Gigabyte GA X38 DQ6 Blog

[Zenoth]

supershanks, I would like to know, in your opinion, up to what point of (or how much of) extra voltage would be "safe" for the (G) MCH OverVoltage Control? Is the only risk over-heating? Or is too much voltage for that one in particular just too risky, even if it's not over-heating?

Thanks!

[supershanks]

Hi Zenoth
I don't think you have much to worry about , Nvida Chipsets for example have always run with high temperatures & voltages. X38 is catching up a bit
Whilst not Gigabyte based but as an exampole of a similar designed board with same chipset, the Asus P5E3 has colour ratings in bios re voltage:-

Base Voltage 1.25v

Blue
1.25~1.41v overvolt = 0.16v
Yellow
1.43v~1.55v overvolt = 0.18~0.30v
Purple
1.57v~173v overvolt = 0.32~0.48v
Red
1.75~1.91v overvolt = 0.50~0.66v

I think Asus suggest using better active/additional cooling >= 1.75v

Given that the DQ6 overvoltage is 0.025V to 0.375V & NB Cooling is pretty similar I wouldn't worry

luck

[Zenoth]

Thanks a lot supershanks

So, right now it is set at +0.200, which corresponds to the "Yellow" margin in the ASUS board, right? I'm asking because I might have spotted a potential instability issue, but I'm still investigating. I was wondering then if I increased it to +0.250 or more if it'd just damage the north-bridge permanently.

[supershanks]

I'd think you'll be fine up to say 0.3 , maybe think of putting a fan blowing on the heatsink above that. That's been very safe i think
There's less chance of killing the chip through over volting, more chance on increasing instability through extra heat so the fan helps.

luck

[X-Kenshin-X]

ok, tried +3% only on GTLF1, and there was no difference, and btw, GTRL2 has only negative setings... so that's confusing.

neways i think i'm going to lower the voltages on the north bridge and so on... see if it boots, cuz i think leaving it at .35 is too high >_>

[supershanks]

GTRL2 has only negative setings.

yes I know see Overview

GTL Ref Are Hidden features only accessed by using the CTRL] + [F1] keys from the main menu. Unlike the boards mentioned above options are limited
CPU GTLRef1
CPU GTLRef2

links.

As I said earlier they did nothing for me , doesn't mean it won't work elsewhere.

[X-Kenshin-X]

well right now i have my system up to 1.5v vid, and +3% GTLref and still can't run prime for more than a few min.

neways i see in that screenie u have cpu and mch clock skew control set at 200ps, would that setting help my overclock or what??

[supershanks]

i see in that screenie u have cpu and mch clock skew control set at 200ps, would that setting help my overclock or what??

sorry what screenie ??

[rhansme]

A new "Official" bios is now available from Gigabyte. F8 Memory improvements are what this new bios is about. I have not flashed as F7 works great for me on my GA-X38-DQ6.

[Clunk]

Thanks, and welcome to the forums