[color=#ffffff]Un-official RTW X58 OCing noob guide
by 123456iambelial[/color]
[color=#ffffff]07.27.09 - 21:00 EST[/color]
[color=#ffffff]Goal is 4.0GHz - 4.2GHz(with turbo mode enabled)[/color]
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WARNING:
RTW and me, 123456iambelial, are not responsible for any damage that might happen. Remember this is just a guide.
Overclocking will Void you warranty. Once you get started, there is no turning back. We may also shorten the life span of the procesor.[/color]
[color=#ffffff]NOTE:
Monitor the system temperature all the time. The higher the frequency the higher the risk of over-heating.
Make sure your PC has a proper cooling. Stock cooling won't work.
Stock CPU HSF can only handle the stock specs, so if you are planning to OC, then buy a better HSF or LC/WC.[/color]
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Preparation:
1. First thing first, read your mainboard's user's manual. Therefore, you will be familirized with your mobo.
2. Learn how to reset your CMOS in case your PC locks up at post or won't power on.
3. Update your BIOS firmware to whatever the latest BIOS FW available. If you OCed your PC already and want to flash the BIOS to the latest BIOS, to aviod bricking reset your CMOS settings before you flash it.
4. Download all necessary tools/utilities for monitoring your temps, CPUID and stress test program.
5. And just for the hell of it update your drivers[/color]
[color=#ffffff]I have said this so many times. Every processor are different even they are the same model and stepping. Therefore, use the proper voltage and CMOS settings for your CPU needs.[/color]
[color=#ffffff]Never use any overclocking software because they may f**k up your system. You can, however, use the utility software that comes with my motherboard. It will help you to bump the voltages up a little while on WIndows instead of going back to the BIOS. Once you found the stable voltage, then you can manually set it in the BIOS.[/color]
[color=#ffffff]You must be asking yourself, "Why am i reading this? my BIOS layout is different than this guy's."
well, if your MOBO is either Evga, Asus or Gigabyte x58. I provided a BIOS name comparison guide; therefore, you won't get confuse. Or you can use this guide as a reference.[/color]
[color=#ffffff]A small Information before we start OCing the i7
All the frequency and multiplier on all my examples are based on i7 920 4.0Ghz overclocked.[/color]
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NOTE:
Changing the Base Clock speed will affects the QPI link speed, Uncore, and memory freq. because everything is interconnected.[/color]
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CPU Clock Ratio = CPU's Multiplier
BCLK Frequency(MHz) = Is kind of similar to the FSB(full system bus) but it is not. Base clock determines the final Mhz speed. [The Base Clock(BCLK) Control needs to be enabled]
e.g. 20(CPU Clock Ratio) * 200(BCLK frequency) = 4000Mhz or 4.0GHz
QPI Link Speed = specify the speed connecting IOH(Northbridge) to the CPU. If you want to reach higher Base Clock, you have to lower your QPI Link Speed.
e.g. x36(QPI) * 200(BCLK) = 7200 or 7.2GT/s(Gigatransfer per second)
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) = Memory's multiplier
BCLK Frequency * Sys Mem Multi (SPD) = Memory's speed
e.g. 200(BCLK) * 8(Sys Mem Multi) = 1600MHz (RAM speed)
Uncore & QPI Features (northbridge/L3 cache) = It doubles the memory multiplier. In theory, the higher the Uncore speed, the better the performance because it gives memory and other components inside the processor a boost and more bandwidth. The very important thing here about the setting up the Uncore is always remember that the Uncore must run at twice the speed of the Memory. So basically if your memory is 1600MHz, then you have to set your Uncore 3200MHz or 2x+1.
e.g. 200(BCLK) * 16 = 3200 or 200(BCLK) * 17(this multi is an ex of 2x+1) = 3400MHz
16(Uncore) / 8(Sys Mem Multi) or 16 / 8 = 2 or 13 / 6 = 2:1 [more e.g. x18(Uncore) / x9(Sys Mem Multi) = 2]
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I am going to use the three most popular boards:
BIOS name comparison(just to avoid confusion)
Name:-------------------------(Legends)
American Megatrends, Inc.---- (AMI) <- Asus
Pheonix - Award BIOS -------- (PAB) <- Evga
Award Software BIOS ----------(ASB) <- Gigabyte
If your motherboard brand is not here, but the BIOS is the same. There is should be some similarities in their names.
