Gigabyte GA X38 DQ6 Blog

[Marcus]

[quote]
We mentioned that before by upping some of the other voltages as i suggested in earlier posts . pci-e over voltage control , I always ran on 0.35v , upping FSB 0.20v is good, (G) Mch to around 0.175~0.200v Means you can get away with lowering CPU voltage.
[quote]

I already tried that with no luck. 3.4G is great...it is 1GHz over spec :-)

I hit a wall over that ! That cpu is volt hangry....I'm wondering if they did diff. version of G0 stepping.

I getting hyperX replacement next week I will see if it makes a difference

[supershanks]

If you open core temp you will see the vid of your cpu mine is 1.2625v
The higher your vid the more vcore yo'll need in overclocking.

I'm just trying to say that a successful CPU overclock is dependent not solely on cpu voltage but on a matrrix of voltages :-
Vcore of course
but also
pci-e over voltage control
FSB over voltage control
(G) Mch over voltage control

By increasing some of the other values it is possible to give addedd stability & run with a lower vcore.

However it's not an exact science as everyone's components are different . We have posted biios settings that are prime stable for us. That provides a starting point only. It's not often you can just drop the settings in & have the identical result.

If your happy with with your clock that''s great , there is probably room to go further , but it will take a bit of exploring to get there

luck

[lokeey]

well, looks like i have a successful overclock at 3.0GHz (with all the last settings i posted). i was able to run a stress test (blend) about just shy of 12 hours without any errors or bsod and my temps never went over 59C.

is 3.2GHz next?

[LongRifle]

hey guys, i'm having trouble with my current overclock...i cant get my crucial ballistix pc 8500 timings lower then 5-7-7-24-2t. i just want a mild oc on my q6600 and am not really wanting to deal with the extra heat, stress and hassled to get my fsb:dram at 1:1 and don't really want to have to lower my multi.(have read articles where it decreases performance)

supershanks i have tried to the following to get tighter timings based off your stable 9x400 settings but when i save and reboot it wont let it boot, then resets everything in bios to auto:
i have manually tried to change dram timings, even just tried to add in 5-5-5-15 and leave rest as auto. bumped ddr2 overvoltage to +.40 and cpu/pciex clock 1000mv.
the only thing i didnt do is raise my vcore, since im stable at 1.318 up to 3195 mhz, (came all the way down from 1.4 vcore in the beginning of my oc to get to 2997 mhz).

is the 5-7-7-24 really that bad? is this important or is my performance suffering? seems that other people are having issues with this mb and ram, one person actually recommends 5-7-7-24!?!! over on xtremesystems.org, would post link but i cant until i have 5 posts


any help would be greatly appreciated



[b]MB Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)
Robust Graphics Booster:----AUTO
CPU Clock Ratio:----9
CPU Host Clock Control:----ENABLED
CPU Host Frequency(Mhz) :----333 (currently at 355)
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) :----100
C.I.A.2:----DISABLED
Performance Enhance :---STANDARD
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)--3.20B (currently at 3.0A)
Memory Frequency(Mhz):---1066 1065
DRAM Timing Selectable :----AUTO
Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time: :
DRAM RAS# to CAS# :
DRAM RAS# Precharge :
Precharge Delay(tRAS) :
Advanced Timing Control
ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD) :
Rank Write to READ Delay :
Write To Precharge Delay :
Refresh to ACT Delay :
Read To Precharge Delay :
tRD :
tRD Phase Adjustment :
Command to #CS Timing: :
Clock Driving and Skew Control
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control :
CPU Clock Skew Control : Normal
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control : Normal
System Voltage Control
DDR2 OverVoltage Control :NORAMAL
PCI-E OverVoltage Control : +.15
FSB OverVoltage Control : +.15
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control : +.15
MCH Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Termination Voltage Control : Normal
CPU GTLREF1 Voltage* :
CPU GTLREF2 Voltage* :
CPU Voltage Control :---1.318
Normal CPU Vcore :---1.312

Advanced Bios Features
CPU Multi-Threading---ENABLED
Limit CPUID Max to 3---DISABLED
No-Execute Memory Protect---ENABLED
CPU Enhanced Halt(CIE)---DISABLED
CPU Thermal Monitor 2--DISABLED
CPU EIST Function--DISABLED
Virtuaalization Technology


CPU-Z Database (ID : 288344)
Submitted by LongRifle
Submitted on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:33:40 +0100 with CPU-Z 1.42

