Q6700 to 3.2 GHz on a Bad Axe 2 - settings?

[craftech]

Hi,

I am a video editor and I use my editing computer for that only. I just replaced an E6600 with a Q6700 on my Intel Bad Axe 2. The ram is 4GB of DDR2-800.

It was an OEM CPU so I used an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on it. The Bad Axe 2 motherboard is rock solid and extremely reliable for the hours I spend editing and rendering which is a must. I use it every day only for video editing so I can't afford to experiment.

I have heard that an overclock of 3.2 Ghz is not unreasonable for the Q6700, but I will settle for less or leave it alone if any of you think it may affect rock solid stability in any adverse way. There is an amazing amount of talent on this forum so I know I came to the right place for recommendations.

Can you recommend settings for the Intel BIOS?

Thank you so much for your help.

John

 

[mattmos]

I gave up on trying to get a decent overclock on a bad axe 2, and swapped the motherboard for a gigabyte p35 ds3 - got the fsb to 400 straight away with no voltage changes, now running comfortably 24/7 at 3.2 with a QX6700. Couldn't get the BX2 over 350 fsb, and even then it was unstable. Good board for stable stock operation, but overclocking you're better off with one of the other vendors, gigabyte, asus, msi even.

 

[craftech]

Originally posted by: mattmos
I gave up on trying to get a decent overclock on a bad axe 2, and swapped the motherboard for a gigabyte p35 ds3 - got the fsb to 400 straight away with no voltage changes, now running comfortably 24/7 at 3.2 with a QX6700. Couldn't get the BX2 over 350 fsb, and even then it was unstable. Good board for stable stock operation, but overclocking you're better off with one of the other vendors, gigabyte, asus, msi even.

Thanks for the reply. If I can't overclock the CPU on that board I will leave it alone. The board is too reliable to get rid of.

Anyone else have any ideas? Would appreciate hearing them if you do.

JOhn

 

[Accord99]

Have you tried overclocking yet. I'd imagine that the 10X multiplier of the Q6700 should allow for 3.2Hz pretty easily as long as you have adequate cooling.

Here's a couple of articles where the Bad Axe 2 was used with a QX6700 for overclocking:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/395/4/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/QX6700/3.html

 

[craftech]

Originally posted by: Accord99
Have you tried overclocking yet. I'd imagine that the 10X multiplier of the Q6700 should allow for 3.2Hz pretty easily as long as you have adequate cooling.

Here's a couple of articles where the Bad Axe 2 was used with a QX6700 for overclocking:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/395/4/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/QX6700/3.html

Wow! Thank you so much for that. That's probably just what I was looking for.

John

Follow up:

I tried overclocking. I went into the BIOS and changed the FSB to 280 resulting in an OC of 2.8Hz. When I rebooted it took longer to boot than before I did it. That scared me.

I opened Prime 95 and watched the temps using CPUID Hardware Monitor. At stock (2.66Hz) the temps were as high as 62 degrees C under that stress test. At 2.8Hz it climbed to 67-68 degrees C under the same load using Prime 95.

I guess the temps were OK from what I have read, but the hesitation when it reboots scared me enough that I was afraid to shut the computer off at the 2.8Hz setting for fear that I wouldn't be able to start it again tomorrow.

What do you guys think?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'd try that over-clock, run the Prime95 small-FFTs 8 hours to see if it's stable and adjust voltages slightly if not. Then run the Blend-Test for several hours to test memory and tweak voltages again if necessary.

Try and observe several reboots with this system to see if it "really takes longer to boot."

Q6700 is rated stock or runs stock at 2.67 Ghz. An OC setting to 3.2 is less than a 20% over-clock -- easy, probably uses a VCORE voltage well within the retail-box maximum spec or even the default voltage. As far as I understand the Bad Axe 2, it should STILL be easy, and I'd come to understand that the Bad Axe boards were very "enthusiast-over-clockable."

It's possible you changed something in BIOS that causes the system to take longer to post in the boot-up process. Intrinsically, I cannot see how this would be alarming -- unless you have to sit and wait for minutes. Also, see if there are any BIOS updates for that motherboard.

The temperature change sounds a tad too extensive for that sort of over-clock, and I'm wondering how much you increased the VCORE voltage. Even so, the core temperatures you're seeing are nothing to worry much about unless you're running the system in a room-ambient of 90+F degrees. I've got one of the hotter Q6600 B3-steppings, and my temperatures at 82F room ambient are around 65C @ 3.2 Ghz.

That CPU is fast enough that you can live without the additional speed. On the other hand, you might study Graysky's guide on this forum carefully, take the time to patiently tweak the system, and reach a worry-free state where you've captured some extra speed.

