Overclocking my Q600 Help

[Arximiro]

I want to overclock my Q6600 Core 2 Quad to 3Ghz, it defaults at 2.4. My MB is an Asus P5N-D. I read up online a lot about it, but I'm not having much luck. I got it to around 2.6, then anything I set over that Windows wouldn't start.

The BIOS has a utility that Auto-overclocks and you just pick how much you want, but for some godawful reason it also OCs the RAM taking it over what it's supposed to be. I can go in and Manually set it of course though, but wtf. My RAM is 8GB 800Mhz PC6400 5-5-5-12. My MB caps out at 1333FSB, the processor I guess default is 1066.


Just a simple guide on this would be nice, not sure if I need to manually set the voltages or what, all the guides I find say to leave them on auto for first time OCing.

Thanks

[Evanos]

I want to overclock my Q6600 Core 2 Quad to 3Ghz, it defaults at 2.4. My MB is an Asus P5N-D. I read up online a lot about it, but I'm not having much luck. I got it to around 2.6, then anything I set over that Windows wouldn't start.

The BIOS has a utility that Auto-overclocks and you just pick how much you want, but for some godawful reason it also OCs the RAM taking it over what it's supposed to be. I can go in and Manually set it of course though, but wtf. My RAM is 8GB 800Mhz PC6400 5-5-5-12. My MB caps out at 1333FSB, the processor I guess default is 1066.


Just a simple guide on this would be nice, not sure if I need to manually set the voltages or what, all the guides I find say to leave them on auto for first time OCing.

Thanks

If your windows isn't starting up and you are overclocking most likely the CPU isn't getting enough voltage. Tomshardware used to have a really good guide for this CPU but apparently it has been deleted. There is a good general overview to overclocking on overclock.net here: http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/...ing-guide.html

It seems like from what I have searched a lot of the old good guides for overclocking this CPU are gone. Here are a few I found in a quick search:
http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/...sic-guide.html


Here is a thread of some settings you may try:
http://www.overclock.net/intel-mothe...-asus-p5n.html

[Arximiro]

Thanks for the links, I set it to this and it (seems) to be doing ok.

Any of you guys see any issues with this?

I have the Q6600 G0 stepping and the Asus P5N-D board. I am overclocking with the following setting for a quite stable OC @ 3.2Ghz and stock cooling.

FSB:1422
MEM:800
Vcore: 1.47500
DRAM: 2.110 (for this, you need to look up your specific RAM ratings and use that.)
HT: 1.42
NB: 1.42
SB: Auto
NB PCI E:100 (never mess with this one)
Also, make sure your CPU multiplier is at 9.0, under CPU configuration.

[Evanos]

Thanks for the links, I set it to this and it (seems) to be doing ok.

Any of you guys see any issues with this?

I have the Q6600 G0 stepping and the Asus P5N-D board. I am overclocking with the following setting for a quite stable OC @ 3.2Ghz and stock cooling.

FSB:1422
MEM:800
Vcore: 1.47500
DRAM: 2.110 (for this, you need to look up your specific RAM ratings and use that.)
HT: 1.42
NB: 1.42
SB: Auto
NB PCI E:100 (never mess with this one)
Also, make sure your CPU multiplier is at 9.0, under CPU configuration.

That looks about right, would need to know a couple more things to make sure you have your timings right in relationship to each other though. What is your multiplier set at and what is your CPU frequency at?

Also, how are you defining stable? Did you do a stress test (prime 95, etc) for 6-8 hours and no crash? Or is it just booting up? If you haven't stress tested it I would download prime95 (x86 or 64 bit, whichever system you are on) and run it for at least 4 hours but preferably 6-8 (while you sleep) to make sure that it dosen't crash. While you run it have RealTemp open and keep track of your highest CPU temp, want to make sure you aren't going to make it too hot since you are sticking with stock cooling.

[Arximiro]

Well I don't have Stock cooling, I have this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835101021

My multiplier was set to 9, CPU Freq was at 1422, or 355.5 per core. It didn't stay stable too long into FFXIV, I eventually just went back to defaults, I can't afford to mess it up atm. :/

Temps were a little hot for my liking, hitting a little over 60 under load. And somehow going from 2.4Ghz per core to 3.2 only raised my FFXIV Benchmark around 50 points, didn't really seem worth it.

[Celeras]

Every chip will perform differently so nobody could do this for you sure-fire, but here is what I used when I had a Q6600. Try the following settings for 3.2GHz.


CPU C1E [Disabled]
CPU EIST function [Disabled]

CPU Clock Ratio [8]
CPU Host Clock Control [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz) [ 400 ]
PCI Express Frequency (MHz) [100]
C.I.A.2 [Disabled]

System Memory Multiplier [2.00x]
Memory Frequency (MHz) 1000
High Speed DRAM DLL Settings [Option 1]
Performance Enhance [standard]

DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) [Auto]

System Voltage Control [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control [+0.3] = 2.1V (Just an example. Set it to the module spec minus 1.8)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control [+0.1]
FSB OverVoltage Control [+0.1]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1]
CPU OverVoltage Control [Set it to .02V higher then the “Normal CPU Vcore”]
Normal CPU Vcore = Your chip’s stock vcore

[Arximiro]

My MB doesn't have most of those settings, and I can't set some of my settings that high. RAM voltage and speed for example. Thanks for the post though, sorry I can't really use it. My BIOS is pretty Meh on options, I can basically set these and a few options like thermal control, C1E etc:


FSB:1422
MEM:800 Mhz (Cap)
Vcore: 1.47500 (Says not to exceed 1.5)
DRAM: 1.89 < My RAM Caps at 1.9
HT: 1.42 << No idea what this is
NB: 1.42 << No idea what this is
SB: Auto << No idea what this is
NB PCI E:100 (Seems to be a global agreement to never touch this)


My MB:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...170&CatId=3495


The problem I'm running into is, is it even worth it to OC? Or is it just for E-peen.

