Help with Volts?

Hardware Hub Overclocking
1

Hello people of Tek Syndicate,

 

So I have a couple of questions regarding the voltages and what's "too high" a frequency or transfer value on different components. (complete specs at the bottom)

 

First; UnCore. What's too high a voltage for that and how high should its frequency go? I'm trying to keep my RAM within specs as it seems to go unstable whenever I exceed 1600MHz.

Second; the processor. It's stable at 4.5GHz and is set to run at 1.4V static (reached using turbo overclock). A couple of things about this: The chip, which is an i7 990X, is rated for 1.4V in the data sheet. I have been looking at forums and I have seen the advice given mostly is not to exceed 1.45V, how safe is that? Also, what do you think about using the dynamic option for VCore control? There is an option in the BIOS where it manages voltage with a user-set reference. It's a pain in the *** to get the upper limit set, but if I manage to get it set then I will be able to prevent the processor from runnig unnecessary voltage on idle (especially when allowing windows to drop the CPU status to 90% as a min). I'm trying to get the processor clock to 4.6 or 4.65GHz for 24/7.

Third, and last; The graphics card. I'm unable to get it past 965MHz for the GPU and 1475MHz for memory. I've seen stable numbers on this card that reached 1000MHz for processor and 1500MHz for memory. I'm using MSI Afterburner to get things setup and I'm at the upper limit of normally-allowed voltage that is 1250mV. Is there a possiblity to push it further, and should I do it? If not, is there anything else I can try?

 

I know it's a lot of questions in one thread, but I needed answers and I was hoping I could find them here :) Specs and some settings are below:-

Motherboard: Intel DX58SO2; BClk 155MHz

CPU: Intel i7 990X; 1.4V; non-turbo multiplier = 26; turbo multiplier = 29 (I think. Kind of loopy as I need sleep)

Graphics card: AMD HD Radeon 6990; Voltage = 1250mV; GPUs freq = 965MHz; Memory freq = 1475MHz

PSU: Cooler Master Silent pro 1000W

RAM: 24GB using 6 Corsair vengeance 4GB sticks (1600MHz); running a bit less than specification and at XPM profile for everything else, apart from the UnCore that has its voltage upped a bit.

The system is cooled using an 80mm thick, quad 120mm alphacool radiator. Temps are kept under 65C when only CPU is under load and GPU does not exceed 50C even if both CPU and GPU are at 100% load (folding takes care of that). I'm adding some more fans for push-pull to get more heat dumped out of the rad under load. Point was, temps are no issue, yet.

 

Will be waiting for advice. Thanks in advance :)

2

First of all about the graphics card.

No 2 cards are the same, you can get lucky and have a card that can reach 1000MHz, or you can get unlucky and get on that only goes to like eg. 900MHz. It's not because someone can get so high that all cards can get to the same clocks.

Now, about the over-volting. Personally, I would NEVER go above the rated specs, because with some (most?) brands, that can void your warranty. Of course, the same what I said above about the GPU applies for the RAM and CPU as well.

Also, the more RAM you use, the harder it is to get it up to a nice frequency, so do you really need the 24GB? If not, try 12GB and see if that goes any better.

Finally, for the CPU, same as for the RAM, do not try to go above the rated specs. Not all CPU's can get that high, be sure to run Prime95 for 24-48h to check if your overclock is stable. Also, is your CPU cooled decently? Maybe your temps are just too high.

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I mentioned the temps at the very bottom so I think they're not that clear. The CPU has the highest core reading 71C when both it and the GPUs are at 100%. Alone under load, the CPU does not exceed 65C. At idle, the core temps average to be >= 6C above ambient.

Prime95 runs fine at my current settings. I tried it for something close to 24h (don't remember the exact time) and it was running well (I don't think I went above 20h in one single run as I wanted to use the machine seeing as it's my main rig, but I will find the time to get it done. I have done overnight and over 18h multiple time, though, without trouble)

As for memory, I do some graphics work every once in a while, not as much as I used to, but I will need the RAM then and I don't think it will be worth it to crack the case open just to install/uninstall sticks, and I think 1600 is an OK frequency.

What I'm worried about, with regards to the Voltages, is not the warranty. The warranty was voided on my CPU when I used a 3rd party heat sink, and was voided on my GPU when I flipped the BIOS switch to get to BIOS state 2 (writable and at higher frequency). My major concern is if the chips will be able to take it without dying too soon.

Also, the dynamic voltage (refer to original post). It always slips away whenever I try to ask about it on forums.

Thanks a bunch.