Need help in getting a stable setup

[MCFJester]

Hi Clunk,

i have a serious issue getting my system stable. To be honest i am not very fit in a lot of this here. Been a while since i was overclocking things.

The thing is that my system just completely hangs after some time. Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes it takes shorter time untill it hangs. I have tried changing some things in the bios (Voltages, closks, etc), but i must admit i wasn't really sure of what i was doing. I read a lot, but don't understand all if the information here (and a lot it is here - great information ).

I have tried setting the RAM to 400/1066 increasing the voltage a bit or setting it to 333/800 and setting all the configurations of the RAM as shown in CPU-Z, but that was the worst. System didn't even boot correctly with a warning sound and i had to reset the bios via jumper.

I have the feeling that the problem lies with my RAM (OCZ 4x2GB PC2-8500) and the mobo (DFI UT X48-T2R). CPU-Z (v1.46) doesn't even recognize my RAM correctly (comes as PC2-6400 400MHz OCZ). I have taken 2 RAM's out to check if they aren't bad and then the others. Running on 4GB right now, but they all react the same. Are my RAM incompatible maybe ?

The most stable form that runs is when the bios is set to completely auto while it gimps my cpu to 2 GHz (core voltage to 1.168v), although i have an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (3GHz). The RAM get set to 400MHz, 5:6 FSB : DRAM, CAS# Latency (Cl) 5.0 clocks, RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks, RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks, Cycle Time (tRAS) 15 clocks and the Command Rate 2T, all else is greyed out by CPU-Z.

I am clueless and would welcome/appreciate any help. If i haven't given enough info let me know what i need to supply. I am not sure if the post is in the right place actually ... might need to be moved to General.

Thanks

[Clunk]

Welcome to the forums

Sorry for the late reply, I've only just seen this.

First of all, there are some things that you need to do.

Update your BIOS to the latest version.

Make sure you have a fan blowing on your RAM.

Please grab the BIOS template from the BIOS templates sticky in the Intel overclocking section and list all your BIOS settings

[MCFJester]

Hi Clunk and thanks for the response.

I updated my Bios about 4-5 weeks ago when i got the board, but i will see if there is a new bios for it asap. Problem is i get on the DFI site but i can't select things or see anything there. Haven't found out whats blocking it. Maybe something from the router as i get the same prob on another PC. Anyway i get on that this evening with a friend who can get on their site.

Cooling is good i think. Got 3 Fan's. One from the front and one from the side and one blowing out at the back.

Here the BIOS Template:

Genie BIOS Template

DFI UT X48 LanParty

CPU Feature
Thermal Management Control: Disabled
PPM(EIST) Mode: Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal: Disabled
CIE Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled
Virtualization Technology: Disabled
Core Multi-Processing: Enabled

Exist Setup Shutdown: Mode 2
Shutdown after AC Loss: Disabled
O.C. Fail retry Counter: 0
CLOCK VC0 divider: AUTO
CPU Clock Ratio Unlock: Enabled
CPU Clock Ratio: 6X
Target CPU Clock: 1998 MHz
CPU Clock: 333 MHz
Boot Up Clock: AUTO
DRAM Speed: AUTO
Target DRAM Speed: DDR2 800
PCIE Clock: 100mhz
PCIE Slot Config: 1X 1X

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Voltage Settings
CPU VID Control: AUTO 1.2325v
CPU VID Special Add: AUTO
DRAM Voltage Control: 1.904v
SB Core/CPU PLL Voltage: 1.510v
NB Core Voltage: 1.265v
CPU VTT Voltage: 1.100v
Vcore Droop Control: Enabled
Clockgen Voltage Control: 3.45v
GTL+ Buffers Strength: Strong
Host Slew Rate: Weak
GTL REF Voltage Control: Disable
x CPU GTL1/3 REF Volt: 110
x CPU GTL 0/2 REF Volt: 110
x North Bridge GTL REF Volt: 110

CPU Core Voltage 1.16v
DRAM Voltage 1.88v
NB Core Voltage 1.29v
CPU VTT Voltage 1.12v

DRAM Timing
Enhance Data transmitting: AUTO
Enhance Addressing: AUTO
T2 Dispatch: Disabled

Clock Setting Fine Delay
Ch1 Clock Crossing Setting: AUTO
DIMM 1 Clock fine delay: Current
DIMM 2 Clock fine delay: Current
Ch 1 Command fine delay: Current
Ch 1 Control fine delay: Current


Ch2 Clock Crossing Setting: AUTO
DIMM 3 Clock fine delay: Current
DIMM 4 Clock fine delay: Current
Ch 2 Command fine delay: Current
Ch 2 Control fine delay: Current

