Overclocking failures and consequences

[dedejean]

Background:

My system is:

C2D E6420 2.13ghz @ 3.04ghz (380x8)
Kingston DDR2 800 2x1gb
Gecube X1950pro
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R rev1.0
Hec 550ab
Vista 64bit Ultimate SP1

This system is overclocked to 3.04ghz for almost 18mos. Last week, it wont even reach 350fsb. I did get stable operation at 340FSB with 1:1 mem ratio.

I decided to upgrade memory to 2x2gb and also thought it might be the culprit. I bought Team Elite Xtreem Dark 2x2gb DDR2 1066mhz CL5 (5-5-5-15).

Last night i tried it on. POST = ok. Windows ok. Then I rebooted to OC it.

these combinations:
1. 380FSB @ 1:1
2. 380FSB @ 4:5
3. 370FSB @ 4:5
4. 360FSB @ 1:1
5. 350FSB @ 1:1

all resulted to:
1. 20% of the time reboots on its own - randomly, but mostly before getting to windows loading screen.
2. 80% of the time PC just reboots randomly upon windows loading screen.

I got safe spot of 340FSB @ 1:1 mem ratio. But havent really done rigorous testings yet.

Any ideas? Do you think it's the PSU's fault? or Motheboard's the culprit?

What are the typical consequences when one fails in OCing?

Thank your for your time reading/sharing.

Dennis

 

[dedejean]

oh btw, no voltage changes for both cpu and mem.

 

[dedejean]

updates.

i think i found the culprit. My CPU's temp @ 340mhz is 83C. But i wonder, will high temp shut my pc down randomly? Is there a feature in bios that does that?

 

[Rick James]

Originally posted by: dedejean
updates.

i think i found the culprit. My CPU's temp @ 340mhz is 83C. But i wonder, will high temp shut my pc down randomly? Is there a feature in bios that does that?

If the thermal monitor in the bios is enabled then yes it will throttle it when it reaches it's thermal limit.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: dedejean
updates.

i think i found the culprit. My CPU's temp @ 340mhz is 83C. But i wonder, will high temp shut my pc down randomly? Is there a feature in bios that does that?

Stock heatsink? Replace it with an aftermarket one.

Not stock?
- Check mounting
- Replace thermal paste
- Check if fan is running
- Check fan speed

Originally posted by: dedejean
oh btw, no voltage changes for both cpu and mem.

You should probably increase CPU voltage, and check RAM specs for operating voltage. If you've got all memory settings on auto (using the ram SPD) then you should be fine, but if you're setting manual timings make sure ram voltage is in line with that.

-z

 

[dedejean]

@rick
oh, I will look into that. 83C is too high right?

@zagood
yes, stock heatsink fan. I will consider that.

I use SPD settings only. Tried upping CPU voltage from 1.35 to 1.36 and 1.37, but still get same random shut downs.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: dedejean
@rick
oh, I will look into that. 83C is too high right?

@zagood
yes, stock heatsink fan. I will consider that.

83C too high.

Get a new heatsink if you're going to overclock.

 

[dedejean]

@zagood
yes thanks. I am just wondering why now? My sysytem is clocked @ 3.04ghz for the past 18mos, and now it has temp issues? Fan is working. Idle is 53C (before around 33-35C). I will check Heatsink and thermal paste and update this thread. Thanks for the help!

Oh btw, havent bought 3rd party HSF in the past, any quick suggestions compatible with C2D E6420?

 

[zagood]

Tons of heatsinks on the market. Figure out your budget then do some research:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...7-coolers-roundup.html

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=389

Decide for yourself what's the most important - maximum cooling, noise, and price - then make your decision from there.

Have fun!

-z

 

[elconejito]

Originally posted by: dedejean
@zagood
yes thanks. I am just wondering why now? My sysytem is clocked @ 3.04ghz for the past 18mos, and now it has temp issues? Fan is working. Idle is 53C (before around 33-35C). I will check Heatsink and thermal paste and update this thread. Thanks for the help!

Oh btw, havent bought 3rd party HSF in the past, any quick suggestions compatible with C2D E6420?

You mean it used to idle around 33-35C, and now it is idling at 53C?

 

[njdevilsfan87]

Originally posted by: dedejean
@zagood
yes thanks. I am just wondering why now? My sysytem is clocked @ 3.04ghz for the past 18mos, and now it has temp issues? Fan is working. Idle is 53C (before around 33-35C). I will check Heatsink and thermal paste and update this thread. Thanks for the help!

Oh btw, havent bought 3rd party HSF in the past, any quick suggestions compatible with C2D E6420?

Likely dust build up if you didn't periodically clean it out over the course of 18 months.