Found a stable OC I like. I got up to 4.4ghz on my little i3, but ran into some heat issues with just a stock fan on my Coolit ECO. I'll be swapping out for much better fans soon (Noiseblocker M12) since the GT fans are impossible to find. However, I don't really need 4.4+, and I have been sitting nicely at 3.875 for the past 36 hours. I get excellent temps considering ambient (~26c) @ this OC. Running 27c idle and 56c load on Prime95.
 
I am just not sure how to refine the OC, and in which steps I should go for, next. 
 
I have a few questions. 
 
1. With memory timings, do lower numbers generally require more/less volts to be stable? For instance 6-7-6-18 or 6-7-6-24 or 7-6-7-24 etc. I'm running 9-9-9-24 @ stock volts. When I start fiddling with lower timings, should I also drop/raise the volts? 
 
2. When trying to find lower voltages for CPU, does one lower CPU Vcore, CPU VTT, or both in conjunction? Like 2 notches to each, or 2 for one, check for stability, 2 for the other, etc. And which should I start out with first? 
 
 
I hope this makes sense... 

NoiseBlockers aren't worth the cash.  They have subpar static pressure - you're much better off going with some Cooler Master BladeMasters which have even more pressure than GT AP-15s.  Sadly the fluid dynamic bearing versions are not out yet but if your ECO is on the rear case fan mount then the BladeMasters will be fine.
 
1. If you are trying to get your timings lower than the manufacturer's specs, then yes it will most likely require extra voltages.  Remember to keep DIMM voltage at 1.65v or below.  
 
2. Don't do both at the same time.  Find your minimum stable VCore, then minimum stable VTT.  But if you overclocked one step at a time then I can't see how you're not at your minimum stable voltages.  

boredgunner 

NoiseBlockers aren't worth the cash.  They have subpar static pressure - you're much better off going with some Cooler Master BladeMasters which have even more pressure than GT AP-15s.  Sadly the fluid dynamic bearing versions are not out yet but if your ECO is on the rear case fan mount then the BladeMasters will be fine.

1. If you are trying to get your timings lower than the manufacturer's specs, then yes it will most likely require extra voltages.  Remember to keep DIMM voltage at 1.65v or below.  

2. Don't do both at the same time.  Find your minimum stable VCore, then minimum stable VTT.  But if you overclocked one step at a time then I can't see how you're not at your minimum stable voltages.  

 
Thanks. Are these the NB that you were commenting on? 
 
http://www.svc.com/nb-m12-s3hs.html
 
A few guys at OCN state otherwise, and say they're a great replacement for the GT's, only at a higher price. 
 
Unfortunately, I didn't OC one step at a time, which I am finding out isn't the best way to go about. So now I'm trying to back step.. 

boredgunner

fishys87 

tbturner47 

First what RAM do you have? You should run it at its rated voltage. I would get the OC refined first before I messed with the timings. 

Only change Vcore or VTT by itself when trying to get it lowered. Depending on your settings I would do Vcore first unless your VTT is really high. 

 

G.Skill Ripjaws - 1600mhz @ 9-9-9-24 @ 1.5v 

Vcore is actually a little higher than VTT - for what its worth. Not sure if that's good or bad..  

 

It doesn't matter.  VTT should be within 0.5v of the DIMM voltage though.  So if your DIMM voltage is 1.5v then your VTT can't be less than 1.0v.  Since your RAM is 1.5v then you have some voltage headroom to lower them timings.  First thing I'd try is 8-9-8-24 at 1.5v.  If it's not stable, go to the next DIMM voltage increment.  Like CPU overclocking, increase volts one increment at a time.  Once you stabilize at 8-9-8-24 (if you do in fact get it stable), then you can try 8-8-8-24, then 7-8-7-24, etc.  

Unfortunately my comment on NoiseBlocker fans was directed at all of them.   I didn't OC one step at a time either since I was already very familiar with LGA 1156 overclocking.  Instead I used starting points for voltages and upped them from there.

 
Thanks for your help. 

Q56_Monster

boredgunner
But if you overclocked one step at a time then I can't see how you're not at your minimum stable voltages.  

LOL, no one does what they're supposed to do...I usually start high and work backwards...I have no patience what-so-ever!

I actually did overclock one step at a time with my E8400 since I was a noob back then.  With my i5 760 I jumped straight to 4.2 GHz with relatively low VCore and VTT as a starting point.  Thankfully those voltages weren't enough so I went up from there, so I got my minimum stable voltages after 2 or 3 tries.