Q6600 overclocking questions

[ryema22]

So I've been running my Q6600 with a low overclock (3.0) for the first few weeks and now I'd like to see how high I can get it at reasonable temps and volts.

-The cpu voltage in the bios is currently 1.325 and CPU-Z shows the actual voltage around 1.216. I'm assuming that the actual voltage reported by CPU-Z is the one I want to worry about when it comes to staying within the 1.35v Intel suggested max, is that correct?

-I'm having trouble tightening my memory timings. Patriot Extreme Perfromance, 4-4-4-12 at 2.2v. The Bios only shows memory voltage adjustments in +/- increments, is there a utility I can use to see how much voltage the memory is actually getting?

Even at stock speeds this thing FLIES through video encoding compared to my old P4, I'm giddy at the thought of going faster...

 

[cmdrdredd]

1) 1.35v max is for STOCK operation. Intel never warrants overclocking or recommends voltages for operating beyond stock frequency. When overclocking you will need more voltage...sometimes above 1.4v
2) Your memory starts at 1.8v so if you put +.2 then you have 2.0v. Simple once you know where it starts. You're probably still at 1.8v.

 

[swtethan]

Gigabyte boards stock memory is at 1.8v so +.2 is 2.0v +.4 is 2.2v

you can go pretty high over the vcore max (see below) to get a huge overclock stable. I run mine 24/7 @3.6ghz

 

[ryema22]

right, i understand 1.35 is the max stock voltage, but does that mean 1.35 in the bios or 1.35 in cpu-z?

 

[swtethan]

bios

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: swtethan
bios

actually no. In CPU-Z it shows the vdroop (where voltage drops below set values from BIOS). At load it will drop even more. So 1.35 is the safe operation assuming no droop. If your motherboard was not producing any droop and was solid 1.35v it would be Intel's recommended max. Under normal operation without modding the board, you typically see less voltage than you set.

 

[Markfw]

I set mine to whatever it takes to be at 1.325 while at @100% load. 1.4675 in bios, gets me 1.392 in windows (no load) and 1.328 under 100% load

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I set mine to whatever it takes to be at 1.325 while at @100% load. 1.4675 in bios, gets me 1.392 in windows (no load) and 1.328 under 100% load

That's some heavy droop. What motherboard is this so I can recommend nobody buy it?

 

[Markfw]

ASUS P5K (non-deluxe) I think my 965-DS3 only starts at 1.45 down to the same, its a little better. It also OC's a tad higher. 3200 vs 3150 for the ASUS

Edit: I made a thread wining about the P5K a while back....
Here

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
ASUS P5K (non-deluxe) I think my 965-DS3 only starts at 1.45 down to the same, its a little better. It also OC's a tad higher. 3200 vs 3150 for the ASUS

Edit: I made a thread wining about the P5K a while back....

you should try a P35 DS3 Im 1.43 bios and 1.41idle windows. :X

 

[ryema22]

I'm using a P35 DS3 as well... 1.45 bios, 1.138 idle in windows.... which seems odd. I'm at 3.3 stable right now. Average across all 4 cores seems to be about 48c idle.

Is a 5 degree spread between the coolest and hottest core a sign that I should reapply AS5 / reseat the hsf?

 

[ryema22]

Bump


The voltage difference between the bios and what cpu-z says at idle seems excessive. Am I doing something wrong or is this indicative of a mobo problem?

 

[RussianSensation]

Don't use CPU-z for cpu voltage. Get something like Everest, RMClock or even EasyTune 5.

 

[Blacklash]

Unfortunately my BX2 motherboard won't let me lower my multi. It can't do more than 429 anyway so it would be pointless. A lot of overclockers seem to be doing best working from 8x, while us folks stuck @ 9x scream to a halt around a 390FSB.

I am sticking with my BX2 until I see how X38 compares to P35 then I am dumping it for one or the other. My Q6600 does 3.5 on 1.45v with no issues. It feels like it has a bit left in it. I am guessing 3.7 or so, and I won't know for sure until I dump this mobo.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: ryema22
Bump


The voltage difference between the bios and what cpu-z says at idle seems excessive. Am I doing something wrong or is this indicative of a mobo problem?

It's vdroop. it's correct like I said before.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Don't use CPU-z for cpu voltage. Get something like Everest, RMClock or even EasyTune 5.

They all report the same for me.

 

[1ManArmY]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
ASUS P5K (non-deluxe) I think my 965-DS3 only starts at 1.45 down to the same, its a little better. It also OC's a tad higher. 3200 vs 3150 for the ASUS

Edit: I made a thread wining about the P5K a while back....
Here

do you have the v-drop function enabled. It reduces v-drop levels.

 

[idiotekniQues]

my p965 dq6 rev 2 also has horrible v-droop.

id have to have 1.525 in bios to get 1.40 under full load.

fyi the latest cpu-z beta does read my cpu voltage correct. it matches speedfan perfectly.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: ryema22
I'm using a P35 DS3 as well... 1.45 bios, 1.138 idle in windows.... which seems odd. I'm at 3.3 stable right now. Average across all 4 cores seems to be about 48c idle.

Is a 5 degree spread between the coolest and hottest core a sign that I should reapply AS5 / reseat the hsf?

What kind of cooler are you using to get those temps? Those idle temps, at that voltage, seem extremely good.

My friend using the stock intel heatsink on his 3210, gets 65C idle, and has a 5-6C difference between the two sets of cores.

 

[ryema22]

I'm using the Zalman CNPS9500 in my sig. Anandtech ranked it a slight notch below the top tier air cooling towers, but it's practically silent so I can live with that trade off.

The problem with knowing how "good" my temperatures actually are at the moment is that I'm not sure what the v-core really is. CPU-Z seems really low... that would be a ridiculous vdroop. I need to check that against some other utilities when I get a chance. I actually thought 48 idle seemed normal or a little high... I haven't had a chance to stress test it yet to see what the temps look like under full load.