OC'ing E6400 as a complete newbie

[def4106]

Hey guys, my system is as follows

Gigabyte DS3-L
e6400 @ stock
Aftermarket HSF (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16835103031)
BFG 9800 GTX
This memory (2 Kits so 4x1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...16820146118&Tpk=996527


I've read the sticky and I've done some research that shows that the e6400 can be oc'ed to 3.0 - 3.2 very easily..

I really want to try to do this but to be honest, working with the memory timings and the voltages worries me quite a bit. Can you actually just set the FSB to say 400 (which would be fine with the DDR memory, correct) have it run at 3.2 and call it a day? (Not worrying about vcore etc etc and just setting PCIE Frequence to 100 and PCI clock to 33.33). I've googled quite a bit for people running this combo.

Also would running 4x1 be a problem and should I just upgrade the memory to a 2x2 gb kit and if so which one?

I am trying to get more performance out of games for my system, if I am worried about OCing should I just buy a 8400 and be done with it?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Cutthroat]

There's a reasonable chance that you might be able to set your fsb to 400 and have it work without changing anything else. Before you do that make sure you know how to reset your CMOS in case it doesn't POST. All you will need to do if it doesn't work right away is adjust your vcore manually, if you're careful and use baby steps in increasing the vcore you won't harm anything.

 

[reviewhunter]

3Ghz is pretty easy to hit. But then if you can afford the E8400, then why not? Get it running @ 4Ghz on air!

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: def4106
I am trying to get more performance out of games for my system, if I am worried about OCing should I just buy a 8400 and be done with it?

Why buy a whole new processor when you ought to be able to go to 3GHz fairly easily?

 

[Brody8877]

I have E6400 CPU, i only over clocked mine to 2.3Ghz from stock speed of 2.13Ghz, even tho that is a consider a "bitch" OC.

 

[def4106]

OK I am running the e6400 @ 3.2 right now (set FSB to 400, set pci bus to 100, turn off pc health fan so fan runs 100%)

I'm idling around 48-51 degrees celcius at 1.325V

When I rum prime it jumps up to ~65 degrees celcius

Is this way too high? I tried lowering the voltage to 1.28 V and I posted fine but prime failed really quickly and I watched the voltages while I booted with the lower votlages and they were not much lower.

 

[Cutthroat]

65 degrees is kinda high for a E6400, but if it's only while running prime that's ok, you should try to keep the max temp ~60C at a normal 100% load.

 

[def4106]

Dropped voltage down to 1.310 (or there abouts) and during prime its running at around 59 on load idles around 48 or so.

One question I do have is that I put the 1.310 V in the bios.. when I look in CPU-Z it says 1.248V any idea why they are different?

Also using CoreTemp to monitor temps.

 

[DSF]

What are you using to measure the temperature? It should be OK though.

Are you using the stock heatsink?

 

[Tweakin]

Originally posted by: def4106
Dropped voltage down to 1.310 (or there abouts) and during prime its running at around 59 on load idles around 48 or so.

One question I do have is that I put the 1.310 V in the bios.. when I look in CPU-Z it says 1.248V any idea why they are different?

Also using CoreTemp to monitor temps.

It doesn't seem that you read the page. Leave you voltage at stock and slowely increase your fsb until you can't do prime or othos for 1 hour. At this point up your voltage and try again. Repeat this process until your temps get to high, at which point back her down a little and prime or orthos for a full 12+ hours and see how it goes.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

lowering VCore is called VDroop, it prevents your chip from damaging itself when transferring from load to idle.