overclocking my Q6600...

P4raDoXx

hey guys,

i have a intel Q6600 (quad core) currently clocked at the default
2.4ghz, and i was wondering if any of you could walk me through
an overclock. nothing too drastic, i have a good cooler and i only
want to go up to about 3ghz. i dont know if i have the right bios
however, because it lets me change the multiplier (anything below
9, the default) but doesnt let me change the FSB. yes this is my
first OC, any help would be appriciated

TY

temeteus82

Hi there and welcome to DriverHeaven!

For the issues about you not being able to change the fsb MHz in bios make sure that you have fully updated bios in use.

I'll let the OC'ing to our other members that has a lot more experience of Q6600 than I do.

PangingJr

it's the motherboard that makes overclocking different for people who never uses the motherboard.

Dyre Straits

Since overclocking is what you're after, I've moved the thread to the appropriate forum.

I have no experience with the Q6600, so, I won't delve into any attempt to offer a guide. Someone else with experience with this motherboard/CPU combo will need to do that.

I have, however, been able to do a decent OC on my E6700. (From 2.66 -> 3.36 very stable. But, probably could get even more. )

EDIT: Corrected OC speed.

PangingJr

Kazeko might able to help you, as i recall he has the motherboard. it probably just a setting or two somewhere in BIOS setup program that needs to be changed.

Neshi

i reckon you can go alot higher, as i know the E6600 is able to do 3.6ghz on air without getting too hot.
as i will try out in the next 2 weeks

dr0p_z0ne

Just raise the FSB to 333Mhz and you'll be @ 3Ghz. No need to mess with voltages or any other settings. The easiest overclock you'll ever have

PangingJr

many of the E6600's have a very, very good overclocking potential, but there are some that is not good overclocker at all, as far as i know.

P4raDoXx

thats what ive heard, the problem is i cant find where to change the FSB

ill try updating my bios... (i have a 680i btw)

Dyre Straits

Many of these settings will not show up until you make the change from Auto to Manual. Or, it could even be from Default to User Settings. Something like that.

P4raDoXx

ok, i found it. it was under the clock settings, not the core settings

anyways i changed it to 1333Mhz and set the memory scaling to auto,
which changed my memory clock from 800mhz to 1000mhz

it booted, but as soon as i got into windows i got tonnes of error
messages saying that it couldn't find the .dll's for all startup programs
that use java. windows then said to fix the problem, i should download
the java update on the website. problem is, the internet doesn't work on
that PC now. i changed the clocks back to default and it still sends me
loads of errors, i cant get on the internet, and i swear its running much
slower then normal (even when it was "OCed")

does anyone know what happened?

kris23

sounds like you may have damaged something, try testing your memory if possible using memtest.

memory is usually the first to go with a failed OC

also since youre using mushkin 800mhz memory....something i wouldnt try to OC id set my FSB to DRAM ratio to unlink

P4raDoXx

k, it seems all my shortcuts (like everything, even the start menu) have become "derailed" because internet explorer works if i start it directly from the .exe in my windows vista directory. could my RAM still be perminantly damaged? wouldnt i be noticing much more drastic hell happening if my memory was busted?

and im still curious as to what i did wrong. i only OCed it to 3ghz, which should have worked. do i need to bump the voltage or was it simply my memory couldnt handle its OC?

kris23

memory probably cant handle the OC, timings either too tight or chips too hot.

i never liked mushkin, charge a premium for nothing... better to get Crucial, cheap for what you get.

try and unlink your memory and keep it at 800mhz then bring your CPU to 3.0GHz

lastly, test your system for stability.

H3X4D3C1M4L

It was simply the memory being set too high with not enough voltage or without relaxing the timings.

Set the RAM so that the ratio brings it down to stock or at least as close to stock as possible. If you want to try more voltage that'll work too. Most DDR2 takes about 2V these days to begin with so you might just put it there and give it a go the way you had it before

Neshi

i dont think any 800mhz ram can do 1000mhz. even if you up the voltage.. it is here where it went wrong, too high overclock for the memory. Like H3X said, set the memory ratio so that the ram runs on 800mhz.

cozumel

My understanding is that if they are good ICs and the mobo is a happy one then 1000MHz may well be possible although you would have to relax timings and increase voltage.

kris23

JEDEC spec DDR2 800 really is almost never binned so these sticks probably will have a hard tie reaching 1000 even if they are D9s

Kazeko

Paradox -


I'm pretty much on the same set up you are, though my RAM is slightly different...


What you're likely seeing, is data corruption, due to the RAM's inability to handle the clock speeds the bios is attempting to set it at. I've been stuck re-formatting multiple times due to Data corruption from RAM clocks the system just cannot handle. -- The Memory controller on this mainboard is really squirrelly.

Often times, the first thing to go is the networking controller.

