What should be CPU PLL and FSB Term values while overclocking Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550 on ASUS P5Q PRO?

[Gopal Shrivastav]

I have installed Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550 on ASUS P5Q PRO motherboard. Now I am looking to overclock my CPU. Well I was able to hit 8,5 x 400 = 3.4Ghz by using stock volts. Right my computer is running stable at t 8,5 x 450 = 3.825Ghz and having below mentioned settings.

VCore = 1.3500 (bios) results ~1.27v / 1.3v in load / idle (cpu-z)

NB: 1.16 (default / minimum = 1.10)

CPU PLL: 1.60 (default / minimum = 1.50)

FSB Termination: 1.20 (default / minimum = 1.10)

Will you tell me whether it is ok to use high CPU PLL / FSB Termination voltage on daily basis? Is it safer to lower down CPU PLL by simply setting the higher FSB Termination voltage? Let me know if you are having any idea about the same. Thanks a lot in advance.

[Ves]

I don’t think so there will not be any problem if you do the same. you PLL should be 1.6v and it is the limit. Mostly you should go for 1.55-1.6v. as far as FSB-Term is concerned 1.45v supposed to be a maximum limit. However its sweetspot supposed to be vary between 1.2-1.4v. you should play with settings and see what output you are supposed to get. Once you have found the performance quite stable then you should try to lower down the settings till your system is getting crashed completely.

[Loverface]

Well in this particular situation I think NB-GTL would make great difference with respect to FSB stability. From CPU or NB GTL you will be able to select the settings without worried about damage. It is not applied with voltages I think there is no need of overvolt the system but you might need to increase voltage a bit as you are supposed to perform preliminary testing.

[SinarB]

If you wanted to overclock to 4.0GHz then you should perform below mentioned steps.

 
Ai Overclock Tuner = Manual
CPU Ratio Setting = 08.5
FSB Frequency = 472
PCI-E Frequency = 100
FSB Strap to Northbridge = Auto
DRAM Frequency = DDR2-945MHz

DRAM Timing Control = Manual
CAS# Latency =  5
RAS# to CAS# Delay = 5
RAS# PRE Time = 5
RAS# ACT Time = 18 (all sub-timings on Auto)

DRAM Static Read Control = Auto
DRAM Read Training = Auto
Mem. OC Charger = Auto
AI Transaction Booster = Auto

CPU Voltage = 1.31875
CPU GTL Reference = Auto
CPU PLL Voltage = Auto
FSB Termination Voltage = 1.26
DRAM Voltage = 1.90-2.00
NB Voltage = 1.26
SB Voltage = 1.10
PCI-E SATA Voltage = 1.50

Loadline Calibration = Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum = Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
CPU Clock Skew = Auto
NB Clock Skew = Auto
CPU Margin Enhancement = Compatible

C1E Support = Disabled