Would the PI F3-12800CL7T-6GBP work best for my ASUS P6T SE mobo?

[GSKILL TECH]

I would suggest going for BCLK 200. That way you can do 3.80-4.20GHz with the memory at DDR3-1600.

At that point, you should manually input QPI/DRAM Core Voltage.

On AUTO, the motherboard will try to over volt, but it is not always the correct amount. For this reason, you need to tweak and tune to find the best voltage your CPU wants to be stable.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[Tradesman]

Try setting manually, put sticks to stock timings, with CR at 2T or 2N (depending on designator used) and raise DRAM voltage .05

[Kabigon]

Alright. I am back again and need your help. I have installed a H50 aftermarket cooler with push-pull fans setup. I would like to OC my i7 930 to either 3.6 or 3.8 GHz. I have read some guides and browsed other forums, but the question I still am confused is on:

What settings do I need to make the OC compatible with my RAM (PI F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI) that I am using? Running at either 3.6 or 3.8 GHz would probably mean my RAM would have to run somewhere between 1379-1451 MHz (as indicated by my BIOS). Anyhow, here is what I show in my BIOS right now:

Here is what I see from my current BIOS selections:

AI Tweaker section of the BIOS:
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
CPU Ratio Setting [21.0]
Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech [Disabled]
BCLK Frequency [172]
PCIE Frequency [100]
DRAM Frequency [DDR3-1379MHz]
UCLK Frequency [Auto]
QPI Link Data Rate [Auto]

DRAM Timing Control (haven?t messed with this since they?re on auto)

CPU Voltage [1.15625]
CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]
QPI/DRAM Core Voltage [Auto]
IOH Voltage [Auto]
IOH PCIE Voltage [Auto]
ICH Voltage [Auto]
ICH PCIE Voltage [Auto]
DRAM DATA REF/CTRL Voltage on CHA/CHB/CHC [All are on Auto]

Load-Line Calibration [Enabled]
CPU Differential Amplitude [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew [Auto]
CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
IOH Clock Skew [Auto]
PCIE Spread Spectrum [Disabled]

Advanced section of the BIOS:
C1E Support [Disabled]
CPU TM Function [Disabled]
Everything Else is Default/Enabled (HT is on!)

I also noticed that when the vCore is lowered, say to 1.15vcore, and if I change the "QPI/DRAM Core Voltage" to anything besides [Auto], the stability tests will fail (and my PC will BSOD/reboot) after 5 minutes or so.

Do you anyone know this would be the case? Would it be best if I try to manually set those settings? Does [Auto] indicate that the PC is actually overvolting or overcompensating it, thus I never seem to crash with a low vCore & that setting on auto as opposed to NOT on auto?

Also, what settings should I try for the RAM?

Thank you!

[GSKILL TECH]

Just go with XMP, that's perfectly fine. Then get a nice CPU cooler and you should be able to do 4.0GHz, DDR3-1600 CL7, and idle at 30 degrees. =)

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[Kabigon]

Increase timings, the low timings draws more power/performance. =P

This is what I meant, the few degrees lower isn't worth the performance loss. As long as you are in the 30-40 degree C range idle, your CPU is perfectly fine.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

My temps are as follows:

With AUTO DDR3-1066 @ 8-8-8-20, my CPU cores idle around 34-37C.
With Manual settings DDR3-1066 @ 5-6-5-18 AND DDR3-1600 XMP, my CPU cores idle around 3 degrees more, so around 37-40C.

What do you think? My next step is to OC the CPU with a decent aftermarket cooler and better thermal paste (i.e., Arctic Silver 5.)

[GSKILL TECH]

Increase timings, the low timings draws more power/performance. =P

This is what I meant, the few degrees lower isn't worth the performance loss. As long as you are in the 30-40 degree C range idle, your CPU is perfectly fine.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[Kabigon]

Yes, those settings should work just fine. You would have to use an actual voltage meter for test voltage.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

Hi GSKILL TECH.

I just tried the settings listed above. And surprisingly, my MEMORY tab in CPU-Z showed this:



Which reflects the new 5-6-5-18. However, now my CPU core temps have gone up 3-4 degrees again. Why would this be?