Also...
The [Auto] option on these boards isn't very intelligent in those regards.


Under those FSB clock speed settings, I'd suggest changing the FSB:RAM ratio from [Auto] to [Unlinked] and manually set the RAM to it's OEM clock speeds. If you purchased the PC2-6400 Mushkin sticks, the clock would be 800mhz, if you went with the PC2-8500 Mushkin sticks, the clock would be 1066.

I'm assuming you went with the PC2-6400 Mushkin XP2 sticks, and I'd suggest the following setup, once you become more familiar with your system. These settings are a little different than what I just told you, but it also requires a different FSB clock than the 1333mhz you're looking at right now.


Multi: 8x (CPU Clock will be 3.2ghz)
FSB - Memory Clock Mode: linked
FSB - Memory Ratio: Sync
FSB (QDR): 1600mhz (Same as 400mhz, 800mhz DDR, 1600mhz QDR)
vCore: 1.35v - 1.40v (Your necessary voltage will vary.)
FSB Voltage: 1.40v
MCP Voltage: 1.55v
SPP Voltage: 1.35v
Memory Voltage: Auto

Limit CPUID Max Val - Enable *** (Edited to correct)
Intel SpeedStep - Disable
Thermal Control - Disable
C1E Halt - Disable
Execute Disable Bit - Enable (For whatever reason, Q6600's really don't like it when this is disabled)
Virtualization Technology - Disable

Note: Those settings are estimates, and you may need to adjust them outside what I have posted. They're a guideline only. You may need to alter voltages accordingly. Also - Be sure you're testing well enough, and keep an eye on your temperatures, ESPECIALLY the MCP temperatures. - These boards aren't super-friendly when it comes to Quad Core processors. You'll have to do some testing to see what works and what doesn't.

Further, I'd recommend spending the time replacing the TIM (Thermal Paste/Grease) on the Chipset heatsinks, as the stock putty type material is pretty much worthless, especially if you plan on overclocking. AS5 or Arctic Silver Ceramique should be just fine. I can give you more detail if you need.

CPU wise, the settings I posted will not be possible with an OEM heatsink/fan, and will require a pretty solid cooling solution - I'm using a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme with a single 89 CFM Aerocool fan on it, and I see high 40's loaded with those settings.

So, the less extreme version....
With a 1333mhz fsb...

Multi: 9x (CPU Clock will be 3.0ghz)
FSB - Memory Clock Mode: Unlinked
FSB - Memory Ratio: Auto
FSB (QDR): 1333mhz
vCore: 1.20v - 1.35v (Your necessary voltage will vary.)
FSB Voltage: [Auto]
MCP Voltage: [Auto]
SPP Voltage: [Auto]
Memory Voltage: [Auto]

The core CPU settings (Speed Step, Thermal Control etc) will remain unchanged, with or without an overclock. Also, be sure you disable the FSB Spread Spectrum under the Basic Chipset settings.


Edit: Also, you'll want to update to the P31 bios (if using an EVGA mainboard) relatively quickly, as it corrects an issue with CPU multi detection in quad core processors.

Kazeko

The IC's on his Mushkin sticks are solid, but not GMH caliber. They'll probably get upset with much beyond 1ghz. - Might be capable though, with enough voltage. - Though with Micron D9 IC's typically more voltage = dead RAM regardless of how cool they are.

Tyler Lowe

Heya.

These settings are relatively tame, but as with any overclock, use at your own risk.

They are exactly the settings I have been running stable on my system for over 2 months. They're nothing special, but are easily achievable on air given decent case flow and CPU/HSF, with no lapping, TIM replacement on the mosfets, SPP or MCP, and no VMods. I find they run roughly 1*C higher than stock settings in my rig.

Go to your FSB and memory settings.

Change memory rules to expert.
Change your memory and FSB from "linked, auto" to "linked, 3:2".
Change your FSB speed to 1300 MHz
change RAM memory timings to 5-5-5-18, rest to [auto] for now

Your CPU will now be clocked at 2925 MHz (9x multiplier, 325Mhz clock)
Your RAM will be at 866MHz

go to system voltages

change your VCore to 1.2625
change CPU FSB to 1.3V
RAM: 1.975V (do NOT exceed RAM voltage rating. if you're not sure, check the RAM manufacturer's site. IMO, don't exceed 2.1V without a RAM cooler regardless of rating)
SPP: 1.35V
MCP:1.5V
SPP <--> MCP: 1.35V

Monitor your temps, make sure you don't exceed 65C under 100% load on your cores (use coretemp 0.95.4 to monitor those temps), preferably keep it under 60C. After you're sure you have a nice stable OC, you can go back and try to tighten up the RAM timings. I get 4-4-4-12 out of my Crucial RAM at that voltage, your mileage may vary.

Enjoy.