Official x300/x305 Owner's Lounge

Q9100 ES / QS (Q9200) Review! Can I get some feedback from X300/X305 users using any of the 3 versions of the Intel Q9100 ES/QS CPU and what you liked about it or what you had issues with gettin' it going and such? I read in these forums some say it doesn't work perfectly with certain high end software such as Adobe CS4/5. I haven't noticed anything yet but let's see what you folks think.

What Rev & stepping do you have and how do you use it?

I'm working with Q9100 ES [QS], QGMU, EO, Mushkin DDR3-1333 [7-7-7-20 @ 1066]

 

Which laptop do you own, if I might ask?

So basically even when buying 1333mhz cl9 sodimms they will automatically be set @1066 cl7... The lower cas timing might be a minus when you're going to overclock the fsb. So, if I got it right, there would be virtually no difference in terms of overclock between a 1333mhz and a 1066 mhz module, since they would both be set at 1066 cl7.

Is this right?

Also Lappie, if you have an x300/305 (better if it has an Nforce chipset, so it's similar to mine) could you please tell me what are the reported ram timings you get from CPU-Z or any other similar software?

EDIT: might be interested in your results as well, Tunjay. Are your ram modules actually running at cl9?

 

I have no idea, really as my benchmarks did show timings have nothing to say about performance... So I've stopped testing, but the timings I have in my signature now, they are from the manfacture, which I belive my modules running at 1333Mhz which is wrong. So yeah, my timings can be actually lower. I can post up screenshots if you want?

 

Yup, download CPU-Z if you don't have it already.

CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

Then just take a screenshot of the "memory" tab.



That's my memory running with a FSB of 310 mhz, so their current frequency is 1240 mhz CL 7.

 

Okay, what now?

 

nvm. CPU-Z! Nvidia Control Panel FTW!
I've just found this;

 

Perfect! You ram is currently running @ 7-7-7-20. That's why you cannot overclock any further. Your memories could go as up as 1333mhz if they were running @ cl9, but your chipset/bios is forcing them to cl7.

So basically we're stuck with 1066 cl7...

 

Wow! So it is not worth buying 1333mhz ram? Btw I run call of duty modern warfare 2 with overclocked settings for my gpu at 700 - 799 - 1800 and it was stable. It was even giving me 80-90fps in online game with everything maxed out even anti-aliasing (4x is the most it allows me from the game). When I run the WEI it didn't go to 7.2 though. Don't know if it is those 20 extra mhz of urs in the core clock that made ur WEI difference from mine!

 

I have the Q9200 2.4 ghz Quad core in my X305 and a 2.8 ghz duo core in my G55 and the 9200 Quad core runs circles around the duo core in every task I throw at it. Both Laptops have 8 gb's of ram and SSD drives.

Here is the WEI score for my X 305.

 

Well it's useless since we can't set ram timings from the BIOS, so they wouldn't go as high as 1333 mhz. Still, on Crucial's website you can buy them at the same price of 1066 ddr3. I think I'll go for 1066 mhz if I'm going to upgrade to 8 gigs, need to find some overclock-friendly memory though.

About the video cards, it might be those 20 mhz or a driver difference (using 258.96 desktop drivers atm).

 

You can never go wrong with higher rated DDR. In fact if you go for DDR1600 you will have far more ceiling height to OC beyond specs because these modules have been bin selected to work better. It's not to say you can't OC ;ower ones but you will need the vdimm as I said.

Let's look at Kingston's HyperX 4G (2x2) I can't comment on the 8G (2x4 yet). These have been factory spec'd 1600 w/ 9-9-9-27 @ DDR1866 but Jedec spec'd 9-9-9-27 @ 1600. No use to us you think, not quite. These are XMP profiled modules. It's Specs look like this;

Rated (this is what you can OC) -- Jedec (this is what your mobo reads)
1333 @ 7-7-7-20 @ 1.5v -------------1333 @ 9-9-9-27 @ 1.5v
1066 @ 5-5-5-15 @ 1.5v ------------ 1066 @ 7-7-7-20 @ 1.5v

Our X300/305's don't utilize Windos or BIOS XMP but we know the RAM can hit that so you have some headroom to play with from Jedec specs. This RAM has been tested to 1866 at same 9-9-9-27 so it tells you a lot of its tolerance.

now they have a 2x4 8G kit but as you add module density you will naturally loose a tad higher ned OC' shoul dnot effect the loer end 1066~ 1333 for us tough at same 1.5. Now we wont get 5-5-5-15 but you are still at 7-7-7-20 at close to 1200 if you can hit that with this mobo.

