Is it possible to OC an Intel e6750 Core 2 Duo 2.6?

jameswhite1979

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Apr 15, 2005
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Hi,

I am having NO luck at all OC'ing my setup :(

I have OC'ed every other computer I have ever had so I am not sure what I am doing wrong or if it is even possible. On Saturday OC'ed my friend machine from 2.2 to 3.0 no problems!
My MoBo has a lot of options and I will list them below. I have a Freezer Pro H&F and very good DDR2 800 memory with heatsinks and should be totally fine to OC up to 950 Mhz (tested on another machine no problems) So I have tried stepping up FSB and it only goes to about 2.62 Ghz and will no longer boot and I have to clear the CMOS I have added different Voltages etc but no luck.

So I guess what I am asking is with what appears to be good kit (maybe not the CPU you tell me) what setting should I use?

Currently I have for 2.6ghz stock:

CPU operating speed: 333
FSB: Memory mode: Auto
FSB (QDR): Auto
MEM DDR2: Auto
Memory data rate: 800
Multiplier Factor: 8x

VoltageControls

CPU Core Voltage: 1.3500V
DDR2 Voltage: 1.85V
DDr2 REF Voltage: 0.0%
CPU VTT Voltage: 1.20V
NB Voltage: 1.20V


Glad for any input on this as I am lost at this stage :(

TIA, J
 

RussianSensation

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Sep 5, 2003
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When overclocking, I find that isolating the components works best for me. This way I know what the limiting component is. In your case, this is easily achieved.

From what you have, it seems any overclocking beyond 333FSB is going to push your ram beyond 800mhz at CL4 timings since right now at 333FSB the ram is set to work at DDR2 800.


Step 1: Finding motherboard FSB speed


1. FSB: Memory Mode => Set to Unlinked (so that FSB can be overclocked independently of memory)

2. Make sure you relax all the timings on the ram (5-5-5) and set any performance options in the BIOS to defaults (such as any Turbo/Enhance levels set to their lowest to not strain the motherboard).

3. Lower the Multiplier Factor from 8x to 6x.

4. Fix PCIe frequency at 100.

5. Raise the CPU operating speed from 333 to 375 then to 400, then to 425 and each time at boot run SuperPi 8M and see if the system is stable (at this point you could try running Prime 95 small Ftts to stress the cpu/mobo) If the system passes all the way to 425, then you know your motherboard can easily do 425FSB without any adjustments.

Note: Even at 425FSB x 6 multiplier, your cpu is still running at 2550mhz; well below its 2.66ghz nominal frequency. It is important to always remember this since at some point FSB speed can become so large that you'll have to increase your cpu voltage even at multiplier of 6x. Keep this in mind since you don't want to blame the motherboard on not attaining high enough FSB when you forgot to increase cpu voltages :)

However, you might have to adjust CPU VTT Voltage by +0.1/+0.2 and NB voltage by +0.1/+0.2 as you start exceeding 400FSB. So do this until you reach your desired FSB speed (In this case I would check if your mobo can do 460FSB because if you were to move the multiplier back to 8 you'd have a top speed of 3.68ghz which is probably more than enough for your processor, given the cooling you have).


Step 2: Finding your CPU speed

Keep everything the same (ie. whatever you needed in terms of motherboard voltages to reach 460FSB), except:

1. Lower the CPU operating speed back to 333.

2. Increase the multiplier to 8x

3. Now you are going to increase the cpu operating speed from 333 to 375 and run SuperPi again on that boot. Keep increasing the FSB until the system either crashes at boot or freezes or doesn't boot. That means to go beyond this speed you need to increase your CPU voltage. ==> so slowly increase it from 1.35 to 1.375, then try booting at that speed again and so on. At some point you might be at 425FSB and voltage of say 1.400 and the system just doesn't boot anymore (check temperatures with CoreTemp 0.96 and run Prime 95/Orthos to stress the 2 cores).

What usually happens is that at some point a lot of additional voltage is required to increase cpu speed just extra 100-200 mhz. Then you'll have to decide if the temperatures are acceptable or how much you want those 200mhz. For instance if you need to increase voltage from 1.40-1.425 to 1.500 just to get to 3.6ghz, then I wouldn't consider that worthwhile.


Step 3: Finding acceptable motherboard/cpu voltages

Now you know that your mobo works at (say 460) and your cpu goes to say 425. But remember how you set voltages on the mobo to go to 460 but at 425 you needed much less voltage (for example). In this case you lower the NB and CPU VTT voltages to levels enough to sustain 425 FSB (or whatever FSB you end up with).

You can also play around with cpu voltages as well in a similar fashion to find lowest acceptable voltage.

At this point you run Prime 95 for say 12-24 Hours (small ftts) and see that the system is stable. If it isn't, then you might have to increase cpu voltage a bit more, or lower the FSB speed.

