So, there's no way I can OC my processor?

[arredondo]

I mean other than ghetto software OC programs? Look at my rig below. It's an HP Pavilion that doesn't give me any OC options in the bios menu, probably for warranty reasons that have long expired. For you techies out there, is there no option with the setup I have?

 

[Phynaz]

Nope.

 

[ModestGamer]

Maybe there is. If you can find a aftermarket/or oem board builder bios for your board you can. If not you'll need a motherboard swap to do it.

first things first. What type of PC do you have and what motherboard is in it.

that will tell the story.

 

[arredondo]

My MB specs are here.

If I can't OC, my only option is to sell my Q6600 and upgrade to as high as a Q9650 if I don't want to overhaul the MB, right?

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

My MB specs are here.

If I can't OC, my only option is to sell my Q6600 and upgrade to as high as a Q9650 if I don't want to overhaul the MB, right?

Link isn't working for me, so I'll ask: does the mobo support a Q9650?

 

[Bman123]

Just buy a new used mobo, you can get a really good used S775 board for cheap in the for sale section

 

[peonyu]

I believe there is a way around your board's bios limitation...But its really not a conventional way to do it. Its called Pin modding, and it boils down to taking your cpu out and wrapping a small piece of wire around certain pins on the bottom of the processor. This tricks your motherboard into thinking your CPU uses a different FSB than it really does. So higher FSB = overclocked. You can also pin mod the multiplier, but only downward multis and not up...So not as useful as FSB. Voltage is also pin moddable but I could be wrong on that.

Quick google search brought this up...

http://www.starless.nl/pinmod.html

Be very careful if you attempt it. I did this a long time ago on a P3 of mine and it worked well...But double check what you do.

Your Cpu is a 266 FSB chip so you would want to do the 266 > 333 FSB mod. That would bring it up 3ghz [333x9 vs 266x9].

 

[MrK6]

Core 2 Quads have the pins on the motherboard side, so you have to use conductive ink to ground out whatever pads you want. Grab CPU-Z and post what CPU and chipset you have if you're interested.

 

[peonyu]

Looking at the C2d pinmod, it requires conductive ink instead of wires...So its easier than the old school pinmod. But costs some money to do it if you lack a pen. Doesnt look to hard...But try at your own risk.

 

[arredondo]

Link isn't working for me, so I'll ask: does the mobo support a Q9650?

Ah, it worked earlier, but it's offline now. Here it is from CPU-Z:

Processor
Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.40
Kensfield
Socket 775 LGA

Core Voltage 1.648
Core Speed 1592.2 MHz x6
Bus Speed 266 MHz
FSB 1061.4 MHz


Mainboard
Asus Berkeley
P35/G33/G31 Rev.2
Southbridge 8280 1R

Bios 5.07
8/8/2007

 

[MoMeanMugs]

Is that the original CPU that came with it? I wonder if your BIOS support your quad properly. Either it's reporting the core voltage incorrectly, or you have a ticking timebomb on your hands.

 

[arredondo]

Everything is stock, a boxed shipment years ago straight from HP.

 

[ljtatej]

Could try updating bios. The new one updates the cpu microcode.

Check it out

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Here's a thread where someone used a Q9450 on that mobo:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=195028

 

[MrK6]

Interesting, this could actually work . Here's the Q6600 spec sheet: http://www.intel.com/design/processor/datashts/315592.htm . Look at Figure 13 (socket pin layout, left half) and Table 16 (BSEL function). To me, and someone please verify this, it looks like if you insulate the BSEL 2 pin located left on the edge at position G-30, you should trip the FSB to 333MHz and the CPU should now run at 3.0GHz . The next step after that would be to see if the CPU is stable at that speed, and if not, you can also ground or insulate a few pins in the voltage control to change the voltage going to the CPU (per table 2).

 

[wpcoe]

Could try updating bios. The new one updates the cpu microcode.

I was thinking similarly, but was wondering about flashing a BIOS from the asus.com link he posted. (The link works for me.)

 

[richierich1212]

Try BSEL modding it. I've successfully BSEL modded some Dells with Q6600s and E5200s.

 

[Surutcra]

http://www.overclock.net/attachment...89-bsel-q6600-msi-p35-neo2-fr-originalkd1.jpg

here's a pic of the mod

 

[Phynaz]

I was thinking similarly, but was wondering about flashing a BIOS from the asus.com link he posted. (The link works for me.)

HP uses custom boards. Other BIOS's will not work.

 

[abbadaba]

I was able to successfully overclock my q6600 g0 from 2.4 to 3.0 by covering a pin with a 1mm square piece of electrical tape. This was in a Gateway computer with a mobo/BIOS that did not allow any sort of overclocking. I couldn't believe it worked.

 

[arredondo]

I'm not comfortable with my hardware tampering skills to try out a lot of the suggestions here. Haha, if I were I'd probably already have a custom built rig instead of a pre-made Pavilion and not have to deal with this issue.

So it seems I'd have to pay for an upgrade processor like the Q9650 (while selling the Q6600) or start from scratch with a new setup. I'll hold tight for now. Thanks fellas for all of your help.

 

[wpcoe]

If you are willing to buy a new processor anyway, why not take a crack at the BSEL or other mods suggested above. I find it fascinating that with a metalic ink from a pen you can do such significant alterations to the processor!

Order the new processor, but don't open the box, then try the mods on your current processor. If they work, then simply return the unopened box for a refund. Come on, you know you want to. :biggrin:

 

[evolucion8]

That mod is very tempting, I'm willing to do that to my Dad's computer who has the Q6600. I haven't done hardware mods lately (After the X800XT Volt Mod and transformating to PE Edition, Pentium M Socket adapter mod for standard S478 coolers 2 years ago)

 

[MrK6]

I'm not comfortable with my hardware tampering skills to try out a lot of the suggestions here. Haha, if I were I'd probably already have a custom built rig instead of a pre-made Pavilion and not have to deal with this issue.

So it seems I'd have to pay for an upgrade processor like the Q9650 (while selling the Q6600) or start from scratch with a new setup. I'll hold tight for now. Thanks fellas for all of your help.

This is how you learn, we all started somewhere. The secret is to go slow, pay attention, and plan your work. Worse case scenario, as wpcoe said, is that something does break and you have to buy the new CPU anyway.

 

[arredondo]

I'd only buy a new one if I could sell my current one to lessen the large cost. If I screwed up, I'd be out of some money.