Odd problem overclocking Q6600

[twjr]

I've tried getting my Q6600 to 3.6 with no success so far. Unfortunately the voltages needed to get it stable are above what I'm prepared to give it. However, I have started to notice something interesting. I always have one core which fails which seems to be common among failing OC's. What is strange is that my core which keeps failing is the one with the lowest temps.

My understanding of what causes higher temps are higher voltages. And obviously higher voltages are required to get stability. So what I have been thinking is that my core with lower temps could be receiving less voltage leading to the lower temps and instability. Of course I could be totally wrong and there is probably no way of seeing the individual voltages a core is receiving. Too bad you can control individual cores like in a Phenom.

Really I was wondering if someone on here with a bit more technical nous could shed some more light for me and if other people notice similar things in their overclocking experience.

 

[MadScientist]

This is not uncommon. It could be a difference in cores or the way your IHS sits on the cores. What is your VID? What are you using to monitor temps and for stress testing? Coretemp? Prime95? If Prime95, what tortue test are you using, Blend or Small FFts? If Blend it could be your ram settings.

 

[twjr]

VID is 1.325V. I use Coretemp and HWMonitor. Real temp shows 5 degrees cooler but same variations between cores. I use either small or large FFts in P95. I think my ram should be ok as they are at stock.