CPU : Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (*1)
CPU Arch : 4 Cores - 4 Threads
CPU PSN : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
CPU EXT : MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 EM64T
CPU Cache : L1 : 4 x 32/4 x 32 KB - L2 : 2 x 4096 KB
Core : Kentsfield (65 nm) / Revision : G0
CPUID : 6.F.B / Extended : 6.F
Freq : 2997.24 MHz (333.03 * 9)
----------------------------------
MB Brand : Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd.
MB Model : X38-DQ6
NB : Intel X38 rev 01
SB : Intel 82801IR (ICH9R) rev 02
----------------------------------
RAM Size : 2048 MB
RAM Freq : 532.8 MHz
RAM Type : DDR2-SDRAM Dual Channel
RAM Ratio : 5:8
RAM Timings : 5-7-7-24
----------------------------------
Slot 1 : 1024MB (PC2-6400)
Slot 1 Manufacturer : Crucial Technology
Slot 2 : 1024MB (PC2-6400)
Slot 2 Manufacturer : Crucial Technology


CPU-Z Database (ID : 303413)
Submitted by LongRifle
Submitted on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:33:51 +0100 with CPU-Z 1.43

CPU : Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (*1)
CPU Arch : 4 Cores - 4 Threads
CPU PSN : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
CPU EXT : MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 EM64T
CPU Cache : L1 : 4 x 32/4 x 32 KB - L2 : 2 x 4096 KB
Core : Kentsfield (65 nm) / Revision : G0
CPUID : 6.F.B / Extended : 6.F
Freq : 3195.42 MHz (355.05 * 9)
----------------------------------
MB Brand : Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd.
MB Model : X38-DQ6
NB : Intel X38 rev 01
SB : Intel 82801IR (ICH9R) rev 02
----------------------------------
RAM Size : 2048 MB
RAM Freq : 532.6 MHz
RAM Type : DDR2-SDRAM Dual Channel
RAM Ratio : 2:3
RAM Timings : 5-7-7-24
----------------------------------
Slot 1 : 1024MB (PC2-6400)
Slot 1 Manufacturer : Crucial Technology
Slot 2 : 1024MB (PC2-6400)
Slot 2 Manufacturer : Crucial Technology

[supershanks]

Try these including testing the options suggested.

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time: : 5
DRAM RAS# to CAS# : 5
DRAM RAS# Precharge : 5
Precharge Delay(tRAS) : 10 mine run fine at 10 try 11~12 if still unstable
Advanced Timing Control 
ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD) : 4
Rank Write to READ Delay :4
Write To Precharge Delay :8
Refresh to ACT Delay : 30
Read To Precharge Delay : 4
tRD :7
tRD Phase Adjustment : auto
Command to #CS Timing: :2T
Clock Driving and Skew Control
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control : 1000
CPU Clock Skew Control : Normal
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control : Normal
System Voltage Control
DDR2 OverVoltage Control : 0.40v
PCI-E OverVoltage Control : 0.35v
FSB OverVoltage Control : 0.20v
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control : 0.175 try 0.200v if unstable

Running at a higher fsb 400 for example means that running at or near 1067mhz requires a lower strap. i.e 400x2.66= 2.66 than running at 333FSB and 3.20 strap as you are.. Now sadly all straps aren't created equal. Some are more stable than others to be honest I don't think I've used the 3.20 strap. The higher the strap genarally. the more stress on the north bridge so to help counter this it's worth trying a higher (G)MCH OverVoltage Control. In connection with this it might be worth trying reducing the strap & memory speed , to check if it's stable there. 333x2.66 = 886Mhz

you should be able to run 886Mhz at lower timings try:-

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time: : 4
DRAM RAS# to CAS# : 4
DRAM RAS# Precharge : 4
Precharge Delay(tRAS) : 12 
Advanced Timing Control 
ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD) : 3
Rank Write to READ Delay :3
Write To Precharge Delay :8
Refresh to ACT Delay : 35
Read To Precharge Delay : 3
tRD :6 or 7 if unstable
tRD Phase Adjustment : auto
Command to #CS Timing: :2T

Leave the voltages as table 1.

If you get stability on 2.66 then it may be the 3.2 strap & increasing you fsb would be the better way to increase your memory speed.

luck

[LongRifle]

thx supershanks, will test later when i have sometime

[lokeey]

does upping the PCI-E OverVoltage Control help your video? or is this just bus speed on the slot itself?