I tried messing around with the DRAM Voltage to be either AUTO or 1.50V while also tried changing the command rate to be either AUTO (which sets it at 1T/1N) or 2N like you stated. This does no change.

When I fully revert EVERYTHING back to AUTO, or the way it was before, my temps go back to normal with no change in them. So I have discovered that my system has two settings:

* When everything is set to AUTO, it becomes DDR3-1066 running automatically at 8-8-8-20, with regular CPU core temps.
* When MANUALLY set to DDR3-1066, it runs at 5-6-5-18, but with increased CPU core temps.

Huh? Why would this be? Even setting DRAM Voltage to AUTO with 5-6-5-18 doesn't change anything. The increase in core temps are still there. Only when I set everything back to FULLY auto (all settings AUTO), does this revert back to normal.

Any reason why? How am I able to get true DDR3-1066 speeds with no heat increase?!

[GSKILL TECH]

Yes, those settings should work just fine. You would have to use an actual voltage meter for test voltage.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[Kabigon]

Yes, DDR3-1066 is the lowest heat, but your system is easily capable of more. In fact, the standard is DDR3-1333, so you wouldn't even be running at standard; essentially you are running the computer slower than it needs to be for the heat. If that's what you want, then you can try 5-6-5-18.

SPEEDSTEP should be set to Enabled. Enabled, allows the system to shift voltage and frequency based on your usage (Idle or Working).

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

Indeed. I would want the lowest heat production right now. Perhaps later, when I add on an aftermarket cooler to my CPU, I wouldn't mind DDR3-1333 or 1600 speeds. So, for DDR3-1066, should I leave mine on AUTO or set it to something like this:

Ai Overclock Tuner - Manual
CPU Ratio Setting - 21
Intel SpeedStep Tech - Enabled
BCLK Frequency - 133
DRAM Frequency - DDR3-1066
UCLK Frequency - AUTO
QPI Link Data Rate - AUTO

DRAM Timing Control
CAS Latency - 5
tRCD - 6
tRP - 5
tRAS - 18
Command Rate - 2N

DRAM Bus Voltage - 1.50V

I'm guessing this setting would be more appropriate? I really wish we could lower the voltage or see how much DDR3-1066 actually uses, so I know how much heat it would lower or increase by.

[GSKILL TECH]

Yes, DDR3-1066 is the lowest heat, but your system is easily capable of more. In fact, the standard is DDR3-1333, so you wouldn't even be running at standard; essentially you are running the computer slower than it needs to be for the heat. If that's what you want, then you can try 5-6-5-18.

SPEEDSTEP should be set to Enabled. Enabled, allows the system to shift voltage and frequency based on your usage (Idle or Working).

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[Kabigon]

Thanks for getting back to me. So, I'm still a little confused.

If my motherboard was setting DDR3-1066 on AUTO, and it should be therefore the lowest heat output, correct? Even though my motherboard states it's 1.50V, it may be going lower than that--which should be right, because why would there be a HEAT difference if I'm going from DDR3-1066 AUTO to DDR3-1600 XMP as I mentioned earlier?

If this is the case, then if I want the lowest heat production/lowest temps, I would be setting it at DDR3-1066, correct? If so, could you provide me those settings instead?

It just seemed strange because we're setting MANUALLY 1.50V, yet the motherboard MAY not use up to 1.50V... which would explain the heat change from DDR3-1066 AUTO to DDR3-1600 XMP...I hope I'm making sense.

My other question refers to the SPEEDSTEP setting -- must I disable this? I wanted to be able to keep my system cool when not in full idle (therefore allowing reduced clock speeds)--do I have to disable this actually?

Thank you again.

[GSKILL TECH]

Post #12 is for rated memory settings. Although slightly more heat, the motherboard and CPU is fully capable of it 247. Otherwise you can use these settings:

Ai Overclock Tuner - Manual
CPU Ratio Setting - 21
Intel SpeedStep Tech - Disabled
BCLK Frequency - 133
DRAM Frequency - DDR3-1333
UCLK Frequency - AUTO
QPI Link Data Rate - AUTO

DRAM Timing Control
CAS Latency - 6
tRCD - 7
tRP - 6
tRAS - 21
Command Rate - 2N

DRAM Bus Voltage - 1.50V

This is DDR3-1333, which should be the standard, but for some reason DDR3-1066 is what your motherboard is defaulting at.

