Q6600 Overclock an I greedy?

Peter Tsang · 30 Jul 2011 at 05:15

Hi folks,

Recently, I am addicted to overclocking my Q6600, ever since I bought it 2.5 years ago, I've been running it at stock speed.

Here is the CPUID capture

Uploaded with ImageShack.usCould you possibly check out the stepping for me.

What is the top ceiling of the frequency it can be made reaching?

I heard someone mentioned 3.8GHz, can it go beyond 4.0GHz?

Dicehunter · 30 Jul 2011 at 06:07

on high end water cooling maybe 4.0, but you should be able to get 3.4-3.6 on air cooling, i have mine at 3.5 atm ^^

*EDIT* just noticed you have the G0, same as me, its held as one of the best overclockers, SO OVERCLOCK !!!!

bhavv · 30 Jul 2011 at 06:31

Around 3.6 Ghz for a Q6600, 4 Ghz for an I7, and 4.4 Ghz for a sandybridge should be the speeds that most of those chips can reach.

A lot of chips can manage 200 Mhz higher than those frequencies, a few can manage 400 Mhz higher, and golden chips can manage 600 Mhz higher.

3.6 Ghz on a Q6600 should be a piece of cake with decent air cooling.

Peter Tsang · 30 Jul 2011 at 06:34

THANKS! G0 is the most overclockable, that's what I would like to confirm with you!! ^^

I managed to get to 9*420 for once with my new GTX 560 Ti and it was very stable, played Crysis Warhead for 30 minutes no crash.

With the 4870, Windows just won't start normally and it rebooted itself at 9*420.

I tried to reach 3.90 with voltage increased from 1.256 to 1.575 but in vain, while playing a flight simulation it crashed with BSOD. Then I found out the CPU temperature reached 69C and that's what I found out from the BIOS.

What exactly is the safest maximum frequency without raising the voltage because after rasing the voltage to 1.575 the idle temperatuer is 65C.

By the way what is the "shutdown" temperature of this wonderful Q6600?

Peter Tsang · 30 Jul 2011 at 06:37

bhavv said:
Around 3.6 Ghz for a Q6600, 4 Ghz for an I7, and 4.4 Ghz should be the speeds that most of those chips can reach.

A lot of chips can manage 200 Mhz higher than those frequencies, a few can manage 400 Mhz, and golden chips can manage 600 Mhz higher.

3.6 Ghz on a Q6600 should be a piece of cake with decent air cooling.

I know my Silent Knight is a **** deal for overclock.

What is the best cooler? I am going to change the case for that, anyway I will upgarde the CPU and mother board later so it is an investment and money won't be wasted. I will use one which has more room.

bhavv · 30 Jul 2011 at 07:18

Asus silent knight should be good, I had a Core 2 Duo running at 4 Ghz on one of those.

3.9 Ghz is a bit too much for a first time overclock, as I said above, try 3.6 Ghz first, it might need a slight voltage bump.

More than that will need a lot more voltage.

1.5v and 65 degrees idle is far too much for that chip, dont over do it.

Peter Tsang · 30 Jul 2011 at 09:53

Sit tight folks.

I am down town. Going to get the Cosair 600T graphite case and the H60 cooler.,

I didn't realize that this cooler is liquid. So neat!!! In the old days they are so clum,msy, now they just look great!

Do you think I can up the CPU from 3.8 to 4.0 with this cooler?

Also if I change CPU to i5 or i7 later can this H60 cooler be reused?

1 last question: these kind of cooler like the Antec 52...etc the liqiud ...would that be a concern say after 2 to 3 years using??

