E6300/DS3/G.SKILL/Tuniq

[Cheex]

...bump...please advise...bump...

 

[GuitarDaddy]

3.15ghz is really fast and a 1300mhz overclock is nothing to be sneezed at. I would be happy with that until your next upgrade. Personally I wouldn't ditch it for a E6420, I would wait for the fall and upgrade to a Q6600

 

[Cheex]

Very interesting proposition but I don't think my money will be that strong by then...

I guess I should just upgrade to 2GB and be happy with it.

 

[BigShroom]

Bah, was going to suggest going to 8x multi but then I realized I'm too tired to think straight.

Sorry.

 

[Cheex]

I think most people would agree that I should just get the upgrade to 2GB and forget about the E6420. Also, I don't think my CPU will bottleneck ANY of my games anytime soon.

(MAYBE...Alan Wake when that comes along although I still don't think so).

I think I might just be content with the 3.15GHz and look toward a 1333 FSB chip when they come along. How is that line of reasoning?

 

[Cheex]

I just read in this Core2Duo Overclocking Guide v1.1 that for my DS3 overclock, I should set my PCIe to "Auto".

1) Why should I set it to "Auto" instead of at 100?
2) What are the default voltages for:
(i) vMCH
(ii) vFSB
I want to know so that I can know how much to increase by to get those to 1.55V and 1.40V respectively.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Cheex]

Here is an update on what's going on right now with my OC...Something new I'm trying.


Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe (L2) @ 3.318GHz (474x7) @ 1.50000V
Tuniq Tower 120 -- 33C (idle) - 68C (load)
1GB (1x1GB) G.SKILL DDR2-800 (4-4-3-5) @ 1:1 @ DDR2-948 @ 5-6-6-18 @ 2.2V

vPCIe - default
vFSB - +0.3V
vMCH - +0.3V

I'm running Orthos on it now (I'm on my father's comp) and it is running pretty good. When unstable it would error in 5-10 minutes. It is now running for 1 hour. I think I'm going to stop it now, post a screenshot, then try it at 3.406GHz (486x7).


1 hour Orthos @ 3.318GHz


My only concerns now:
vCore - Is 1.5V in the BIOS safe? vDroop however, takes this to 1.42V under full Orthos load. At idle it is at 1.46V. Is the voltage safe?...not the temps. I need to reseat my Tuniq, i know.
Temps - I have now proven that SpeedFan is definitely the reading I should trust, shutdown temp in BIOS is 70C and here are my temps:
CoreTemp - 82C
TAT - 79C
SpeedFan - Both Core0/1 is 68C (high i know) and the NB is at 66C


NOTE: The temperatures indicated are what I saw them peak at...it ran a few degrees lower at times.


Tell me what you think.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

The bios will only shutdown when the bios reading hits 70c. The bios and speedfan are both reading the socket temp. TAT and Coretemp read from the core diode and they are correct. The Tjunction or shutdown core temp on C2D's is 85c

 

[Cheex]

How is it then that TAT and CoreTemp read from the same source and show different temps?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Margin of error, any of the sensors will be +/- a few degrees

 

[Cheex]

Well anyway I backed off down to 3.15GHz (450x7)....again...

I lowered the voltage a bit and slightly tightened the memory timings (see sig).
I'm think I might run Orthos overnight on it...*sighs*

 

[Zardnok]

Originally posted by: Cheex
Here is an update on what's going on right now with my OC...Something new I'm trying.


Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe (L2) @ 3.318GHz (474x7) @ 1.50000V
Tuniq Tower 120 -- 33C (idle) - 68C (load)
1GB (1x1GB) G.SKILL DDR2-800 (4-4-3-5) @ 1:1 @ DDR2-948 @ 5-6-6-18 @ 2.2V

vPCIe - default
vFSB - +0.3V
vMCH - +0.3V

I'm running Orthos on it now (I'm on my father's comp) and it is running pretty good. When unstable it would error in 5-10 minutes. It is now running for 1 hour. I think I'm going to stop it now, post a screenshot, then try it at 3.406GHz (486x7).


1 hour Orthos @ 3.318GHz


My only concerns now:
vCore - Is 1.5V in the BIOS safe? vDroop however, takes this to 1.42V under full Orthos load. At idle it is at 1.46V. Is the voltage safe?...not the temps. I need to reseat my Tuniq, i know.
Temps - I have now proven that SpeedFan is definitely the reading I should trust, shutdown temp in BIOS is 70C and here are my temps:
CoreTemp - 82C
TAT - 79C
SpeedFan - Both Core0/1 is 68C (high i know) and the NB is at 66C


NOTE: The temperatures indicated are what I saw them peak at...it ran a few degrees lower at times.


Tell me what you think.

What do I think? I think I am glad you backed down the voltages and the processor some. 82 on your core is scary high!! The +0.3 on FSB and MCH is also a tad much without additional cooling.

Overclocking a computer is like doing drugs. A little bit is fun! A little more is even more fun. More than that and you start to get excited and giddy. Still more is awesome, but you can crash and burn with little to no warning. Be careful with your temps and voltages. It would suck to lose a perfectly good CPU for another 20MHZ.

 

[Cheex]

So so true. I'm gonna eventually set everything straight though, you'll see...:thumbsup:


PS: Do you have any personal experience with that drug thing?.......lol....(no offense of course).

 

[Cheex]

I think that apart from my temps (I haven't reseated the Tuniq yet), my memory is the limiting factor on my OC.

Can any of the OC Experts confirm this from the info that I have given?
I want to know whether or not to go memory hunting again.


