ASUS P5K DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775

[TMLAUDIO]

Originally Posted by Kelainefes

I see you posted a BIOS template.
If i recall correctly ASUS boards from the P5K family are quite voltage happy when settings are left on auto.
Therefore i'd try to edit manually the following settings:
CPU Voltage:Auto for that overclock you should aim to set this south of 1.4 i reckon.
CPU PLL Voltage: Auto this could degrade you CPU quickly if set too high, try leaving it under 1.55-1.6 max
FSB Termination Voltage: Auto With a FSB that high for a quad, you may need to set this on the highish. Try not to exceed 1.3-1.35v
DRAM Voltage: (1.90) this should be ok if you are not having problems, although your sticks are probably getting a little more
NB Voltage:Auto You'll probably need at least 1.45, but i wouldn't be surprised if you'll need more than 1.5v
SB Voltage:Auto Up it a few notches if you need, but usually defualt is fine
Clock Overcharging Voltage: Auto
Load Line Calabration: Auto enable it

Anyway i'm not really sure if 450x7 is a great idea, i think 400x8 could be easier to get to stability and with less voltages.
It would also be a little bit faster, and you could try and use the 400/1066 divider to run your mrmory at its rated frequency.
BTW did you test the stability of the system with Prime 95? I see the idle temps are 45 C, so probably you 'll get over 65-70C under load.
I'm with Godsdog on this one, get a better cooler for the CPU. Is noise an issue? Because the TRUE performs decently with a slow fan, but shines with fast models. Maybe the Scythe Ninja Rev2 would be better for silent cooling.

Thanks Kelainefes,

I did the Prime 95 test and it boosted my temps up to 65-70 like you said...I will never push that hard with Protools and yes I need it to be quiet. I was recomended theis fan by others who built the DAW for protools. I was running at 400 x 8 before with no problems so I will go back to that. Not sure I unerstand the correct ram timing for the 400 x 8. As I ststed I have 2 x 2gig of 1066 PC2 8500...So would 800 be the tightest timing or should I set it for 1066. I dont remember what my options in the bios were for 400x8 but I will check. So at 400x8 shou;d I change my voltages like you suggested above or would you recomend different fo 400x8. I am definitly changing to 400 x 8 by the way.

Thanks

[Kelainefes]

For 1066 operation of your memory you will need to modify these settings:

FSB Strap to Northbridge : (333) change this to 400
FSB Frequency : (450) change this to 400
DRAM Frequency: (DDR-901MHz) change this to 1066
You will probably need to up the RAM voltage to something like 2.0-2.1v (but remember, if its stable, the lower the better)
For a 400x8 overclock you should be able to lower a little bit the FSB termination, PLL (this may work even at stock or a little bit more) and NB voltages, you will need to experiment a little bit and report here in case you get have problems.
To test the system use Prime 95 in blend mode, and i think that at least 6-8 hours of test without errors are needed to be sure the system is ok.
Remember to monitor the temperatures with Realtemp or Coretemp, as they are the most accurate around, although i think CPUID hardware monitor should be ok for 65nm CPUs like your Q6600.

EDIT: aw, about the cooler, the Scythe Ninja Rev2 is good and has got a decent price, although is a little heavy and if you plan on traveling with the PC (ie to record a live show) you should be careful and transport the case in horizontal position.
If that's a problem i think it's possible to find other coolers that will do the job and are lighter, but i can't think of one right now.

[TMLAUDIO]

Originally Posted by Kelainefes

For 1066 operation of your memory you will need to modify these settings:

FSB Strap to Northbridge : (333) change this to 400
FSB Frequency : (450) change this to 400
DRAM Frequency: (DDR-901MHz) change this to 1066
You will probably need to up the RAM voltage to something like 2.0-2.1v (but remember, if its stable, the lower the better)
For a 400x8 overclock you should be able to lower a little bit the FSB termination, PLL (this may work even at stock or a little bit more) and NB voltages, you will need to experiment a little bit and report here in case you get have problems.
To test the system use Prime 95 in blend mode, and i think that at least 6-8 hours of test without errors are needed to be sure the system is ok.
Remember to monitor the temperatures with Realtemp or Coretemp, as they are the most accurate around, although i think CPUID hardware monitor should be ok for 65nm CPUs like your Q6600.

EDIT: aw, about the cooler, the Scythe Ninja Rev2 is good and has got a decent price, although is a little heavy and if you plan on traveling with the PC (ie to record a live show) you should be careful and transport the case in horizontal position.
If that's a problem i think it's possible to find other coolers that will do the job and are lighter, but i can't think of one right now.

I am happy to say that my system is smokin fast and very stable. Ran Prime95 for 6 hours overclocked @ 400x8 no errors. I will list the exact bios settings below. Very happy at this point tons of headroom.

