Recommendations for e8400 overclock

I just did my first overclock and I wanted to make sure everything looked okay and stable. Here are my stats:

E8400
Gigabyte EP45-UD3L

CPU-Z INFO
Stepping: A
Revision : E0
Voltage: 1.168 V

Temps from real temp:
Idle: 41C 38C
Load : 57C 57C

Prime95 tested for load and stability

PCI-E Frequency set at 100mhz
FSB = 400 (400 x 9 = 3.6 ghz)
System memory multiplier : 2.66D
Ram rated at 1066, running at 1066

Core voltage that it had originally was set at "auto" and had 1.300 V
I set the voltage at 1.225V and ran the prime 95 tests

I ran prime 95 for about an hour, no problems so far and it seems fine. I also turned the stepping back on (which lowers the system multiplier when the cpu is not heavily used). Is there anything I should change? Any recommendations? Changes? Again this is my first one so I want to make sure those temps and settings are all ok. Thanks!!

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The load temps seem a little high but nothing to worry about. What is the VID that real temp tells you? I think your vcore might be a little low. 1 hour of prime 95 is definately not long enough to see if your cpu is stable. I would run Linx for about 25 passes to check to see if your voltages are enough and then run prime 95 blend test for 6-8 hours. Here are the links.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] tcount=341

Open it with this.
http://www.7-zip.org/

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Message edited by ragsters on 05-17-2009 at 03:12:57 AM

Reply to ragsters

Ok so I actually just updated my BIOS, which I didn't know took away all my settings back to standard. When I put all my info from above back in, the computer wouldn't book. I then added some Vcore, changing it to 1.250V and now it has booted. So I will run prime 95 again and see if it is stable. What is VID? I don't see it anywhere on the real temps app.

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Reply to rbk88

ragsters wrote :

The load temps seem a little high but nothing to worry about. What is the VID that real temp tells you? I think your vcore might be a little low. 1 hour of prime 95 is definately not long enough to see if your cpu is stable. I would run Linx for about 25 passes to check to see if your voltages are enough and then run prime 95 blend test for 6-8 hours. Here are the links.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] tcount=341

Open it with this.
http://www.7-zip.org/

It's possible in some instances to run an E8400 at 3.6 Ghz on stock voltages. His voltage isn't low IMO, though a thorough P95 test is the only way to prove this.

To the OP: Are you using the stock cooler or an aftermarket one? Your temps are OK right now, but pushing your overclock further will put your temperatures to the "safe" limit. The general opinion is that 65C is the E8400's safe temperature limit, but IMO, 60C is the temperature you do not want to exceed. Again, this is an opinion, not a fact.

Try lowering the voltage by small increments and run P95 for 12-24 hours to find the lowest voltage you can run your CPU without giving errors.
Other then that, there isn't much to say. Good luck, and have fun with your OC'ed chip!

Reply to g3force

"It's possible in some instances to run an E8400 at 3.6 Ghz on stock voltages. His voltage isn't low IMO, though a thorough P95 test is the only way to prove this".

How do you know what his stock voltages are? Auto gave him a voltage of 1.30V which is pretty high. This is the reason why I asked him what real temp shows as the VID for his cpu. Some processors have a higher VID so require a higher voltage for it to run stable at stock clocks. Also I have an e8400 E0 stepping with a VID of 1.3V and I have to set my voltage at 1.275V [cpuz reads 1.25 idle] to run it at 3.6Ghz.

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Message edited by ragsters on 05-17-2009 at 03:50:15 AM

Reply to ragsters

rbk88 wrote :

Ok so I actually just updated my BIOS, which I didn't know took away all my settings back to standard. When I put all my info from above back in, the computer wouldn't book. I then added some Vcore, changing it to 1.250V and now it has booted. So I will run prime 95 again and see if it is stable. What is VID? I don't see it anywhere on the real temps app.

Check VID under settings. It will give you a min. and max. The number you need is the max. Also, core temp will show it to you.

Message edited by ragsters on 05-17-2009 at 03:53:48 AM

Reply to ragsters

Yes I am using a stock cooler and I DO NOT plan to go above 3.6 ghz. So RIGHT NOW I am currently running prime 95 again. Like I mentioned in my 2nd post I changed the Corevoltage to 1.250V. It seems the absolute maximum my cpu temp has hit so far has been 59C but hovers at around 57C during the prime 95 test. Ragsters, the VID min is 1.1V and the max is 1.3V. I have no idea what those numbers mean.

Also, what is your opinion on the two stepping functions that I have enabled in the bios (the one where it lowers the multiplier when cpu is not in heavy use?). I beleive these are enabled by default.

Message edited by rbk88 on 05-17-2009 at 03:56:02 AM

Reply to rbk88

ragsters wrote :

"It's possible in some instances to run an E8400 at 3.6 Ghz on stock voltages. His voltage isn't low IMO, though a thorough P95 test is the only way to prove this".