Ch1Ch2 CommonClock Setting: Auto

Ch1 RDCAS GNT-Chip Delay: Auto
Ch1 WRCAS GNT-Chip Delay: Auto
Ch1 Command to CS Delay: Auto

Ch2 RDCAS GNT-Chip Delay: Auto
Ch2 WRCAS GNT-Chip Delay: Auto
Ch2 Command to CS Delay: Auto

CAS Latency Time (tCL): AUTO
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD): AUTO
RAS# Precharge (tRP): AUTO
Precharge Delay (tRAS): AUTO
All Precharge to Act: AUTO
REF to ACT Delay (tRFC): AUTO
Performance LVL (Read Delay) (tRD): AUTO

Read delay phase adjust: Enter

Ch1 Read delay phase (4~0) 7-7-7-7-6
Channel 1 Phase 0 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 1 Phase 1 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 1 Phase 2 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 1 Phase 3 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 1 Phase 4 Pull-In: Auto

Ch2 Read delay phase (4~0) 0-0-0-0-0
Channel 2 Phase 0 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 2 Phase 1 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 2 Phase 2 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 2 Phase 3 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 2 Phase 4 Pull-In: Auto

MCH ODT Latency: AUTO
Write to PRE Delay (tWR): AUTO
Rank Write to Read (tWTR): AUTO
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD): AUTO
Read to Write Delay (tRDWR): AUTO
Ranks Write to Write (tWRWR): AUTO
Ranks Read to Read (tRDRD): AUTO
Ranks Write to Read (tWRRD): AUTO
Read CAS# Precharge (tRTP): AUTO
ALL PRE to Refresh: AUTO

[MCFJester]

The BIOS i have currently on there is:

X48CD402

I will check if a newer Version is there today.

[Clunk]

Exist Setup Shutdown: Mode 2
Shutdown after AC Loss: Disabled
O.C. Fail retry Counter: 0
CLOCK VC0 divider: AUTO
CPU Clock Ratio Unlock: Enabled
CPU Clock Ratio: 6X - Change this to 10
Target CPU Clock: 1998 MHz
CPU Clock: 333 MHz - 400FSB will give you 4Ghz with the 10x Multi - you can try 360 for 3.6 if you like.
Boot Up Clock: AUTO
DRAM Speed: AUTO - For now, set this to 333/667
Target DRAM Speed: DDR2 800
PCIE Clock: 100mhz
PCIE Slot Config: 1X 1X

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Voltage Settings
CPU VID Control: AUTO 1.2325v - This value will depend on your individual CPU - so just experiment until stable.
CPU VID Special Add: AUTO
DRAM Voltage Control: 1.904v - Set this to whatever the manufacturer says it should be
SB Core/CPU PLL Voltage: 1.510v
NB Core Voltage: 1.265v - You may need to up this a notch or two
CPU VTT Voltage: 1.100v - You may also need a notch or two of this - try 1.2v
Vcore Droop Control: Enabled
Clockgen Voltage Control: 3.45v
GTL+ Buffers Strength: Strong
Host Slew Rate: Weak
GTL REF Voltage Control: Disable - This, you may need later if you cant get stable with the other settings...we will come bck to this bit, for now leave as it is.
x CPU GTL1/3 REF Volt: 110
x CPU GTL 0/2 REF Volt: 110
x North Bridge GTL REF Volt: 110

DRAM Timing
Enhance Data transmitting: AUTO
Enhance Addressing: AUTO
T2 Dispatch: Disabled

Clock Setting Fine Delay
Ch1 Clock Crossing Setting: AUTO
DIMM 1 Clock fine delay: Current
DIMM 2 Clock fine delay: Current
Ch 1 Command fine delay: Current
Ch 1 Control fine delay: Current


Ch2 Clock Crossing Setting: AUTO
DIMM 3 Clock fine delay: Current
DIMM 4 Clock fine delay: Current
Ch 2 Command fine delay: Current
Ch 2 Control fine delay: Current

Ch1Ch2 CommonClock Setting: Auto

Ch1 RDCAS GNT-Chip Delay: Auto
Ch1 WRCAS GNT-Chip Delay: Auto
Ch1 Command to CS Delay: Auto

Ch2 RDCAS GNT-Chip Delay: Auto
Ch2 WRCAS GNT-Chip Delay: Auto
Ch2 Command to CS Delay: Auto

CAS Latency Time (tCL): AUTO
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD): AUTO
RAS# Precharge (tRP): AUTO
Precharge Delay (tRAS): AUTO
All Precharge to Act: AUTO
REF to ACT Delay (tRFC): AUTO
Performance LVL (Read Delay) (tRD): AUTO

