My New Computer. Impressed with the O/c.

[chev65]

I have the actual ThermalTake smart fans which are made to be variable and use a controller, they do cost more but are worth it. They also have a much higher output than the regular cheapy fans. My system has 10 fans including the one in the power supply. I use a sunbeam rheobus extreme 30 watt 6 knob controller. It's nice to be able to turn them all down to barely audible yet still useful range, or on the hot days you can crank them up if required.

When overclocking, it's best to run your fans directly from the power supply rather than using the headers on the motherboard.

 

[sygnus21]

As for the variance, it's actually not that odd when you think about it.

Regardless if the fan is "variable" or not, you can vary the speed simply by changing the voltage. Which is exactly what the motherboard smart fan does.

Yeah, I understand that now. My previous understanding was this…. if I hooked up a 4-pin fan to the CPU header, the header's PWM circuitry (pin 4) will vary the fan speed as the temps rise/lower, and that a 3-pin connector nullified this rule, i.e. the 3-pin connection would run full speed. I hadn’t realized how CPU Smart Fan worked, nor had I looked closely at the CPU header pin connections. As seen here…



Notice that pin number 4 is for the speed control (PWM), but also note that pin# 2 is also a speed control pin (+12V/speed control). This is what allows a 3-pin fan to be controlled by CPU Fan Speed Control

"The motherboard supports CPU fan speed con­trol, which requires the use of a CPU fan with fan speed control design."

"CPU Smart FAN Control Enables or disables the CPU fan speed control function. Enabled allows the CPU fan to run at different speed according to the CPU temperature. You can adjust the fan speed with EasyTune based on system requirements. If disabled, the CPU fan runs at full speed."

Apart from my discovery of smart fan’s function, the initial reason for my confusion was because I could have sworn I’d disabled smart fan since I needed to insure the fans were running at max speed in the first place.

The fact that the header varies its voltage based on temps even with a 3-pin fan connected is a nice feature and something I hadn’t seen/noticed with other boards (well I’ve only used Intel). As it turns out I like the way the system is setup now, with Smart Fan enabled

I’m crystal now.

Those fans will run between 700-900 RPM with the LN/ULN adapters if used.

I don’t use them as I find that even with the fan running at max speed it’s plenty quiet for me.

Thanks.

 

[dannyboy2005]

UPDATE:

After resting the BIOS to the default factories settings, I thought I would try again.

I used Clunk's tutorial from Core i7 Overclocking Guide For Beginners

I followed as he has stated but could no longer use 1.25v when i got to 4Ghz (where I am now)

I have found what i think is a suitable setting. 1.288v @ 4Ghz (190 x 21)

I have C-State ON, i regular wonder off and leave the computer on for a few hours, so why waste money and energy and always have a hot computer when i can let the processor rest when i'm not using it?

I also have Hyper Threading ON.

Now, i did 15 passes of the IntelBurn Test. It passed no problems with temps peaking around 78*C and 44*C when idle (I have not got a very good cooling set up atm due to the computer case is half broken). I thought Cool, so i thought i'd let it run at 100% using Prime95, i used "Blends" and after 5 minutes, i got a BSOD. So i upped the voltage to what i have now, 1.88V's and still had the same problem after 5 minutes.

Why is this?

I say i "think its stable" because i don't know what program will use all 4 processors at 100% for over 5 minutes?

Thanks
Dan

 

[dannyboy2005]

I forgot to mention. I have my ram set to 9-9-9-24 in the BIOS (This is what it says on the sticker of the ram) and DRAM is AUTO.

 

[sygnus21]

dannyboy have a look at this tutorial... 3 Step Guide To Overclock Your Core i3, i5, or i7 – Updated! | Overclockers. I think this is a pretty good one.

Good luck.

PS. Set your memory manually; even if you use the same settings!!!

 

[dannyboy2005]

dannyboy have a look at this tutorial... 3 Step Guide To Overclock Your Core i3, i5, or i7 – Updated! | Overclockers. I think this is a pretty good one.

Good luck.

PS. Set your memory manually; even if you use the same settings!!!

What do you mean manually?

I do. I go into BIOS then change these settings to:

My ram says in grey 9-9-9-24.....

So i change the settings, the ones in blue like clunk has done there to my speeds (in grey).

I'll read the other thread.
Thanks

 

[sygnus21]

My ram says in grey 9-9-9-24.....

Actually I'm looking at 8-8-8-24

Here's an example of Corsair's RAM settings for your board... Asus Rampage II Extreme BIOS Settings for TR3X3G1600C8D and TR3X6G1600C8D - The Corsair Support Forums

Good luck.

 

[dannyboy2005]

My ram says in grey 9-9-9-24.....

Actually I'm looking at 8-8-8-24

Here's an example of Corsair's RAM settings for your board... Asus Rampage II Extreme BIOS Settings for TR3X3G1600C8D and TR3X6G1600C8D - The Corsair Support Forums

Good luck.

We're you being sarcastic?

This was a EXAMPLE. This was a linked picture of clunk.org as a example.