 

I forgot to mention that my 9200 runs all programs perfectly, that includes Adobe Photoshop CS5, Adobe Acrobat Pro 9, and also programs for converting Divx files to DVD, I have never had any blue screens or crashes with this CPU installed.

 

We all understand we can't set manually in our BIOS. However overclocking a RAM that is tested to a higher spd and lower timing is much a better shot at an FSB overclock at fixed Jedec vdimm, spd and timings then the lower trying to go beyonfd specs.. Example; if you take your current Jedec spd rated 1066 @ 7-7-7-20 1.5v and OC it it will fail way before a 7-7-7-20 @ 1.5v 1333 working at same 7-7-7-20 & 1.5v because it was likely never tested to run stable at more then 1066 whereas the Kingston HyperX has. It has been tested to run stable by Kingston at 7-7-7-20 1.5v @ 1333 or 5-5-5-15 @ 1.5v as DDR1066. You can OC to one tier up before you'd have to worry.

now there was an app called MemSet that did allow (or still does) to change timings on the fly but it doesn't work on our X305 mobo. It did work on older DDR2 rig I had. It is a tempory setting. If you search, you may find one I used few years back that wil let you flsh the empty profile blocks in your RAM. Now this is permanent, so I would only do it to something you know has been tested to work. For example, You ccan wite to eprom of Kingston RAM 5-5-5-15, 1.58v into the Jdec 1066 profile.

EDIT nVidia mobo users have a try at nTune. I remember a friend using it on a desktop nVidia based mobo with no BIOS user control. Might be worth a try. it worked like MemSet, only tempory but could be saved to load when windows loaded each time.

Read, Edit and Flash DDR3 on PM45 in Win7 X64 w/ SPDTool v0.63
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Memory-Tweak/SPDTool.shtml
It allows for writing new vdimm as well.

 

What model or version of the ES do you run? Sorry if I missed it in last post. QVAK maybe? is it's stock multi'd to load at 2.4GHz, not the 2.2?

As for the RAM tool. I found SPDTool v0.62 to work on our PM45 Qosmios under Win7 x64

SPDTool: Read, Edit and Flash your Memory's SPD

Again, this is not recomended on stock 1066. I'd only use on quality 1600 or 1333 modules

 

I got this one from this vendor, and it ran at 2.4 ghz all by itself with no changes needed.
INTEL CORE QUAD Q9200 2.40GHZ 12M 1066Mhz MOBILE >q9100 - eBay (item 140499024482 end time Feb-08-11 09:50:04 PST)

I've bought a couple processors off of that vendor and never had a problem with them.

 

I haven't thought to OC by FSB on this laptop but I would guess the biggest issue is gonna be lack of PCI-E unlink to keep stable beyond 10~15MHz upward. I mean sure, the CPU and north bridge of PM45 can handle 1333 but moving upward from a 266 north bridge to CPU strap will take PCI-E above it's rated 100MHz unless the the app you use to OC allows to downclock PCI-E while upping FSB. Again, this is on the Intel PM45 but is likely different on the nForce versions.

 

That is true, but still they haven't been tested to run 7-7-7-20 @ 1333mhz. And the fact that Tunjay cannot overclock as far as I do with my stock 1066 sodimms is very significative. It might be his cpu ofc (which is strange since it's the same penryn chip as mine, just clocked higher), but the fact still remains. That's why I'm just planning to buy some quality ram modules, independently from their spd. Still need some advice about the brand here though. I'm willing to pay more for a module that overclocks good.

Nvidia system tools works at setting ram timings on our nforce chipset, but we're not allowed to change the CL :|

Also I just tried SPDTool, but it won't recognize my ram modules, so I guess it's not working on our 730i.

 

MemSet only works on Intel MB's Lappie. I can try that out, but I'm having a class right now, I must wait untill I get home. I'll actually try to set them higher which will give me worse performance, but just to check out if it will give me more rom for overclock! If it does work, I think I'll stick with higher timings and higher CPU performance.

Agh, nevermind then exile.90!
But, do not forget that I still have my (stock) modules from my X300, I can always change with my current setup and try out if it will clear anything up for you guys...

