Frustrated with OCing results with my Q6600 despite everything I try

[Andvari]

Yeah, I'm not trying to push any limits here. I just wanted to get 3.0 because that seemed like a nice sweet spot that everybody could get. My last computer lasted me 5 years (actually it's still perfectly fine, it's just old heh), and I hope this one will do the same. So I don't want to be pushing the hardware TOO hard. =)

Now if only we could help Pentacore. =(

 

[Sentry2]

His 3.0GHz might not come quite as easy. I've never heard of a B3 that couldn't hit 3.0GHz but it might require 1.35v or something. I had 2 Q6600 B3 and got rid of them both. Finally got a G0 and now I'm happy(well for a while).

 

[MadScientist]

There's a hack for using Core Temp in Vista 64. Read this thread.

 

[Pentacore]

Thanks for all the help and input guys. Andvari thats crazy how we pretty much have the same setup. I'm going to try what you did to get yours to 3Ghz. Sutahz, my BIOS has 1:1 type ratios. The choices are Auto, 1:1, 5:4, 3:2, and Sync Mode. Right now I have it on Auto. If it set it to 1:1, the FSB and RAM both go to 1066Mhz. What does upping the Vcore do? I upped the vCore to 1.392v and speed is still the same. What does changing that value gain you?

My RAM does not have heat spreaders. Sutahz, when you say up the voltage on the RAM, my choices in the BIOS are 1.92v, 2.013v, 2.085v, 2.178v, 2.259v, 2.353v, 2.424v, and 2.517v. I guess here as well, what affect does increasing voltage like this have?

My NB Voltage I can change as well from Auto, 1.208v, 1.393v, 1.563v, 1.748v.

Vcore offset Voltage can be changed too from either Auto, or +100mv

The memory settings page in my BIOS has about 15 different things you can change. Problem is they all say AUTO I wish it would just tell me what they were right there. I can change every value that CPUZ lists for RAM like the timings from 1-7, and then there are Advanced Settings where there are things CPUZ doesn't list that I can adjust from 1-15. Everything is at AUTO for now. I'll try and see about OC my RAM and read up on that.

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: Pentacore
The choices are Auto, 1:1, 5:4, 3:2, and Sync Mode. Right now I have it on Auto. If it set it to 1:1, the FSB and RAM both go to 1066Mhz.

You want to set it to "sync" mode until you are sure you have found your CPU limited overclock settings. Sync mode makes the RAM operate at exactly 1/2 the QDR of the FSB, or 2X the FSB clock.

If your FSB clock is set to 300MHz (and the QDR of that is 1200MHz) then setting your ram to sync mode will force it to run at DDR2-600MHz and you won't get any funny business.

Sync mode is there for folks who like to really tighten the timings to get super low latencies. In your case keep your timings loose and take advantage of the sync mode ensuring that your RAM is not the limitation in your current overclock efforts.

Now regarding your CPU. I have both B3 and G0's. B3's are a BITCH to overclock. You got to shove Vcore down its throat. Watch the temps in the process as well. The other reason B3's are a hassle to overclock is that they are inherently less stable at higher FSB settings compared to G0's.

Let me help adjust your expectations on overclocking a B3 with some data. I am running a B3 right now on vaporphase cooling (i.e. the chip is cooled to -40C at full load). Here are the minimum voltages I must apply to the chip versus the clockspeed. Note this is a multiplier unlocked "extreme" (retail, not ES) chip so FSB and memory are not limiting my overclock.

Speed      Multi      FSB       Vcore (BIOS)
1,600       6         266.67      0.91875
1,867       7         266.67      0.95000
2,133       8        266.67      0.98750
2,400       9         266.67      1.05000
2,667       10       266.67      1.12500
2,933       11       266.67      1.20000
3,200       12       266.67      1.29375
3,467       13       266.67      1.39375
3,733       14       266.67      1.51875

On air you are really going to have to crank up that Vcore (in a big way) as you attempt to get above 3GHz.

 

[Andvari]

Regalk, in this thread http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2142770&enterthread=y , got his B3 to 3.4. Haven't read much of the thread yet, but I think he's air cooled.

With so much stuff set on "auto" Pentacore, it may indeed just be some mis-settings in the BIOS that is preventing your OC. Your RAM might be up to the task after all. I'm not a master of overclocking by any means, though, so don't take my word too highly heh. This was my first OC. Luckily it went pretty easy.

As for why you want to add voltage to RAM, CPU, etc. Is because when you ask it to work harder, it needs more juice to pull it off. Upping voltages doesn't increase your speeds, it ALLOWS you to increase your speeds. You can try increasing speeds without increasing voltages, but you're likely just going to get crashes/errors/etc because the hardware doesn't have enough power going to it to pull it off. What increasing voltage DOES do, though, is increase heat and heat means more stress on the hardware. Too much voltage can also permanently damage those components. You probably don't want to set your RAM to 2.5v heh, that would fry it I think.

Ideally, you want to find the lowest amount of voltage that will let you run stable at your desired speeds. This keeps heat to its minimum, which is obviously good for the life of your stuff. =)