jeffbboat

Nick,Last questions on this subject. If I am unable to manually set an accurate CPU Core Voltage, is that most likely a BIOS problem, a motherboard problem, or the chip? The reason I ask is that from all I've read, the Q9650 is a pretty good chip for FSX use with some overclocking. I think even you have written that it is pretty good (for today's technology). If my problem is just the motherboard then the cost of fixing that problem is a whole lot less than getting a new CPU. Isn't the ASUS Striker II Extreme the caparable replacement for the eVGA board?

jkTempuratures are fine (64 deg at max load with OCCT). It's just that what voltage I put into cpu core voltage isn't what it becomes set to. It seems to 'overvolt' (is that a word?) by .08v to 1.1v. I enter 1.28125v and it becomes 1.39v. I enter 1.33125 and it becomes 1.41. (Those are the idle voltages according to all the system monitors I use) If I try to enter a real low number trying to end up with 1.35 or so, the PC won't even boot.Finally, I don't have a load line calibration option on this board. All optional cpu settings have been disabled.Yeah, Nick might have an idea, but we all want him to keep working on GEX E. lolI might try to re-update the BIOS again, maybe something hiccuped last time I tried it.Jeff

JK, Thanks for the info, I've been playing with my new toy for several weeks now and have run into a road block.I

>Always best to do the basics first... Vcore and NB voltage>>If you can't get it stable on those 2 changes within temp>specs then and only then start looking at the other settings I>mentioned. Since you have a REAL motherboard the odds are you>wont have to mess with other settings which are designed for>people who refuse to spend the money on the REAL motherbboard>and memory... and who then run around telling everyone>tweaking doesnt work cause they can't get it to run any better>on their budget parts :-hah I just got a Q9650 on an evga 790i Ultra SLI along with 4GB DDR3 1800. I am just learning to overclock. This thread is, for the most part, way over my head, but I've gotten up to 3.6 GHz just by changing the FSB with everything else on AUTO, but I still have the occasional failures-to-boot. I know the max Vcore and the max memory voltage, but where do I find the max NB value? You seem to say I have to adjust that value when I start adjusting Vcore. I don't want to exceed any critical values while I'm learning so I'm trying all this in baby steps. This thread also seems to say I won't "destroy" anything if I keep voltages (and thus temperatures) under control. Obviously, as a rookie at this, blowing up my expensive new toy is definitely on my mind.Jeff