Q6600 and DDR2 800 overclock question

[BahamutZer00]

I am planning a build that uses the Q6600 Intel quad-core processor. The motherboard is planned to be a ASUS P5E with G-Skill cheap RAM DDR2 800 MHz running 4 GB (4 x 1 GB). The video card would be a 8800 GTS.

I want to oc the processor from 2.4 GHz stock to 3.0 GHz. That would mean a FSB of about 333.33 MHz. Since I'm new to overclocking, I didn't want to push too much and risk burning out something. But for the RAM ratio, that means I would have to run at either 5:6 in order to make full use of the memory, or run it synchronous at 1:1, but lose extra clock speed.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to optimize the setup or something else that I could do? Thanks

 

[surfsatwerk]

My personal preference is to run memory link/sync and then overclock the timings rather than worry about having the clock speed at any particular setting..

 

[ionoxx]

I<m running those setting on my rig. They work fine. The G0 stepping Quad cores are pretty much made for running 333FSB.

*cough* the G0 was the reason they went from QX6800 (266FSB) to QX6850 (333FSB)

As for the memory, you will get better performance with 800MHz 5:6 than 667MHz 1:1

 

[BahamutZer00]

Anything in particular that I have to do to get 5:6 ratio, like use a specific motherboard, or is that a common option?

 

[Markfw]

BahamutZer00, Welcome to the forums !

As for your question, every motherboard uses different ways of accomplishing this, I think the 5:6 divider option is for nvidia chipsets, as I don't see it on my Intel chipset boards. Mine show up as "multiplier" (gigabyte) or "memory speed" (asus). And if you get a Q6600 G0, I recommend you try for 400 x 8 or 3.2 which is pretty easy to get (relatively)

 

[BahamutZer00]

I've been told that attaining a 400 MHz FSB speed would be optimal, and therefore a 3.2 cpu speed, I'm just worried about how much that will tax the motherboard, and whether or not I can maintain that overclock for normal operations. If you have any recommendations on a relatively cheap motherboard that I might be able to use. My main restriction is that the motherboard is 2.0 PCI Express capable, so I've been looking at the ASUS P5E motherboard.

 

[TheRyuu]

400x9 is possible too
But you gotta be lucky.

That being said, reaching ddr2-800 should be easy. You should be able to run it at 4-4-4-12 2T at 2.0v or 2.1v.
But as you go for the overclock, make sure to keep it 1:1 and at 5-5-5-15 2T (and 2.1v) to rule out memory as the cause of overclocking failure.

I've been trying to hit ddr2-1000 but it just won't stay stable with such a high fsb for me.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: BahamutZer00
I've been told that attaining a 400 MHz FSB speed would be optimal, and therefore a 3.2 cpu speed, I'm just worried about how much that will tax the motherboard, and whether or not I can maintain that overclock for normal operations. If you have any recommendations on a relatively cheap motherboard that I might be able to use. My main restriction is that the motherboard is 2.0 PCI Express capable, so I've been looking at the ASUS P5E motherboard.

Some applications will make use of an increased FSB, but generally speaking it isn't going to matter too much whether you're running 9x 333 = 3.0GHz or 8 x 375 = 3.0GHz.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: BahamutZer00
I've been told that attaining a 400 MHz FSB speed would be optimal, and therefore a 3.2 cpu speed, I'm just worried about how much that will tax the motherboard, and whether or not I can maintain that overclock for normal operations. If you have any recommendations on a relatively cheap motherboard that I might be able to use. My main restriction is that the motherboard is 2.0 PCI Express capable, so I've been looking at the ASUS P5E motherboard.

Well, I have an OLD Gigabyte S3 board (paid $60 used) that has been running 24/7 @ 100% load, no problems. Just point a fan at the NB. And all my other systems are fine...

That said, I burned up a DS3 board or it went bad running the same config. How do you tell if it was bad or I killed it ? all other parameters the same (cooling, etc..) I RMA'ed it, as I did nothing to mod it in any way. Still waiting for it to come back.

 

[BahamutZer00]

What about for RAM. Of the following three options, which is most preferable, and I mean relative to running apps like games, not necessarily bragging rights.

1.) FSB at 333 MHz with x9 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 1:1 for 667 MHz DDR2 operation

2.)FSB at 333 MHz with x9 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 5:6 for 800 MHz DDR2 operation

3.) FSB at 375 or 400 MHz with x8 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 1:1 for 750 or 800 MHz DDR2 operation

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[BahamutZer00]

For the last option, I may try for one of the first two, and then if I feel really comfortable with the overclocking try for option 3.