 

That's good! Whenever you have any free time, you might try to replace your current sodimms with the older ones, and check if you're able to overclock any further. This will also make clear if it's the memory or the CPU limiting your overclock

 

If we are talking brand, for today as of January 28th, 2011, it is going to be Kingston HyperX series (KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX
). As I already stated, these modules (8G version coming out in a week) have been factory tested by Kingston to run 7-7-7-20 at DDR1333 as well as 5-5-5-15 DDR1066 both at stock 1.5vidimm. The only difference is a “X” version has loose Jedec start up specs meant to use in mobos w/ Intel XMP profiling, not nVidia EPP. Now the cool thing for us on the X305x300 is that if we use Kingston’s “X” version, it is Jedec spec’d to load average values such as 7-7-7-20 @ 1066 @ 1.5v so increasing it to 1200 is a snap if you load as is and OC from FSB. But even if you get the “non “X” version meant for non XMP mobos we can write the profile in slightly loose so we have room to OC FSB.
Kingston Technology Company - Kingston Memory Search - Search Results for: KHX1600C9S3K2/4GX

http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX1600C9S3K2_4GX.pdf

This a good thing then. If after you’re done with your test now you have some spare DDR3 to test in MenSet. Either up the vdimm a little or loosen the timings and then try to OC them. Example, if for our old stock DDR1066 @ 7-7-7-20 1.5v I would try either 8-8-8-24 @ 1.5v or 7-8-7-22 @ 1.6 and see what you can get at FSB OC. - - What is your current FSB limit before USB or other PCI devices fail?

And yes, MemSet is for Intel. I never said for nVidia. Same may be true for said SPDTool. I did mention nTune for nVidia users to try but I don’t know anything about it in the mobile use, only high end desktops and there, it did allow timings tweaks as well as other things like PEG-link and FSB.

If all you have is nVidia no prob. Just find access to an Intel DDR3 mobo to install, run SPDTool to read edit and flash your modules. This does nothing to harm your borrowed notebook and all write ins are permanent to only your modules installed at the time. This is why I say use carefully. Don’t get to ahead and set too tight in timings that it can’t even boot anymore or you’re “sol”. Since we’re overclocking from fixed 1066 strap it is best to use slightly loose to have room to go up. That means this newly flashed RAM is safe to boot into any laptop to flash back to normal later. Make sure to save OEM profile before you touch anything. You don’t have to change anything other then the Jedec profile for your speed of 1066 (266).

 

That's good news for Intel chipset users. But how would XMP memory behave if used on an Nforce chipset? (I have no experience in this)

Also, isn't there an EPP equivalent to the HyperX? (EPP memories tested at 7-7-7-20 @1333 mhz)

 

XPM will do nothing for our X305 mobos either. The motherboard and BIOS need to support Intel XMP. But here's how it can help those who can OC their RAM. XMP modules are Jedec spec'd loose for Kingston, but on par for what we're used to for average RAM. So you load a module as 1066 w/ 7-7-7-20 @ 1.5v and up it to say 1100 if you can then you know for sure your RAM is not holding you back here if it crashes since this RAM has been tested to 1333.

 

I actually tested both and decided to go with stock... I tried Corsair and Patriot... I ended up keeping Patriot. My system ran hotter with Corsair and looked weird within CPU-Z... I am also running QX9300 (was stock 706)...Seagate 500GBs 1xXT 1xReg... I think I posted some pics in replies prior...

GTK

 

Also, I have an extra QX9300 I am looking to get rid of...PM offers if interested.

 

I have used in the past each G-Skill and Mushkin for my sodimm's and I had nothing but good out of each. Both have headroom for OC if the laptop can handle it. The Mushkins in my sig now have Jedec spcs of 1370(9-9-9-24), 1218( 8-8-8-22). So it gives you an idea of the potential to OC from 1066 locked from our X305/X300. This gets me to think I could do 7-7-7-20 for a bit before they really need the cl8. That's not bad for 2x4g kits. I had simular good results w/ my 4g G-Skill kis in DDR3 & DDR2. I also used Crucial & OCZ. I found my OCZ ran nice & cool compared to the Crucials I had. both DDR2-800. For Overclocking (especially in desktop), I like Mushkin the best. Redlines or Enhanced

 

Wish me good luck guys! I'm starting to take my laptop apart to install the modules from my Qosmio! Results will be up soon!!

 

Oh, so basically it's just XMP that will be lost. That is good news! Might check around for a nice price for the 8 gb kit.

