I am attempting to overclock a new CAD workstation that I built for work. I am new to overclocking, but am wanting to get the most out of this system (safely). I have read a lot of stuff online about how this core can reach 4.2 Ghz and all that jazz, but when attempting to OC with the settings they had, I had some system unstability. I am not looking to get the highest clock speed, just enhance the workstation to run faster (but staying reasonable). I guess my first question is the FSB speeds. In BIOS it is displayed at 133 Mhz (which I know, is stock for this core), but My memory modules are Corsair DDR3 - 1600 Mhz - a FSB of 200 mhz. Originally I bumped that up to 200 and backed to CPU multiplyer down to 18 (using a Core CPU voltage of 1.25v - well below the 1.7 that i have seen people running these cores at). I was then running at 3.8 Ghz - but reached some nasty temps (about 70C) when running a stress test. Also worth noting that I am using an Aftermarket Cooler with artic silver. Also, at stock settings the CPU temp is about 45 C (idle) - seems a bit high to me, but I have heard this core runs a little hot.
What is the best way to safely OC this core (I know OCing always induces a certian threat to burning up your core - I say safely in a relative fashion). Should I only slightly increase the FSB, to like 135 Mhz - and then add to the multiplyer to get my speed up? Any suggestions?
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I am aware of the consequenses of overclocking - hence the reason I normally don't do it. I am here more seeking information on recommendatios as to settings for safely overclocking the i7 965 core.
I guess, would it be beneficial to run a higher FSB, but lower multiplyer? does this stress the core more (even if the core speed is stock (3.2 Ghz))? I ask this because that would allow for more memory bandwidth wouldn't it?
All things being equal, a faster FSB usually means higher performance, because the memory access was done using the FSB by the Northbridge chipset. However, with the Nehalem, the FSB is bypassed and something called the Quick Path Interconnect is used, and it also has an integrated memory controller. Overclocking will be difficult to figure out because Nehalem has a setting for thermal envelope which is affected by the quality of heatsink you have: http://www.tgdaily.com/con
"What is the best way to safely OC this core" realistically there is no "safe" way to overclock. Even the tiniest overclock affects the lifespan of the CPU. Also if you overclock your CPU more than 1% (this is an industry standard for both Intel and AMD) you void your CPU warrenty and thus if it fails... you are out the full cost.
As PCBONEZ said if it is a production system don't overclock. If you want to overclock it, and NEED to overclock it for some reason I recommend a hybrid idea. Buy a low end system, go to xoxide.com (for in depth guides and how-tos) and get a beginner water cooling system and break that puppy. After you are 100% comfortable with tearing up the crap system, go on to test, with small increases) the i7.
KrazyRhino,
I realize there is not 100% safe way to O.C. - hence the reason i have stated many times that I am aware that there are risks when you O.C. However, there are many people that O.C. systems and these systems last just as long as a regular clocked processor.
I guess getting a straight up solution here is going to be like pulling teeth. I realize there are risks, I am not here to discuss the risks, but the solution for O.C.ing the i7 to a point where it is resonable - not an extreme water cooled system that is maxed out and on the verge of burning up.
Here is a detailed description of how to overclock the Nehalem: http://www.cyb3rglitch.com
I was offering a way to make it safe.
The test system is a valuable tool to any computer techician. The watercooling idea was to lower the time requirement for testing. While you CAN overclock with air cooling (mostly with after market CPU fans) you get the most consistant results with a simple water cooled solution. It ends up being more reliable (aka more safe, which is what you were asking) and is a good tool.
I made my simple not confrontational comment about the risk, that is just the way a good technician is, they explain a bit then move on (which I did and continue to do), no need to get up in arms about it.
For less than the cost of a replacement i7 you can buy a cheap mid tower system (less than 300 bucks even from best buy) then overclock it, see the pains/trials, then move that experience to your live system. Again this is to increase the safety of your i7 system. ANY good technician would "test" a new idea on a test system rather than a production machine. Any technician that doesn't should look for other lines of work as they are risking their company's health.
So, summing it up. Get a test system, practice, apply to real system.
Safety factor 100%.
Trial and error on production server...
Safety factor less than 50%.
If you need more of a "these are the exact steps for the most safe procedure" that may be pulling teeth. If you you want a REAL answer about safety maybe you should look beyond what your preconceived notions are and really read the answers.
Krazy,
No need to take what I said to heart. I was not attacking you. I simply asked a question - and am looking for an answer to that question, not beating around the bush about the risks and why I should not do it - expecially when I explicitly say that I am aware of the risks. I apologize if you took my comment to heart, but I get frustrated when the past couple questions I have asked on this forum simply leave me with no direct answer, just some general talk about the subject - most of which I already know.
You speak of a "good technition" - and I agree with you. I have O.C. ed before, and I have tested before - but never on the i7 Core. Seeing that the Nehalem core is quite new, I was simply asking for guidance and possibly a suggestion from someone that HAS done this testing on an i7 core - inturn reducing my testing time and maybe preventing me from making costly mistakes. Expecially because a "good technition" knows that every core is different and reacts differently to O.C.ing.
I don't really know what to say about your last comment - as it is totally off subject, so I will just disreguard it.
Callandor,
Thanks for the link - I will check it out.....
To get more precise insight into your system's health, you'll want to install your mobo maker's system monitoring application, which is usually included on your motherboard's driver CD.
See:
http://techreport.com/arti
see:
Do you have to increase the voltage?
http://www.xbitlabs.com/ar
More info.:
http://www.techwarelabs.co
http://www.extremetech.com
http://www.neoseeker.com/A
http://www.tomshardware.co
First off, as you asked, increasing the FSB(or QPI for Nehalem) will provide you the best performance, but thats always harder for the Mobo and rest of the system to keep up if its too high, and may cause instability. Also every chip has its own limit, so dont just bump the FSB because you see people on XS and other forums have achieved similar FSB's. You need to test yours by bumping the FSB in small margins, stress test it in Windows and then go back to bumping up the FSB or volts as necessary.
Also if you need specific settings and volts, do mention the board you are using without which it will not be possible to suggest the settings.....
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by: PCBONEZPosted on 2009-03-21 at 23:51:54ID: 23950552
Well, first, I recommend that if your income depends on this machine that you leave it at stock settings and get another machine for a toy.
What you can do to overclock depends to a large degree on what your motherboard's BIOS allows you to change.
133MHz -> 200MHz in one step is HUGE!!! .
Things should be done in tiny steps, not great leaps. [ 1-5 MHz, 0.05 volts]
I would not take things anywhere near as far as what gets posted on the web.
Those people are extremists and to them their machines are just toys.
Nothing wrong with having a PC for a toy but you have to be willing to write off the whole thing.
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