Asus P5K Deluxe /Wifi AP Bios Settings
Bios 0812
JumperFree Configuration Settings
AI Overclock Tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio Setting : (0.80
FSB Strap to Northbridge (400)
FSB Frequency (400)
PCI-E Frequency (100)
DRAM Frequency (DDR-1066MHz)
Dram Command Rate: (2N)
DRAM Timings:-Manual
CAS# Latency: (5)
RAS# to CAS# Delay: (5)
RAS# Precharge: (5)
RAS# Activate to Precharge (15)
TRRD:Auto
TRFC: Auto
TWR: Auto
TWTR: Auto
TRTP:AUTO
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
Transaction Booster:Auto
Boost Level :
CPU Voltage:Auto
CPU PLL Voltage: Auto
FSB Termination Voltage: Auto
DRAM Voltage: (2.00V)
NB Voltage:Auto
SB Voltage:Auto
Clock Overcharging Voltage: Auto
Load Line Calabration: Enabled
CPU GTL Voltage Reference: Auto
NB GTL Voltage Reference: Auto
CPU Spread Spectrum: Auto
CPU Configuration
CPU Ratio Setting : (0.80)
C1E Suppport: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit Disabled
Vanderpool Technology Disabled
CPU TM Function:Enabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
Intel® Speedstep: Disabled

Idle Temps 44-44-44-44

Thanks so much for all your help Kelainefes, I really appreciate it!!!

[Kelainefes]

Np man, but your load temps are still in the 70C range? i suggest you do something about it!
That and at least manually set PLL (between 1.51-1.55), VTT (1.23-1-3) and vCore (1.38-1.42)!
Those i suggesteded are voltages i would be confident i could run daily, but i believe your motherboard is pumping more than that into your chips.
Wich is not good.

[TMLAUDIO]

Originally Posted by Kelainefes

Np man, but your load temps are still in the 70C range? i suggest you do something about it!
That and at least manually set PLL (between 1.51-1.55), VTT (1.23-1-3) and vCore (1.38-1.42)!
Those i suggesteded are voltages i would be confident i could run daily, but i believe your motherboard is pumping more than that into your chips.
Wich is not good.

Hi, So what you are saying is I should manualy set my (CPU PLL between 1.51-1.55) and my (CPU Voltage between 1.38-1.42) Not sure what the VTT represents.....Please elaborate.

Thanks,Tracy

[Kelainefes]

Aw, i forgot that on asus boards the VTT is called FSB termination voltage.
You should lower settings one at a time, and lower voltages only by a few notches every attempt.
Remember, the system must be stable in windows, not just boot, so it'll take some time finding the right voltages.
You could dedicate a few hours every day to this work, and leave the system running Prime 95 overnight.

[TMLAUDIO]

Originally Posted by Kelainefes

Aw, i forgot that on asus boards the VTT is called FSB termination voltage.
You should lower settings one at a time, and lower voltages only by a few notches every attempt.
Remember, the system must be stable in windows, not just boot, so it'll take some time finding the right voltages.
You could dedicate a few hours every day to this work, and leave the system running Prime 95 overnight.

Hi Kelainefes, How are you today....I have made some changes in the bios per your suggestion please take a look and tell me what you think.


Asus P5K Deluxe /Wifi AP Bios Settings
Bios 0812
JumperFree Configuration Settings
AI Overclock Tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio Setting : (0.80
FSB Strap to Northbridge (400)
FSB Frequency (400)
PCI-E Frequency (100)
DRAM Frequency (DDR-1066MHz)
Dram Command Rate: (2N)
DRAM Timings:-Manual
CAS# Latency: (5)
RAS# to CAS# Delay: (5)
RAS# Precharge: (5)
RAS# Activate to Precharge (15)
TRRD:Auto
TRFC: Auto
TWR: Auto
TWTR: Auto
TRTP:AUTO
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
Transaction Booster:Auto
Boost Level :
CPU Voltage: 1.375 V
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.50 V
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.30 V
DRAM Voltage: (2.00V)
NB Voltage:Auto
SB Voltage:Auto
Clock Overcharging Voltage: Auto
Load Line Calabration: Enabled
CPU GTL Voltage Reference: Auto
NB GTL Voltage Reference: Auto
CPU Spread Spectrum: Auto
CPU Configuration
CPU Ratio Setting : (0.80)
C1E Suppport: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit Disabled
Vanderpool Technology Disabled
CPU TM Function:Enabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
Intel® Speedstep: Disabled

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...reTemp-Scr.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...1tempscopy.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...empsOCcopy.jpg

I ran Prime95 for 7 hours & 53 minutes NO ERRORS

Idele Temp in Harware monitor and core temp are 40 40 40 40

3Dmark 2001 score : 37232

[Kelainefes]

Looking good! But what are your temps under load with Prime95? Remember that they will be at least 5-10C less when using Protools, so if you get around 70C (with Prime) buying a new cooler is not imperative although it is suggested.
Now, i'd try setting the NB and SB voltages manually, one at a time. The NB is what i'd start with, try 1.4 and increase if unstable or decrease if stable; i'd go with +-0.25 v steps at first, then go with one or two notches at a time if you really want to find the lowest possible voltage.
Once you are done with the NB, try to set the SB at stock (1.5v) and up it if you get instability issues.