Intel Core i7 Overclocking Tutorial (Stability Testing)

Stability testing

Test Software

The programs used for testing are:

• MemTest86 +
• CPU-Z
• Prime95
• Real Temp

For the stability test use any of the above programs. Memtest 86 turn without your Windows startup and use the memory stability test. Prime95 can be used for the processor and memory at the same time to test.

Immediately after the launch of Windows you need to load CPU-Z. If CPU-Z shows the correct values start Prime95 and let them run with eight workers at a time. Choose the option for "maximum heat generation. Prime is particularly suited to see if the system is stable for daily use. Let prime95 fifteen minutes every time you turn to the maximum speed does have found. Turn prime95 less than an hour, but rather one or four hours to see if your system is stable.

Meanwhile, the temperatures can be monitored using Real Temp. I recommend to the temperatures 24/7-test among the 85 ~ 90 degrees and holding.

Intel Core i7 Overclocking Tutorial (Part 2)

Overclocking BIOS (Part II)

Once you've found Bclk the maximum we can go to maximize speed. I recommend starting with the memory. We have all settings except for the multiplier of the memory and Bclk.

Turn the Bclk at 133 and the memory multiplier to default (or higher if you have memory clock). Now increase the Bclk steps and test each memory with a program like memtest 86+.


Megahertz hard count

Now to the most important of all, the processor clock rate. To begin, we all back on the back burner so that we do not burden it. We now know the maximum cpu and bclk frequency and it is a question of trying. That could be a very tedious and time consuming, so it is advisable to be here to take.

Set the maximum frequency multiplier (965 excluded) and raise the Bclk again with steps to not more stable. When you've got the processor stable you can start the clock to uncore something in order to improve the memory performance (6GB> has more benefits than <6GB). Again you can do this by simply bringing up the multiplier to your notice that the system no longer boot / stable.

Voltages

The reasonable overclock experienced might already have noticed, but there is nothing so far about voltages. That's right, that story is now.


Increase Bclk stability

There will come a point that the Bclk not higher. Increasing he VTT voltage (Asus calls it QPI / DRAM) should ensure that it improves.
Maximum value: 1.35 ~ 1.4 V


Increase Memory stability

In addition to the voltage you can of course also loosen up the timings of your memory a little. The voltage of the memory, in the X58 no more than 1.65 V. There are many people who claim that the entry of the VTT 0.5V must be safe. So at 1.4 V, the VTT DRAM voltage 1.9 V.
Maximum value: 1.65 ~ 1.66 V


Increase Processor stability

Increase the vCore as little as possible, the Core i7 is shockingly warmer when fully charged. The increase in small steps is the best and gives the best result. Sometimes, there is no sense in raising because the temperature is often too high.
Maximum value: 1.25 V, or 1.35 ~ 1.4 V with good air

Intel Core i7 Overclocking Tutorial (Part 1)

Overclocking BIOS (Part I)

The overclocking of older computers was relatively easy to increase the Front Side Bus (FSB) and multiplied by the multiplier. This was the main frequency achieved what it's all about. For example, an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 are 3000MHz obtained by the following simple calculation:

Multiplier x FSB = clock frequency

Or in the case of the E8400:

9 x 333 = 3000

3000 in the above calculation is completed, some motherboards continue the additional 0.5 MHz FSB, just slightly faster than the competition so that there is even more true than 3000MHz.

The same calculations can also be made for the memory. Furthermore, they are not clear multipliers in the form of a figure, although this is to count is. Standard memory is 1:1. This multiplied by the FSB, the actual memory speed. Choosing from another divider allows for a lower speed (divider / lower setting in bios).

The bios of P6T Deluxe including explanation

Bclk

Bclk stands for Base clock, roughly translated, this would amount to base speed. The overclocking of the Core i7 is using the Bclk, only the more expensive Core i7 965 has a free multiplier upwards, that the frequency could be raised.

Unlike the traditional way of overclocking, the i7 has multiple multipliers for the CPU to overclock. The base is also clock frequency for the processor with the FSB. For the calculation we get:

Multiplier x base clock = clock speed

Or in this case:

20 x 133 = 2660


Quick Path Interface (QPI)

The QPI overclocking will have little meaning and provides only a marginal profit. The Core i7 to overclock as high as possible the multiplier should be set as low as possible. Some motherboards give a ratio as: "x36, x44, x48 ...". There are also motherboards which indicate the speed. Anyway, you choose the largest ratio or lowest rate.