The timings table in the SPD tab are suggested values. Because the JEDEC standard (minimum/default) is 1.50V, that's the lowest this particular motherboard can go. But as you see with newer P55 platforms, and the new 890 AMD chipset, they are capable of setting 1.50V or lower. But just because your (minimum/default) is 1.50V, does not mean the system is always using 1.50V. It will use up to 1.50V. The BIOS only provides rough estimates, they are not precise voltages being supplied. As you overclock the CPU and memory, you further dwell into this area and experience the differences.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[Kabigon]

No, 1.50V is the rated voltage at DDR3-1600 CL7. G.Skill modules are high performance so many times they do not even require the rated voltage. But especially at DDR3-1066 or anything lower than DDR3-1600, it may only be using ~1.40V, which is why your CPU temps were lower than if a full 1.50V was being used.

AUTO is not right at all. Look at Post #12, you have to set it manually to that or enable the XMP Profile. Notice in your first picture (SPD tab), the last option in the Timings Table is XMP-1600. This is what the memory is rated for and what it should be operating at. These exact settings should show in the memory tab. So simply complete the settings and you'll be good to go! You just haven't done so.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

Ah, so what you were saying is on AUTO (DDR3-1066), it is using less than 1.5V, which explains the less heat.

However, this speed is incorrect on AUTO, and I should set it via post #12? Do you know the speed settings in which I would have to achieve DDR3-1066 speeds then (instead of DDR3-1600?).

I remember when I had enabled the XMP profile before (as I stated in post #15), then the heat would jump back up a little, which you said should be now 1.5V. However, I guess since I am not OC'ing yet...my CPU is still stock at 2.8 GHz, I would just use the DDR3-1066 speeds with less heat. What settings would I need to do to take advantage of this? It is also strange that under SPD tab, it shows everything at 1.5V? I do not see the ~1.40V mark?

[GSKILL TECH]

No, 1.50V is the rated voltage at DDR3-1600 CL7. G.Skill modules are high performance so many times they do not even require the rated voltage. But especially at DDR3-1066 or anything lower than DDR3-1600, it may only be using ~1.40V, which is why your CPU temps were lower than if a full 1.50V was being used.

AUTO is not right at all. Look at Post #12, you have to set it manually to that or enable the XMP Profile. Notice in your first picture (SPD tab), the last option in the Timings Table is XMP-1600. This is what the memory is rated for and what it should be operating at. These exact settings should show in the memory tab. So simply complete the settings and you'll be good to go! You just haven't done so.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[Kabigon]

I can surely clarify your problems.

1) DDR3-1066 does not operate with XMP/EPP since it is below DDR3-1333. Core temps jumped because more voltage is being utilized at DDR3-1600 than DDR3-1066. At DDR3-1066, the memory is not using 1.50V. Even if you have it set at this, it is overvolted. So 3-4 degree jump from DDR3-1066 to 1600 is perfectly normal.

2) In CPU-z, are you looking in the SPD tab? Max bandwidth 667Mhz (PC3-10700)? That is the maximum default, DDR3-1333, like I was speaking about above. You will need to look in the memory tab. It should state DRAM Frequency ~800MHz 7-8-7-24. The memory tab shows the actual values the memory is currently operating at where as the SPD tab is the suggested values.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

Thank you for getting back to me. Sorry for the delay in response as I have some free time now to tackle on this issue.

In response to question #1, I thought you had mentioned that 1.5V is the LOWEST that any speed will go (whether it be DDR3-1066 or DDR3-1600)? Because I was under the assumption that only voltage increases temperatures, therefore it wouldn't make sense if DDR3-1066 and DDR3-1600 was using the same voltage--for it to have a temp increase.

2) Also, I have uploaded pics of the MEMORY and SPEED tabs:




My memory shows around 534.5 MHz running at 8-8-8-24 whereas the SPD will show the 667 MHz. What should I do? Is this right? I have AUTO settings currently in the BIOS (no XMP enabled or anything--just AUTO which I believe sets it at 1066 settings....but CPU-z is showing weird timings?) Also, note the 1.5V. Am I overvolting it as well? Please advise on what to do.

Thank you!