Ouch, so I understand changing the ram modules isn't as easy as on Qosmios. Well good luck then dude.

 

UPDATE: 300MHz FSB freeze my system with this modules. What now?





UPDAT: I'm now running at 290 gives me a clock of 3.190 @ 11x but I don't know is it right my CPU is running with a multiplier of 11x ?

 

At least our rams and hdds are easily accesible! Can't say the same for cpu and gpu!

 

lol I love my new laptop for this reason, I just have to take out my battery, then a screw, 4 more screws here and there, and guess what? the whole underpanel slides off! I have now acsess to my CPU, GPU, RAM modules, WiFi Card, BIOS battery, SSD driver and so on.. Basicly everything I need The problem was to find my Qosmio, but I've found it...

What do you guys think? My system is running stable at 3.1 Ghz


EDIT:
Ouch....

 

My 4GB modules is back in! I've runned some stability test and for 30 mins it did not fail. So I guess, 2.90Ghz is stable. But what now? Should I flash my modules?

 

Nice!! How would you flash them? Maybe I missed something...

GTK

 

I'm not sure yet. I even do not know if it is worth it...

 

What are the Intel users here using to overclock their X305.X300 PM45 from Windows and can it increase CPU FSB w/o PCI-E?

 

Nope, that is not possible...

 

That sucks!!

 

Well, that is another reason for why I bought the laptop I use now.

 

SPDtool isn't working on our 730i, so you cannot flash them on your current laptop. I think you need a pm45 chipset.

Nobody who owns a x305 with intel chipset ever managed to overclock their fsb... Nforce chipset users can do so via nTune and also keep their pci-e frequency @100 mhz.

Also, I looked around for HyperX 8gb kits, but it seems the 4gb one is the only available :|

 

exile.90, is there a way back if my modules fail?
I have pm45 chipset in my Qosmio, so I can flash my modules there

 

I never used SPDtool, but from what I understand it allows you to change the Jedec profiles of your ram modules.

Basically, you need to edit the 1066mhz profile to run at higher timings (like 9-9-9-24) or with a higher vdimm, if it's possible. I guess the change can be undone, by restoring the old timings/vdimm on the same profile.

You shouldn't lower your timings or vdimm since the memories could become unbootable and you wouldn't be able to undo the changes anymore.

 

Okay. I'll try that tomorrow then! I'm not going home before tomorrow so, yeah, I'll try it then. I think I'll set them at 9-9-9-24 to start with then! But one more thing; like when I did put my modules from my Qosmio I were able to hit 3Ghz, but it was unstable. My system did not pass the torture test! What do you think the reason for this can be?

 

With the 4x2 gb modules you're stuck at 2.9 GHz, while with the 2x2 gb you can go as up as 3 ghz, even if it's unstable under Orthos. Imho, it means it's your memory limiting the overclock, since it seems the CPU can go higher. I might still be wrong, but this is the most reasonable explanation.

--

For all of you with dual GPUs, here's the SLI profiles I extracted from the latest 266.58 official desktop Nvidia forceware.

Import it using the Nvidia SLI Profile Tool:

266_58 SLI profiles.rar

 

What do you mean? Why can't I rise the timings on my 8GB kit?

 

Actually that's what you should do. You should raise the timings of the 8GB kit in order to achieve a higher overclock because the CL7 doesn't allow your memory to be clocked higher

 

Thx for that. Still no sli support for sc2 though!

 

Okay, now we have it right! Well, I must have to wait untill tomorrow anyway..

 

So does anyone know if there's any 2x4gb ddr3 1333 cl7 memory kits? I can only find 2x2 gb ones :|

 

I can't get my Qosmio runnign with a T4400 -.-

 

Hey guys, one more question! As far as I remember from last time, someone said the GPU's between nForce and Intel chipsets can not be done.. (?) Can I put my 9800M GTX in a nForce chipset?

 

To date, the only ones I found are the Kingston HyperX I mentioned. I am waiting for the release as well so i will post here as soon as I get them or find them. The non " X" versions will load as 5-5-5-15 at 1066.

EDIT: Odd, now I can't find the info or specs either. It is either delayed in introduction or something. As I remember, it was for sure a DDR1600 kit coming but was to be a 1333 kit as well. Either will work to do 5-5-5-15 @ 1066 or 7-7-7-20 @ 1333.

NewEgg says Feb. 11th for the XMP version [KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX
] so the other should follow shortly