HeatSurge
Registered User
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2008
- Messages
- 5,473
lulz.
With the new processors, I don't know exactly. I'm guessing the process is similar, but before when you had a locked multiplier (which is the case with your I7 860 and the I7 920 which I have), you used to raise the "FSB" frequency and put the memory on a divider so it runs at the same frequency. For example, if your processor multiplier is 21 (which I believe is the case with the I7 860 per here - it's also in the mobo bios - http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-750-core-i7-860-870-processor-review-test/2 ), if you want 3.4ghz = 3400mhz, you'd put the "FSB" (old term) or "QPI" (I believe new term) to 162mhz (162mhz QPI/FSB x 21 multiplier = 3402mhz ~= 3.4ghz). The only "problem" is, changing the FSB/QPI/whatever also puts the memory up by some amount, so you used to have to put a "divider" on it to make it run on default frequency. I'm not sure if this divider still exists and how it plays out now with DDR3.
My usual procedure is to OC the processor as much as I like, while keeping the memory down - and then find the highest frequency the memory will run at and then try to tighten the timings.
Test processor stability with Prime, and memory with memtest86+ from a bootable CD like "the ultimate boot CD" http://ultimatebootcd.com .
The whole procedure can take days to see what's really stable, but if you simply want a low overclock, you don't need to change any voltages or anything.
Some mobos (like some MSI ones with their "OC Genie") have an "Auto overclock" feature which gives you a small, "safe" overclock automatically. Yours is intel, so it doesn't have that but oh well. I like to OC manually anyway to make sure I know what's changed and that everything is maxed out at the highest possible, while stable, overclock.
I'll let you know how mine goes. I decided to buy a new hard drive, and I'm waiting on that to assemble it.
Kinda ridiculous, because when I get the new hard drive, the components will have been sitting in my room for a week.
Oh well.
With the new processors, I don't know exactly. I'm guessing the process is similar, but before when you had a locked multiplier (which is the case with your I7 860 and the I7 920 which I have), you used to raise the "FSB" frequency and put the memory on a divider so it runs at the same frequency. For example, if your processor multiplier is 21 (which I believe is the case with the I7 860 per here - it's also in the mobo bios - http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-750-core-i7-860-870-processor-review-test/2 ), if you want 3.4ghz = 3400mhz, you'd put the "FSB" (old term) or "QPI" (I believe new term) to 162mhz (162mhz QPI/FSB x 21 multiplier = 3402mhz ~= 3.4ghz). The only "problem" is, changing the FSB/QPI/whatever also puts the memory up by some amount, so you used to have to put a "divider" on it to make it run on default frequency. I'm not sure if this divider still exists and how it plays out now with DDR3.
My usual procedure is to OC the processor as much as I like, while keeping the memory down - and then find the highest frequency the memory will run at and then try to tighten the timings.
Test processor stability with Prime, and memory with memtest86+ from a bootable CD like "the ultimate boot CD" http://ultimatebootcd.com .
The whole procedure can take days to see what's really stable, but if you simply want a low overclock, you don't need to change any voltages or anything.
Some mobos (like some MSI ones with their "OC Genie") have an "Auto overclock" feature which gives you a small, "safe" overclock automatically. Yours is intel, so it doesn't have that but oh well. I like to OC manually anyway to make sure I know what's changed and that everything is maxed out at the highest possible, while stable, overclock.
I'll let you know how mine goes. I decided to buy a new hard drive, and I'm waiting on that to assemble it.
Kinda ridiculous, because when I get the new hard drive, the components will have been sitting in my room for a week.
Oh well.
