Despite how new it was, I can't say I'm surprised; not many motherboards can do what is required to support an i7 950 at 4.6Ghz and live to tell the tale. I'm actually surprised the motherboard went before the processor. Then again, the board was the only thing in my case not being liquid cooled (aside from the power supply, of course.).
So, what I need from you fine folks is suggestions for a new board!
I'm trying not to spend more than I have to--I'm thinking $325 max. Socket LGA 1366 only, please. Also, it needs to at least support 1600Mhz DDR3 triple channel.
But what if that "shit" isn't capable of OCing CPUs to a such higher frequencies? He might have to get a board that's capable of handling 4GHz+. Besides, that board is meant to be used in a workstation environment, though you can tweak the bios a bit.
Well, as you probably know every CPU overclocks differently, they come out of the factory each different. Some get to 4 ghz with much more ease than others, some can't even get there on liquid cooling. However, motherboards are pretty much all the same in terms of overclocking. Since they need to be so precise, if you could get to 4ghz on one, if you got the same mobo, you could probably oc to 4 ghz on that one too.
Very true. The only thing that really differs between modern motherboards is the BIOS and quality of components used. (aside from standard features, of course.)
I've had friends and colleagues getting 4.4Ghz (and over) overclocks on the same board with Xeon E5530's and W3550's. I'm guessing I either messed something up during my time with the board or just received a bad one from the start.
Either way, I sent the board back to ASUS and they say I should get my new one within a week--sure enough, I got a tracking number in my email and it's on the way already. To cover all my bases and ensure a longer life with this board, I've turned to Koolance once again and purchased a NB/SB combo water block for the board.
I just hope my 950 survived--I don't have another board able to test it, so I have no idea if it was just the Revolution that died or both the board and my processor.
Let's hope just the board, although the way my luck runs...
Obviously, overvoltage loading on the ram can damage the memory controller inside the CPU. But I don't think that would be the issue if the CPU cores was only given higher clocks and if the ram is off the subject.
4.6 GHz i7 is a high spot, and only few boards can hit spots like that. I was surprised that WS Revo did it. If he wants to go that high again and even higher, he needs something that wont die on the way up. That's what the Classified X58 is for. The best X58 board out there (yet). I'd rather pick the best and pay 80 bucks over the budget than getting something that fails (again).
Well, he RMA'd the board, and bought some blocks. So this time he should be better prepared.
I went over to my friend Brian's house today to drop my i7 950 in his EVGA X58 board to see if it was effed or not.
Skipping the details, I'll also be buying a new processor. I should be getting the new Revolution in the next day or two and I think I already have a buyer. After dicking around with Brian's E760 board (X58 Classified tri-sli) I'm definitely picking one up. It's the board I should have gotten in the first place. I'm getting the E760, keeping my RAM (as it seems to be fine), and I'm still deciding on a processor.
I also think the pump in my cooling rig is starting to die, so I might just pick up a new external unit--but I digress.
So, that's the news. About $830 worth of gear got fried. Overclocking can be a nasty business, I suppose.
EDIT: The Rampage II might be able to handle that OC, if it works. That board has more bugs than the roach motel. I would love to see a revised edition of it, however, because when it works it's an amazing piece.
As it stands right now, I'm just getting a i7 920 unless I decide to drop the cash for the 975--considering my goals for overclocking, the 975 would be a no brainer, but then again $1,000 is a lot of cheese to drop at once.
