Hi guys, I've got that little icon that says I'm an "overclocking mastah" but I can't for the life of me figure out why the hell I can't push this E4300 on a system with premium cooling, beyond a crappy 305 MHz x 9 FSB! I know it must be a setting that's holding me back, as this ABit AW9D mobo has a ****load of cryptic settings that I have no clue as to their function.

It's the Modding On The Cheap case. E4300. WD Raptor. 2 x 512M SuperTalent overclocking RAM that the manufacturer states has been tested at 4-4-3-8 and 2.2V (default is 1.8V) (Specsheet here if needed), ABIT AW9D mobo, EnzoTech Ultra-X HSF (one of the best on the market).

The furthest I got was about 305 x 9 which is barely 2.7 GHz; these E4300's are supposed to commonly hit 3.2+ GHz on the stock cooling alone, with FSBs well over 340...so why the hell am I running into a wall at such a conservative overclock and top-notch cooling??

I've researched overclocking E4300, the ABIT forums, confirmed settings with SuperTalent, and just Google searching in general, and I can't figure out why this has been such a PITA! I've been overclocking since it was done with jumpers on a motherboard so it's not like I'm a total n00b, but this modern platform is humbling me!

There are a lot of weird BIOS settings that I've never heard of before, such as:

-N/B Strap CPU (defaults to PSB800, which is determined by the E4300 CPU I think)

-Thermal Monitor 1 and 2

-Limit CPUID MaxVal

-C1E Function

-Execute Disable Bit

-EIST Function

-PCI Express Root Port Function

-PEG Force X1

And I got to where I got with increasing the memory voltage to 2.2V (as tested and guaranteed by SuperTalent), setting CPU : DRAM to 533 (instead of 800 or 1066), and as aforementioned, 305 x 9. I've seen everyone else using the x9 multiplier successfully on stock cooling with MUCH higher results than I'm seeing. The temp has never been above 41 or so degrees Celsius, so it's not like I'm overheating anything. Nothing even feels warm to the touch.

Anyone able to shed some light on this perplexing issue? I'm certain it's one of those cryptic BIOS settings that's holding me back!

Thank you!

Have you upped the volts on the cpu yet?

Actually, I think I slapped up this ho'! My problems were in trying to figure out ABit's BIOS; their settings are named differently from almost anyone else. I kept trying to find the all-important PCIe 1:1 that I kept reading about, but there's nothing labelled simply that, in this BIOS.

I flashed from 1.2 to 1.3 BIOS, I noticed a few minor changes. Now, I was able to completely disable Thermal Control; the previous BIOS gave me 2 choices for Thermal Control: 01, and 02. But no way to disable it.

After futzing around with it some more, I had the following options under something called "N/B Strap CPU". Pretty cryptic, eh? Anyway, the choices were By SPD, PSB533, PSB800 and PSB1066, if memory serves. I was setting it to PSB533, because usually you want to loosen your timings, not tighten them, when overclocking. Whenever I messed with "By SPD", PSB533, or PSB800 (my RAM is DDR2-800 so the latter was the logical best choice), I got values of 3:5, 3:4, and 3:5. But nowhere did I see 1:1...until, that is, I selected the LEAST logical choice, PSB1066!!

When you select that option for N/B Strap CPU and set the CPU : DRAM to 533 MHz, you then see "1:1" appear in the BIOS!

I wasn't able to go over 305 FSB using my previous futzings, but with choosing PSB1066, I was able to easily boot at 347 x 9. My idle temps are 40 degrees or lower, so I think I've got some nice headroom.

I upped CPU voltage from 1.325 to 1.5, I increased memory voltage from default 1.8V to my SuperTalent's guaranteed 2.2V, and increased MCH voltage from 1.5V to 1.55V.

I think I've released the floodgates!

I increased mem volts to 2.3V, CPU volts to 1.6, and MCH volts to 1.65V and I got it booting and stable at 376 x 9, for a CPU speed of 3.38 GHz...not bad, quite a jump up from the stock 1.80 GHz. I'll see how much further I can push it. I'm still idling around 45 degrees or less. (Sorry for the double-post!)

No, I'm glad to see your posts .
I just ordered an E4300 ,a evga950i mobo and some Gskill "Uber" ddr2 mem and am awaiting delivery from newegg.


your getting me all excited allready

Change to 1066MHz Strap, turn off EIST.

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan Change to 1066MHz Strap, turn off EIST.