Read delay phase adjust: Enter

Ch1 Read delay phase (4~0) 7-7-7-7-6
Channel 1 Phase 0 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 1 Phase 1 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 1 Phase 2 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 1 Phase 3 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 1 Phase 4 Pull-In: Auto

Ch2 Read delay phase (4~0) 0-0-0-0-0
Channel 2 Phase 0 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 2 Phase 1 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 2 Phase 2 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 2 Phase 3 Pull-In: Auto
Channel 2 Phase 4 Pull-In: Auto

MCH ODT Latency: AUTO
Write to PRE Delay (tWR): AUTO
Rank Write to Read (tWTR): AUTO
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD): AUTO
Read to Write Delay (tRDWR): AUTO
Ranks Write to Write (tWRWR): AUTO
Ranks Read to Read (tRDRD): AUTO
Ranks Write to Read (tWRRD): AUTO
Read CAS# Precharge (tRTP): AUTO
ALL PRE to Refresh: AUTO

Set you main subtimings to whatever they are meant to be (5-5-5-15 for example)

[MCFJester]

Thanks Clunk

i will try all that first thing tomorrow morning.

The RAM's say on them 5-5-5-18 @2.10v-2.2v

I will try to find this:
CPU VID Control: AUTO 1.2325v - This value will depend on your individual CPU - so just experiment until stable.

I don't know were to find this exactly for an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650, but i hope to find that with Intel.

I will give an update tomorrow morning.

[MCFJester]

Found it ... great stuff there:

Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor QX9650 - SLAN3

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by MCFJester

Thanks Clunk

i will try all that first thing tomorrow morning.

The RAM's say on them 5-5-5-18 @2.10v-2.2v - Yep, set them to 5-5-5-18 and 2.2v, then you know if there is any instability, its not because they aren't getting enough voltage.

I will try to find this:
CPU VID Control: AUTO 1.2325v - This value will depend on your individual CPU - so just experiment until stable. This is just your CPU voltage. Each CPU will require a different amount for a given overclock, so its just a case of trying it and then testing for stability, if it's not stable, increase a bit.

I don't know were to find this exactly for an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650, but i hope to find that with Intel. Multi is "CPU Clock Ratio: 6X" set to 10.

I will give an update tomorrow morning.

[MCFJester]

Hi Clunk,

ok - the BIOS is up to date with the version i have.

Now i went ahead with the Info you gave me and changed/tried the following things:

CPU Clock Ratio: 10X
Target CPU Clock: 3600 MHz
CPU Clock: 360 MHz
Boot Up Clock: AUTO
DRAM Speed: 333/667
Target DRAM Speed: DDR2 721

Voltage Settings
CPU VID Control: see table below
DRAM Voltage Control: 2.19v - set this as close to the 2.2 as i could as you suggested

SB Core/CPU PLL Voltage: 1.510v
NB Core Voltage: see table below
CPU VTT Voltage: 1.2v

CAS Latency Time (tCL): 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD): 5
RAS# Precharge (tRP): 5
Precharge Delay (tRAS): 18
All Precharge to Act: AUTO
REF to ACT Delay (tRFC): AUTO
Performance LVL (Read Delay) (tRD): AUTO

CPU VID Control NB Core Voltage
1,34300 1,31700 1,30400 1,29100 1,27800
1,36250
1,35625 x
1,35 x
1,34375 x
1,3375 x
1,33125 x
1,325 x
1,31875 x x x
1,3125 x
1,30625 x x x
1,3 x
1,29375 x
1,2875 x
1,28125 x
1,275
1,26875
1,2625
1,25625
1,25
1,24375
1,2375
1,23125 Auto Value


The x marks the voltages i tried. All failed quite fast when Vista came up while still loading in the background. The only config that i was able to surf with the IE for 1 min was with the CPUVID Control set to 1.31875 and the NB Core Voltage at 1.304.

After that i tried the increase following values once just to see what happens:

Target CPU Clock: 4000 MHz
CPU Clock: 400 MHz
CPUVID Control set to 1.35
NB Core Voltage at 1.354

It gave me a blue screen

Ok ... i know i have to try a lot more, but i thought i give you a feedback and see if you have any specific advice by which i should go further.

Btw ... i appreciate your advice a lot. I will really have to make a donation for this.

[Clunk]

Ok,

Looks like you may have to do some GTL REF tweaking for that.

In the mean time, Try upping the VTT another notch, maybe 1.25-1.3, you can also go higher with the NB voltage, and also a touch higher on the CPU voltage.

Failing that though, it looks like some GTL Ref tweakage is needed