I'm a very cautious over-clocker, store a lot of serious data on my system although backed up regularly to a file server and hot-swap drive on that server. But I typically over-clock my systems to between 25% and 35% over stock settings.

You didn't say what sort of DDR2 memory you're using. It would be helpful to know.

EDIT: I see DDR2-800. Even if it isn't high-end or stellar quality, there's several ways to OC that system without much adjustment to the memory.

If the board serves up a 1066 Mhz FSB, the 20% over-clock should give you FSB=1280 Mhz. With a 1:1 CPU to RAM ratio, that means memory running at 640 Mhz. I think your CPU multiplier is 10, so if you change the ratio to 3:4, you'd be running the RAM just moderately above spec, or around 852Mhz instead of 800. Here, the quality of the RAM begins to be a factor. In my mind, your best ratios are either 1:1 or 3:4. If you run 1:1, the RAM isn't used to its full potential unless you can tighten the timings. 3:4 is your next best choice. It may not improve bandwidth much or at all, but with the right RAM -- it won't hurt anything.

 

[craftech]

"It's possible you changed something in BIOS that causes the system to take longer to post in the boot-up process. Intrinsically, I cannot see how this would be alarming -- unless you have to sit and wait for minutes. Also, see if there are any BIOS updates for that motherboard."
-----------
I only changed the FSB setting to 280 giving me 2.8Hz (10x 280). My alarm was from a fear that I wouldn't be able to start the computer tomorrow and get my video editing work done.
-------------
"The temperature change sounds a tad too extensive for that sort of over-clock, and I'm wondering how much you increased the VCORE voltage. "
---------------
I didn't touch it. It stayed at 1.3 volts same as when it is at the stock 2.66 Hz. The only thing I touched was the FSB.
----------------
"You didn't say what sort of DDR2 memory you're using. It would be helpful to know.
EDIT: I see DDR2-800. Even if it isn't high-end or stellar quality, there's several ways to OC that system without much adjustment to the memory. "
--------------
It is G-Skill pc2 8000. BIOS set it automatically at 800 and I left it that way.

Thanks for the detailed response. Much appreciated.

John

 

[BonzaiDuck]

If you poke around in the Memory and Storage forum, you'll find my threads -- made within the last week -- over my frustrations with what is probably the same G.SKILL memory. I just got an RMA # for it.

Since you're using this system for "serious stuff" and not just gaming, once you have the stable over-clock setting for the CPU confirmed through hours of PRIME95 small-FFTs testing, take a weekend's time to run MEMTEST86+ as well as PRIME95 Blend-Test -- latter within Windows.

If the memory's good, it'll stay that way. If you look at the reviews at NewEgg (assuming we're talking about the same modules), all the reports of early failure and RMA's seem similar. I'm guessing the kits have a higher infant-mortality rate, and I'm deducing that the G.SKILL people don't have a rigorous or sufficient QC program in place. The indication that this might be true could be the lower prices at which they're able to sell the product.

You're wise to concern yourself with caution for a machine you use for serious purposes though. There are headaches, and there are nightmares, and you certainly want to avoid both -- especially the latter. I wouldn't let those concerns prevent making the modest over-clock objective you stated, even so. Back up all data, approach it slowly and carefully, and do it on days when you don't have to use it for work.

With my over-clock projects as a rule, I get it done while I'm still building the system, and use another computer for "bidnis applee-Kay-shuns."

Here's a suggestion in addition to "patience:" For the same motherboard and processor -- and you should be able to find people using both -- run web-searches on the forums (not just Anandtech's) -- especially the mobo-maker's forums. You'll get an idea of where to start with initial settings that are safe enough so that only PRIME95 might show an error that causes a core-specific thread to stop, and avoid the lockups and misery some people get themselves into.

Again, your goals for the Q6700 seem modest and reasonable. Take the time to do it right, and you'll reap some satisfaction from it.

 

[Tullphan]

I had my Q6700 up to 3.33 (333x10), but when I tried for 3.50 (350x10) my motherboard (a really expensive DFI UT P35) took a dump on me. I had the voltage bumped up to 1.36.
I was using a Noctua NH-U12P hs/f to keep it cool & the max temp I got (in a fairly warm office) was 60c. If you don't want to shell out $60 for a hs/f, try a Xigmatek or one of its' variants for around half the price.

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: craftech

Originally posted by: mattmos
I gave up on trying to get a decent overclock on a bad axe 2, and swapped the motherboard for a gigabyte p35 ds3 - got the fsb to 400 straight away with no voltage changes, now running comfortably 24/7 at 3.2 with a QX6700. Couldn't get the BX2 over 350 fsb, and even then it was unstable. Good board for stable stock operation, but overclocking you're better off with one of the other vendors, gigabyte, asus, msi even.