[pengful]

Hi supershanks, thanks for all valuable information posted on this thread and I have tried some mild overclocking on my own. The last time I did overclocking was those Abit NF7/ AMD Athlon days.....

Right now, I am running 3.0 Ghz stable on almost all default settings in the Bios. I have tested using the setup using the following:
1) Rams with Memtest86 3.4a and Windows Memory Diagnostics and passed all tests. Apparently, the "Auto" settings for my rams turned out to be 5-7-7-24 at stock Vdimm at 1.89v.
2) OCCT completed 30 mins of stress testing and declared stable.
3) Stability test in Everest and showed no failures whatsoever.
4) Load temps never exceeded 56 deg c and idle temps are around 41 deg c.

CPU: Quad core Q6600 GO stepping
CPU Cooler: OCZ Vendetta
Ram: 2x 1 Gb Kingston HyperX DDR2-1066
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X38-DS5 - Bios version F5
Graphics: Leadtek PX8800GT 512 Mb
Graphics Cooler: Zalman VF-700CU
Sound: Creative Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
HDD: Seagate 250 Gb
PSU: Coolermaster Real Power M620W

Advanced Bios Features
HDD SMART Capability: Disabled
Limit CPUID Max to 3: Disabled
No-Execute Memory Protect: Disabled
CPU Enhanced Halt(CIE): Disabled
CPU Thermal Monitor 2: Enabled
CPU EIST Function: Disabled
Virtualization Technology: Disabled

MB Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)
Robust Graphics Booster: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio: 9x
CPU Host Clock Control: Enabled
CPU Host Frequency(Mhz): 333
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz): Auto
C.I.A.2: Disabled
Performance Enhance: Turbo
System Memory Multiplier (SPD): 3.20B
Memory Frequency(Mhz): 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable: Auto
***Standard Timing Control***
CAS Latency Time: Auto
DRAM RAS# to CAS#: Auto
DRAM RAS# Precharge: Auto
Precharge Delay(tRAS): Auto
***Advanced Timing Control***
ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD): Auto
Rank Write to READ Delay: Auto
Write To Precharge Delay: Auto
Refresh to ACT Delay: Auto
Read To Precharge Delay: Auto
tRD: Auto
tRD Phase Adjustment: Auto
Command Rate: Auto
***Clock Driving and Skew Control***
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control: 800mv
CPU Clock Skew Control: Normal
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control: Normal
System Voltage Control: Normal
DDR2 OverVoltage Control: Norma
PCI-E OverVoltage Control: Normal
FSB OverVoltage Control: Normal
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control: Normal
MCH Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Termination Voltage Control : Normal
CPU GTLREF1 Voltage: Normal
CPU GTLREF2 Voltage: Normal
Loadline Calibration: Auto
CPU Voltage Control: Normal
Normal CPU Vcore: 1.27500v

I am puzzled why I was able to achieve stability at 9x333 at default settings. Any idea why this happened?

[supershanks]

Originally Posted by lokeey

does upping the PCI-E OverVoltage Control help your video? or is this just bus speed on the slot itself?

Not particularly but i have seen people say running with a high value has allowed cpu voltage to be dropped a bit. I generally ran it at +0.35v

hi pengful,
welcome to the forum

=pengfulI am puzzled why I was able to achieve stability at 9x333 at default settings. Any idea why this happened?

I wouldn't be too puzzled , enjoy it

[capitolray]

Supershanks,

I've recently got my rig together with the ga-x38-dq6, E6850 and 2GB of Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-8500 and I'm just starting to overclock. Have 2 more GB to add right here on my desk.

I used a Silverstone TJ07 case and added two pa120.2's and two complete water loops, one to the cpu and the other to an Nvidia 8800GTX.

I've read this thread from the beginning and have printed out your stable settings.

As you can see, I've got the same memory as you started with.

Which profile of your do you suggest I start playing with? My target would be like 3.8GHz on the e6850. There is lots of cooling with the air and water.

I'm at 9x333 setting now with 5-5-5-15 settings and it doesnt handle testing too well (Prime95) as the voltages are still stock. This evening I will be downloading the remaining utilities that are recommended that I don't alread have. I dual boot off 300GB RAID 0 and have xp 32 and vista 32.

I'm just using the turbo performance enhance and I havent turned off CIA2 yet, but will real soon.

Thanks