Upgrading a CPU in a pre-built computer?

[dpk33]

My P35-DS3L did 3.4ghz on the Q6600 65nm 24/7 100% loaded for 2 years.

See Post #24 in this thread with pics.

If I was getting a budget board now, I'd get a P45 for that generation, but the only quads which had issues with overclocking on P35 were 45nm, not 65nm chips. Also, Abit IP35 boards had no problems with 450FS on 45nm quads either. So my statement is also partially correct.

Either way, I'll send you my E6600 for that Q6600



Gigabyte P35-DS3L
or preferably P35-DS3R or P35-UD3P
any of the Gigabyte P45-UD3L / UD3R/ UD3P series or EP45 series (under same names).

Obviously, by default then any Gigabyte P35/P45 series above level 3 (so UD4, UD5, 6 or 7 are all suitable too).

or Asus P35 series - P5K, P5K SE, etc. etc.

MSI P35 / P45 series.

Look, Q6600 has a multiplier of 9x. So at only 400 FSB, that pretty much maxes out most Q6600 chips. By that point, you'll need a very nice aftermarket air cooler. My $110 DS3L could do 420 FSB but my Q6600 crapped out at just 380 FSB at reasonable voltages. So you get the message.

Pretty much any decent Asus or Gigabyte or Abit P35 board will do 400 FSB without sweat. Obviously, if you are getting a used board and the price difference is immaterial, just grab a P45/X48 one since that chipset will do 450 - 490 FSB.

So i hear the Q6600 would produce a lot of heat when overclocked. Will a coolermaster hyper 212+ allow me to overclock to at least 3.5? or is it more dependent on other things, such as RAM, CPU and motherboard?

 

[RussianSensation]

So i hear the Q6600 would produce a lot of heat when overclocked. Will a coolermaster hyper 212+ allow me to overclock to at least 3.5? or is it more dependent on other things, such as RAM, CPU and motherboard?

3.5ghz is a very select territory for a Q6600. It would have to be a G0. If that's a B3 stepping Q6600, 3.0ghz - 3.2ghz is the target, with most G0's hitting 3.2-3.4ghz, and select few 3.5-3.6ghz. Of course, if you are willing to put in more voltage, it might do 3.6ghz+. But I mean, if you are just using it to learn overclocking, I don't think it matters. If you reach 3.2 or 3.4ghz, that's mission accomplished. Also, modern CPUs don't use FSB, don't need FSB termination voltage adjustment, or +0.2V boost on MCH, etc. Basically, your overclocking adventure with Q6600 has little relevance to what you need for say 2500k. It's still fun though.

Performance wise, 2500k @ 4.5ghz will be at least 75% faster than a Q6600 @ 3.4ghz since SB has about a 40-50% performance advantage per clock vs. that 65nm Kentsfield. In other words, an overclock of 3.5 vs. 3.4 isn't going to make much difference in this case, but it will seriously increase your power consumption and heat.

CM212+ should be enough. I say, a good overclock would be 3.4ghz @ 1.325-1.35V. My G0 chip needed 1.45V from 1.34V to go from 3.4ghz to 3.5ghz. Just not worth it in my eyes.

 

[dpk33]

3.5ghz is a very select territory for a Q6600. It would have to be a G0. If that's a B3 stepping Q6600, 3.0ghz - 3.2ghz is the target, with most G0's hitting 3.2-3.4ghz, and select few 3.5-3.6ghz. Of course, if you are willing to put in more voltage, it might do 3.6ghz+.

how do i know whether mine is a G0 or a B3? it's from a prebuilt HP a6245n so i wouldn't know.

also, i have barely any experience overclocking, so can you just brief me on overclocking a q6600, like what voltages and frequency's to increase and decrease, etc.

 

[discerning]

how do i know whether mine is a G0 or a B3? it's from a prebuilt HP a6245n so i wouldn't know.

Use CPU-Z.

 

[RussianSensation]

how do i know whether mine is a G0 or a B3? it's from a prebuilt HP a6245n so i wouldn't know.

also, i have barely any experience overclocking, so can you just brief me on overclocking a q6600, like what voltages and frequency's to increase and decrease, etc.

The basic layout is that Q6600 is a 9x multiplier chip x 266 FSB = 2400mhz stock speed. To overclock it, you would flash your motherboard to the latest BIOS and then:

1) Lock PCI Express Frequency at 100.
2) Set CPU : Ram Ratio to 1:1 (on Gigabyte boards this corresponds to 2.0 Ratio, but it may be different for other boards)
3) Disable CPU Spread Spectrum
4) Disable all power savings technologies (to start) such as C1-C3, C6 states, EIST
5) Increase MCH voltage by +0.1V
6) Increase PCH voltage by +0.1V
7) Increase FSB voltage by +0.1V
8) Loosen RAM timings to CL5-5-5-15 (or leave at Auto), raise DDR Voltage to 1.9V (+0.1 usually).
9) Raise CPU voltage to 1.35V.
10) Raise FSB slowly from 266 --> 300 --> 325 --> 350 --> 375. Eventually, your system will freeze on the desktop or BSOD. That's when you either increase CPU voltage further, or backoff frequency and start testing with Prime95 or LinX.
11) Then you start working in reverse and lowering CPU voltage first until it's stable for 10-24 Hours. This will allow you to zone in on the lowest CPU voltage required for stability. Aim for FSB of 378 x 9 multiplier = 3.4ghz for a G0 chip and 355 FSB x 9 multiplier for a B3 chip to start.
12) Then lower other voltages, tighten ram timings, re-enable power saving features if applicable. Redo Prime95/LinX/OCCT software testing.

Use CPU-Z and HWMonitor to check temperatures and voltages. Both can be downloaded here.

Well when you get your board, you can post a thread in CPU Overclocking section. We'll help you out since it's much easier depending on which board you have.

 

[NoobyDoo]

change of cpu = reinstall windows, right ?

 

[dbcooper1]

change of cpu = reinstall windows, right ?

Possible, but not likely.

 

[BlueBlazer]

change of cpu = reinstall windows, right ?

No need for Windows reinstallation actually, unless you changed the motherboard.