E8400 @ 3.6 GHZ with 1.152 V?

[Fayth]

My machine has an E8400 CPU and an ASUS P5Q Pro, which were both reviewed as good overclockers, but I am wondering if I should being seeing stability at 3.6 GHZ with 1.152-1.175V. I set the BIOS to 1.175, but CPU Z is reporting 1.152 during idle and 1.165 during load. According to real temp my thermal status is OK, with Core0 maxing out in Prime95 at 71C but hovering at 67-69C for the most part, and Core1 maxing out at 68C but hovering at about 65-67C. Both are 30ish C away from Tj Max. To be fair, I haven't had the time to run a full 12 hr Prime95 test, but I did run a 2 hour test with no issues. However, I know this isn't accurate, I'm just wondering if I should even bother with a 12 hr test, or are these temps too high or is it unrealistic to expect my machine to be stable with only 1.152-1.175V going to the CPU? Also, would having a low voltage cause any harm to my processor? Ive only read that going over 1.3V can cause quicker degradation.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by Fayth

My machine has an E8400 CPU and an ASUS P5Q Pro, which were both reviewed as good overclockers, but I am wondering if I should being seeing stability at 3.6 GHZ with 1.152-1.175V. I set the BIOS to 1.175, but CPU Z is reporting 1.152 during idle and 1.165 during load. According to real temp my thermal status is OK, with Core0 maxing out in Prime95 at 71C but hovering at 67-69C for the most part, and Core1 maxing out at 68C but hovering at about 65-67C. Both are 30ish C away from Tj Max. To be fair, I haven't had the time to run a full 12 hr Prime95 test, but I did run a 2 hour test with no issues. However, I know this isn't accurate, I'm just wondering if I should even bother with a 12 hr test, or are these temps too high or is it unrealistic to expect my machine to be stable with only 1.152-1.175V going to the CPU?

Have you tried running SmallFFT in P95 for a few hours?

Its the only way you'll really know.

[Fayth]

That is the test that I ran for 2 hours.

[geokilla]

Prime95 for 2 hours cannot be considered stable for sure. However, from the looks of it, it looks like you're doing very good. What CPU cooler are you using? Temperatures seem to be a bit high since you have such low Vcore.

Also, I suggest using OCCT as it stresses more than Prime95, and 5 hours of OCCT should do the trick.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by geokilla

Prime95 for 2 hours cannot be considered stable for sure. However, from the looks of it, it looks like you're doing very good. What CPU cooler are you using? Temperatures seem to be a bit high since you have such low Vcore.

Also, I suggest using OCCT as it stresses more than Prime95, and 5 hours of OCCT should do the trick.

Its all questionable what stresses what more.

But either way 2 hours isn't enough.

[Fayth]

Ok, Ill run the 12 hr test tonight, but I am pleased with the results so far. Just earlier today I reinstalled my intel HSF and now, even overclocked, my temperatures are less than what they were without the overclock yesterday while playing games, and equal while running stress tests. In any case, if there turns out to be some issue with the 12 hr test, I just have to keep testing while upping the voltage a bit right? I plan on getting a third party cooler and some arctic silver soon, so if the temps are high now, that should fix it.

[bottle]

It appears that you have LLC enabled. I'd recommend you disable this first.

That being said, 1.16 is about right for 3.6GHz. Got my C0 stable once at that speed with 1.16.

There's no harm undervolting, but your temperatures are a bit high. might want to consider an after market cooler.

Do you happen to have an E0 or C0 stepping? E0 should able to do higher overclocks with less voltage compared to a C0.

1.3v is generally okay for the E8400. It's when you surpass 1.4 is where you'll start getting troubles.

Been running 4.0GHz on my C0 @ 1.28v after vdroop and it's been stable since.

[Fayth]

What exactly is LLC? I have E0 stepping.

[Silvgearx]

don't really matter if you have low vcore or C0/E0 if you don't push it.

and yea even at 1.4 it won't shorten the life spam of the cpu. its the heat.

[Fayth]

My heat in game is like 47-52C, at idle im at like 35C which is less than yesterday not overclocked, but yah, I definitely plan to upgrade my heatsink. As for this LLC thing, is it something I can disable in the BIOS, I didnt because I hadnt read anything about it.