Intel i7

[TVeblen]

Well actually it is "topped" at 1066.
And not all i series are locked processors. The Extreme models are unlocked.
Intel's locked processors do not allow users to individually clock the cores in a CPU. So overclocking is done by other means.

Overclocking does not damage the components of a computer directly or immediately, but overclocked components, running faster, run hotter. It is the heat that damages components. Overclockers need better cooling solutions to make their systems run smoothly.

Overclocking can also cause instability problems. It's a test and see process. If the system shows strange behavior with a particular overclock it is then necessary to "throttle down" to a more stable speed.

 

[sygnus21]

I'm looking at a 930 + ASUS P6X58D-E + OCZ PC3-12800 (which is 1600mhz). From what I've read, the i7's automatically set it at 1066 as default.

Again, it's not the processor, it's the motherboard. And you will probably have to set the memory "manually" if you want it to run @1600MHz.

On my Gigibyte GA-X85A-UD5 using Corsair’s Dominator DDR 3 1600, If I don't enable the memory's XMP profile, the board will automatically set the memory at 1066, even though the memory is designed to run at 1600.

So in order to get the memory to run at 1600 I have to go into the BIOS and enable the XMP profile for the memory. If the memory or board didn't have and XMP setting, than I would have to manually set the speed, timings, and voltage for the memory.

This pretty much works for all boards. The processor has nothing to do with it.

 

[sygnus21]

So if you were not going to overclock at all you would buy 1066 memory and save some money.

Again, with everything at defaults, enabling the XMP mode for my memory will have it running @ 1600 without the processor being overclocked! You can also do this manually and still not overclock the processor.

Here's what i'm saying....


Here's my processor at idle speeds. No overclocks.


Here's my processor running at stock speeds with loads - Turbo mode enabled


Here you can see the available settings for my memory. Notice the XMP Column.


This tabe shows what speed the memory is actually running at. 800x2=1600MHz

These images are from a non-overclocked processor.

Corsair's recommended BISO settings for my memory - Gigabyte EX58-EXTREME BIOS Settings for TR3X3G1600C8D and TR3X6G1600C8D - The Corsair Support Forums. Though I have an X58A board, the BIOS settings are similiar. Incidentally, XMP mode is disabled and the memory is set manually. Which I've also done in my case.

Spec sheet for my memory - http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/TR3X6G1600C8D.pdf

 

[Win7User512]

I guess what I'm getting at is I haven't seen any reports of anyone damaging their hardware by running an i7 at 1600. And it doesn't seem you need additional cooling.

 

[TVeblen]

Again, with everything at defaults, enabling the XMP mode for my memory will have it running @ 1600 without the processor being overclocked! You can also do this manually and still not overclock the processor.

You are correct, of course. I did not mean to say that we were overclocking the processor. But we are overclocking the memory, mostly by changing the BCLK frequency.

This is how Asus does it:

 

[TVeblen]

I guess what I'm getting at is I haven't seen any reports of anyone damaging their hardware by running an i7 at 1600. And it doesn't seem you need additional cooling.

That would be correct!

 

[sygnus21]

I guess what I'm getting at is I haven't seen any reports of anyone damaging their hardware by running an i7 at 1600. And it doesn't seem you need additional cooling.

Somehow you are getting the memory mixed up with the CPU.

Let's look at an i7-930....

The 930 runs at a default speed of 2.8GHz. Your memory can be run anywhere from 1066 to 2000+ MHz

With regards of these two items and for the sake of simplicity, megahertz is your memory speed, while gigahertz is your processor speed.

These two items run independant of one another to a certain point. Example - you can have your processor run at 3.5GHz and still have the memory run at 1600MHz or you can have your processor run at 2.8GHz and have the memory run anywhere between 1066 and 2000+MHz.

Gigahertz is significantly higher than Megahertz. To simplify - If Gigahertz is a dollar, Megahertz is a penny.

If you have a processor running at 1600MHz you are back in the stone ages

 

[Win7User512]

I guess what I'm getting at is I haven't seen any reports of anyone damaging their hardware by running an i7 at 1600. And it doesn't seem you need additional cooling.

