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This is a wonderful board for intermediate overclockers: the auto settings are very forgiving, but do require that certain things be set by hand. (This is in contrast to the Asus version, the Striker II Extreme, which has gentler beginner settings.) Over a weekend, I achieved a very stable 4GHz overclock using this board with an Intel qx9650 Core 2 Extreme chip (SLAWN) and 2x2GB Patriot Gamer 1600MHz DDR3 memory (PGS34G1600ELKC). There were a few steps to achieving this overclock, though. I provide what follows as part of my review. It is not a recommendation. And, if you choose to try overclocking, you do so at your own risk. By choosing to try any of the following, you do so accepting that you are solely responsible for any damage or increased electrical costs. Not me; not eBay. Okay. Here is what I did: 0) Check to ensure your power supply is adequate, assuming 100% utilization (see http://www.coolermaster.com/support/psu_calculator.php) 0.1) Install adequate aftermarket cooling 0.2) Acquire adequate power protection/conditioning 0.3) Download Prime95 (for stability testing) and Real Temp (to monitor temps) 0.4) Install latest BIOS update from XFX, *not* NVIDIA 0.5) Start with 2x2 DDR3 memory in grey slots You are ready to begin. 1) Set PCIe to 100, not auto. (This will help protect your video card from getting fried.) 2) Unlink memory speed from FSB speed 3) Set memory timings and voltage to match manufacturer specs 4) Start by setting FSB to 1333, then later increase to 1600 5) Set RAM speed to 1333, then later 1600, but do not allow RAM clock speed to exceed FSB This should get you into Windows. But, even though the computer boots, it will not be totally stable. This will require further tweaking. 6) Set TJ Max in Real Temp to match proc specs, monitor temps throughout testing; set alarm to 70C; add Real Temp to startup folder. 7) Increase CPU voltage (VID) until the computer can run Prime95 for several hours without reporting any errors 8) Save stable settings, then increase to 1600 (repeat) 9) Aim for temps 60C-65C Using this method, I achieved a 24/7 stable overclock of 4GHz. Before overclocking further, however, I am going to install a RAM cooler (see step #0.1). I should note: part of this overclock is due to the unlocked multiplier of my chip. If you have the locked equivalent of my chip, the q9650, you will not achieve more than 3.6GHz using this method. (I pushed the multiplier from 9x to 10x.) I should also note that I had to push the VID outside the range recommended by Intel. The BIOS reported this as "green," but don't rely solely on that: always read up on your gear before you start tweaking. Caveat: I have read that VID should never go above 1.45 for 45nm chips. Mine is 1.39, but I expect to have to push it higher to go to 4x2GB memory. All that said, here are my specs, so you can see if what I did might also work for you: Intel qx9650 @ 33% overclock to 4GHz, cooled with Coolit ECO c240 in a Coolermaster HAF 932 case modded to add an internal Scythe Kama Bay Plus 120mm fan (behind the drive bay) to blow cool air directly across the memory/chipset through to the exhaust. Also, DEMCiflex dust filtres on the intake fans prevent the ECO rad from getting plugged with cat hair. Idle temps at 4 GHz in the high-30s/low-40s across 4 cores, high-50s/low-60s at 100% using Prime95 stress test. The filtres increase temps slightly, but I feel they are necessRead full review
My original motherboard was a Nividia 790i but I screwed up the BIOS and could not get the board to even start up to boot much less get any hardware or video service to work. I bought this XFX nForce 790i new on eBay. Even though it is an older MB than what is available today, I needed one because I did not want to have to buy another quad processor. These MB's are not easy to find at a fair price. But the boards are worth the money and more. Featuring SLI video capability and other extras, I do not believe there is another MB on the market that compares in quality for this application. I highly recommend the XFX nForce 790i MB and eBay for this application.
Had an ASUS 780i (P5N72-T Premium ) and it was crap for overclocking. Got this mobo and it overclocks like a dream! I OC'd my C2Q9550 (2.8) to 3.4 with great ease, and my temps didn't rise more than a degree or two! (I am using a CM HAF 932 with 2000 rpm fans all over it). If you have a large investment in your socket 775 CPU and don't want to switch over the Core chips (i3,i5,i7), then this board will do very well by you! :)
And MB working A-OK!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Verified purchase: Yes