Thanks, I already figured that out last night. I wish I could've found that answer after a few hours searching the 'net, and a few more hours goofing with BIOS settings. All I could find was people saying "Set your PCIe to 1:1" but I had no such obvious setting *anywhere* in the ABit AW9D BIOS...setting N/B Strap CPU to 1066 MHz accomplishes that.

Overclocking update:

I got back into tweaking things a bit more. I've got this awesome EnzoTech Ultra-X cooler, and I was barely breaking a sweat at 373 x 9 = 3.357 GHz, so I increased CPU voltage from 1.6V to 1.7V, increased DDR2 voltage from 2.3V to 2.35V, and went up a few notches on MCH voltage, from 1.6V to 1.63V. I boosted and booted fine at 380 x 9 = 3.42 GHz, and ran Prime95 for over 7 minutes before getting an error. ABit's Guru said I didn't go over 69 degrees Celsius, but I was seeing that the actual temps (recorded in BIOS) were approximately 5 to 7 degrees higher. So, the torture test was putting me at about 75 degrees, just a touch too high. I'll back off the voltages a bit and try booting and testing again.

RBIEZE, I think you're gonna love that E4300, it's a major budget performer!

Woah. 1.6-1.7vcore is alot for air cooling, Plus its gonna kill the chip faster. And you might want to think about some active cooling on the ram is you go any higher with the volts.

Quote: Originally Posted by killert Woah. 1.6-1.7vcore is alot for air cooling, Plus its gonna kill the chip faster. And you might want to think about some active cooling on the ram is you go any higher with the volts. Main Rig - Intel Core2 Duo e6420 @ 3.4Ghz Cooled By Thermaltake Big Typoon - Asus P5N-E SLi - 2 100CFM Fans - DFI NB cooler on SB - Foxconn 8800GTX OC

Have you seen this computer I'm working on, yet? I do it, because I can.

The voltage you can safely apply is directly related to the effectiveness of your cooling. The Ultra-X is one of the better heatsinks on the market, without being ridiculously huge. The SuperTalent memory is guaranteed at 2.2V, and I'm running it stably at 2.35V. I'm not using active cooling on it, because the huge 220mm side panel fan is providing some pretty active cooling, not to mention the hard drive tunnel cooler I built is blowing across the memory too, and it's all being sucked out the back 120mm fan.

I moved the CPU voltage back to 1.675 from 1.7, and I ran Prime95 a good 20, 25 minutes with no errors and barely got over 70 degrees. My alarm is set for 75, my shutdown for 85, so 70 degrees under heavy load is pretty good. I might be able to reduce my voltage another notch and still keep the CPU speed. I idle at about 42 degrees. I'm very pleased with this Ultra-X HSF, it makes less noise than any of my other systems, and does a better job.

Hmm...what FSB you running your E6420 at? Looks like my budget E4300 is creeping into your closet!

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Vcore's a bit on the high side, unless you have a weak chip. I had my E4300 at just under 3.6Ghz with less than 1.4...

Also, theres no way id try 1.7v on air cooling, especially if your hitting 70c load, thats just asking for trouble.

I hear what you're saying about voltages and effective cooling, however 70c load temps and 1.7vcore settings doesnt sound like safe voltages or effective cooling.

If you want a safe (by safe I mean you're not drastically reducing your chips lifetime) then stock vcore or just over at 3.2Ghz is entirely possible.

1.7v is actually silly (DryIce style voltage), didn't notice that. Serious, not mater what you believe that isn't good on air. My old E6600 did +4GHz on air at 1.5v.

At 1.675V I'm still rock-stable at 3.42 GHz. I do believe I have a weak chip, though, considering the troubles I had just getting it to boot over 3 GHz until I deciphered that 1066 meant 1:1 PCIe in this BIOS' terminology. I didn't even get over 70 degrees with Prime95. After an hour of Oblivion I was at 55 degrees. And frankly, considering I bought a budget chip at the bottom end of what my mobo will support, and will buy something much faster in, oh, about a year or two, I don't really care about the life expectancy of my CPU. To be honest, I'm rather disappointed in those of you (at least of whom is sporting an "Overclocking Mastah" award) warning me about reducing the life expectancy of my chip. C'mon. I've been pushing the limits of what I can get from my hardware since it used to be done with jumpers and dip-switches. I know the risks already.

Quote: Originally Posted by Coelacanth To be honest, I'm rather disappointed in those of you (at least of whom is sporting an "Overclocking Mastah" award) warning me about reducing the life expectancy of my chip. C'mon. I've been pushing the limits of what I can get from my hardware since it used to be done with jumpers and dip-switches. I know the risks already.

