linuxrouter

My memory in BIOS only shows 1333 when I thought I had it set to 1600 MHz

The frequency that shows up in BIOS for memory frequency always shows a frequency based on the default CPU Host Frequency of 133 regardless of what CPU Host Frequency is set. For example, say that you have your CPU Host Frequency at 160 and your memory ratio at 2:10. In this case your memory frequency is 1600 MHz (160x10), but BIOS will tell you something different. BIOS derives its memory frequency off a CPU Host Frequency of 133, regardless of what you have manually set it to. In this example, BIOS will tell you that your memory is 1333 MHz (133x10) even though it is actually set to 1600 MHz.

The best way to know where your memory frequency is at is to do the math based on examples above and to check the Memory tab in E-Leet to confirm. Also, remember that the Memory tab in E-Leet will show the actual memory clockspeed, which is half the effective clockspeed. For example, if your memory is running at 1600 MHz, then E-Leet will report it as running at 800 MHz.

Newer BIOS versions show a target memory frequency which should be the real memory frequency.

So this time that I've been thinking that my speed and timings are wrong, they are actually correct?  I'm running Mushkin Blackline 998681 1600Mhz ... eLeet and CPU-Z show about the same freq.  These are actually correct values?  Maybe some more clarification is required for me, because I was doing the math and it should work out but these results from eLeet and CPU-z lead me to believe I was wrong.

Noob question here. can I change my memory freq. and timings in the bios without doing a clean OS install? I have all my programs and files loaded and don't want to have to start from scratch .

I downloaded Memtest86+ 4.10 to a usb drive but i haven't found any documentation on how to use it.  Could you expain the process? i gather one must boot from the drive at startup before the OS boots. Once again I'm a noob at this but a quick study.
Also if I just want to to try the XMP profile first do you still need to run memtest 86+?

I'm running 12 gigs (6 x 2gb) of Corsair dominator DDR3 1600 which I believe supports XMP> thanks again. I'm finding this stuff fascinating.

Got it ...Thanks

philosophicaljt

Not sure if this is the best place for me to ask this. On the X58 micro, what's the best spec memory I can buy? Should I go with 1600mhz ram or should I go higher? What about timings?

I'm only going for 4GHz @ lowest possible voltage thats 100% stable on my 920 D0.

I have had Mushkin Blackline, Redline, and Ridgeback memory installed on the Micro. Currently, my Micro has the Ridgeback installed with timings 6-8-6-24-1T @ 1600 MHz which is working fine. For higher memory frequency, I would probably not go much higher than 1866 MHz. The Micro board does not seem to handle the 2000 MHz memory frequency as well as the Classified board. You can also buy higher frequency memory and run it at lower frequency with tighter timings.

Thanks man. This is something I realy can use.

Wow thanks a lot! You deserve a Blue Ribbon for this. Your guide will help me out once I get my rig up and running.

2000 MHz memory frequency - overclocked core frequency
 
Frequency / Voltage Control
CPU Host Frequency ( 200 )
CPU Clock Ratio ( 20x )
CPU Uncore Frequency ( 20x )
 
Memory Feature
Memory Frequency ( 2:10 )
 
Voltage Control
CPU VTT ( +400mv )
DIMM Voltage ( 1.65v )
 
Memory Frequency: 200 * 10 (2:10) = 2000 MHz
Uncore Frequency: 200 * 20 = 4000 MHz
Core Frequency: 200 * 20 = 4000 MHz

me thinkest there should be a disclaimer on this

how long do i run prime 95 i have not overclocked scene my amd 4400 and that was years a go

Great guide. Wish I had it 2 years ago.
Thanks

Thanks a bunch Linux I have sucessusfully O/C CPU and ram is running great u have help bunches.

Thanks for the excellent guide. Reading this and using the max base clock strat guide you posted has given me the knowledge and confidence enough to try my first overclock. Only question so far is should it really take me 2.5-3hrs to memtest 24gigs?
 