[Archimond]

Tomshardware used to have a really good guide for this CPU but apparently it has been deleted.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/dual-quad,1720.html

^?

is it even worth it to OC? Or is it just for E-peen.

An overclocked CPU and GPU should lead to noticeable gains in FPS.

Example of difference: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...on,2581-4.html

[Evanos]

[QUOTE=Archimond;3992029]http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/dual-quad,1720.html

^?

That isn't the guide I was thinking of, but it looks like a pretty good one. The one I was thinking of was in the forums and was very detailed, it hard a chart of many different settings tested by different people and it said which tended to be more stable, power efficient, etc.

As to OPs question about epeen versus actual gains, what you are doing/what games you are playing will largely determine whether or not you actually notice any real differences. If you overclock your machine will be running faster for sure, but if you are playing an old game where your FPS were so high that it wouldn't even matter anyway, then chances are you would not notice the extra speed that you gain from an overclock (for example if you are playing 1 instance of FFXI on a machine). The more you push your system the more you will be able to notice it. For example, if you find a setting in a new FPS where you generally run at frames cap, but in some cases dip below(for example: come in view of reflective surfaces, explosions, etc), overclocking will most likely take you that extra step where you never notice drops in frames or choppiness. The gains are definitely worth it, especially since obtaining a stable overclock is so easy if you have proper cooling of your CPU/GPU and system in general.

[Olo401]

This guide has always been helpful to me: http://www.maximumpc.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=65445

Also if you get a chance check out the Tweaktown forums. They're very helpful over there at fine tuning overclocks.

[Arximiro]

Here is what I am currently running:

FSB: 1333
Multi: X9
Mem: 800
V-core: 1.45
HT: 1.42
NB: 1.42
SB: Auto
RAM: Auto


I do have a question about voltages though. Cpu-Z and PC-Probe both report my V-core as only using around 1.392V. Is it OK that I have it set at 1.45?

Another question is what is HT and ND, and do those voltages look good? My MB is listed further up in the thread.

[Jurgen]

Here is what I am currently running:

FSB: 1333
Multi: X9
Mem: 800
V-core: 1.45
HT: 1.42
ND: 1.42
SB: Auto
RAM: Auto


I do have a question about voltages though. Cpu-Z and PC-Probe both report my V-core as only using around 1.392V. Is it OK that I have it set at 1.45?

Another question is what is HT and ND, and do those voltages look good? My MB is listed further up in the thread.

V-core will be fine up to 1.5V as the Q6600 is a 65nm chip. Just make sure the temps don't get much above 70C in Prime95.

The drop in V-core is what is commonly referred to as "v-droop". There are ways to mod your motherboard to get around this, allowing you to set the bios voltage at a lower setting while still maintaining the same OC which could save you a couple degrees at idle, but you probably don't need to worry about that too much.

[Arximiro]

So I'm good leaving it at 1.45 even though it is only using 1.392 of that?

Also do those HT and NB Voltages look good?

[Arximiro]

Sorry to bump this, but I just want to ask this to make sure.

Here is what I am using:

FSB: 1333
RAM: 800
Multi: X9
V-core: 1.4
HT: 1.3
NB: 1.3
SB: Auto
RAM: Auto
PCI-E: 100

Do all these voltages look within the safe range. I did have Vcore at 1.45, and HT and NB at 1.42, but those seemed a little high for such a small OC. I'm only taking it from 2.4 to 3.0.

My MB is the Asus P5N-D

This is my CPU-Z readout.

http://i33.tinypic.com/29qcffp.jpg


Really I just want to make sure I'm not overdoing or underdoing it on the voltages I have set. My MB has a good chunk of V-Droop btw. Does that mean that only what CPU-Z says is getting pumped in and not the 1.4 I have set in the Bios?

[Blabj]

It takes a lot of experimentation to find the right voltages. You don't want to be overvolting it because obviously that's going to play havoc with the life of the chip, and undervolting it will mean the chip simply refuses to perform - causing system hangs under heavy load or just straight up not posting.

Find the settings that work for you now, and stress test the system for at least an hour, and see if it will then go on to remain stable for 24 hours. This is by no means a completely thorough test of system stability, but it should be enough to tell you that it's stable enough for average usage. Then try undervolting it a step or two and performing the same tests. If you can get similar performance for less power it's going to not only affect the life of the chip but also the temperature.

[Arximiro]

Bah, I keep finding different answers everywhere.

What is a safe load temp for my Q6600 with G0 stepping? Some people say anything below 100c is fine, some say don't go past 76c ever. While running prime95 My temps are mid 60s during the 1024k tests, then on the 8k ones it shoots up to 70-74c. I usually stop the tests at that point out of fear. Does it get worse beyond the 8k tests? I'm scared to go any further.

I never run anything where my Cores are at 100% load so I don't think it will be much of a problem. I sit at 45-50c Idle.

[Arximiro]

Also does anyone know why Windows 7 is showing me at 3.6ghz when I'm only at 3.2? I found a nice guide online and took my OC up to 3.2, I changed the multiplier to 8 in doing so though. It makes the ratio 1:1.

If my multi was 9 like it was before the 3.6 would be right, but it's at 8.. so yeah. I have all the Speed Step and C1E options off as well.


Picture:
http://i34.tinypic.com/2i775tc.jpg

Thoughts?

Edit: Evaaannnooos Wru Yeah I know my Wexp score is low, it's due to my HD. Everything else is 7.