24/7 OC vs benchmarkingPost Date: 2011-01-14 |
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breadCrumb
Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 28 |
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Topic: 24/7 OC vs benchmarking Posted: 14 Jan 2011 at 4:30am |
More questions sorry. I was wondering whats more important to focus on for a 24/7 overclock verses one just for benchmark scores. Tighter Ram timings vs frequencies, faster overall processor speed over RAM? Right now I have my 960 at 4.4 with the RAM at 1700 something and timings at 8-8-7-21-1t, which is tighter than the 9-9-9-24-2t its rated at. In order to achieve this tho I had to rock the vcore to 1.45, 1.425 QPI and 1.68 on the DRAM with LLC enabled. After 10 passes of IBT the hottest core got to 80c and the over all processor is at 70c. So far on prime95 its been stable for a few hours and all four sitting around mid to upper 70s. I know overclocking is by its own nature a risk, but I'd like to find a good middle ground for a strong 24/7 OC and still feel relatively confidant that the CPU isn't gonna die on me in a few months. So I could reduce the ram ratio and drop a lot of the VTT voltage and keep the processor speed up, or just drop the processor multiplier and lower voltages across the board and see if I could push the RAM further? I guess also I could leave it as is? What has worked best for you guys for everyday use? What (although I know at this point it will be very little) would make the most obvious performance impact? And what should I not do if I want my CPU to still be with me in the near future?
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DST4ME
DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jan 2011 at 4:39am |
LOL I'm tired so forgive me if I missed something, I'll keep it short.
vcore is what will kill your cpu, most times, at 1.45 your are ok but lower the better on the vcore, you want a high oc with low vcore, justin is really good at this, his vcores are pretty low comparing to what I have seen, I have not had time to play with the x58 yet, and the way it looks by the time I do, it won't matter lol. when benchmarking you try to push everything to the max possible, but that is for a short time not long term, 24/7 use you wants something with good temp and vcore. keep vcore under 1.45 and your cpu will be around for a while, the lower from 1.45 the better. |
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justin.kerr
DS Veteran Joined: 06 May 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5084 |
Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jan 2011 at 9:59am |
For benchmarking, RAM, well it is a mixed bag. basics, you want your QPI link as high as you can, 3800Mhz would be the minimum.
Uncore, same, high as you can get it, each motherboard, and CPU, and also the skills of the overclclocker will vary, but a minimum of 4000Mhz, 5000+ is good..
Higher RAM speed is preferred for Intel CPU's in most benchmarks, but, the IMC on the CPU will vary greatly from CPU to CPU, some will only do 2000Mhz, some will do 2800Mhz..
Timings wise, the first few settings of course help, but you need to set all the settings, this will take a while, especially for the first time. lol different types of RAM MC's will need different combinations of timings to achieve good results.
running programs like Superpi, Wprime, AIDA Extreme, ect will help track your progress in getting better memory performance.
Voltage wise, if you have a i7 920, 930, 950 all the voltages need to be manually adjusted, and this again, will take a while to get the hang of.
V core on these for benching only, assuming the temps are bellow 80C, I would not go over V core 1.475 or so, VTT not over 1.475 either. 24/7 I would not go over 1.4V for either one. RAM voltage 1.75-1.85 is about max I would recommend for benching. as for other voltages, it depends a lot on how many GPU(s) you have. These values are on the safe side, of really pushing it, but unless your prepared to buy a few CPU's and a motherboard or two, don't get greedy with the voltages.
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breadCrumb
Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 28 |
Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jan 2011 at 2:19pm |
lol awesome, thanks guys. I guess I'll tone it down a little for the 24/7 OC then, although I bet I still can push 4.3 out of it and keep the vcore and qpi under 1.4. But now on OC'n the RAM, is there a good source to find out what the other timings do? I've never been able to find a guide that explains them. If not an explanation, a good way to at least understand realistic boundaries on the other timings? Is there any settings on the timings that can actually be harmful and not just cause instability? If it really falls down to a trial and error sort of deal, then whats the best way to do it, with the processor overclocked or not? I know typically you'd start with a stock clock on the processor, but I'd like to find a happy medium between the two, so I would think then OC'n the processor to where I want it; then working on the RAM would not be completely backwards? Also is there any real benefit in tinkering with the individual DRAM ref voltages?
I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but I feel the information provided here is more reliable than most of the forums I've seen. |
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justin.kerr
DS Veteran Joined: 06 May 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5084 |
Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jan 2011 at 3:36pm |
what motherboard, and CPU do you have?