Somehow you are getting the memory mixed up with the CPU.

Let's look at an i7-930....

The 930 runs at a default speed of 2.8GHz. Your memory can be run anywhere from 1066 to 2000+ MHz

With regards of these two items and for the sake of simplicity, megahertz is your memory speed, while gigahertz is your processor speed.

These two items run independant of one another to a certain point. Example - you can have your processor run at 3.5GHz and still have the memory run at 1600MHz or you can have your processor run at 2.8GHz and have the memory run anywhere between 1066 and 2000+MHz.

Gigahertz is significantly higher than Megahertz. To simplify - If Gigahertz is a dollar, Megahertz is a penny.

If you have a processor running at 1600MHz you are back in the stone ages

Nah, just didn't word it correctly. Shorthandedly, I meant having an i7 and running the memory at 1600. Just left out some words.

 

[sygnus21]

Nah, just didn't word it correctly. Shorthandedly, I meant having an i7 and running the memory at 1600. Just left out some words.

Again, I'm running like that without issue. And you don't have to be overclocked to run like that. Read the posts.

Good luck.

 

[Win7User512]

So the i7 stock heatsinks come with thermal compound on them already?

 

[Brink]

So the i7 stock heatsinks come with thermal compound on them already?

No, but they come with a tube of thermal paste to manually apply with though.

 

[Win7User512]

So the i7 stock heatsinks come with thermal compound on them already?

No, but they come with a tube of thermal paste to manually apply with though.

This is someone else's image, but this is what the bottom of my heatsink looks like:

However, I thought part of the point of applying compound was to get that bond between heatsink and CPU. If it is already dry...how does that work?

 

[smarteyeball]

So the i7 stock heatsinks come with thermal compound on them already?

No, but they come with a tube of thermal paste to manually apply with though.

Lower end chips are pre-applied as per above pic.

 

[fishnbanjo]

I can't OC my system since it is locked out in the BIOS but I have the i7 975 Extreme which is 3.33 GHz native, 3.45 GHz and when pushed 3.60 GHz as monitored with Intel Turbo Boost.

 

[Win7User512]

So the i7 stock heatsinks come with thermal compound on them already?

No, but they come with a tube of thermal paste to manually apply with though.

Lower end chips are pre-applied as per above pic.

If I don't rub it off with rubbing alcohol and just want to use it as is, do I just sit it on the CPU and lock it down? Will the pre-applied paste work?

 

[sygnus21]

However, I thought part of the point of applying compound was to get that bond between heatsink and CPU. If it is already dry...how does that work?

When you install the heatsink the heat from the processor will heat and melt that stuff, thus giving you your thermo bond. It's designed to work that way. No need to do anything else.

BTW those clips can be tricky, make sure your read the instructions when installing that heatsink!!! If not, YOU WILL have overheating problems!!!

 

[fseal]

I got the ASUS P6X58D and so far the board has been great, rock solid.

Also besides going to newegg, go to tiger direct and enter the exact same components once you decide and see which one is cheaper. Tiger saved me about $200 on the CPU/memory and SSD over newegg. They also show if it will ship next day or not and they got it to me next day. (overnight shipping was even cheaper than newegg).

Also I took a chance on the Corsair H50 seaqled liquid CPU cooler after favorable reviews and except for some lame install instructions, so far the cooler is great. Minimal, effective, quiet and clean looking.

 

[sygnus21]

Make sure you keep an eye on that thing. There have been reports of it leaking.

H50 leaked and filled my pci-e slots 378MB of pics - The Corsair Support Forums

 

[Win7User512]

BTW those clips can be tricky, make sure your read the instructions when installing that heatsink!!! If not, YOU WILL have overheating problems!!!

What specifically happens? They aren't down all the way thus not allowing the sink to fit in contact with the CPU? If I know what to look for, I can check to make sure it has been installed correctly.

Thanks!

 

[sygnus21]

That's exactly it. Just read the instructions and make sure the clips are locked in. That's a major problem with those plastic clip types.

I remember when I had one of those, I didn't have it properly fitted and had heating problems until I found I hadn't had cooler properly installed and locked.

Good luck