Trying to OC a Q6600 to 3ghz

preztw · Sep 4, 2008, 07:46 PM

Been trying to figure out what I am doing wrong but can't seem to find anything special for my motherboard. I have a Q6600 G0 on a GA-EP45C-DS3R and I get into the BIOS and set the fsb to 333. I read every where to set the ram timings but I'm not too sure where to do this. I've looked for a while so figured I would just post. I did try to search but I failed.

**kris23** · Sep 4, 2008, 07:51 PM

unlike most forums, DH promotes users posting every time they got issues so no need to search, were all happy to help!

the BIOS probably has the settings you want hidden, and probably wont be seen until you enable something....

[hobo]eclipse · Sep 4, 2008, 08:12 PM

try pressing ctrl F1 in the bios then looking for more options. new menus and also new setings in existing menus.

cozumel · Sep 4, 2008, 08:15 PM

yes. It's Ctrl+F1 > 'MB Intelligent Tweaker' menu (M.I.T.) and then scroll down for all the voltages, memory timings & stuff.

Edit: But now I come to think of it, Gigabyte may have done away with the Ctrl+F1 thingy on the P45. But you definitely want to be in the MIT menu either way.

preztw · Sep 4, 2008, 08:26 PM

Ctrl + 1 seems to do nothing. I have the cpu host frequency set to 333. Then I have something called System Memory Multiplier (SPD) with all sorts of fun stuff. Looks like x.xxA is for fsb 266, x.xxB is 333 and there are a few other options. Under the B ones for 333 I have values like 2.00B, 2.40B, 3.20B, 4.00B. Seems like one of those might do it but I'm just not sure.

**Vikingod** · Sep 4, 2008, 08:29 PM

That's Ctrl + F1, as in the function keys above the numeric ones.

preztw · Sep 4, 2008, 08:32 PM

Yea, I did that one too, mis-typed it. The screen does blink for just half a second but no new options come up and nothing changes. And I am in the MIT option.

**kris23** · Sep 4, 2008, 08:32 PM

you sure you want to try OCing? you may mess it up

preztw · Sep 4, 2008, 08:36 PM

Hehe, yea yea. I'm ok with the little step up to 3.0 that seems to be pretty simple on these Q6600. Started playing EQ2 this week while waiting for WAR to show up this Monday and it kills me the game runs like crap at max settings

cozumel · Sep 4, 2008, 08:37 PM

You don't actually see a new menu come up. It just changes the configuration of the MIT (when the screen blinks) to allow voltage changes for mch, vcore, vdimm etc etc and maybe 30 lots of memory timings

But you have to scroll down to the bottom of the MIT to see the newly configurable items.

preztw · Sep 4, 2008, 08:41 PM

The mother board votlage control does show up and that is new, but I always had the Advanced Timing Control option that lets to change all sorts of stuff that I am sure would melt my ram.

cozumel · Sep 4, 2008, 08:49 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong preztw but I'm going to assume you have the new PI GSkill DDR2-8800 (1100MHz). GSkill specify timings of 5-5-5-15 @ 1.9v for these kits. For your reference these kits (so I've read) do not respond well to overvoltage (ie it doesn't enhance overclocks). But the kits themselves have been known to overclock well if they play nicely with the board and cpu and the chips are good. Some kits are good, some kits are not so good basically, same as cpus and boards. (or a box of chocolates). You never know what you're gonna get!!

cozumel · Sep 4, 2008, 09:01 PM

Now before you do anything I will let you know how it works (just a little).

Change PCIe clock to 100MHz to ensure things remain stable
To raise the clock speed of the CPU you need to raise the FSB (Front Side Bus). Gigabyte call this CPU Host Clock.
When you raise the FSB it raises the memory speed and to keep the system stable you need to adjust the memory divider or FSB:Memory Clock Ratio. Gigabyte call this the System Memory Multiplier.

9*333.3MHz = 3000MHz CPU
So when you raise the FSB (CPU Host Clock) watch the memory speed go up. So go into the Sytem Memory Multiplier and adjust the ratio so that the memory speed drops back down towards 1100MHz.

Please ensure system cooling and airflow is correct before attempting any overclock.

WARNING: You accept full responsibility for any changes you make to configuration and are fully liable for any damage or injury caused as a result of any changes you make. You fully understand that I am not responsible in way whatsoever.

preztw · Sep 5, 2008, 09:04 AM

Yea, I understand all of that part. What I needed help with was any time I set my fsb up to 333 I could never find the ram ratio setting. And when I would try to boot without it it would just hang and set itself back to defaults.

cozumel · Sep 5, 2008, 09:11 AM

So did you find the system memory multiplier and does it work?

preztw · Sep 5, 2008, 09:22 AM

I found it just didn't mess with it yet. Wasn't sure if that was what I should be changing. At work right now just trying to figure out what I'll need to try once I get home. I want a rating of 1100 and not closer to 800?

cozumel · Sep 5, 2008, 09:34 AM

Your GSkill are the PI models rated at 1100MHz? If so, that shouldn't be a problem. You may end up having to lower the cpu multiplier (clock ratio) and raising the fsb higher to get it working right, though I'm not sure how your dividers are set on that mobo.

So you could have 375MHz x 8 = 3000MHz
and
memory multipler @ 3 (3 x 375 = 1125MHz)
That's if your memory multiplier / divider works that way.
If you were to do it that way you may need to raise the vcore voltage a little and maybe the mch a fraction too for stability. But maybe not.

Have a good day at work & speak to you later no doubt

cozumel · Sep 5, 2008, 09:56 AM

Just noticed you have a BIOS option within the MIT called (G)MCH Latch. This allows you to fix the frequency for the memory separately from the FSB and provides other options.

Other options to consider apart from the 375 are:
366 x 8 = 2933MHz (CPU / 366 x 3 = 1098MHz DDR2
333 x 9 = 3000MHz / 333 x 3.2 = 1066MHz

And there are countless other ways too.

cozumel · Sep 6, 2008, 01:04 PM

If it's any help I just this minute set my memory at 1104MHz with my Q6600 running at 3.1GHz with everything on stock voltage.

CPU 345 x 9
DDR2 345 x 3.2

preztw · Sep 8, 2008, 08:59 AM

Yea, I guess my RAM is pissed off at me or something. I changed the FSB to 333 then I did the ram bit latched to the 333 fsb and picked one that set the ram back to 1066 and didn't touch anything else. And the thing that is getting me now is that everyone says this is just about 'the easiest' OC to do and I can't get it to work haha. I think I'm picking the correct settings and it might be that the RAM is having issues?

Neshi · Sep 10, 2008, 04:20 AM

are you sure you're feeding the ram the correct voltage?
maybe you have to feed the cpu a little more voltage for the overclock to 3ghz?