-24)
  
• Two Sapphire HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 video cards in CrossFireX
  
• 1.000 Watt, modular power supply from Cooler Master

Currently I'm running the processor at 3,78 GHz. After a good gaming session the processor get between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius. When the processor is idle the temperature it is between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius. Often times lower but the fire place is on and it is pretty hot in the house now

.

I can increase the speed of both exhaust fans of my Cooler Master Cosmos S case to increase the cooling of the processor. But I believe my current temperatures are well within what is considered acceptable.

Below is a breakdown of all my currently relevant settings. What would you suggest that I change to achieve my goal of 4.0 GHz (20x200). Is it possible with my computer? After watching some video's from Overclock3D on YouTube I figured that my "CPU Voltage" setting is perhaps to high. Default it is 0,969 I believe (correct me if I'm wrong).

> CPU Configuration

CPU Ratio Setting: 21 - 20

C1E Support: Disabled

Hardware Prefetcher: Enabled

Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: Enabled

Inten(R) Virtualization Tech: Disabled

CPU TM Function: Enabled

Execute Disabled Bit: Enabled

Intel(R) HT Technology: Disabled - enabled

Active Processor Cores: All

A20M: Disabled

Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech: Disabled

Intel(R) C-STATE Tech: Disabled

Ai Tweaker:

Ai Overclock Tuner: MANUAL

- eXtreme Memory Profile: Profile 1

- Profile Info: 1600MHz-7-7-7-24-2N-1.60V-1.40V ram should be set to 1.66v

CPU Ratio Setting: 21 set to 20

Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech: Disabled

BCLK Frequency: 180 200

PCIE Frequency: 100

DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1443 1600

UCLK Frequency: Auto 4000

QPI Link Data Rate: Auto

> DRAM Timing Control:

1st Information: 7-7-7-24-5-72-12-8-24-0

DRAM CAS# Latency: 7 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 7 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# PRE Time: 7 DRAM CLOCK

DRAM RAS# ACT Time: 24 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay: Auto

DRAM REF Cycle Time: Auto

DRAM WRITE Recovery Time: Auto

DRAM READ to PRE Time: Auto

DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time: Auto

DRAM Back-To-Back CAS# Delay: Auto

2nd Information: 2N-56-58-58

DRAM Timing Mode: 2N

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHA: Auto

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHB: Auto

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHC: Auto

3rd Information: 8-8-18-8-8-8-7-6-4-7-7-4

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(SR): Auto

******* Please key in number directly! *******

CPU Voltage: 1.30000 this is dependant to what YOUR cpu needs to be stable

CPU PLL Voltage: 1.90

QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: 1.40000 probably be ok for 1600 mem but may need to be upped a little if you get prime fails

IOH Voltage: 1.20

IOH PCIE Voltage: Auto

ICH Voltage: 1.20

ICH PCIE Voltage: Auto

DRAM Bus Voltage: 1.60

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHA: Auto

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHB: Auto

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHC: Auto

**********************************************

Load-Line Calibration: Enabled

CPU Differential Amplitude: 900mV

CPU Clock Skew: Auto

CPU Spread Spetrum: Disabled

IOH Clock Skew: Auto

PCIE Spread Spectrum

 

[Mannekino]

Thank you for the replies. I will test it now and post the results in a few minutes.

 

[Mannekino]

I've tried changing some settings. I had some difficulties with the memory timing. So I reverted back to the X.M.P. settings.

I did the Windows 7 assessment of the system and rack a Crysis benchmark. Computer crashed during the Crysis benchmark.

I had to increase the voltages a bit. But I'm worried they might be to high.

I'm starting from scratch now.

I upped the voltage of the CPU to 1.325 and QPI to 1.5

 

[Mannekino]

Good morning,

Well, I had some major problems yesterday. After trying to overclock the system to 4.0+ GHz Windows had a massive crash. Somehow this caused some major issues with my hard disk drives. I updated my topic post to include my hard disk drive specs. After Windows booted I could start any application. Immediately I got a "Explorer has stopped working" error. I tried several re-installations of Windows 7 but that also did not go well.