For example, the Phoenix award BIOS, EVGA Uncore clock name and DFI Uncore clock name.
CPU Uncore Frequency(EVGA) and Uncore Frequency(DFI)
There is no way for me to list all the BIOS for all brands. Read the book that comes in your motherboard's box for more information.
For those who own a motherboard that has American Megatrends BIOS, can you double check this because I could be wrong.
CPU multiplier:
CPU Clock Ratio - (PAB) and (ASB)
CPU Ratio Settings - (AMI)
Memory Multiplier:
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) - (ASB)
Memory Frequency - (PAB)
DRAM Frequency - (AMI) NOTE: AMI is different. You won't see multipliers like x12, x13 x14 and so on. What you will see is DDR3-#Mhz. For instance, [DDR3-1333Mhz], [DDR3-1600Mhz] or higher... Choosing the wrong Freq. will result of system instability. So how are we going to figure it out what is the Mem. multi. for AMI BIOS?, you asked. I don't have AMI BIOS to tell you the truth, but I was reading some mobo reviews about Asus P6T Deluxe, which has AMI BIOS, and I saw the Mem Multi for AMI BIOS is kind of different [DDR3-xxxx]. I was like WTF wheres the multi?Â
After I few minutes pondering the AMI BIOS, I came out with this equation.
The equation is DDR3-#Mhz / BCLK = Mem Multi. e.g. 1600Mhz(DRAM Freq.) / 200(BLCK) = 8. get it?
QPI Speed:
QPI Link Speed - (ASB)
QPI Frequency Selection - (PAB)
QPI Link Data Rate - (AMI)
Base clock:
BCLK Frequency(MHz) - (ASB)
CPU Host Frequency - (PAB)
BCLK Frequency - (AMI)
Uncore Multiplier:
Uncore Frequency(under Uncore & QPI Features) - (ASB)
CPU Uncore Frequency(Mhz) - (PAB)
UCLK Frequency - (AMI) NOTE: Here again is different. What you will see are a bunch of #Mhz. You won't see the multiplier. Here is a situation. If you're Mem. Multi. is 8, multiply it by 2, so your Uncore Multu is 16, right? Therefore, if you open the UCLK Freq., you should choose 3200Mhz.
Here is the equation I made.Â
Mem multi. * 2 * Base clock = Uncore in #Mhz
e.g. 8 * 2 * 200 = 3200Mhz <- Uncore.  Does it make any sense???
Vdroop:
Load-Line calibration - (ASB) and (AMI)
EVGA Vdroop Control - (PAB)Â
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Voltages:
A little info about voltages.
WARNING:
1. *The QPI/VTT voltage and the DRAM voltage, the general consensus is that it should not be larger than 0.5V. If you pass the 0.5v wall, this is unhealthy for your CPU same as the #2. Basically, keep the Uncore and RAM voltages within 0.5v.
2. The DRAM should not exceed 1.65v. If your DRAM is more than 1.65v you may fry the processor. Don't argue It is from Intel. You can go over the 1.65v, but you have to keep the 0.5v rule.
3. The CPU max voltage is 1.55v.
CPU Vcore = CPU voltage.
*DRAM Voltage = RAM voltage.
*QPI/VTT Voltage = Uncore voltage: This one is pretty much about the amount of RAM, timings, CPU, RAM, Uncore & QPI speed. Max is 1.355v
IOH Core = IOH voltage.
ICH Core = ICH voltage. If you have a lot of internal drives, USB powerd devices + overclocked CPU you might need to bump this up a little.
CPU PLL = You can leave this on Auto because it doesn't help much. Max voltage is 1.88v. Going above 1.9v can cause a problem. I heard that this helps when pushing the CPU's clock really high.
QPI PLL = You can keep this on Auto or manually set it on default value. It will be needed when pushing the Base Clock really high.Â
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Memory Timing:[/b]
A little info about timing. This might help you to manually set your timing.