Thanks for the reply. If I can't overclock the CPU on that board I will leave it alone. The board is too reliable to get rid of.

Anyone else have any ideas? Would appreciate hearing them if you do.

JOhn

Just a sugestion on your over clock attempts. I have the 975XBX2 board ( in sig the Q6600 ) and in order to over clock without the board over riding your settings, there is a jumper on that board that will let you into the Maintenance section of the bios. You must disable "Failsafe Watchdog" to over clock correctly. This is a safety deal that Intel has implememted on their Mobos and if you disable it, you will be able to go into bios and adjust your settings much easier.
Ram settings, your Chip, the Q6600, is based on the 266 FSB so, set the memory to 266 and then Set the ratios accordingly, 533,667,800 etc..

 

[craftech]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
If you poke around in the Memory and Storage forum, you'll find my threads -- made within the last week -- over my frustrations with what is probably the same G.SKILL memory. I just got an RMA # for it.

Since you're using this system for "serious stuff" and not just gaming, once you have the stable over-clock setting for the CPU confirmed through hours of PRIME95 small-FFTs testing, take a weekend's time to run MEMTEST86+ as well as PRIME95 Blend-Test -- latter within Windows.

If the memory's good, it'll stay that way. If you look at the reviews at NewEgg (assuming we're talking about the same modules), all the reports of early failure and RMA's seem similar. I'm guessing the kits have a higher infant-mortality rate, and I'm deducing that the G.SKILL people don't have a rigorous or sufficient QC program in place. The indication that this might be true could be the lower prices at which they're able to sell the product.

You are correct. This is the memory I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...0231145&Tpk=20-231-145

It seems fine (I think), but I guess I should run a memory test on it.

I was not crazy about the values I got when I used Core Temp and Prime 95 at stock and certainly not at 2.8Ghz for the Q6700 so I cleaned off the MX1 that came pre-installed on the Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (two year old model) and tried a generic Arctic Silver (Manhattan brand). Idled at a lower temperature, but under the same load it climbed up to 72C - way too hot. Then I stuck a second small fan on the opening in the case directly above the CPU fan and the combination brought it down to 60C under load at 2.8 Ghz.

Maybe I need to put it in a different case or leave the side off altogether or get a new thermal paste?

Drsignguy's post told me something about disabling "watchdog" before trying this stuff so I will try that next.

Thanks for the interest in helping me.

Regards,

John

 

[craftech]

Originally posted by: Drsignguy

Originally posted by: craftech

Originally posted by: mattmos
I gave up on trying to get a decent overclock on a bad axe 2, and swapped the motherboard for a gigabyte p35 ds3 - got the fsb to 400 straight away with no voltage changes, now running comfortably 24/7 at 3.2 with a QX6700. Couldn't get the BX2 over 350 fsb, and even then it was unstable. Good board for stable stock operation, but overclocking you're better off with one of the other vendors, gigabyte, asus, msi even.

Thanks for the reply. If I can't overclock the CPU on that board I will leave it alone. The board is too reliable to get rid of.

Anyone else have any ideas? Would appreciate hearing them if you do.

JOhn

Just a sugestion on your over clock attempts. I have the 975XBX2 board ( in sig the Q6600 ) and in order to over clock without the board over riding your settings, there is a jumper on that board that will let you into the Maintenance section of the bios. You must disable "Failsafe Watchdog" to over clock correctly. This is a safety deal that Intel has implememted on their Mobos and if you disable it, you will be able to go into bios and adjust your settings much easier.
Ram settings, your Chip, the Q6600, is based on the 266 FSB so, set the memory to 266 and then Set the ratios accordingly, 533,667,800 etc..

I have the Q6700, but thanks for telling me about disabling "Failsafe Watchdog" first. I had no idea.

Do you re-enable it after each OC change?

Thanks,

John

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: craftech

Originally posted by: Drsignguy

Originally posted by: craftech

Originally posted by: mattmos
I gave up on trying to get a decent overclock on a bad axe 2, and swapped the motherboard for a gigabyte p35 ds3 - got the fsb to 400 straight away with no voltage changes, now running comfortably 24/7 at 3.2 with a QX6700. Couldn't get the BX2 over 350 fsb, and even then it was unstable. Good board for stable stock operation, but overclocking you're better off with one of the other vendors, gigabyte, asus, msi even.

Thanks for the reply. If I can't overclock the CPU on that board I will leave it alone. The board is too reliable to get rid of.

Anyone else have any ideas? Would appreciate hearing them if you do.

JOhn

Just a sugestion on your over clock attempts. I have the 975XBX2 board ( in sig the Q6600 ) and in order to over clock without the board over riding your settings, there is a jumper on that board that will let you into the Maintenance section of the bios. You must disable "Failsafe Watchdog" to over clock correctly. This is a safety deal that Intel has implememted on their Mobos and if you disable it, you will be able to go into bios and adjust your settings much easier.
Ram settings, your Chip, the Q6600, is based on the 266 FSB so, set the memory to 266 and then Set the ratios accordingly, 533,667,800 etc..