After several hours I managed to reinstall Windows 7. I then installed all the latest and necessary drivers (video card, chipset and storage). For the other parts I used the either the defaults from Windows or upgrades from Windows Update. Last night I kept my PC online to do a complete initialization of the RAID 5 array. This was completed successfully this morning. After that I did a complete verification of the RAID 5 array and everything seems to be working properly now.

My BIOS setting up till now have been the default configuration with X.M.P. profile enabled for my memory. I did some reading about overclocking the i7-930 in combination with a Asus P6TD Deluxe and I found out that you might get better results by trying 191 x 21. Some people stated that setting "even numbers" doesn't work well. I also read that the D0 stepping is a "low-voltage" overclockable CPU.

Prime95 is running for about an hour now. My CPU temperature seems to be maxed at 70 (70, 67, 67, 67) degrees Celsius. Seems stable so far. Where do you suggest I go from here to get the best result. I'm satisfied with the speed, I do not need to go faster. But I am wondering if it is possible to lower any voltage settings and perhaps increase memory settings. I disabled HT Technology because I read some articles that it might have a negative impact on gaming performance.

I now have the following settings configured. I lowered most of the voltage, expect for the "DRAM Bus Voltage" which many suggested I set to 1.66. But there now is a huge warning in the BIOS and it is the only value marked in red. The same people said those warning can be relatively safely ignored if you have high quality RAM.

Advanced

> CPU Configuration

CPU Ratio Setting: 21

C1E Support: Disabled

Hardware Prefetcher: Enabled

Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: Enabled

Inten(R) Virtualization Tech: Enabled

CPU TM Function: Enabled

Execute Disabled Bit: Enabled

Intel(R) HT Technology: Disabled

Active Processor Cores: All

A20M: Disabled

Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech: Disabled

Intel(R) C-STATE Tech: Disabled

Ai Tweaker:

Ai Overclock Tuner: X.M.P.

- eXtreme Memory Profile: Profile 1

- Profile Info: 1600MHz-7-7-7-24-2N-1.60V-1.40V

CPU Ratio Setting: 21

Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech: Disabled

BCLK Frequency: 191

PCIE Frequency: 100

DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1531MHz

UCLK Frequency: 3063MHz

QPI Link Data Rate: Auto

> DRAM Timing Control:

1st Information: 7-7-7-24-4-60-11-7-20-0

DRAM CAS# Latency: 7 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 7 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# PRE Time: 7 DRAM CLOCK

DRAM RAS# ACT Time: 24 DRAM Clock

DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay: Auto

DRAM REF Cycle Time: Auto

DRAM WRITE Recovery Time: Auto

DRAM READ to PRE Time: Auto

DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time: Auto

DRAM Back-To-Back CAS# Delay: Auto

2nd Information: 2N-55-58-60

DRAM Timing Mode: 2N

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHA: Auto

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHB: Auto

DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHC: Auto

3rd Information: 7-7-16-8-8-9-7-6-4-7-7-4

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM READ To WRITE Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM READ To READ Delay(SR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(DD): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(DR): Auto

DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay(SR): Auto

******* Please key in number directly! *******

CPU Voltage: 1.27500

CPU PLL Voltage: 1.88

QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: 1.35

IOH Voltage: 1.20

IOH PCIE Voltage: Auto

ICH Voltage: 1.20

ICH PCIE Voltage: Auto

DRAM Bus Voltage: 1.66

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHA: Auto

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHB: Auto

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC: Auto

DRAM CTRL REG Voltage on CHC: Auto

**********************************************

Load-Line Calibration: Auto

CPU Differential Amplitude: Auto

CPU Clock Skew: Auto

CPU Spread Spetrum: Disabled

IOH Clock Skew: Auto

PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

 

[Mannekino]

Good morning,

Want to report that it is still running smoothly. I've also enabled SpeedStep so that the Operating System will lower the multiplier when I'm not stressing the CPU as much. When I'm doing normal office work the CPU is around 38 degrees Celsius on the primary core and about 35 degrees Celsius on the other cores.

If there is any other optimizing I can do please let me know.