Martini1991 · 30 Jul 2011 at 09:57

The H60 isn't very good, it's worse than high end air cooling such as the Noctua stuff and the silver arrow.

j.col · 30 Jul 2011 at 11:25

My Q6600 shut down at 80.C,
also dont use a game for testing stability, personally i prefer Intel burn test or you can also use prime95.
these will ramp up your temps quickly, so dont use these until you have a proper cooler, but if you pass the test you will be stable.
Full details here to run IBT properly http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18297411
also read the overclocking sticky on top of this section,
also i would have went for the silver arrow, if it will fit with your case/ram, it will easily beat the h60 http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-078-TR

Akagi · 30 Jul 2011 at 13:05

i would clock to 3.2ghz and be done with it personally, the q6600 is still a good chip despite its age. it still just about beats amd's new (comparatively i mean) phenom 2 x4

Peter Tsang · 30 Jul 2011 at 14:16

Martini1991 said:
The H60 isn't very good, it's worse than high end air cooling such as the Noctua stuff and the silver arrow.

Oh! I have bought it already!

Peter Tsang · 30 Jul 2011 at 14:19

j.col said:
My Q6600 shut down at 80.C,
also dont use a game for testing stability, personally i prefer Intel burn test or you can also use prime95.
these will ramp up your temps quickly, so dont use these until you have a proper cooler, but if you pass the test you will be stable.
Full details here to run IBT properly http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18297411
also read the overclocking sticky on top of this section,
also i would have went for the silver arrow, if it will fit with your case/ram, it will easily beat the h60 http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-078-TR

Thanks for the information. By the way I don't see there is any heat sink which comes with the cooler. So wil H60 be better than my silent knight?

j.col · 30 Jul 2011 at 16:17

Peter Tsang said:
Oh! I have bought it already!

Afaik, you can return it under the 'distance selling regulation' as you have 7 days from recieving it, to return it.
you may have to pay postage, but i would return it and get the silver arrow
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theoneshow/consumer/2009/08/27/get_your_refund_distance_selli.html

old gamer · 30 Jul 2011 at 16:58

I would aim for 3.2ghz. I found hardly any difference going higher apart from temps and voltage

Peter Tsang · 31 Jul 2011 at 06:48

I want to go 3.8GHz, if I up the CPU core voltage which is currently holding at 1.248V, how much should be just enough?

Thanks mate!

bhavv · 31 Jul 2011 at 07:09

The Antec Kuhler H20 620 is what you want for decent overclocking on those water thingies. The mid priced corsair ones are crap.

For an air cooler, the Silver Arrow is the best.

j.col said:
Afaik, you can return it under the 'distance selling regulation' as you have 7 days from recieving it, to return it.
you may have to pay postage, but i would return it and get the silver arrow
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theoneshow/consumer/2009/08/27/get_your_refund_distance_selli.html

Make sure you dont open it though if you want to send it back, once opened it can only be sent back if damaged, faulty or not as advertised.

Martini1991 · 31 Jul 2011 at 08:38

bhavv said:
The Antec Kuhler H20 620 is what you want for decent overclocking on those water thingies. The mid priced corsair ones are crap.

For an air cooler, the Silver Arrow is the best.

Make sure you dont open it though if you want to send it back, once opened it can only be sent back if damaged, faulty or not as advertised.

Not under DSR......
As long as it's repackaged fine, you can send it after having used it.

Peter Tsang · 31 Jul 2011 at 08:53

It's alright, at least H60 is better than Silent Knight I had before.

Besides, I have opened it so I can return it back.

From the review I read, the H70 seems to be competitive. For the sake of compatability with the case I think I will go for H70 in my next upgerade to i5/i7 what you reckon?

Peter Tsang · 31 Jul 2011 at 08:55

My the other question: I am trying 1.42500 for the CPU Core voltage in BIOS without touching other voltages.
Multiplier is 9
FSB Frequency is 420
Speed = 3.79GHz

By the way where I can download the authentic Intel Burn Test and is it plug and play easy to use?

Surveyor · 31 Jul 2011 at 09:39

Martini1991 said:
Not under DSR......
As long as it's repackaged fine, you can send it after having used it.

Does the DSR apply in Hong Kong?