HOWTO: Overclock C2Q (Quads) and C2D (Duals) - A Guide v1.7

[The Mailman]

hey guys

so far any FSB value other than auto is causing my system to post, but not do anything after that. i tried the initial 1333 to follow the guide but no result. i then picked a random number in the 1200 range and same deal. then my pc wouldnt POST so i had to reset the cmos....

auto works fine though! (ugh!)

what gives?

 

[graysky]

Dunno about that MB, but does the auto FSB also enable auto vcore control? I can't see a reason why it would automatically select a 333 (or in your board's case 333x4=1333) and work just fine, but not if the user sets up the same number...

 

[The Mailman]

i had the vcore set to auto, fsb on manual (1333)

 

[Drsignguy]

Setting your vcore to auto sucks! Your Q6600 ( according to your sig ) is a 266 FSB by default. And your trying to set it to 333fsb with auto vcore? Don't.... I have one, I know . Use the manual setting and set it to your VID. Adjust your FSB to 266 set your timings to your ram default settings and reboot. Then after windows loads, restart, enter BIOS and bump up the FSB a bit and reboot again. If fails up the voltage a notch and repeat if necessary. Run Bench tests for stability each time. Slow process my friend.

 

[L337Llama]

Thanks alot for the awesome guide. I got a question about using zip tie to put a fan on the northbridge. Is heat from the heatsink going to be a problem with the plastic of the zip tie?

 

[graysky]

Haven't experienced a problem yet. 50-55 °C isn't gonna melt plastic

 

[danielhcn]

graysky,my computer running unstable recently,i.e error occur during playing company of hero and sys hang while opening powerdvd and others programme but not very frequent.
I running prime95 for 24hrs = passed.Any ideas?Help......

 

[graysky]

@danielhcn - are you o/c'ing your video card? Does your system hang when reverting back to your stock settings?

 

[danielhcn]

graysky,i didn't oc my video card.My video card running in game hit 63c max,so i don't dare to oc it.My sys set back to stock settings running cool.

 

[graysky]

@dan- right, but when back to stock is it crashing like it does when o/c'ed?

 

[danielhcn]

graysky,i suspect that maybe it was cause by powerdvd,because its crashed few times when i run this programme,unbelievable huh?:roll:Maybe i using pirated software(powerdvd) cause this
i running at stock setting for 2 days w/o any error.I tried to uninstall powerdvd and run for 1-2 days.hope that it ok.god bless me:laugh:

 

[danielhcn]

graysky,if i update my bios,do i need to run the prime95 again?Or can we downgrade the bios?

 

[graysky]

@dan - dunno about powerdvd, I use freeware (mplayerc) for DVD viewing. You should stay away from pirated software for a number of reasons, one of which is you never know what sort of exploits a "cracked" program contains.

As to your bios upgrade question and stability... depends on what the new BIOS has added. Some add major features that will affect stability, others just add support for additional CPUs. Tough to say without see a changelog. If you're really concerned, prime it again using your lastknown good settings and see

 

[wongnog]

graysky: I'm just wondering, is it recommended to start your overclock with a large memory divider, so that you're underclocking your ram and thus taking it out of the equation? Thanks.

edit: also, when trying to determine max fsb should I be sticking to stock Vcc (i.e. my chip's VID, or 1.300V) or leave Vcc on Auto? I have a P5Q-E mobo and a Q6600 (G0 stepping), with 2x2gb OCZ Plat XTC PC2-8000 and OCZ Vendetta 2 air cooler. Right now I'm testing 380x9, it is 6+ hr Prime95 stable but with Vcc on Auto, CPU-Z is reporting actual Vcc = 1.40625 V. Coretemp is showing Core 1+2 at 68°C while Core 3+4 at 61°C. Seems a bit high, is that too close to the 71°C max for my chip? Perhaps I need to reseat my cooler?

 

[graysky]

You can start @ 1:1 and get things stable if you want, but I'd say run @ the settings you wanna try to stabilize.

1.4 V is kind of on the high side for that chip as I recall. I don't you'll be able to drop the temps with the vcore up that high.

 

[taltamir]

woot, this thread has been very helpful. thanks to it I did my first ever OC and got my E8400 to 3.6ghz, then I replaced it with a Q6600... and got the following:

3.3ghz @ FSB: 367, memory: 2.5x, CPUv: 1.46250v
even one level of CPUv below it is unstable.
northbridge and ram scalding to touch. room temperature rising constantly.
60c load.