CPU ratio

After you have brought down QPI-multiplier, it will be important to find out what the highest stable Bclk of the motherboard and processor. To be able to determine there will be half the multiplier that should be brought down. It is the processor "multiplier" for example, the Core i7 920 can then be put "14x". In addition to the processor, the motherboard can also be a good contribution to a better cooler on the clock Bclk. Therefore I recommend strongly to confirm a better cooler than the standard Intel cooler.

After we have brought down cpu multiplier, we also have to check the memory speed on a back burner to make it not have the burden.


Uncore multiplier

Think you had to have everything? No, unfortunately there is a multiplier that should be brought down. It is the "multiplier Uncore". The uncore clock controls the speed of the memory controller and L3 cache. Set the multiplier of two times your memory speed (800MHz memory clock = 1600MHz Uncore).

After you have done all this you increase the Bclk. Most people will be around 180 to 210 out. Testing of the stability on the following pages to bid.

Intel Core i7 Overclocking Tutorial (Introduction)

Introduction

The processor is in the market since 2008 and is already renowned for its excellent overclocking capabilities. We are talking today about the overclocking of the Core i7 processors from Intel. The high-end processors to take on the Phenom processors from AMD. But with the overclocking of this is still a little different than in the past with older processors! The tutorial gives you the basic skills for the Core i7 stepping till the end.


Requirements

Of course there are a number of things needed for the Core i7 to overclock. The obvious components are included in the list.

Asus P6T Deluxe X58 motherboard

After you have determined to overclock Core i7 system, you can go forward to read this guide. It must be said that the results after using this tutorial for anyone can be different and can lead to error. In addition to everything, read it quietly and not to act hastily. Also make sure that your BIOS is up-to-date, unless you experience any problems. A virus or bad Windows installation can also throw a spanner in the attempt of the overclocking of your system.

ATI Radeon HD 4850 GPU

The ATI Radeon HD 4850 GPU brings the power of graphics supercomputing to gamers, setting a new standard for visual computing. Redefine the way you play and take HD gaming to the extreme with best-in-class performance. The new TeraScale graphics engine delivers an immersive, cinematic gaming experience. Add this GPU to your PC and watch Blu-ray movies and play HD content with incredible visual fidelity.* Do it all with break-through efficiency that doesn't compromise performance.
GDDR3 memory 256-bit memory interface
DirectX® 10.1
24x custom filter anti-aliasing (CFAA) and high performance anisotropic filtering
ATI CrossFireX™ multi-GPU support for highly scalable performance
Use up to four discrete cards with an AMD 790FX based motherboard
PCI Express® 2.0 support
PCI Express® 2.0 supportDynamic geometry acceleration
Game physics processing capability
ATI Avivo™HD video and display technologyUnified Video Decoder 2 (UVD)
ATI PowerPlay™ technology

AMD Cool N Quite Technology

CoolnQuiet automatically reduces your clock speed when your processor is not being used to save power and lower head production. Its like Intel's SpeedStep. There is nothing wrong with your computer. But of you dont want this feature, then enter your motherboard's BIOS [by pressing F8(or Delete most likely) during the mobo splash screen]

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition 3.1 GHz Unlocking $100 buck

At Computex 2009 in Taipei, Taiwan, AMD announced a new lineup of processors
for the second half of 2009. These included the Phenom II X4 905e and X3 703e, which are energy-efficient processors, the Athlon II X2 250 AMD's first 45nm Athlon processor, and the dual-core 3.1GHz AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition.

The Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition is AMD's first dual-core Phenom processor, and thanks to an unlocked multiplier and 45nm manufacturing process, it has the potential to break some serious overclocking records...

Based on the 'Deneb' architecture of the Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition, this chip simply has two of its four cores disabled. The Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition does retain the same L3 cache size as its big brother though, with a massive 6MB shared L3 cache that allows for faster, smaller 512KB of individual cache for each of the two cores. As the 550BE is part of AMD's Black Edition line up, it is multiplier unlocked for easier overclocking. The Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition is built on AMD's 45nm manufacturing process, so processor TDP sits at a comfortable 80W.

