[endeavor]

Hey Everyone!

I have been a member here for years and will try to keep this as short as possible. Here we go with the parts of my new build:

- GA-EP45-UD3R mobo (BIOS version F5 - out of the box)
- E8400 Intel CPU (3.0 Ghz out of the box)
- Radeon HD 4850X2
- Mushkin 4GB (2x2GB) Ascent PC-8500 (rated 1066 MHz, 5-5-5-15 @ 2.0 -2.1V)
- WD 500 GB SATA 3.0 GB/s hard drive
- Antec 850W Modular Power Supply (which kicks serious butt)
- Zalman CNPS 9700 LED heatsink/fan

Everything works like a charm. No hiccups during any installation or updates (such as Vista SP1, etc.) All the games run great!

I figured, time to stress this puppy, however, as soon as I try to oc in the slightest bit (from FSB 333 to FSB 340 i.e.)...NO GO!!! The good old Gigabyte cold-boot cycle ensues, before resetting itself to default bios settings.
Tried using memtest86 to check on the memory first, created a bootable CD, but the PC reboots as soon as memtest is 15 secs into the test. No errors reported, though! Checked the BIOS, RAM was set to a 1.8 Voltage, so I changed it to its rated 2.0 V. The timings by the way were identified correctly. But it made no difference, memtest exits 15 secs into test with NO errors reported and PC reboots. What should I do next?

I have heard that the EP45-UD3R version struggles with overclock if USB Legacy is enabled in the BIOS. I do not have a PS/2 keyboard, but an adapter from USB to PS/2. So, if I were to disable that in the BIOS, can I still use the keyboard with PS/2 adapter in the BIOS in case this doesn't help my situation? I also heard that it could be an issue with the Zalman 9700 IF Fan Monitor 2 was installed (connected). I was told that I should hook the cooler directly to the CPU FAN slot on the mobo and to ignore the Fan Monitor 2, which I have not tried yet.

Not sure if Gigabyte customers having the same issue I had first flashed their BIOS to version F7 (latest one). I did notice that out of the box, my CPU had a multiplier of 8, instead of 9. Again, all works, but as soon as you tweak in the micro-slightest, all hell breaks lose. I'd appreciate any input of what I should do next and in regards to this issue. I guess I want to try the USB legacy first, it helped in 7 out of 10 cases, but I am worried about my keyboard functionality...
BTW, Dynamic Energy Saver was not installed.

This post has been edited by endeavor: 20 March 2009 - 07:32 PM

[road-runner]

Have you tried loading optimized defaults in the bios, then try overclocking?

[endeavor]

Tried that, however, just to make sure the system boots with these optimized settings after my OC settings failed. I am wondering about my USB keyboard mainly, I want to DISABLE the USB Legacy in the BIOS, since that helped most Gigabyte mobo customers in their OC endeavors, but I am not sure if my USB to PS/2 adapter will allow my keyboard to work...

[road-runner]

endeavor, on Mar 20 2009, 11:26 PM, said:

Tried that, however, just to make sure the system boots with these optimized settings after my OC settings failed. I am wondering about my USB keyboard mainly, I want to DISABLE the USB Legacy in the BIOS, since that helped most Gigabyte mobo customers in their OC endeavors, but I am not sure if my USB to PS/2 adapter will allow my keyboard to work...

Hmm not sure what is going on there, you should be able to get 3.8 or close to 4Ghz by just uping the vcore a little and changing the RAM divider. I am doing 4.2 Ghz on a UD3 with 1.35 vcore setting in bios with a E8600. Have you tried some different memory?

[endeavor]

Have not tried different memory, but the RAM divider I haven't changed as of yet. What is yours set to? Thanks road-runner for any help!

[road-runner]

endeavor, on Mar 20 2009, 11:48 PM, said:

Have not tried different memory, but the RAM divider I haven't changed as of yet. What is yours set to? Thanks road-runner for any help!

Both of my UD3s are on 2.00D I am pretty sure, set that give the memory the required voltage and timings and try it...

[endeavor]

Thanks road-runner!

Ok, I will attempt to do the same with the RAM divider as you have! Set Mushkin to its 2.0 V and 5-5-5-15 timings and I will report back...shortly

[road-runner]

Here is the bios on one with a quad of mine it was the easiest to get to. This one takes a lot more vcore than my other...

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[endeavor]

OK! So far, so good. I am currently at 350 FSB, no problem whatsoever, probably b/c I used the RAM divider. I will gradually bump up the FSB and see what happens. Right now I am using 2.00B as a divider and it shows my memory at 680. I will try 2.00D next and see if that is still a go...

This post has been edited by endeavor: 20 March 2009 - 10:38 PM

[IVIYTH0S]

endeavor, on Mar 21 2009, 01:37 AM, said:

OK! So far, so good. I am currently at 350 FSB, no problem whatsoever, probably b/c I used the RAM divider. I will gradually bump up the FSB and see what happens. Right now I am using 2.00B as a divider and it shows my memory at 680. Shouldn't I be able to run it at a higher speed?

just clock your cpu up high enough where the divider (or change your divider) has your memory running at acceptable speeds. So I haven't chimed in sooner, did you disable all the safety measures like thermal control, speedstep, etc.
my divider is as low as it can get but you have a few to play with I'm sure...as long as your ram is ok with it (though with 1066mhz sticks, you should have a good degree of playability, just make sure they are fed and the timings aren't asking too much)

This post has been edited by IVIYTH0S: 20 March 2009 - 10:41 PM

[endeavor]

Sounds good. For now I will leave the timings at 5-5-5-15 at 2.0v and see where that takes me, since I have finally been able to boot it with an overclock. I will report back. Thanks Guys!

[endeavor]

I think it was all about the RAM divider. I am currently at 3.4 Ghz without an issue whatsoever. Vcore at 1.26 and RAM Voltage at 2.060, 5-5-5-15 timings. I will keep going until I may need to change Core Voltage or relax the memory timings...