Note: make sure to run CPU-Z to check your cpu voltage since what you set in the BIOS and actual CPU voltages won't necessarily match (a lot of times it's lower in reality due to vdroop)


Step 4: Finding memory voltages/timings

Now that cpu and mobo have been finalized, you can figure out how you want to run your ram.

So set it to linked 1:1 ratio and still keep the timings at 5-5-5. So for example if your FSB is 425 you'd be running DDR2 850. If the system boots at just 1.85V, then you'll start lowering the timings on the ram until you are required to increase the voltage (if it becomes unstable) You might find that even at DDR2 850 you need to increase memory voltage already even at CL5 = so do that. It's safe to increase cpu voltage to 2.1V (but 2.0V should be more than enough for DDR900 even.

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Hope this helps.
 

jameswhite1979

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Apr 15, 2005
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Thanks for the very detailed walk through just what I was after I will test it all out and post the results fingers crossed :)

Many thanks RussianSensation.

J
 

jameswhite1979

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Apr 15, 2005
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OK I started with the 'finding motherboard FSB' as suggested but it would not boot at 375 x 6 all other settings as suggested..

Would I need to increase the CPU Voltage this low? If so what would I need to increase and too what level?

TIA, J
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
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Originally posted by: jameswhite1979
OK I started with the 'finding motherboard FSB' as suggested but it would not boot at 375 x 6 all other settings as suggested..

Would I need to increase the CPU Voltage this low? If so what would I need to increase and too what level?

TIA, J

No don't increase the cpu voltage here since you arent even running at default cpu speeds. Did you increase the NB voltage by at least 0.1 and CPU VTT Voltage by 0.1 when you tried 375FSB?

Also make sure you have the latest BIOS installed on this board.
 

jameswhite1979

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Apr 15, 2005
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OK I tried:

Unlinked
x6
FSB (QDR) = 1500 (375)
NB volts = 1.21V & 1.31V
VTT = 1.21V & 1.31V
Memory = 5-5-5-18

and it would not post just fans and blank screen :(

I have though now got it up to 2.8ghz with:

Unlinked x8 1400 (If increase 1400 to 1401 it will not post) (I tried with x6 but could not even get to 2.6Ghz)
Mem: 400 mhz (increasing the mem to 425 starts but hangs before windows loads)
Volts: auto (<--- I think it might be around this)
MTS: 4-3-3-9 (same results for 5-5-5-18)
 

jameswhite1979

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Apr 15, 2005
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Update on progress:

I am now running stable @ 3.0gHz :) so its a great start.

To get beyond 1400 x8 I had to link the FSB and Memory and run in Sync mode, then I was able to quickly up the FSB adding a bit of voltage here and there. The details of this setup are:

Link in Sync mode
X8
1500 (375)
Memory timing: 5-5-5-17
Core Volts: 1.3500V
Memory: 1.95
NB: 1.35
VTT: 1.35

This has been stable for hours now of playing Crysis (testing :) ) Super-PI M8 and Prime95.

On load the cores are 32c so I was wondering if I should be able to increase things more?


Thanks for all the help so far I was wanting to get to 3.0gHz and call it a day but now I have the bug and want more :D
When I try to increase the FSB over 1500 even by 1510 its starts but hangs about 50% loading windows do I need to adjust so of my voltage levels first?
 

RussianSensation

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Sep 5, 2003
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Originally posted by: jameswhite1979

On load the cores are 32c so I was wondering if I should be able to increase things more?

Are you sure Core Temp 0.96 reports CPU Cores at 32*C at load at 3.0ghz?

Download Intel Thermal Analysis Tool (ITAT) and see what that gives you:
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/392/mirrors.php

When I try to increase the FSB over 1500 even by 1510 its starts but hangs about 50% loading windows do I need to adjust so of my voltage levels first?

Ok so if you linked your memory to run in Sync with FSB that means for every increase in FSB memory speed changes. However, you told me that when you were running your FSB at 1400 (ie. 350 base x quad pumped) your memory was running at 400 (i.e. DDR2 800) This means FSB: Memory ratio of 350:400 => 7:8.

So it follows than that if you are running 375FSB now (1500 effective) and your memory is therefore running at ~428 (ie. DDR2 856). So now you are overclocking your memory as well which means either the memory or the cpu is holding you back.

At this point you can either:

1. Figure out how to set FSB to Memory ratio of 1:1 if you have that option. This way you can increase FSB to 400 (ie. 1600) and still run your ram at stock speeds and at lower timings (ie. DDR2 800 at 4-4-4-15 as opposed to 5-5-5-17 you are running now).

2. Increase the cpu voltage slightly from 1.35000V to 1.375 or 1.385 and see if you are able to go beyond 3.0ghz this way.

If neither #1 nor #2 solves your problem, then try both of them together and let me know how that goes.

Make sure to download CPU-Z so that way you can check

1. Actual voltage (since it wont match what you set in the BIOS). This is important since we'll be able to tell how more voltage is safe to add.