Running into issues now I'm afraid. So I've followed the guide all the way up to a 210 bclck and proven that stable, can't seem to get any higher than that yet, but no big deal that isn't too bad for a first timer I think, so I decided to kick my memory up to a 2:8 ratio. Every time I change it though the machine fails to POST.. I have tried changing every setting one at a time to try and get it to boot with now luck so far. I even kicked the bclck back down to 200 and still no boot. 8-segment display looks like its just cycling through numbers, its hard to see as I have a video card in the way. If you think its worth taking out that card to see the numbers let me know. Please keep in mind I spent a fair amount of time searching the forums and googling differed OC guides and tried adjusting all the settings that they recommended for stability individually. Really didn't touch anything that isn't usually mentioned tho as this is my first attempt at an OC I really don't know what I'm doing!
 
gear:
X58 FTW3
i7 - 960
6x4GB G. Skill 1600
gtx 280 x 2
750W power
Corsair H60 for cooling
x-fi soundblaster if that matters at all
 
current bios specs:
Dummy O.C:  Disabled
Extreme Cooling: Disabled
Memory Feature
     >Memory SPD: Standard
     >Memory Control Setting: Enabled
     >Memory Frequency: 2:6
     >Channel Interleave Setting: 6 way
     >Rank Interleave Setting: 4 way
     > 9-9-9-24-74-1T; everything else in AUTO
Voltage Control
     >Vdroop: With VDroop
     >CPU VCore: 1.3
     >VTT Voltage: +200mV
     > CPU PLL Vcore: 1.650V
     >DIMM Voltage: 1.650v
     >DiMM DQ Vref: +0mV
     >QPI PLL VCore: 1.200V
     >IOH VCore: 1.100V
     >IOH/ICH I/O Voltage: 1.5V
     >ICH VCore: 1.125V
     >PWM Freq.: 800
CPU Feature
     >Speedstep: Disable
     >CxE Function: Disabled
     >Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
     >Virtualization Technology: Disabled
     >Intel HT Technology: Enabled
     >Active Processor Cores: ALL
     >QPI Control Settings: Enabled
     >QPI Link Fast Mode: Enabled
     >QPI Frequency Selection: 4.8 GT/s
CPU ratio: 15x
CPU Host Frequency: 210
MCH Strap: DRAM Ratio
Uncore Freq.: 16x
CPU clock skew: 0
IOH clock skew: 0
Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Frequency: 101
OC Recovery: Disabled
Turbo Performance: Disabled
 
Going to put it on a long duration stress test for the afternoon to verify the current bclck is as stable as I think it is. Thanks in advance, and again thanks for the awesome guides!

ok I have followed this guide to the best of my ability.... The problem I am having is that i cannot find anywhere the ability to "See" that my ram is running  at 1600MHz. Maybe I am a noob and just don't understand the numbers but right now it is showing on the EVGA E-Leet that my DRAM Frequency is at 530.7MHz the FSB:DRAM is showing 2:8. I have an I7 960 and the Vengeance 1600MHz 12GB pack (3x4GB). 
 
I set it up this way:
CPU Host 133
CPU Clock 24x
CPU Uncore 24x
 
Mem Feature 2:12
 
CPU VTT +50mv
Dimm Volt 1.65v
 
Can anyone help explain if I will never see the end result of 1600MHz or am I under clocked with the 530MHz that it is showing?

hmmm I have it at 2:12 and for some reason it is only saying 530. Should the DIMM voltage go up to say 1.7?

After much determination and re-reading what you have posted I was able to get things moving with no errors in Prime95. I also took my CPU up a little... however it seems like stuff can't be rendered as fast in video games... I am playing Rage and see in the middle of the screen where it is almost like the top of the screen can't keep up with the lower part. Like the screen is split in two when I turn. This didn't happen before. Is it possible that something isn't quite right yet?
 
CPU Core Freq is now 200MHz
CPU is now at 3.6 GHz (I7 960)
Video NVidia 280 GTX
 
Ok last edit on this one... I was running the 285.62 drivers from nVidia and a friend told me to go back to the 280.26 drivers and that fixed the split screen issue. Apparently the 285.62 drivers are garbage.
 
Thank you Linuxrouter! Your post is awesome and even helped me understand a bit more about the overclocking and frequency settings on this beast. Thank you again!