This 3.1GHz CPU slips easily into socket AM3 motherboards and Socket AM2+ platforms as well. This is largely due to its integrated DDR2/DDR3 memory controller, which functions in DDR3 mode for AM3 motherboards, and DDR2 mode on socket AM2/AM2+ motherboards. Overall it makes for some dead-simple upgrades, and the increased versatility is a welcome change from the complete system overhaul that's required to operate Intel's Core i7 and Core i5 processors.

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Processor Tech Specs Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Clock: 3.1 GHz L1: 2x 128KB L2: 2x 512KB L3: 6MB Multiplier: 15.5x Package: 938-pin Socket: AM3 (AM2+) organic mPGA Core: 45nm SOI Transistor: 758M Power: 80W Vcore: 0.850-1.425V Cost: $102 USD

The on-die memory controller for the Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition supports DDR2 memory at speeds up to DDR2-1066Mhz, which is a bandwidth of 17.1GB/s. It can also work with DDR3 memory at up to 1333MHz, which increases the total memory bandwidth up to 21.3GB/S. Hypertransport 3.0 operates at 2.0GHz which is then sent twice per clock cycle (DDR) for a final duplexed speed of 4.0GHz along a 16-bit/16-bit link, translating into 16GB/s of bus bandwidth between the CPU and the chipset.

The physical specifications of the Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition are the same as that of the AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition that it's based on. Both processors have 758 million transistors packed into a 258mm2 die, a feat possible thanks to AMD's 45nm die shrink.

Given Windows 7, AMD has ensured that the new Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition processor and the rest of the Phenom processor line will have full support for this operating system, most importantly the new 'XP virtualization' feature. The Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition supports full hardware virtualization, allowing a single core to run a simulated Windows XP environment inside of Windows 7.


AMD's suggested retail price for the Phenom II X2 550 processor is a mere $103 USD ($110 CDN, £62 GBP), which positions it right between Intel's 2.6GHz E5300 processor and the Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz E7400 processor. This makes it both an inexpensive, easy upgrade for those looking to drop it into an existing socket AM2+ motherboard. The 3.1GHz clockspeed and potential overclocking headroom also mean that this processor should be a very exciting prospect for those who are building gaming systems on a budget.

The Dragon goes Mainstream


At the end of 2008 AMD launched its Dragon platform, a combination of its new Phenom II processors, socket AM3 motherboards, and Radeon 48XX series of videocards. Since then AMD has updated Dragon with the Phenom II X4 955 processor. Now AMD is focusing on bringing the Dragon platform to the midrange market, with the Radeon HD 4770 videocard and the Phenom II X2 550.

As PCSTATS has previously demonstrated, a single Radeon HD 4770 is good budget gaming value, providing excellent performance at a low price point. However when two of them are linked together in Crossfire mode, the performance can rival high-end videocards that are much more expensive.

The Phenom II X2 550 fits into AMD's plan for budget system builders, giving an option for an affordable dual-core processor with a high clock speed
. Thanks to the Phenom II X2 550's low TDP and unlocked multiplier, there's also the potential for some heavy-duty overclocking.

AMD Phenom II Processors
Processor Models	Thermal Design Power	Clock Speed	Cache	Price (USD)
AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE	125W	3.2GHz	8MB (2MB L2 +6MB L3)	$246
AMD Phenom II X4 945	125W	3.0 GHz	8MB (2MB L2 +6MB L3)	$226
AMD Phenom II X4 920	125W	3.0 GHz	8MB (2MB L2 +6MB L3)	$190
AMD Phenom II X4 810	95W	2.6 GHz	6MB (2MB L2 +4MB L3)	$176
AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE	95W	2.8 GHz	7.5 (1.5MB L2 + 6MB)	$139
AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE	80W	3.1GHZ	7MB (1MB L2 +6MB L3)	$103

AMD is looking to convert its 'Dragon' system platform into something that's more than just an assortments of parts that share the same marketing label. While there still aren't any special hardware features that become unlocked from combining a Phenom CPU, Radeon videocard and AM3 motherboard together, AMD has crafted new software tools aimed directly at overclockers and enthusiasts.

PCSTATS takes a closer look at AMD overdrive and memory profiles next, then it's on to system power draw tests on a core-by-core basis and overclocking.