EDIT: Could my temps be what is limiting me? Causing all the errors and such?

 

[Cheex]

One of the Newegg reviewers said that this memory was in fact Micron D9 memory...but...

1) Can anyone confirm this please?
2) Would this be a good buy (THEN sell my G.SKILL and get another 1GB)?


Crucial Ballistix 1GB

 

[AnotherGuy]

I wouldnt go 100 or 200 mhz higher if it needs more voltage... just not worth it

 

[Zardnok]

Originally posted by: Cheex
I think that apart from my temps (I haven't reseated the Tuniq yet), my memory is the limiting factor on my OC.

Can any of the OC Experts confirm this from the info that I have given?
I want to know whether or not to go memory hunting again.


EDIT: Could my temps be what is limiting me? Causing all the errors and such?

Lower your multiplier to 6X and keep all other settings the same. Then increase the memory speed. This will show you the max that your memory will perform. Run memtest or Orthos blend to make sure things are stable.

You already know that your system will do 3.3 stable. If you go to 6X and 500 on the memory, you know the rest of your system is stable at 3.0, so if it errors out, your memory will not support the faster speeds and if you want a faster speed, it is time to get some new RAM or maybe a higher multiplier chip.

As for your temps holding you back, when you are running Orthos blend, can you touch the NB heatsink and hold your finger against it for 5 seconds or is it to hot? Can you touch your RAM heatspreader for 5 seconds? If either are to hot, then yes, temps are a big problem and are probably holding you back. This is the same problem I am having on my DS-3. I am replacing my NB heatsink with either the Noctua or Thermal-right heatpipe pieces. I just have to decide which one and order it, but until I do, I have backed everything down and added a fan blowing across the NB and RAM.

 

[Cheex]

I lowered the multiplier before and still couldn't go much higher.

As for the temps, I didn't get a chance to check that because I'm at work now but I don't think I need to worry myself about that right now...I'll just stay at 3.15GHz (450x7)...for now.

My next move is what I need to decide...I'm not sure a new CPU is necessary (maybe but idk).
As far a memory goes...its either I just get another stick of this and be content or get a different stick of memory, then sell this one and get a matching stick.

I wanted opinions on a few but no one has replied.

I'm open to suggestions but what about these:

Crucial Ballistix 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - OEM
GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[AnotherGuy]

that geil has good timings n good reviews i like it

Ur g skill is good too thoe... i woulk just get another stick of that n be happy with it... no need to go thru sellin n buying other stuff
Trust me 100mhz more u wont even feel any difference in games or anythin else.
Shoulda made ur research before buying

 

[Zardnok]

Originally posted by: Cheex
I lowered the multiplier before and still couldn't go much higher.

As for the temps, I didn't get a chance to check that because I'm at work now but I don't think I need to worry myself about that right now...I'll just stay at 3.15GHz (450x7)...for now.

My next move is what I need to decide...I'm not sure a new CPU is necessary (maybe but idk).
As far a memory goes...its either I just get another stick of this and be content or get a different stick of memory, then sell this one and get a matching stick.

I wanted opinions on a few but no one has replied.

I'm open to suggestions but what about these:

Crucial Ballistix 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - OEM
GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

OK if you lowered the multiplier to 6X and still could not go any higher, then your RAM is topped out.

As for what RAM to purchase, totally up to you. I run 2 sticks of OCZ Rev2 and 2 sticks of Corsair XMS2. I can run all 4 of my sticks at 475 with 4-4-4-15. Any higher and I need to back off the timings. I have seen both RAM packs that I own for $120 or less AR recently, so check around and get what you want. If you want to push it extreme, buy some D-9 chips and OC them or spend the extra cash for DDR1000 or 1066. Can get 2 gig kits for $200ish if you deal with rebates.

 

[Cheex]

Well rebates don't apply to me because I live in Jamaica.

Please advise on whether to just dual channel my current memory or get something better.

Anyway...I was also considering the following memory along with the two mentioned above...
Kingston HyperX 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 900(PC2 7200) Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[Cheex]

Memory help please.....How is this one:
OCZ 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory - Retail


I'm presenting some options here...but I'm confused...

 

[Fallengod]

You dont want 2gb?

 

[Cheex]

Yes I do want 2GB. My options are:

1) Buy a matching 1GB stick of the memory I have now and dual channel.
2) Buy a different 1GB stick of better memory, then sell my old (current) stick and dual channel the new (not yet bought) stick.
3) Buy a 2GB kit of better memory, then either stay with 3GB or sell the old (current) stick and run 2GB in dual channel.

 

[RussianSensation]

Weren't you contemplating upgrading your X850Xt graphics card and you were on a budget? Link

Even if your CPU clocks to 3.5 thats a measly 12% gain from what you had before.

You should instead upgrade the graphics card outright for 100%+ increase in gaming.
Perhaps consider X1950XT or 8800GTS 320, or new ATI cards when they are out. If you are a gamer, the benefit of 3.5ghz Core 2 Duo to Core 2 3.0 is going to be almost unnoticeable for you since your graphics card will be 100% bottleneck in every single game out there.

If I was you I'd strongly consider:

1) Buying a new graphics card
2) if you can afford it, new graphics card and 1 extra stick of ram.

Go and sell your X850XT for $100 already and do what's right

And instead of getting 2 new gigs of ram and throwing out your perfectly good 1 gig, save $70 and just buy 1 gig now (option 2). This way the quad-core upgrade in the fall at $266 will now be $200. Or you can put $70 towards a faster graphics card where you'll truly feel the difference.