How do you know what his stock voltages are? Auto gave him a voltage of 1.30V which is pretty high. This is the reason why I asked him what real temp shows as the VID for his cpu. Some processors have a higher VID so require a higher voltage for it to run stable at stock clocks. Also I have an e8400 E0 stepping with a VID of 1.3V and I have to set my voltage at 1.275V [cpuz reads 1.25 idle] to run it at 3.6Ghz.

I believe the stock voltage is 1.15 volts. That's what I'm referring to when I say "stock voltage", not the voltage to BIOS applies when set to auto. Considering he has the newer E0 stepping, it is possible, but not guaranteed, to run it at 3.6 GHZ on that voltage.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to g3force

g3force wrote :

I believe the stock voltage is 1.15 volts. That's what I'm referring to when I say "stock voltage", not the voltage to BIOS applies when set to auto. Considering he has the newer E0 stepping, it is possible, but not guaranteed, to run it at 3.6 GHZ on that voltage.

Well like I said in my 2nd post, I set the voltage to 1.225V after that bios update and my computer wouldn't boot, so I'm guessing it's not enough...running prime 95 now at 1.250 V.

CPU-Z is reporting core voltage at 1.200V

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by rbk88 on 05-17-2009 at 04:04:16 AM

Reply to rbk88

Don't listen to g3force. Everything he is saying is "I believe" with out having any links or proof to back it up. Where did you get 1.15V anyway that number is pretty random.

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Message edited by ragsters on 05-17-2009 at 04:05:37 AM

Reply to ragsters

rbk88 wrote :

Well like I said in my 2nd post, I set the voltage to 1.225V after that bios update and my computer wouldn't boot, so I'm guessing it's not enough...running prime 95 now at 1.250 V

Thats true, though I find it odd that it won't boot on the previous voltage with a BIOS revision. But as long as the temperature doesn't become notoriously high, this shouldn't be an issue.

Reply to g3force

ragsters wrote :

Don't listen to g3force. Everything he is saying is "I believe" with out having any links or proof to back it up. Where did you get 1.15V anyway that number is pretty random.

Don't flame... I can back up this with my own BIOS and P95 screens... That tone is uncalled for..

Reply to g3force

Both of you should read this link. It defines VID.
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=550751

Reply to ragsters

Hey guys take it easy, it's cool haha

So I'll run Prime95 for as long as I can and if I don't get any errors it should be good to go? If you were me, would you then start to slowly lower the voltages little by little and test again and again until prime fails?

It's also really wierd it seems the temps keep falling the longer I've run this prime95 test. It's at 53C now at full load

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Reply to rbk88

All I am saying is that every processor is different and that you can't tell someone that there cpu has a certain stock voltage when one could be different than another.

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Reply to ragsters

rbk88 wrote :

Hey guys take it easy, it's cool haha

So I'll run Prime95 for as long as I can and if I don't get any errors it should be good to go? If you were me, would you then start to slowly lower the voltages little by little and test again and again until prime fails?

It's also really wierd it seems the temps keep falling the longer I've run this prime95 test. It's at 53C now at full load

Ideally what you want to do is start at a low Voltage and raise it until it passes. Also make sure you have error checking enabled or prime 95 won't tell you if you have an error.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to ragsters

ragsters wrote :

Ideally what you want to do is start at a low Voltage and raise it until it passes. Also make sure you have error checking enabled or prime 95 won't tell you if you have an error.

Oh ok...I think I'll go change the voltage lower than and see if it boots. Sorry for being so new to this but where is error checking? I can't find that option

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Reply to rbk88

rbk88 wrote :

Oh ok...I think I'll go change the voltage lower than and see if it boots. Sorry for being so new to this but where is error checking? I can't find that option

Go to the advanced tab and then check/enable round off checking.

Reply to ragsters

thanks a lot. I will do that. Ok this is so wierd. Now I just set the Vcore to 1.200V and it booted just fine. So I'll try setting it even lower and running prime95.

Reply to rbk88

ragsters wrote :

All I am saying is that every processor is different and that you can't tell someone that there cpu has a certain stock voltage when one could be different than another.

I was trying to get that message across, but after reading my previous posts, it seems that I was pointing in a completely opposite direction :non: . My apologies for that, I should have re-read my messages thoroughly before posting (and when I'm more awake!) I will take this into consideration in future

Reply to g3force

Ok so after playing around with the voltages (computer would not boot), I think I settled on 1.1875V. Running prime 95 now.

Message edited by rbk88 on 05-17-2009 at 05:12:05 AM

Reply to rbk88

dude use intel burn test...much better than p95. 3.6 on that chip should be about 1.25-1.28v. atleast thats what it was on my e8500.

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Reply to eagles453809

eagles453809 wrote :

dude use intel burn test...much better than p95. 3.6 on that chip should be about 1.25-1.28v. atleast thats what it was on my e8500.