3.0ghz @ FSB: 333, memory: 2.4x, CPUv: 1.3125V
two CPUv levels below it is unstable, one below was not tested.
50c load. northbridge and ram are hot, but not too hot at load.
Cool to the touch at idle.

The end result? I stuck with 3.0 and I am now both overclocking AND undervolting my CPU at the same time. (Q6600 OC to 333fsbx9 for 3.0ghz, undervolted 1.26v idle /1.23v load (VID 1.325v, mobo setting 1.3125v)).

I gotta say I couldn't have done it as well or as easily without the help. I am also surprised at how easy it was.

 

[Tmsa7966]

Thanks so much for this amazing guide!
It helped me overclock my q6600 to 3.0Ghz @ 1.30625v and all other voltages to the lowest number on bios!
now I want more out of my G0 stepping, I'm getting greedy!
One quick question, whats the limit you think (or heard) of my CPU on air cooled so I won't fry it going over 71 degrees under full load?
I just want to have an idea so I won't exceed the upper limit.
Thanks again for your time here

EDIT: In all prime tests I get errors on number 3 only! even if I change other volts!
What do you think?

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: Tmsa7966
Thanks so much for this amazing guide!
It helped me overclock my q6600 to 3.0Ghz @ 1.30625v and all other voltages to the lowest number on bios!
now I want more out of my G0 stepping, I'm getting greedy!
One quick question, whats the limit you think (or heard) of my CPU on air cooled so I won't fry it going over 71 degrees under full load?
I just want to have an idea so I won't exceed the upper limit.
Thanks again for your time here
EDIT: In all prime tests I get errors on number 3 only! even if I change other volts!
What do you think?

1) Temps on air cooled is about 3.4 - 3.6 WITH a good aftermarket HSF. On stock, with this chip I wouldn't go past 3.0

2) voltage bumps. The Q6600 is a power hungry chip and also depending on how much ram you have, you may have to up that too. But be advised, make sure you follow the specs of your ram, don't go to high. Also, just make sure you put the memory ratio @ 1:1 when over clocking. Once you get to a stable clock as your goal, then you can up the memory speed if you still have headroom.

 

[Tmsa7966]

Originally posted by: Drsignguy

Originally posted by: Tmsa7966
Thanks so much for this amazing guide!
It helped me overclock my q6600 to 3.0Ghz @ 1.30625v and all other voltages to the lowest number on bios!
now I want more out of my G0 stepping, I'm getting greedy!
One quick question, whats the limit you think (or heard) of my CPU on air cooled so I won't fry it going over 71 degrees under full load?
I just want to have an idea so I won't exceed the upper limit.
Thanks again for your time here
EDIT: In all prime tests I get errors on number 3 only! even if I change other volts!
What do you think?

1) Temps on air cooled is about 3.4 - 3.6 WITH a good aftermarket HSF. On stock, with this chip I wouldn't go past 3.0

2) voltage bumps. The Q6600 is a power hungry chip and also depending on how much ram you have, you may have to up that too. But be advised, make sure you follow the specs of your ram, don't go to high. Also, just make sure you put the memory ratio @ 1:1 when over clocking. Once you get to a stable clock as your goal, then you can up the memory speed if you still have headroom.

Thank you for your reply
I have a stable overclock with the CPU @ 1.30625v and my ram is 400 bus 4-4-4-12 but I'm doing 333 bus which is like you said a ratio @ 1:1 with 1.8v So, yes I have plenty of headroom without needing to overclock them.
I already have a decent aftermarket HSF so I want to push my CPU to around say 3.2
cause at 333fsb x 9 I'm around 55 under load with prime95, so I still have enough temps for the CPU to bear. My question is, should I increase the to 356fsb x 9 and leave the ram at 333?
Or 400fsb x 8 and up the ram to 400 instead of 333 to maintain a 1:1 ratio?
Thanks again

 

[Drsignguy]

I would stick with the higher multi, Gives more headroom on the FSB. And leave the ram at 333 with the ratio of 1:1.