RAS = Row Access Select/Strobe
CAS = Column Access Select/Strobe
tCLK: Clock. The lenght of clock cycle. The equation is t= 1 / f
e.g. If the timing is 7 and the frequency is 1600MHz, it would be like this 7 / 800MHz = 8.75ns
CAS Latency (CL): It controls the timing delay between the CPU asking for data from the RAM and returning it. Lower is better(mostly)
e.g. If CL is 7, it will delay 7 clock cycles.Â
e.g. if we have 2 same RAM modules with the same speed(1600MHZ), but with different CL(RAM1=7CL and RAM2=9CL). RAM1 is faster because it does have lower CL.
RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): The timing delay between RAS and CAS signals. Also, the number of clock cycles taken between the Active command and a read /write command.
RAS Precharge (tRP): It is the time taken between deactivating the current row and accessing the next row.
Cycle Time (tRAS): The amount of time the memory has to wait until the next access to the memory can begin.
Command Rate (CR): This selects the speed of SDRAM signal controller.
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OVERCLOCKING: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overclocking
Overclocking is the process of forcing a computer component to run at a higher clock rate (more clock cycles per second) than it was designed for or was designated by the manufacturer, usually practiced by personal computer enthusiasts in order to increase the performance of their computers. Some of them purchase low-end computer components which they then overclock to higher speeds, or overclock high-end components to attain levels of performance beyond the default factory settings. Others overclock outdated components to keep pace with new system requirements, rather than purchasing new hardware products as expected by the computer industry.
Users who overclock their components mainly focus their efforts on processors, video cards, motherboard chipsets, and Random Access Memory (RAM). It is done through manipulating the CPU multiplier and the motherboard's front side bus (FSB) speed until a maximum stable operating frequency is reached. While the idea is simple, variation in the electrical and physical characteristics of computing systems complicates the process. CPU multipliers, bus dividers, voltages, thermal loads, cooling techniques and several other factors can affect it.
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I am going to do this the right way. You can skip this if you think it will waste your time, but trust me it will save you from scratching your head. Because I don't want to waste any time troubleshooting my OC, what I am going to do is I am just going to Oc my processor, and downclock my RAM and Uncore. The reason why is if I OC all of them at the same time it is hard to figure it out which one triggers the problem. In this case, I just OC the CPU, so if I got the BSOD or it crashes, I know it is my CPU or Voltage problem. I don't have to go to troubleshoot my Uncore or RAM.
Here we go,
 i. At the overclocking menu, the CPU Clock Ratio is already at 20x. If yours is not, change it to 20x or to whatever multiplier you want to use. Since our goal is 4.0GHz, so 20x.
 ii. Also, change QPI Link Speed value from Auto to x36(EX58-UD5). If your mobo has an option to choose 4.8GTs, choose it. However, in my case I don't, so I am going to choose x36. This will give me 7.2GTs.
 iii. Make sure that you enable the Base Clock(BCLK) Control. Once enabled, go ahead and change the BCLK frequency to 200MHz. Once changed, you will see the value is 4.0GHz.
 iv. Locate the Advance CPU Features and enter its sub-menu.Â
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 iv.i. In this menu, you can enable Intel(R) Turbo Boost Techn. if you want to +1 multiplier(if enabled, add a little more vcore). I will disable mine. You can also enable or disable Hyperthreading. I will leave mine enable.Â
 iv.ii. Disable all of Intel Power saving features. Those are the C3/C6/C7 State Support, CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E), CPU EIST Function and Bi-directional PROCHOT
 iv.iii. [NOTE]
 Bi-directional PROCHOT (processor hot): what it does it will shut the processor off or clock it down if the temperature get to high. (You can leave this enable)
 CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E): It reduces the clock speed of the CPU by decreasing the clock multiplier if enabled.
 CPU EIST Function: It manage the CPU frequency and its voltage defending on the amount of workload and utilization.