There are risks and then theres being silly, 1.7v (on moderate air cooling) on a 65nm chip is silly.

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan There are risks and then theres being silly, 1.7v (on moderate air cooling) on a 65nm chip is silly.

"Moderate" air-cooling?? I'm sorry, but *none* of my computers has "moderate" air-cooling. The systems I've built have better airflow than 99% of systems out there. Anyway, I'll let my temps and stability determine what's safe to do.

Well one could argue that an "Overclocking Mastah" doesn't necessarily have to push his gear to the absolute limit of what it can do... theres more to mastering something than just pushing it to its absolute limit.

E.g. guitar playing, you see all these kids trying to shred the frig outa their instruments and play ridiculously fast solos and stuff, but have they mastered the instrument? No, they can just play extremely fast.

Just illustrating its not all about speed and pushing the limits. I think a better challenge is getting the highest frequency possible whilst still maintaining sensible temps (55-60c load) and keeping the vcore as tight as possible. Anyone can whack up the volts and go for broke.

Just some food for thought, keep your results coming

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex Well one could argue that an "Overclocking Mastah" doesn't necessarily have to push his gear to the absolute limit of what it can do... theres more to mastering something than just pushing it to its absolute limit.

I of course agree. Overclocking is pointless if your system isn't stable. I usually find what the absolute high-end limits are, then back things off about 10%. And another factor in the equation for this latest project of mine, is noise. Balancing top-notch cooling with quietness is one of my main objectives.

The effective lifespan of a CPU is much less than the typical "physical" lifespan. I don't really care what this processor will be doing in 5 years, because by then, it'll be so archaic that it'll be practically prehistoric, in computer years. My M.O. is usually to upgrade my CPUs once during the life of a given motherboard, and the video card 2 or 3 times. I buy a high-end, top-notch platform, then pair it with something near the bottom end of what it supports, and run it as high as I can, and still be in the safe range for cooling and stability. 1.5 to 2 years later, I buy near the best CPU the mobo can support, which by now will have reduced in price from over $1000 to maybe $200 or so during that time period, and giving me another year or two of useful life.

I can never afford to buy a complete new PC every year or two. I usually get a whole computer about once every 3 years or so, and upgrade what I already have to the max it can support--buying stuff at greatly reduced prices a year or two after it's introduced.

I was able to get 383 FSB x 9 to boot and run on 1.65V, but I got nothing but errors in Prime95. I *was* able to get 380 x 9 on 1.675V to run quite stable in Prime95, but I noticed the temps getting into the low 70's, so I finally settled in on what seems to be my ideal overclock for this CPU (which seems to be a weak one, many people are getting 3.47 GHz without even increasing the voltage as aggressively as I have).

I was able to run Prime95 for about 35 minutes with no errors, the temps never leaving the 60's. My final resting point was notching back the voltage to 1.625V, and running at 377 x 9 for a pretty decent, stable and safe 3.39 GHz. I'm pretty impressed to get even *that* much of an increase, considering this particular E4300 isn't the best chip off the old Intel block.

I played a couple hours of Oblivion (with the X1900 XT, I was able to run everything at 1280 x 1024 with all eye candy set to max and 4X AA, what a glorious game on modern hardware!) and after exiting, the CPU was running at 45 degrees Celsius. Previously with the higher voltage, I was in the mid-50's I think.

What can I say about the E4300? Even the weak ones get a two thumbs up!

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I was pleasantly surprised to see my temps under load in Prime95, using the same settings as before on the overclock, never got over 63 degrees, after putting the side panel back on, with it's huge, quiet 220mm fan. Idle temps stayed about the same, maybe a degree or two less, between 38 and 41 degrees approximately.

Here is a teaser shot of the almost-finished project, I'm still trying to find a perfect name for it. "Modding On The Cheap" is a topic name, but not going to be the case name.

"Orthos" is a slightly better program for dual core CPU's, simply for the fact you don't have to open up 2 instances of Prime 95 (From wich it is based)

I use "Small FTT's" and set the priority to 9, this will load the CPU the hardest, and will typicaly result in higher temps than the "Blend" it will set by default.

Stress Prime 2004



Here is a link for "MemSet" if you want to play with the memory settings a bit (As mentioned in my PM reply)

New memory tweaker for chipsets Intel. - XtremeSystems Forums


Also try running the Super Pi "1MB test", I am curious as to how it performs.

Super PI Mod

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