Overclocking a 5960x on RVE

[zcrucifix]

I wanted to see if someone had any ideas on how I could possibly push my overclocks further. I've read all the posted guides, and frankly, I'm at a loss as to why I can't get any more performance. It may come down to silicon lottery, but I figured I needed to ask for advice before I go buy another processor. No matter what changes I make, I cannot get 4.6Ghz to run stable. I can run a 35 multiplier at 125 BCLK and everything is amazing at 1.35 volts, but even overvolting the CPU to 1.55-1.65 results in a crash. I am not even close to the thermal envelope on the processor, so I hoped someone with a little more experience may be able to give me a little guidance. Thanks!

Edit - to clarify, the crash I am getting is the clock watchdog timeout - stop 0x00000101, and I've tested to make sure it's not cache related, or memory related.

[Korth]

A 4.6GHz@1.35V is already a "better than average" 5960X overclock.

x125MHz BCLK forces everything to run on tighter tolerances. x100MHz BCLK may not be as spectacular, but it can allow a lot more overall fine tuning, to tweak a little bit more performance out of threshold subcomponents - you could be held back by some "weak" part which can't quite keep up at higher base frequency. But I doubt you can tweak a lot more out of your particular part - then again, I could be wrong. You're already pushing past what I personally consider the stability threshold if you're getting the odd crash.

You might be able to deactivate your "slowest" cores to push the remaining cores slightly faster.

I've never pushed much past 1.4V, the sweet spot for my particular CPU, because higher voltage ramps up heat (and plunges stability, and wears against longevity) exponentially fast.

[Raja@ASUS]

Clock watchdog timeouts mean the processor is at the edge of stability. If there is no room for VCore (which there is not), or temps can not be lowered with better cooling, I would leave the system be. Settle on a lower clock where the CPU is comfortable.

[FlanK3r]

4.6 GHz is really high. I have two 5960x and one is around 4350 MHz stable and second 4450 MHz stable.

[Antronman]

More and more cooling.

Clearly you're not afraid of voiding the warranty.

So might as well "change" it up.

If you know what I mean

You'll need one of these for starters

[wildeone]

I think you will find your cpu is at its limit, my 5960 will do
4.5ghz 1.23v cache is set at x34 cache volts is 1.21v bclk is 125 memory is at 3000mhz all stable , temp 34c idle 64 load
4.625ghz 1.56v cache is set at x34 cache volts is 1.21v bclk is 125 memory is at 3000mhz all stable ,temp 34c idle 64- 70c load

4.75 ghz 1.34v cache is set at x34 cache volts is 1.21v bclk is 125 memory is at 3000mhz all stable, temp idle 34c 93c load

[Brighttail]

I think you will find your cpu is at its limit, my 5960 will do
4.5ghz 1.23v cache is set at x34 cache volts is 1.21v bclk is 125 memory is at 3000mhz all stable , temp 34c idle 64 load
4.625ghz 1.56v cache is set at x34 cache volts is 1.21v bclk is 125 memory is at 3000mhz all stable ,temp 34c idle 64- 70c load

4.75 ghz 1.34v cache is set at x34 cache volts is 1.21v bclk is 125 memory is at 3000mhz all stable, temp idle 34c 93c load

Interesting at a lower clock you are using .2 more volts. Was that a mistype?