First time Overclocking AMD Phenom II 965 Proccessor

[madmilkyway]

Hi, here are my specs:
CPU: AMD Phenom II 965 x4 3.4Ghz stock
Motherboard: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO
RAM: 4x2GB Crucial DDR3-1333Mhz (667Mhz)
VGA: CrossfireX 2x ATI Radeon 5870 1GB GDDR5
PSU Arctic PRO 950 watt PSU
CPU Cooler: Domino CoolIt Advanced liquid cooler (average around 30 celcius)

I want to overclock my CPU from 3.4Ghz to 3.8Ghz. All settings in BIOS are currently on AUTO and I have some values that I want to start by entering but I thought it would be good to run it by some experts before I break anything.

Ai Overclock Tuner: Auto>Manual
(FSB is at 200)

CPU Ratio: Auto> x19

CPU/NB Frequency: Auto>x12

CPU Voltage: Auto(1.384)>1.4

CPU/NB Voltage: Auto>1.25

CPU VDDA Voltage: Auto>Auto

HT Connector info (I'm clueless here)

HT Link Speed Auto (should this be set to 2000, since it is that already)

HT Link Width Auto

HT Voltage Auto

DRAM Frequency Auto>Auto (667Mhz)

DDR3 Memory Profile disabled

DRam Voltage Auto>?

[Timings recorded from Motherboard and CPUZ:
Motherboard timings:
DRAM 1st information 9-9-9-24-5-33-10-4
DRAM 2nd information 8-2-5-4-2-110-110
CPU-Z timings:
9-9-9-24-33 2T
3:10 FSB/DRAM
I am not sure whats wrong or right and not sure how to change it exactly]

NB Voltage: Auto(1.1)>Auto

NB 1.8V Voltage: Auto>Auto

SB Voltage: Auto>Auto

 

[vjtrek]

increase cpu clock ratio by 1 point (thats the extra 200mhz) and the fsb by 20 points (thats another extra 200mhz for the cpu and some extra mhz for the ram). increase cpu voltage by +0,25 and dram voltage by +0,25 as well. keep the ht link around 1,8ghz. check with a benchmark for stability and if everything is stable change the dram timmings to cl7 instead of cl9 stock. you might need to increase the sb and nb voltage a little bit if needed but with small steps at a time
If you care for my opinion, the 965 is a sweet,sweet cpu and it can handle more than fine your dual 5870's at stock settings. For a more detailed o.c guide, browse through the net. there must be hundreds of them. But keep in mind that you have to take small steps every time and check for stability between steps. cheers

 

[madmilkyway]

Yeah I overclocked it to 3.8Ghz before u said this and it ran stable, I had everything mostly set to auto but I had just changed the multiplier to x19. My core voltage was 1.47 and my temps were reading 48 on idle. At the moment I have it back runing at 3.4Ghz becuase my idle temps atm are 45 celcius which doesnt make sense since im using a liquid cooler. I Couldn't run 3.8Ghz at anything lower than 1.45 for some reason

 

[vjtrek]

try to turn on the cool n' guite function through amd overdrive. this way your cpu will run much cooler during internet browsing or films (less than 1ghz) and turn it off during games when you need the full 3,4 ghz power.

 

[madmilkyway]

try to turn on the cool n' guite function through amd overdrive. this way your cpu will run much cooler during internet browsing or films (less than 1ghz) and turn it off during games when you need the full 3,8 ghz power. anyway, 45 c is not that terrible at idle even for liguid cooled cpu

I keep hearing people getting 38 celcius as core temp. I made a new topic in CPU's http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/288331-10-phenom-heat-problem with a pic

 

[4Ryan6]

I keep hearing people getting 38 celcius as core temp. I made a new topic in CPU's http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/288331-10-phenom-heat-problem with a pic

Regarding the link to your other thread, a closed loop CPU cooling solution like the Domino, sometimes performs way less than an air cooling solution like the Cooler Master Hyper 212+, my idle temps are 31c, also your case is severely cramped up, your airflow through it cannot be good.

That HDD carriage is blocking your front intake fans airflow, it's no wonder you've had component failures, your case airflow is literally a turbulent mess.

If you can get cooler you can get further, I'd personally make it a priority to get rid of that Domino cooler!

 

[JofaMang]

Also important to note is that an air cooler is reliant upon your case being very well ventilated.

 

[madmilkyway]

I'm gonna 3 more fans to see if it makes a difference then if that doesnt help I'll change the CPU cooler. Also is 1.47-151v too high at 3.8Ghz. Doesnt seem to be stable at anything lower. I understand lowering voltage lowers temps.

 

[JofaMang]

Yes, it does seem too high. I have mine stable at 3.8ghz daily with 1.41v.