 

[sygnus21]

I don't know about being sarcastic, but I do know what my eyes saw you present. My mind reading abilities are being blocked by my monitor.

Sorry :sarc:

 

[dannyboy2005]

I don't know about being sarcastic, but I do know what my eyes saw you present. My mind reading abilities are being blocked by my monitor.

Sorry :sarc:

lol

the ones in blue like clunk has done there to my speeds (in grey).

Never mind, i should had made my self alot clearer

 

[sygnus21]

Never mind, i should had made my self alot clearer

That helps

BTW did you check the links I provided???

 

[chev65]

UPDATE:

After resting the BIOS to the default factories settings, I thought I would try again.

I used Clunk's tutorial from Core i7 Overclocking Guide For Beginners

I followed as he has stated but could no longer use 1.25v when i got to 4Ghz (where I am now)

I have found what i think is a suitable setting. 1.288v @ 4Ghz (190 x 21)

I have C-State ON, i regular wonder off and leave the computer on for a few hours, so why waste money and energy and always have a hot computer when i can let the processor rest when i'm not using it?

I also have Hyper Threading ON.

Now, i did 15 passes of the IntelBurn Test. It passed no problems with temps peaking around 78*C and 44*C when idle (I have not got a very good cooling set up atm due to the computer case is half broken). I thought Cool, so i thought i'd let it run at 100% using Prime95, i used "Blends" and after 5 minutes, i got a BSOD. So i upped the voltage to what i have now, 1.88V's and still had the same problem after 5 minutes.

Why is this?

I say i "think its stable" because i don't know what program will use all 4 processors at 100% for over 5 minutes?

Thanks
Dan

Proving once again what I have been saying about Prime Blend all along. It's the real deal for stablity testing. 5 minutes of Prime blend and you are far from stable my friend, not even close IMO. 10 hours of Prime Blend and you will have something. It takes a lot more than Vcore adjustments to get a system stable.

 

[dannyboy2005]

UPDATE:

After resting the BIOS to the default factories settings, I thought I would try again.

I used Clunk's tutorial from Core i7 Overclocking Guide For Beginners

I followed as he has stated but could no longer use 1.25v when i got to 4Ghz (where I am now)

I have found what i think is a suitable setting. 1.288v @ 4Ghz (190 x 21)

I have C-State ON, i regular wonder off and leave the computer on for a few hours, so why waste money and energy and always have a hot computer when i can let the processor rest when i'm not using it?

I also have Hyper Threading ON.

Now, i did 15 passes of the IntelBurn Test. It passed no problems with temps peaking around 78*C and 44*C when idle (I have not got a very good cooling set up atm due to the computer case is half broken). I thought Cool, so i thought i'd let it run at 100% using Prime95, i used "Blends" and after 5 minutes, i got a BSOD. So i upped the voltage to what i have now, 1.88V's and still had the same problem after 5 minutes.

Why is this?

I say i "think its stable" because i don't know what program will use all 4 processors at 100% for over 5 minutes?

Thanks
Dan

Proving once again what I have been saying about Prime Blend all along. It's the real deal for stablity testing. 5 minutes of Prime blend and you are far from stable my friend, not even close IMO. 10 hours of Prime Blend and you will have something. It takes a lot more than Vcore adjustments to get a system stable.

Ah. I give up. It works fine now, PCMark Vantage works fine on it and all is ok.

Anyone willing to meet up to tune my processor. Monies waiting.

 

[smarteyeball]

Those fans will run between 700-900 RPM with the LN/ULN adapters if used.

I don’t use them as I find that even with the fan running at max speed it’s plenty quiet for me.

Thanks.

Ditto. They're good if you are going for ultra-quiet setup (like a pure HTPC etc) but even at full tilt, the noctua fans are nice and quiet.

Ah. I give up. It works fine now, PCMark Vantage works fine on it and all is ok.

Anyone willing to meet up to tune my processor. Monies waiting.

nah mate, don't give up. Just take a break - read a bit more and you'll be tinkering again in no time

It's quick and easy to ham fist a working OC - but it takes time to refine.


As for 'stability' - when overclocking, there is no such thing as an absolutely 100% stable system. However you can come pretty damn close

Every overclocker has their own methods and tools that they use. Usually it's a battery of tests. It comes down to personal preference.



Often, you can start with 'loose' RAM timings to dial in your CPU O/C - then once that's sorted, you move on to 'tightening' the RAM. ( potentially eliminates initial RAM or vcore issues)

Generally, apps like IBT, LinX etc are good for 'quick and dirty' vcore testing. Make an adjustment, run for 5 passes - if all good run for 20+ etc.

Then you move onto Prime95's blend (torture test) if that passes the 12-24hr run and you have already passed IBT, LinX etc - then you are pretty much good to go.

But if you fail on Prime, then whatever FFT test you fail on gives an indication where the problem may lie. Low FFT failure is generally vcore/CPU related. Large FFT points towards RAM.

(However it's worth noting that some can pass IBT but fail Prime, or conversely pass prime but fail IBT etc)

The last and most important test is simply real world usage. If you have minimal, or preferably no BSOD's, freezes etc - then you can call it 'stable'