 C3/C6/C7 State Support: it lowers the CPU voltage when idle
 Virtualization technology: You already know the answer
 iv.iv. Press ESC when done.Â
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 v. Locate Advanced Clock Control and enter its sub-menu
 v.i. set the PCI Express Frequency(MHz) value to 100Mhz <-- You can leave this on Auto
 v.ii. Disable C.I.A.2. Press ESC when done.
 v.iii. [NOTE]
 I believe the Advance clock control are only for extreme overclocks. You can leave this alone for now.Â
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 vii. Just like I said above, I am going to downclock my RAM and Uncore. Locate the System Memory Multiplier (SPD) and change the value from auto to 6.0. This will give us 1200MHz.
 viii. Locate the Uncore & QPI Features and enter the sub-menu.
 viii.i. Once you are in the sub-menu, change the Uncore Frequency current value to x12 or x13(whichever is stable settings.) Once done, press ESC to go back to the M.I.T.Â
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 ix. scroll down to Voltage settings. From here I can't help you.
 x. Enable the Load Line calibration to reduce the vdroop.
 xi. Change the CPU Vcore value to the appropiate voltage of your overclock frequency.
 xii. Since we change the frequency of our QPI, we need to add more voltage to it.Â
 xiii. Leave the rest on Auto for now.Â
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Boot to Windows and run some stress test programs. Make sure that your OC is stable.
After I OCed the CPU, I ran some CPU stress test. I need to check if my CPU OC is stable; therefore, I can move to RAM and Uncore.
LinX 0.6.1
20 = passed
IntelBurnTest v2.3
20 = passed
Prime95
5 hours Small FTT = passed
LinX 0.6.1(just for the hell of it)
20 = passed
IntelBurntest v2.3
20 = passed
After all my test 
Now, I know that my CPU OC alone is 70% stable.
Now is memory overclocking:
Here is the thing. For those who think they might add another kit of RAM, don't do it if you are going to overclock because the more RAM #GB it will become harder to OC. Plus, Adding another set of RAM will cause system instability even though they are the same model.
The reason is RAM is tested in an individual kit. So if you have 6GB triple channel RAM, they are tested to work together. Basically, adding another kit of same/identical RAM is not 100% to work with the current RAM. It will work, but nt 100% stable. So if you think you gonna need more RAM, it is better to buy an 8GB or 12GB kit because they are tested to work together. Meaning more stable. Well, this is not just for overclockers. This is for everyone. Overclockers don't need a lot of RAM anyway.
Let's go back to the BIOS.
 i. Locate the System Memory Multiplier (SPD) and set to 8. This will give us 1600MHz
 ii. Locate the DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) and change the value from Auto to Expert. Once done, it should open some more options for setting the memory timings.
 ii.i. I can't help you to set your timings. Here you have to do this to whatever timing is stable for your RAM. Once done, scroll down to the voltages.
 iii. If you scroll down, you will see the Advance DRAM Features. If you go here, it will open a sub-menu(2nd pic), and you have more options to play with your RAM. I am not going there since this guide is only for newbies.Â
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 iv. Here, basically these four are the most important settings. Set the proper voltage value for each of them. Once done, save and exit. Stress test your CPU and RAM at the same time.
 iv.i. CPU Vcore, QPI/VTT Voltage, IOH Core and DRAM Voltage.
 v. If you can't make your system stable, enter the Advance Voltage Control.
 v.i. Here we have more option for voltages.
 v.ii. I would say play with IOH Core and QPI PLL.
 v.iii. CPU PLL does not have much help so we can leave it on Auto and set it to 1.8v - 1.84v. Same goes with PCIE Auto - 1.500v.Â
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Once everything is stable, try to lower the voltages little by little 'til you hit instability then go back to the last stable voltages.
Good Luck. 
BSoD common error codes:
50 : RAM frequency or timings or Uncore multiplier
124: QPI/VTT voltage problem it could be not enough or too much
101: CPU Vcore problem. try to increase the voltage a little or may be the voltage is too much.
Stress test keeps failing:
Try to raise the vcore or the QPI/VTT a notch.
If you are not getting any BSoD, but the stress test program gives you some type of error or it fails, you can use the voltage utility that comes with the motherboard CD. You can use that to play with the voltages. Once you get the stable voltage, go to the BIOS and manually set the voltages.
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