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breadCrumb
Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 28 |
Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jan 2011 at 11:28pm |
My motherboard is the Asus Rampage III Extreme, CPU is an i7 960. RAM is 1600 rated Tech NPS, I also have mushkin in my other setup, I may switch that over, I seem to have good results with the mushkin RAM. I believe its the blackline.
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justin.kerr
DS Veteran Joined: 06 May 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5084 |
Quote Reply Posted: 15 Jan 2011 at 12:06pm |
you have a very nice setup, and should be able to tweak things till the cows come home. lol
if you want to post up your BIOS settings, I can look them over and offer some guidance, if you want.
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breadCrumb
Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 28 |
Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2011 at 12:01am |
Yah definitely if you don't mind. I did a lot of modding recently on this computer, and before was running it at 21x200. But after I finished my project I was trying to push for 4.4 for 24/7 and keep everything in line. It didn't work, this has been stable alright but this is were I'm at right now. I'm not sure whats the best approach with the RAM timings tho. Also CPU-Z says it is running with a multiplier of 25. I don't know how the Rampage keeps it in turbo mode all the time or how that works?
Much appreciated. Target CPU Frequency 4300 Target DRAM Frequency 1724MHz LN2 Mode: Disabled*** QPI Loadline Calibration: Disabled*** Sync Mode [Enabled] AI Overclock Tuner [Manual] OC From CPU level Up [Auto] CPU Ratio Setting [25.0] CPU Turbo Power Limit [Disabled] >CPU Configuration---------------------------- CPU Ratio Setting [25.0] C1E Support [Disabled] Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled] Adjacent Cache Line Prefetcher [Enabled] Intel(R) Virtualiyation Tech [Enabled] CPU TM Function [Enabled] Execute Disable Bit [Enabled] Intel(R) HT Technology [Enabled] Active Processor Cores [All] A20M [Disabled] Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech [Disabled] Intel(R) C-STATE Tech [Disabled] ---------------------------------------------- BCLK Frequency [172] PCIE Frequency [100] DRAM Frequency [1724] UCLK Frequency [3621] QPI Link Data Rate [6208MT/s] Memory Configuration Protect [Disabled] >DRAM Timing Control-------------------------- CAS# Latency [8] RAS# to CAS# Delay [8] RAS# PRE Time [7] RAS# ACT Time [21] RAS# to RAS# Delay [AUTO] REF Cycle Time [82] WRITE Recovery Time [AUTO] READ to PRE Time [AUTO] FOUR ACT WIN Time [AUTO] Back-To-BackCAS# Delay [Auto] Timing Mode [1N] Round Trip Latency on CHA [AUTO] Round Trip Latency on CHB [AUTO] Round Trip Latency on CHC [AUTO] WRITE To READ Delay(DD) [Auto] WRITE To READ Delay(DR) [Auto] WRITE To READ Delay(SR) [Auto] READ To WRITE Delay(DD) [Auto] READ To WRITE Delay(DR) [Auto] READ To WRITE Delay(SR) [Auto] READ To READ Delay(DD) [Auto] READ To READ Delay(DR) [Auto] READ To READ Delay(SR) [Auto] WRITE To WRITE Delay(DD) [Auto] WRITE To WRITE Delay(DR) [Auto] WRITE To WRITE Delay(SR) [Auto] ---------------------------------------------- CPU Differential Amplitude [Auto] CPU Clock Skew [Auto] IOH Clock Skew [Auto] ------------ Extreme Engine Digi+ ------------ Digi+ PWR Mode [T-Balanced] PWR Volt. Control [10v] Load-Line Calibration [Full] CPU Voltege OCP [Enabled] CPU PWM Frequency [1000kHz] Extreme OV [Disabled] Extreme OC [Auto] CPU Voltage [1.35625] CPU PLL Voltage [1.81525] QPI/DRAM Core Voltage [1.35000] DRAM Bus Voltage [1.66950] >DRAM REF Voltages---------------------------- DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA [Auto] DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHA [Auto] DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB [Auto] DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHB [Auto] DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC [Auto] DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHC [Auto] ---------------------------------------------- IOH Voltage [1.25875] IOH PCIE Voltage [1.60325] ICH Voltage [1.25875] ICH PCIE Voltage [1.51050] ---------- Spread Spectrum Control ----------- CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled] DRAM Spread Spectrum [Disabled] |
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justin.kerr
DS Veteran Joined: 06 May 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5084 |
Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jan 2011 at 8:00pm |
tons of stuff to change, but I feel you are capped out because of the RAM, 9-10-9-27 1t timings will allow you to push it further, but 1866Mhz RAM would be a nice upgrade, if it is in the cards.
I would lower the RAM multi to 8, then keep raising the B-clock to find you highest stable speed, then work on the RAM
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