I have the Q6700, but thanks for telling me about disabling "Failsafe Watchdog" first. I had no idea.

Do you re-enable it after each OC change?

Thanks,

John

No, leave it and when you get your settings stable, just remember to save your custom settings just before you exit.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Originally posted by: craftech

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
If you poke around in the Memory and Storage forum, you'll find my threads -- made within the last week -- over my frustrations with what is probably the same G.SKILL memory. I just got an RMA # for it.

Since you're using this system for "serious stuff" and not just gaming, once you have the stable over-clock setting for the CPU confirmed through hours of PRIME95 small-FFTs testing, take a weekend's time to run MEMTEST86+ as well as PRIME95 Blend-Test -- latter within Windows.

If the memory's good, it'll stay that way. If you look at the reviews at NewEgg (assuming we're talking about the same modules), all the reports of early failure and RMA's seem similar. I'm guessing the kits have a higher infant-mortality rate, and I'm deducing that the G.SKILL people don't have a rigorous or sufficient QC program in place. The indication that this might be true could be the lower prices at which they're able to sell the product.

You are correct. This is the memory I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...0231145&Tpk=20-231-145

It seems fine (I think), but I guess I should run a memory test on it.

I was not crazy about the values I got when I used Core Temp and Prime 95 at stock and certainly not at 2.8Ghz for the Q6700 so I cleaned off the MX1 that came pre-installed on the Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (two year old model) and tried a generic Arctic Silver (Manhattan brand). Idled at a lower temperature, but under the same load it climbed up to 72C - way too hot. Then I stuck a second small fan on the opening in the case directly above the CPU fan and the combination brought it down to 60C under load at 2.8 Ghz.

Maybe I need to put it in a different case or leave the side off altogether or get a new thermal paste?

Drsignguy's post told me something about disabling "watchdog" before trying this stuff so I will try that next.

Thanks for the interest in helping me.

Regards,

John

What case do you have and how are the fans inside laid out?

 

[craftech]

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte

Originally posted by: craftech

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
If you poke around in the Memory and Storage forum, you'll find my threads -- made within the last week -- over my frustrations with what is probably the same G.SKILL memory. I just got an RMA # for it.

Since you're using this system for "serious stuff" and not just gaming, once you have the stable over-clock setting for the CPU confirmed through hours of PRIME95 small-FFTs testing, take a weekend's time to run MEMTEST86+ as well as PRIME95 Blend-Test -- latter within Windows.

If the memory's good, it'll stay that way. If you look at the reviews at NewEgg (assuming we're talking about the same modules), all the reports of early failure and RMA's seem similar. I'm guessing the kits have a higher infant-mortality rate, and I'm deducing that the G.SKILL people don't have a rigorous or sufficient QC program in place. The indication that this might be true could be the lower prices at which they're able to sell the product.

You are correct. This is the memory I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...0231145&Tpk=20-231-145

It seems fine (I think), but I guess I should run a memory test on it.

I was not crazy about the values I got when I used Core Temp and Prime 95 at stock and certainly not at 2.8Ghz for the Q6700 so I cleaned off the MX1 that came pre-installed on the Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (two year old model) and tried a generic Arctic Silver (Manhattan brand). Idled at a lower temperature, but under the same load it climbed up to 72C - way too hot. Then I stuck a second small fan on the opening in the case directly above the CPU fan and the combination brought it down to 60C under load at 2.8 Ghz.

Maybe I need to put it in a different case or leave the side off altogether or get a new thermal paste?

Drsignguy's post told me something about disabling "watchdog" before trying this stuff so I will try that next.

Thanks for the interest in helping me.

Regards,

John

What case do you have and how are the fans inside laid out?

I have the Antec SLK3000B. I have the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on the CPU and since the duct from the blowhole wouldn't fit, I took the duct off and mounted a fan to the blowhole blowing in. Behind the CPU there is a 120mm case fan blowing out the back. Since I have four hard drives, the case is a little tight so I probably should move it all into the Rocketfish aluminum case I bought several months ago. It is much larger.

I did overclock it to 3.0 and it has been running fine for several weeks. The Bios I am using doesn't have "Failsafe Watchdog" so I guess that is a good thing.
I didn't change the voltage or the memory settings, just the FSB. Orthos makes the temperatures run up to the Intel maximum, but normal computing doesn't seem to make it come close.

Anything else you think I should do? Mess with the memory timing? Move it into the other case? Change the thermal grease? Does it have to run Orthos at low temps to be satisfactory?

John