Intel P965: MSI P965 Platinum and ECS PX1 Extreme

FSB Overclocking Results

ECS PX1 Extreme Overclocking Testbed
Processor:	Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Dual Core, 1.86GHz, 2MB Unified Cache 1066FSB, 7x Multiplier
CPU Voltage:	1.425V (default 1.3250V)
Cooling:	Scythe Infinity Air Cooling
Power Supply:	OCZ GameXStream 700W
Memory:	Geil PC2-6400 800MHz Plus (2x1GB - GX22GB6400PDC) (Micron Memory Chips)
Video Cards:	1 x MSI X1950XTX
Hard Drive:	Seagate 320GB 7200RPM SATA2 16MB Buffer
Case:	Cooler Master CM Stacker 830
Maximum CPU OC:	345x7 (4-4-4-12, 4:5, 2.15V), CPU 1.425V, C2 Stepping 2415MHz (+29%)
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We were able to reach a final benchmark stable setting of 7x345FSB resulting in a clock speed of 2415MHz. This result is a vast improvement over the second BIOS release that limited us to a 305MHz speed. We also had severe compatibility issues with our memory choices during overclocking as CAS3 operation was impossible to maintain even at stock speeds. We had to increase our CPU voltage to 1.425V for this minimal overclock as the board was not stable without it. This CPU normally requires about 1.350V at this speed for stability in other boards.

Memory Stress Testing

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We will take a look at how well our GEIL PC2-6400 memory operates in our PX1 board in both two and four DIMM testing. The screenshot above shows the actual memory settings used in our benchmark tests of the board. We do not modify the memory timings beyond the four major settings in our charts. The balance of the settings is implemented automatically via the BIOS and is fairly relaxed on this board. The BIOS only officially supports DDR2 memory speeds of 533/667/800 so anything over 800 is actually overclocking and our results indicate this fact.

ECS PX1 Extreme Stable DDR2-800 Timings - 2 DIMMs (2/4 slots populated - 1 Dual-Channel Bank)
Clock Speed:	800MHz
CAS Latency:	4
RAS to CAS Delay:	3
RAS Precharge:	3
RAS Cycle Time:	9
Voltage:	2.15V

We were able to set our timings to 4-3-3-9 by increasing the memory voltage to the maximum 2.15V with our GEIL memory. We were able to hold these timings up to DDR2-810 on this board and held timings of 4-4-4-12 up to DDR2-832 which was our maximum memory overclock. We found that only certain DDR2-800 memory that was capable of CAS 3 settings in the SPD would run at the 4-3-3-9 settings. Otherwise, most mid-level or budget priced DDR2-667 or DDR2-800 memory would only run at their SPD settings of 4-4-4-12 or 5-5-5-15 as an example. We feel like 4-4-4-12 settings should offer the best blend of performance and compatibility with the current BIOS in a 2GB configuration if the BIOS "likes" the memory. Otherwise, your best choice is to buy the least expensive officially rated DDR2-800 memory for this board as even with relaxed timings of 5-5-5-12 the board still performs within a couple of percent of the 4-3-3-9 settings.

ECS PX1 Extreme Stable DDR2-800 Timings - 4 DIMMs (4/4 slots populated - 2 Dual-Channel Bank)
Clock Speed:	800MHz
CAS Latency:	4
RAS to CAS Delay:	4
RAS Precharge:	4
RAS Cycle Time:	12
Voltage:	2.15V

Our settings of 4-4-4-12 at 2.15V were stable but did not offer any real overclocking headroom. We were able to keep this setting up to DDR2-810 before switching over to 5-4-4-12 settings that held stable up to our final overclock setting of 7x345, 2415MHz DDR2-832, with four DIMMS installed. Once again, with midrange memory our best four DIMM capability was 5-5-5-12 at 2.15V up to the maximum DDR2-832 rate when overclocking.