Alright, so I just got a BRAND NEW PC.... Well except for the Case and CD drive... Anyway... I've got Intels new Wolfdale E7200 CPU, and I was really excited about getting it to like 4.0Ghz, or maybe even 4.33Ghz. But I can't, and I don't know why :(. Here's my RAM, CPU, and Mobo in Detail

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134586  (It's at 1078Mhz, lol.)

If you guys need anymore information, just let me know, and I'll get it for you.

 What kind of voltages are you running on your northbridge?  How are you getting your overclock?  Have you tried lowering your RAM speed to decrease their overhead?  There's a lot that goes into overclocking so we need a bit more information from you.

Yes, we need more info. Can you give us the info in your BIOS like the voltages, FSB, multiplier, FSB:RAM ratio, etc.

Also, when you say you can't get past 3.2GHz, do you mean you can't boot up into the OS? Or it isn't stable when stress testing it? What are the temperatures in idle and load at 3.2GHz?

By the way, what is your power supply brand and model?

Okay, I just wrote down all the information in the OCin' section of my MoBo.

Robust Graphics Booster -Auto

CPU Clock Ratio - 9

Fine CPU Clock Ratio - 0.5

CPU Frequency - 3.2Ghz (337 x 9.5)

CPU Host Clock Control - Enabled

CPU Host Frequency - 337Mhz

PCI Express Frequency - Auto

C.I.A. 2 - Disabled

(DRAM) Performance Inhnace - Turbo

(G)MCH Frequency Mult (SPD)  3.20GB

DRAM Timing Selectable (SPP) - Manual

CAS Latency Time - 5 (Auto)

tRCD - 5 (Auto)

tRP - 5 (Auto)

tRAS - 18 (Auto)

Voltages (They're all set to Auto)

CPU Vcore - 1.17500V

CPU Termination - 1.200V

CPU PLL - 1.550V

CPU Reference - .805

MCH/IC
MCH - 1.100V

IC - 1.550V

DRAM - 1.800V

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182016 Is my PSU... If the information I put isn't clear enough, then I'll just get some pics tommorow

first thing first set the Dram to 2.2 since your ram is rated to 2.2 and it need to be set at 2.2 to run at its best. then work from there

Okay, done.

Iain:

Okay, done.

As in "all your problems are solved and you can OC past 3.2GHz" or "changed the RAM voltage to 2.2V"?

As in I set the RAM Voltage to 2.2v, xD

After I put the voltages to 2.2v, my OS would completely lock up... I've got it at 2.0V and hopefully it won't crash now.

I think you going to need to reset the bios and put it back a stock and then up the voltage on the ram to get it to boot. then work from there with new settings. im guessing that a vcore of 1.4 and a fsb of about 1.4 will work well and give you some head room to OC

Just stating the obvious, but not trying to be rude in any way. But since you mentioned you got a brand new pc. Don't forget to check the manufacturer's website for all the latest updates (BIOS, chipset, video card, etc.) if you haven't already.

My past roommate built a pc a few months back and he just used the driver versions that came with the components. I had to update his pc myself. I doubt he has checked for updated drivers since that day... Probably too busy playing WoW to bother with it.

Der Meister:

im guessing that a vcore of 1.4 and a fsb of about 1.4 will work well

I respect your opinion Der but I am thinking that this might be a little too big of a jump in voltage for him right away -- especially since (I am guessing) he is using stock cooling and the CPU is based on 45nm process...although if it were aftermarket cooling I would say "shoot for the moon!" haha

My opinion here would be to start at around 1.2V-1.25 (vcore) to see where that takes you for now and contemplate a cooling upgrade...Also if you can, knock your multiplier to an even 9 as ".5" multi's are not very efficient in general on many motherboards......

For now set your RAM to the highest possible divider you can (so this way we know that if you get a bad OC its not RAM related) -- what I mean is make your RAM run EXTREMELY slow to take it out of the equation until we know what the CPU is capable of...as Der says though, stock voltage for the RAM is 2.2V so you should stick with that.

Try these little tweaks and mess around with your FSB and stress from there. Let us know if you have more luck! (Just don't go voltage crazy as that is a very easy way to overheat/ruin components)

Can' updating the BIOS cause some SERIOUS sh*t to happen? In my Manual, it said not to upgrade the BIOS unless it's necessary. Also, should I turn off all of those automatica overclocking features???

Iain:

Can' updating the BIOS cause some SERIOUS sh*t to happen?

If you loose power or shut off the machine DURING an update process then yes, it would brick your mobo -- but its really not of concern if you use common sense (i.e. don't flash a BIOS during a thunder storm or something; or make sure you aren't DLing a BIOS for an Gigabyte motherboard from ASUS haha)

Iain:

Also, should I turn off all of those automatica overclocking features???

Yes turn off ALL auto-OC features and disable spread-spectrum and all those little "goodies" that come turned on by default. Just leave what is necessary for basic functionality for now......

Okay, well, I'm going up to my Grandparents unitl Sunday afternoon, then I gotta build a PC for a friend, lol. After that, I'll try and get 3.8Ghz... When I do manage to get to 3.8 or whatever, does that shorten the life of my CPU at all??? If so, by how much??????

It will potentially lower the life of your CPU if you are running excessive voltages and very high temperatures.....however CPU life isn't something that is short-lived as it is anyway.

They pretty much last "forever" in terms of computer hardware either way.........

As far as your goal of 3.8Ghz that is fine but you need to get there in SMALL steps; you cannot expect to just jump from 3.2 to 3.8 in 15 mins or anything

To calculate what my vCore is, do I just add the options to what it already is? Like is says something like 1.175V, then I pull up the options and it'll say like .547869 or w/e, do I just ad the .547869 to the 1.175v?

I am not quite sure what you are referring to here Iain....perhaps if you gave me a bit more detail or perhaps pictures from your BIOS with a dig. camera or something I would be able to tell you a little more clearly

Well, I'd get a picture but I don't think I have a camera... I think my Step Mom has one, but I have to wait until she leaves, lol. So, let me try to be more descriptive... Basically, is says my vCore Voltage which is 1.17500v. Next to it it says "Auto". So, I highlight the "Auto" and hit enter. A menu comes up that says "Auto, Normal, .50000v, ect.". The voltages go up in VERY small increments. Except for that half a volt jump. So, let's say I select ".50000v". My voltage is now 1.17500 + .50000, right? Or, 1.67500v.

indeed that is what i would do but i would se the vcore around 1.25 if stock is 1.175