[Mini OC guide] - EVGA X58 LE

[ionicle88]

In response to a overwhelming questions on "How do you actually start overclocking on a EVGA motherboard?" , I actually have consulted Convergent's permission through Colin bro, and he has given me the nod to do up a overclocking guide on a EVGA X58LE.

So, to start off, i will be using my own gear for this "experiment" and a few pointers before we delve into overclocking:
1. The limits of overclocking simply depends on how "golden" your hardware is, mileage depends on your own setup, you may get even higher clocks or lower voltages or even lower temperatures than me. And, of course, the vice versa applies too.
2. Your hardware is very sensitive to extra voltages, try not to add too much a voltage, you may end up killing your board and Colin bro will not be happy.
3. If you do not have a third party cooler, for example, CM Hyper212 or CM V8 or Noctua U12P-SE2 or Prolimatec Megahalems, do not try the 4GHz overclock that i am going to show you.

First up, the hardware :

Next, we will have to setup everything and get the computer to boot up safely. ** NOTE: on your first few boots, the computer assumes the auto STOCK clock and STOCK voltage which may be rather high, do not be afraid, it is just their safety measure so that you do not run into the case where you will run into a BSOD or crash out or hang or watever. **

One example on how to check if it is stable will be to run the following programs:
1. OCCT linpack test (auto mode)
2. Real Temp to monitor the temperature.

If you do crash on stock, please read no further and consult a professional now.

 

[ionicle88]

Assuming you have everything all done up and ready, follow my next few steps:
1. Reboot/startup your computer and press DEL to enter BIOS: example:

2. Head directly to Frequency/Voltage Control. This will be what you will be seeing :

*** Here i have added one more image of the voltages i am using for the 2.8GHz processor 1600MHz DDR3 ***

It is actually a rather simple BIOS to start learning how to overclock.

3. DummyOC are for dummies, if you think you are smart enough, let it remain DISABLED. Extreme Cooling is also DISABLED, not required unless you intend to throw some LN2 onto your motherboard, which i think Nightraven bro will be more than happy to answer your queries on that section.

4. To complete this overclocking "experiment" all you will need to meddle with are the following 5 options : Memory Feature, Voltage Control, Cpu Feature, Cpu Clock Ratio and CPU Host Frequency.

5. For the rest of the options you can just remain it as per normal. There is no need to change them.

 

[ionicle88]

The next few steps will be absolutely crucial and important to take note:

6. Go to CPU Host Frequency, for those who have read a bit on overclocking, this will be your BCLK, where everything on the machine basically runs off at a certain multiplier to this clock, so be very careful which value you are going to put, for starters, i will recommend 150, then move on to 180 and finally 200.

Here is a picture with a 201MHz BCLK, why have i chosen such a weird number? Its because for some unknown reason this board likes to play down on the BCLK, if i enter 200, it will only read 199.5 maximum, which is rather odd, minor bug but thats totally harmless.

7. Head over to Memory Feature and this will be what you are seeing if you have set the BCLK to 201.

Nothing to mess around here other than the Parameters, so leave the rest alone. Here, i will recommend users to set the normal ram timings. Mine is a 1600MHz CL8, so just set the timings based on this picture will be fine... IF you are still quite blur why am i setting this, its because i am actually NOT overclocking my memory at all. I'm just running it on it stipulated speed. (For those using CL7 memory modules or CL9, kindly look at the side of yourmemory modules and the sticker will have the following information spelt out for you.)

8. Next is the MOST important part of this guide, the Voltage Control.

This is actually my choice of voltages for my overclock, on your first time seeing this, everything will be on Auto and With Vdroop control will be switched on. For EVGA, the Vdroop actually fluctuates the voltages quite a lot, which can be disastrous to your overclocking, so i turned that off. NOTE that the words will become red, but no worries there is actually no harm done. It is just a power saving feature.

CPU Vcore: Stock cpu vcore is actually around 1.22 - 1.24V, i have tried and used 4GHz on a mere 1.25625V but just in case some other chips might not be able to take this low a voltage and remain stable, i did 1.28750V for reference sake.

