qx9300+w700ds overclock advice needed!

i just ordered qx9300 and i have w700ds. i'm planning to overclock using throtlestop. i'd like to get some advice on my plan.

1. i did the search and it looks like throttlestop is the go-to tool. is that right? or is there a better tool?

2. as far as overclocking qx9300 is concerned, i'm planning to change multiplier from 9.5 (for 2.53ghz default) to 12 (for 3.2ghz). is that the only setting i need or is there any other setting i should tweak? i'm thinking i might have to adjust CPU Voltage a bit. how should I find the optimal voltage? or is it pretty much trial and error?

3. is there a good CPU stress tool (some equivalent to MSI kombuster for GPU)?

4. any other advice so that I can avoid any mishaps in overclocking?

any comment appreciated. thanks!

 

1. Throttlestop will do the trick, there's a nice big thread floating around here if you haven't found it yet. I believe(?) that you should be able to change the multiplier via the BIOS, because the qx9300 was originally offered in this notebook. But, throttlestop gives you many more options.

2. It's trial and error. Every chip is created unequally, some naturally run hotter than others, some require more voltage to be stable, etc. It takes a little bit of time to find those settings, but once you do, rest assured no more tweaking is necessary.

I would suggest undervolting and trying to overclock. This is pretty much to negate the increase in heat resulting from the overclock, as long as your CPU is stable. It's always worth a shot. Heat will end up being your limiting factor as to how far you can overclock.

3. Intel Burn Test is good as is good ole' prime95.

4. Always be monitoring your temperatures in the background. I recommend either HWInfo32 or HWMonitor. If your system is unstable it'll lock up or blue screen to prevent damage, so don't worry too much if it happens. It just means you tweaked the CPU out of its normal operating standards, either increase the voltage (if the CPU isn't running too hot) or simply decrease the frequency. It's a situation thing, there are many possible outcomes.

The max temp for the CPU is 100*C, but personally, if my CPU is in the 90's, I'd start getting nervous. Anything below 90*C should be safe.

 

Also, just to add, make sure you have a decent power adapter, at least 180W for the quad. I have QAVR QX9200's running at 3.2GHz @ 1.3250V but I get throttling. It all depends on how good your laptops power circuitry is. I've run mine for days at 95 degrees, so thermal stress isn't too much of an issue for the CPU or my laptops (HP8730w and 8530w), but power supply is a big issue for me. It seems there is a sensor somewhere in the power stages that trips out and starts throttling me when I try to load up the quad with too much of a load+FID+VID combo.

Just make sure when you are bench testing that you are getting a solid 100% for each of the 3 columns in throttle stop, C0%, CMod and Chip. Otherwise you are actually running slower due to internal/external throttling.

I have found that intel burn in test provides the most stress on my quads. I can only run to 2.93GHz and 1.2500V without getting throttling. I can go higher running prime95, and even higher running TS Bench, without throttling.

 

thanks Xonar and stumo for the helpful comments! I'll keep you guys updated once I get to it.

btw, W700ds came with 170W power brick. I'm hoping it's sufficient and don't encounter throttling issue.

 

See:
LAPTOP Magazine - Product reviews, tech news, buying guides, and more


considering that the notebook comes with this cpu as an option, the power supply might be inadequate to power an overclocked version of it.


You may want to consider hooking up a two or three cheaper PS's in parallel to help in the O/C'ing adventures:

See:
Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds Laptop AC Adapter * Cheap ThinkPad W700ds Power Adapters

 

I just found out that w701 comes with 230W adapter. I might have to grab one of those. that's another hundred fifty bucks!!!!!!!! oh well. if i knew what i was getting into, never wouldve started it haha.

again, thanks to you all for pointing out the issues beforehand!

 

How exactly do you run adapters in parallel?

Is it safe?

 

Although it wouldn't look so elegant, 3 of the above (in parallel) that I linked would give 17% more power and be less expensive too...

Also, consider that three of them feeding your new monster should be more reliable/resilient than a single PS would be.

Either way... are you sure the voltage and the actual plugs are compatible between the two systems (W700DS vs W701)?