 

[BahamutZer00]

Another question I have is how likely am I to get a G0 stepping if I order from Newegg? Or is there another way to get it?

 

[core2slow]

Originally posted by: BahamutZer00
What about for RAM. Of the following three options, which is most preferable, and I mean relative to running apps like games, not necessarily bragging rights.

1.) FSB at 333 MHz with x9 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 1:1 for 667 MHz DDR2 operation

2.)FSB at 333 MHz with x9 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 5:6 for 800 MHz DDR2 operation

3.) FSB at 375 or 400 MHz with x8 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 1:1 for 750 or 800 MHz DDR2 operation

Thanks for all the help so far.

Is it possible to unlock other multipliers on my mobo? I have the DS3L and it only has 6x and 9x.

 

[Markfw]

Well, I don't have a DS3L, but I have many other gigabyte motherboards, and they all have all the multipliers. Did you enable the overclocking feature ?

As to the memory question, 8 x 375 or 8 x 400 is the best. 9 x 400 is really the best, but I can't even get that with any of my 3 G0's.....

 

[core2slow]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Well, I don't have a DS3L, but I have many other gigabyte motherboards, and they all have all the multipliers. Did you enable the overclocking feature ?

As to the memory question, 8 x 375 or 8 x 400 is the best. 9 x 400 is really the best, but I can't even get that with any of my 3 G0's.....

what overclocking feature?

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

What sucks for me is, is that I have the B2 version of the E6600, so it can't really go above 3 GHz without it being unstable. Wish the E8400 wasn't out of stock and price heightened.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: BahamutZer00
I am planning a build that uses the Q6600 Intel quad-core processor. The motherboard is planned to be a ASUS P5E with G-Skill cheap RAM DDR2 800 MHz running 4 GB (4 x 1 GB). The video card would be a 8800 GTS.

I want to oc the processor from 2.4 GHz stock to 3.0 GHz. That would mean a FSB of about 333.33 MHz. Since I'm new to overclocking, I didn't want to push too much and risk burning out something. But for the RAM ratio, that means I would have to run at either 5:6 in order to make full use of the memory, or run it synchronous at 1:1, but lose extra clock speed.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to optimize the setup or something else that I could do? Thanks

run the ram at the lowest speed. Work on your cpu overclock so you know your ram isnt holding you back.

Then overclock the ram. You try to overclock both at the same time, you'll run into massive headaches.

 

[BahamutZer00]

By its lowest speed, I assume you mean default timings (5-5-5-15) and with a 1:1 ratio? And then after getting the cpu overclock stable, then try to increase the ratio?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: BahamutZer00
By its lowest speed, I assume you mean default timings (5-5-5-15) and with a 1:1 ratio?

Correct.

And then after getting the cpu overclock stable, then try to increase the ratio?

Also correct, and also good advice. Welcome to anandtech, BTW.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: core2slow

Originally posted by: BahamutZer00
What about for RAM. Of the following three options, which is most preferable, and I mean relative to running apps like games, not necessarily bragging rights.

1.) FSB at 333 MHz with x9 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 1:1 for 667 MHz DDR2 operation

2.)FSB at 333 MHz with x9 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 5:6 for 800 MHz DDR2 operation

3.) FSB at 375 or 400 MHz with x8 multiplier and my RAM ratio set to 1:1 for 750 or 800 MHz DDR2 operation

Thanks for all the help so far.

Is it possible to unlock other multipliers on my mobo? I have the DS3L and it only has 6x and 9x.

yes, u can choose between all the other multipliers under 9 if its a Q6600..
hmm thats an awfully low vcore for a 3.2ghz OC u got there.. is it stable?
whats ur chips VID?

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: core2slow

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Well, I don't have a DS3L, but I have many other gigabyte motherboards, and they all have all the multipliers. Did you enable the overclocking feature ?

As to the memory question, 8 x 375 or 8 x 400 is the best. 9 x 400 is really the best, but I can't even get that with any of my 3 G0's.....

what overclocking feature?

OK, stupid question on my part, since you are at 3.2 on a Q6600....My bad.

I don't know why the lower multipliers are not working for you in BIOS. They do for me on S3, DS3, DS4, DS3R, and DQ6 gigabyte motherboards.