Overclocking E8400 - non-expert

[macclesfieldman]

Hi guys!

Im having the following system:
E8400@4Ghz
Asus P5Q SE Plus mobo
2x2GB XMS2 Corsair PC6400 800
Zalman 9500A cooler

Im currently running the following overclocking config:

FSB 445
CPU 1.3625V
Mem: 5 5 5 5 18
Temp: 58-65C under Prime95 (real Temp)

Two questions:
1. Is this all considered to be safe and not reducing the lifetime of the processor?

2. Is there anything i could improve for both memory and voltage?

Your help would be much appreciated!

Cheers,
Marc

 

[ryanb213]

im not sure you need 1.36 volts to get 4ghz as i have the p5q pro and i had my e8400 @4ghz with around 1.3ish, itll cool your cpu down i little.

1.your cpu is fine as lon as you dont exceed 1.4 volts and around 70c

2.answered above, your memory timings are fine

 

[hundredislandsboy]

I have an 8400 and P5Q SE PLUS also but I use 1066 Mhz G. Skill for more stability when hitting 8 X 500 fsb at 1.375 vcore.
65 C under full load isn't bad at all. It's high temps during idle that would be more of a concern.

On regular settings, I keep the e8400 at 8 X 400 for "only 3.2 GHz" at between 1.12 and 1.17 vcore as EIST works to keep my CPU cool. My Artic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 does a good job to keep both cores below 56, 57 C after an hour of Prime 95.

Voltage and heat are the two most important factors to the CPU's longevity. Most overclockers don't keep their CPU on the top edge of the limits but only puish the max for benchmark scores and go back t safe level afterwards. Unless of course you're a true power user and you need all of 3.6 GHz or 4.0 GHz (video editing, 3D rendering) but if so, you'd probably have a quad core.

If your going to stay full time at 450 fsb, try faster memory and EIST, and try lower volatges but then again check your VID (mine is 1.225) and if yours is higher than average maybe your CPU can't overclock on lower voltages. If you think your cooler can work better, disable the CPU Q-fan control forcing your fan to run at max speed.

 

[shabaa]

My 2 cents is that higher voltages are the killers of the cpu. Your cpu voltages are a little high for the clock that you are running IMO. I have the same processor and I'm running it @467 X 9 for 4.2Ghz on 1.28V acording to CPUz. Temps are kept well under 45C under full load of prime 95 for a 4 hr period due to my custom hybrid water/pelt cooling system. Although every chip is different you should be able to attain a stable 4GHz on 1.25V......

 

[macclesfieldman]

Hi guys,

thanks for the prompt responses. I found 1.35 also fairly high. I will now try 1.25 and then I should be always at or below 60.

I dont think idle temperatures are relevant. I read that some processor sensors stay at certain temps and dont go down to something you expect.

Cheers,
Macc

 

[macclesfieldman]

Hi guys,

thanks for the prompt responses. I found 1.35 also fairly high. I will now try 1.25 and then I should be always at or below 60.

I dont think idle temperatures are relevant. I read that some processor sensors stay at certain temps and dont go down to something you expect.

Cheers,
Macc

 

[macclesfieldman]

Hi,

well 1.25 was too low but 1.28 seems to be stable. Having said that, I got a bit confused.

1.28Vis now set in the BIOS. CPU-Z however, says it is at 1.216V
Is that a different thing or what?

Sorry, if Im asking silly questions...

Cheers,
Marc

 

[shabaa]

The E8400 processors had issues with "sticking " temp diodes ... as far as the voltage differences it is nothing to worry about at that specific level of voltage... as the only true way to measure the voltage is with a DVOM at the proper point. the bios and cpuz are both "software" reads and have some innaccuracies plus the vdroop factor. If you system is "stable" for what you want to do with the system at the current voltage then leave it there. ... if not... bump it up 1 tick at a time till it is.... hopefully it should be running cooler....