 

You splice the wires together and finish with electrical tape - of course it's safe!

Just don't let the cats gnaw on it.

 

Cool, I'm going to do that.

Splicing an AC cord is a bit scary tho, maybe I'll try to find a splitter cable.

Also, to the OP you could add 1 small 60w adapter onto your 170w to get about 230w

 

yes, i checked lenovo website and they list 230W PS Brick as compatible to both W700 and W701 series.

(but naturally, it would not be wise to use 170W that came with W700 series on W701 series...)

 

niffcreature,

No, you're not splicing the AC cord part - leave those alone!

You're splicing the DC cord sections (the 'output' of the adaptors).

To do it ideally, I would not cut off the plugs: I would simply split the cord apart and bare about a 1/2 inch strip of metal from each lead about 6" to 8" apart (without cutting it in two...). When I have done this with all the adaptors I have available; simply connect (soldering is ideal here...) all the similar colour wires to each other (assuming that they are all the same adaptors!). When all the connections are made - use electrical tape liberally - and stretch it good and tight for a lasting fit.

For added safety; you should do this while the adaptor is unplugged.


To power up this frankenmonster:

First; plug all the adaptors into a single power strip with an on/off reset/switch. Turn the switch off. Plug into the wall.

Then, plug in a single plug (it shouldn't matter which one, but I would pick the one that was the tightest/snuggest) to the notebook.

If you're confident you've wired them up properly, flip the switch and turn on the computer.

If you're not 100% sure of your wiring/splicing/soldering skills - put everything on a long extension cable, place the system/adaptors in the middle of your yard/field (not on wet ground! - use a table/chair) and plug in the extension and see if she blows.

Good luck. Be safe!

 

LOL.

Well I might try to get something to explode in my yard too but I get it... I was just thinking about how to make it a more normal adapter that you didn't have to use 2 or 3 outlets for.

E. G. this but with laptop plugs:
Micro Center - QVS Power Extension / Splitter "Y" Adaptor Powercord Cable PP-ADPT2

They make them for desktop power supplies, with the more common hexagon like plug.
Its funny when you think about how often people need to run multiple desktop PSUs out of one outlet vs multiple laptop PSUs. Something like this would be extremely useful just for powering multiple laptops at LAN parties or whatever, regardless of making a frankedapter

I'll keep looking...

 

The problem with the laptop plugs is that there are too many types and more importantly (one) too many ways to wire them - which doesn't make them a good candidate for mass production.

If you really do this; make the (dc) connections as close to the adaptor as possible, using the exact same length/type of connecting wire for each wire and using the shortest possible wire possible.

Except for the adaptor plug which will be plugged into the notebook. On that one, make the connections as close as possible to the plug - not the adaptor.

Good luck.

 

Shortest possible wire possible, OK

Are you kidding? I think you may have misinterpreted me. The only adapters I have seen that take a different power cord type are a 200w dell one for the m1730, and a 90w that is 10 years old. All the other power cords I've used are interchangeable. They are just like extension cords with a different plug, and they are all rated at 120v 7a or so.

Some adapters are 2 prong and these plugs are not even polarized!

No, I don't believe you, there is no wrong way to wire power cords unless you are really dumb and wire something to ground. The worst result of which would be a blown fuse.

 

lol...

Again, I'm not talking about the AC power cord - I'm talking about the 'plug' that goes into the notebook - there are too many of them with different polarities and no, they're not interchangeable.

 

Yea, I know that. I am talking about the AC power cord.

Does anyone know if splitters exist?

Anyway even with laptop plugs I've never seen one with reversed polarity, I only see that on tascam stuff and casio keyboards, lol.
And they are all pretty much 18-20v which are interchangeable, except for the Lenovo ones here which are 16, and toshiba stuff.

 

On my 8730W I just run it on a docking station 180W and them plug in an additional 120W to the laptops normal ac input. Both on kill a watt meters so I can see the load sharing working well. Problem I have it it looks like something power supply related inside the laptop is causing it to throttle.

I'd just see how you go first with the 170W, them go from there if it looks promising.