Q6600 G0 not stable @ 3.3GHz - already at 1.5v

Sarduk · 27 Aug 2008 at 15:04

Hi all,

Northbridge: 1.4v
DRAM voltage: 2.1V (Crucial Ballistic PC2 5300 overclocked to 879MHz)
CPU voltage: 1.5V
Loal-line calibration enabled

FSB 366
CPU multiplier 9

Temperatures are fine and it boots. However, it won't handle Prime for more than 5 seconds or so - it just locks up. I am wary of increasing the voltage anymore.

Advice?

MooMoo444 · 27 Aug 2008 at 15:05

Try toning down the clock on your RAM, underclock it to eliminate that as a factor. I personally feel that is causing the problem 667 -> 879 is probably pushing it too hard at higher FSB

Sarduk · 27 Aug 2008 at 15:10

I tried 733 (the lowest) and it is still failing.

Note that it is as solid as a rock at 333x9 with the RAM clocked to 800Mhz (1.4v on the CPU).

MooMoo444 · 27 Aug 2008 at 15:21

Well you shouldnt need 1.5 for 3.3, not on any Q6600.. How many sticks of RAM do you have?

Phil99 · 27 Aug 2008 at 15:26

Which motherboard are you using?

I'd agree with the others in that it's the RAM causing your problems, no way should a Q6600 need 1.5v for 3.3GHz! I'm on 3.2GHz and I've only increased the core by about 0.1v!

Try running a memtest bootable CD, would imagine it'd show the RAM to be at fault pretty quickly.

Sarduk · 27 Aug 2008 at 16:27

I have four sticks of RAM (Ballistix PC2-5300). Asus P5KC motherboard. Shall I try increasing the voltage on the RAM (from 2.1V)?

MooMoo444 · 27 Aug 2008 at 16:33

Try adding more NB, 4 sticks of RAM usally needs more NB than 2, maybe try 1.45 and see if you have any luck.

Sarduk · 27 Aug 2008 at 16:33

I have NB set to 1.4 already, next step is 1.55v - safe?

I have also tested with just 3 sticks of RAM, still no avail.

inonefly · 27 Aug 2008 at 16:35

you need more volt on the NB for four sticks, try up the nb to 1.45-1.5

MooMoo444 · 27 Aug 2008 at 16:35

Ah nevermind on the NB then.. 1.55 is very high and doubt you would need that + you would need cooling.

Try 2 sticks :-)

Sarduk · 27 Aug 2008 at 16:44

Why are my NB voltage steps so high? Is there some kind of ratio that I can adjust to bring them down a bit?

MooMoo444 · 27 Aug 2008 at 16:45

You could try a different BIOS if it bothers you, they can be different, but you would be going through a lot of hassle trying to find one thats better. I still say try 2 sticks

Pneumonic · 27 Aug 2008 at 16:47

1.55v should be alright used to run mine at that no issue on my P5K-E.. if you want to test if its a RAM->CPU issue easiest way would be to take 2 sticks out and keep the NB @ 1.4v

If you have an option and havent set it then set the FSB to Northbridge Strap Manually to 333mhz

Also if you have them set the PLL and VTT (FSB Termination Voltages) Manually

Sarduk · 27 Aug 2008 at 17:14

Also if you have them set the PLL and VTT (FSB Termination Voltages) Manually

Set them to what?

Cheers,

JimAroo · 27 Aug 2008 at 21:29

Have you set the CPU voltage to 1.5 in BIOS or is that in windows? my mate has a P5KC and gets a ridiculous case of vdrop.. which could be your problem,

We had a right time getting his E6850 from 3Ghz to 3.4Ghz due to the Vdrop. :/

MooMoo444 · 27 Aug 2008 at 21:33

Dont mean to go the other direction to the topic direction, but hypothetically, if chip 'A''s upper voltage limit is 1.5V, and your board 'B' has a 0.1V Vdrop, it is perfectly safe towards the CPU to set the BIOS value at 1.6? Or would the CPU get 1.6V anyway and die a painful death.

Sorry I dont really understand VDrop ^_^

Greebo · 27 Aug 2008 at 21:52

MooMoo444 said:
Dont mean to go the other direction to the topic direction, but hypothetically, if chip 'A''s upper voltage limit is 1.5V, and your board 'B' has a 0.1V Vdrop, it is perfectly safe towards the CPU to set the BIOS value at 1.6? Or would the CPU get 1.6V anyway and die a painful death.

Sorry I dont really understand VDrop ^_^

There is vdrop and vdroop. Both different but ultimately the same effect.

From memory vdroop is the difference between your bios setting and your windows voltage at idle.

Vdrop is when your cpu is under load.

You don't want your voltage at windows idle to be more than Intels recommended tbh.

As for your question, Intel states their recommended max voltage is for bios, not after vdrop at idle in windows as, as your pc boots it might spike at the max set in bios.

Pneumonic · 28 Aug 2008 at 08:55

JimpsEd said:
Set them to what?

Cheers,

well I would start with PLL @ 1.5 and FSB Termination Voltage @ 1.4

rjk · 28 Aug 2008 at 11:15

JimpsEd said:
Hi all,

Northbridge: 1.4v
DRAM voltage: 2.1V (Crucial Ballistic PC2 5300 overclocked to 879MHz)
CPU voltage: 1.5V
Loal-line calibration enabled

FSB 366
CPU multiplier 9

Temperatures are fine and it boots. However, it won't handle Prime for more than 5 seconds or so - it just locks up. I am wary of increasing the voltage anymore.

Advice?

same thing happens in prime when i try to push my 6300 past 3.4GHz

its the ram limiting you in my opinion

im looking at upgrading mine to some pc2-8500 soon to give me some more headroom

i think some pc2-6400 modules would help you out

mda96bjh · 28 Aug 2008 at 15:21

JimpsEd said:
Hi all,

Northbridge: 1.4v
DRAM voltage: 2.1V (Crucial Ballistic PC2 5300 overclocked to 879MHz)
CPU voltage: 1.5V
Loal-line calibration enabled

FSB 366
CPU multiplier 9

Temperatures are fine and it boots. However, it won't handle Prime for more than 5 seconds or so - it just locks up. I am wary of increasing the voltage anymore.

Advice?

The latest batch of chips dont seem as good....

I have 2 early Q6600 G0's @ 3.6ghz......but i got another recently for my bro & even on an x48 chipset i could only get to 3.4ghz stable