Dude, finally someone who knows what I am talking about. If I were you rbk88 I would listen to eagles453809 and I. He said exactly what I have been saying from the beginning.

Message edited by ragsters on 05-17-2009 at 07:26:08 PM

Reply to ragsters

So my voltage is at 1.200 V and it seems stable. I ran P95 for over 2 hours with no errors. I think I'll use this for now and hope nothing happens

I do have the C1E and Eist on....do you guys keep those on as well?

Reply to rbk88

Most people who overclock turn this off because the system seems to be more stable. This doesn't mean you have to. If you get an overclock you like stable with EIST on than great.

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Reply to ragsters

ragsters wrote :

Most people who overclock turn this off because the system seems to be more stable. This doesn't mean you have to. If you get an overclock you like stable with EIST on than great.

Thanks for all the info, appreciate it

Reply to rbk88

eagles453809 wrote :

3.6 on that chip should be about 1.25-1.28v. atleast thats what it was on my e8500.

Thank goodness all chips aren't created equally.

rbk88, Most people will bump up their vcore 1 or 2 notches once they find their lowest stable setting just as a little cushion, but it's completely up to you. Enjoy.

------------------------------ E8400 @ 4.165 Ghz @ 1.280v
8 GB's Kingston HyperX 1066
Modu 82+ 625w
VelociRaptor 150
Reply to RJR

The Thermal Spec for the E8400 E0 stepping cpu is 74.1°C.
Thermal Junction Max is even higher so you can run your CPU all day long at 70C and you would be fine.
Find the lowest cpu core voltage the cpu will run stable at your desired speed and that would be your best voltage setting. Every cpu is different so you have to do a lot of testing to see how it handles voltages and frequencies. It is always best to have some aftermarket cooling on the cpu if you decide to overclock. Even a $25 cooler would be much better then stock.

Reply to canyouread

Hey so I've been having problems with my overclock recently.

Like I've said before, the overclock seemed stable in prime testing for a couple of hours and once the computer actually turns on, i've had zero problems with the overclock.

The problem I have is occasionally, the computer will not boot. Happens maybe once every two days (and strangely, only at night) where I will press the button to turn on my computer and I hear it come on and fans start up then it will suddenly all shut off. Then the computer will consistently try to boot again and shut off again until I hold the power button until it shuts off completely. I've solved this problem by taking out a stick of RAM and pressing power button, and that would allow the computer to boot. Recently (just know) I took out the stick of RAM and it wouldn't boot still so I turned off all the power and let it sit for 20 min and now i'm back on again. Again, this only happens occasionally but it is getting kind of annoying.

I upped my Vcore a little bit to 1.206 and I also set my RAM voltage to 2.08 ( RAM is rated at 2.1, which is considered a "Dangerous" overclock according to my Gigabyte mobo so I set it right under that at 2.08V).

Anyone have any ideas on what is going on? I first thought maybe it was the RAM because it was rated at 2.1 but I didn't touch the voltage from 1.8V, but even after increasing it close tot he rated values it is still having problems. Any ideas I would appreciate it. Also, should I get an aftermarket CPU cooler? Does my temps seem high? There's a deal for the Zigmatek HDT Dark Knight for 35....

Reply to rbk88

Try running your ram with timings of 5-5-5-15 at 1.8V. Can I have a link to your ram?

Reply to ragsters

I had my timings at 1.8V initially then I changed it to 2.08V. At 1.8V it also had issues so it didn't help either way. Here's my RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145215

Reply to rbk88

Try running your ram at 1.8v but at 800Mhz with timings of 5-5-5-15.

Reply to ragsters

Your ram requires 2.1v to run at 1066 as per the manufacturer. Change your memory strap to 2.0D or B and lower your ram voltage to 1.9-2.0v and see if the problem continues. If it stops, you know it was the ram. If it continues doing the same thing increase your vcore to 1.25-1.3v and see if that helps. You can safely go to 1.3625v as per Intels specs. Once you find out why you are having problems then worry about lowering voltages. THEN rum prime95 BLEND for 24 hours.

And YES the Dark Knight is a good cooler and would be highly recommended.

------------------------------ E8400 @ 4.165 Ghz @ 1.280v
8 GB's Kingston HyperX 1066
Modu 82+ 625w
VelociRaptor 150
Reply to RJR

Ok I think it's the RAM that is causing the strange boot up issues.

What I did was I tried setting the strap to 2.40B (which lowered my speed to 960Mhz) and I lowered my voltage to 2.0V and the system would not boot. So I simply set the voltage to 2.1V and 2.66D again so it would run at 1066Mhz and I'll try it out and see if the problem crops up.

Also, I noticed that 2.66D and 2.66C gave the same 1066Mhz speed, what's the difference? Should I try 2.66C? It's just really strange that 2.40B would not boot at 2.0V when I was running the ram at 2.66D at 1.8V for a while....

Reply to rbk88

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