 

[Tmsa7966]

Drsignguy,
I think you meant 317 on ram cause that's what happened automatically when I changed the 333fsb to 356fsb x 9 for the CPU, and CPU-Z now reads ratio @ 1:1
Well, I tried Vcc @ 1.325v and 1.35v with prime and got errors after 1 minute on the same worker thread #3, and now I'm stressing @ 1.37500v for almost 30 minutes without errors yet!
Temps are around 60 degrees! still have NB, SB, DRAM, and CPU PPL to their minimum voltages, maybe that's why I keep getting errors only on #3? I don't know!

 

[Tmsa7966]

Sorry double post!

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: Tmsa7966
Drsignguy,
I think you meant 317 on ram cause that's what happened automatically when I changed the 333fsb to 356fsb x 9 for the CPU, and CPU-Z now reads ratio @ 1:1
Well, I tried Vcc @ 1.325v and 1.35v with prime and got errors after 1 minute on the same worker thread #3, and now I'm stressing @ 1.37500v for almost 30 minutes without errors yet!
Temps are around 60 degrees! still have NB, SB, DRAM, and CPU PPL to their minimum voltages, maybe that's why I keep getting errors only on #3? I don't know!

Originally posted by: Tmsa7966

Originally posted by: Drsignguy

Originally posted by: Tmsa7966
Thanks so much for this amazing guide!
It helped me overclock my q6600 to 3.0Ghz @ 1.30625v and all other voltages to the lowest number on bios!
now I want more out of my G0 stepping, I'm getting greedy!
One quick question, whats the limit you think (or heard) of my CPU on air cooled so I won't fry it going over 71 degrees under full load?
I just want to have an idea so I won't exceed the upper limit.
Thanks again for your time here
EDIT: In all prime tests I get errors on number 3 only! even if I change other volts!
What do you think?

1) Temps on air cooled is about 3.4 - 3.6 WITH a good aftermarket HSF. On stock, with this chip I wouldn't go past 3.0

2) voltage bumps. The Q6600 is a power hungry chip and also depending on how much ram you have, you may have to up that too. But be advised, make sure you follow the specs of your ram, don't go to high. Also, just make sure you put the memory ratio @ 1:1 when over clocking. Once you get to a stable clock as your goal, then you can up the memory speed if you still have headroom.

Thank you for your reply
I have a stable overclock with the CPU @ 1.30625v and my ram is 400 bus 4-4-4-12 but I'm doing 333 bus which is like you said a ratio @ 1:1 with 1.8v So, yes I have plenty of headroom without needing to overclock them.
I already have a decent aftermarket HSF so I want to push my CPU to around say 3.2
cause at 333fsb x 9 I'm around 55 under load with prime95, so I still have enough temps for the CPU to bear. My question is, should I increase the to 356fsb x 9 and leave the ram at 333?
Or 400fsb x 8 and up the ram to 400 instead of 333 to maintain a 1:1 ratio?
Thanks again

I was basing it off the information given. And to answer your question, 8x400 or 9x333. What you will gain from the lower multi is a higher FSB and less headroom for your ram. What you will gain from a higher multi is a lower FSB and more headroom for your ram so, if you are set on a 9x356 = 3.2, your ram is @ 712Mhz which you can change by the divider. This all depends on your memory too, Ie: 800, 1000 0r 1066 Mhz respectivly. The higher memory, the more headroom. Just a reminder too, getting a Q6600 above 3.2 can be more of a challange than you think.......

 

[8millenium]

I've been searching around to find a Q6600 with a VID in the 1.2's. I would like to buy one. I currently have one with a VID of 1.325
Thanks.

 

[LizG33]

Okay I'm a neebie at this so not sure what you guys need to know. Everytime I try to oc my system it won't boot so I have to reset. AsRock P43Twin1600 mohterboard,power supply raidmax rx-530ss, cpu c2d 2.53ghz e7500, patriot extreme performance 2gb ddr3 1333(pc3-10666), vista ultimate, graphics card asus eah3850 512mb, powertek tower, and cooling zalman cnps 7500 alcu. Right now its reading core voltage 1.136v core speed 2533.6mhz bus speed 266.7 mhz fsb 1066mhz dram frequency 320 fsb dram 5:6 (cl) 6, (trcd)6, (trp) 6, (tras) 15 (cr) 1T if anymore information is needed please let me know thank you.