CPU VTT voltage: This is actually tied in line with the QPI voltage in case anyone is wondering, but actually there is not much changes needed. a +25mV will be fine for a BCLK of around 180MHz and for 200MHz, +50mV will be the rather sweet spot. (actually +25mV can work too, but just a over-estimate)

DIMM Voltage: Voltage for your memory. Since i am not really overclocking my memory, i just followed the instructions on the ram itself to run it @ 1.65V. Its actually a rather low voltage for memory but nothing much of a concern over here.

and leave the rest alone as usual.

9. We are almost reaching the end, the last page is beckoning, CPU Feature.

There isn't much to change over here, simply just disable everything got to do with Intel, most of them are power saving functions, but when you are testing for your overclock just turn them off first. And of course, leave the rest alone once again.

NOTE: Turbo Mode Function: This actually changes your maximum multiplier from 20 to 21. Not required unless you are aiming for the super high OCs.

10. Ok, we have actually finished messing around with the BIOS, so return to the previous page and remember to save a profile :

After which just press F10, press Y and we are ready to test the overclocks.

 

[ionicle88]

Assuming you boot safely into Windows without a hiccup, which I tried and is using at the point of writing this guide, you are ready to test the stability of your overclocking "experiment"

Turn on the Real temp utility and observe the temperatures, all 4 cores should reside around 40+ degrees (this benchmark is taken in a non aircon room, and the lower the temperature the merrier you and your board will be)

Next, turn on OCCT and get ready yourself something else to do for the next one hour while OCCT hammers your chip to ensure stability. Remember to go to the options and set the maximum temperature to the TJMax your chip can handle, around 105deg cel approximately. Otherwise OCCT will spew error the moment your chip heats to 80deg, which is easily hit on a 4GHz OC. (My max was 79deg though)

During the testing process, kindly do not use any programs as this will affect the test. So, seriously get yourself something to do in the meanwhile.

NOTE: The testing temperature should reside within 75 - 90deg, if you are looking at beyond 90deg cel, it means you will need to improve on your cooling. Either reapply the thermal paste set your cooling fans to a higher speed.


It should be stable with the following settings as tested by both me and pa9797 bro. Any further enquires please don't hestitate to PM either of us.


Ta-da. ionicle88 signing off at this note. Wishing you all the best in your experiments

 

[ionicle88]

Reserve for buffer.

 

[TRUECOPPER]

great guide thx...now hv to get EVGA mobo

 

[ionicle88]

great guide thx...now hv to get EVGA mobo

haha.. have fun getting one

 

[joncham72]

thanks a lot ionicle88! will attempt to oc mine on stock cooler to 3.5ghz

 

[kero89]

Good guide...

Was disappointed to see the multiplier for NB starts from X16...
Other than that, easy to OC on this board

 

[repel89]

Haha, time an overclocking guide came out. nice pictures and explanation!! Up for overclockers!!

 

[ionicle88]

thanks a lot ionicle88! will attempt to oc mine on stock cooler to 3.5ghz

sure.. just... set your BCLK to around 170 plus minus...

and u can try even lower voltage than mine...

maybe

cpu voltage : 1.25V
vtt: +25mV

something like that should do it

but DO BE CAREFUL on your temperatures.. i have no idea how a stock cooler will perform though... i never even installed mine.

 

[joncham72]

lol, where did u chuck yours? straight into the rubbish bin?

 

[lionelfoo]

SUI!!!!!!!!! when i get x58 moi will ask chiu!

 

[pa9797]

Great guide. EVGA so far I have not failed in OC all 920 to 4Ghz without sweat. C0/C1 or D0 revision. the bios screen pretty sums up the easy OC setup.

 

[darth_rufio]

thanks for this guide.. I'm gonna need this soon.

 

[joncham72]

mod pls sticky this

 

[joncham72]

my temps are currently around 60 or so...

so should i oc or wait till i buy megahalem?

 

[silverstone]

nice guide, very detailed.

 

[uRiZEn]

Nice guide. Much appreciated.

 

[lxsnipexl]

Wahh , so many overclocking profiles , my P6T Deluxe only have 2 ;(

Thats it man , by jan die die must get X58 LE :X