2. Memory speed and memory to FSB ratio. We'll need this to see if you are overstressing the ram so we can isolate it from the limiting component.
 

jameswhite1979

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Apr 15, 2005
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I just set the FSB and memory to 1:1 (there was an option) and when I set the FSB to 1500 it gives the 'estimated DDR2 Data Rate 1392.9' this sounds high to me....?

When I use the above settings with the CPU Core voltage increase as you mentioned it will not post.. :( tried 4-4-4-12 and 5-5-5-17

Other option for the FSB and memory link are: Auto, 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 & Sync mode

Am i doing something wrong?

 

RussianSensation

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Sep 5, 2003
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This is perfect! Ok see how you have FSB:Memory = 1:1 and DDR at 375 (ie. 375x2 = 750 effective). This means you still have room to overclock the FSB without overclocking the memory. So whatever settings you had when you took this screenshot, put those in the BIOS.

Therefore, it's not the memory holding you back. Since your cpu voltage is still 1.32V, there is room to increase it. Bump the CPU voltage in the BIOS to 1.375 like I said or 1.385 and see what CPUZ reports. You should be able to get to 400FSB from here with a slight voltage bump.

I am not sure why when you set it FSB:Mem to 1:1 the effective DDR2 rate gets so high. (maybe Nforce 6 chipset behaves differently from what I understand as 1:1) Perhaps, you should try 5:4 and 3:2 at stock speeds just to see what memory speed is in CPU Z. This will let you know what the memory speed will be if you set the FSB to 400.

Your temperatures are really good, but those seem to be taken at idle cpu load.
 

jameswhite1979

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Apr 15, 2005
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OK some changes but not to the CPU speed so here is the update...

I now have the system perfectly stable at the following settings:

Unlinked working great (I tried as suggested but 1:1, 5:4 or 3:2 would not post, however I assume unlinked is the best way forward)
1500 x8 (3.0gHz)
Memory: 800mhz
PCIE: 100 mhz

Core: 1.3750V
DDR2: Auto = 1.85V
DDR2 Ref: Auto = 0.0%
VTT: Auto = 1.2
NB: 1.43V

4-4-4-12

I have had this running stressed with Orthos, Prime95 & SuperPI overall testing 5 hours monitoring with CPU-Z and Core Temp with no problems at all under load between 28c and 32c. So I am pleased to have gotten some of the volts down and its now unlinked and stable (will run 24 hours once completed)

---------

So I tried to push the 1500 to 1510, 1525, 1500 & 1600 and none would post (just blank screen) with the increased Core Volts @ 1.375v. I did manage to get the windows to start but crash straight away running 1525 x 8, Core @ 1.510V & NB 1.48V so I am not sure if this shows some hope or not I did not want to push or change anything else encase I broke something!

So I am wandering what is next if anything? from your last post I makes sense that there should be head room left in the CPU and all the better now that it is unlinked.

Oh an interested read about the MoBo here http://www.custompc.co.uk/revi...tal1ty-fp-in9-sli.html (its a mag I get and its very good here in the UK). They talk about overclocking on the board and give some Volts thought it might be useful and another interesting point they found that the system would not boot anything other then the default @ X6 which would explain why I was getting stuck at the first stages :S

BTW your help is really appriciated and the time you have spent so far. Its got me really buzzing about OC'ing again...Like the time as a kid I OC'ed a IBM Blue Lighting 486 DX2 66 (or around that) without Heatsink and FAN testing the temp with my finger which resulted in a large white blister for about a week :D
 

RussianSensation

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Sep 5, 2003
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Hey, I see you changed your avatar to green - much more friendly now hhee

Well it seems if additional CPU voltage, NB voltage and DDR2 voltage aren't allowing you to go beyond 3.0ghz, that means either the BIOS/motherboard is limiting the overclock (ie. FSB hole) or the cpu is just not capable of overclocking beyond this speed.

To test for a FSB hole, up the VTT to 1.45 and go directly to 425FSB or 440FSB with 1.510V and NB at 1.48V. If this still isnt stable, that means the issue could be with northbridge running too hot or some other specific motherboard settings. At this point, you should consult users with the specific motherboard you have who have far better insight into the intricate details of your board's BIOS than I do (abit forum could be a great start). Also you can start a Motherboard thread directly on our forums asking with help to overclock this specific board from users who have been successful going beyond 375 FSB.

If the above doesn't work, then most likely the CPU is the limiting component :(

However, as long as you are more excited about overclocking, there is some purpose to this madness :)

I am glad I was of some help.
 

RussianSensation

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Sep 5, 2003
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Hey James I just thought of something. Since you are FSB limited, it seems reasonable to raise FSB voltage as well (which I completely forgot about!!!!!!).

I think FSB (QDR): Auto is what you need to change here!

This could be the missing link
 

jameswhite1979

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Apr 15, 2005
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Sorry for delay!

I tried these settings and Windows would not load complaining of a file missing/corrupt etc I clocked back to 3.0gHz and was fine :(

I think I am going to sit at this speed for a bit even though Crysis runs like a dog :S

Many thanks, J