New to overclocking (Q9550)

Stephen123 · 10 Nov 2008 at 00:05

Hey guys, got this cpu on a P5Q-E mobo, and 4GB of PC8500 ram. Ive got my FSB at 390 now, 3315 mhz cpu speed, running on 1.18v. Max temp under stress in Prime is 54 on one of the cores. I have the ram on 2.1v but basically every other voltage setting is on auto. What other voltages should I be looking at setting manually? Also which program would let me monitor stuff like the NB? Ideally Id like to get to 3.6-3.8 Mhz (or more if possible lol) on the cpu, but worried something that Im not monitoring will fry on me

Any help would be gratefully appreciated, thanks

jak731 · 10 Nov 2008 at 00:45

Everest should pick up every thermal sensor in your computer, so you can use that to monitor NB temps.

Increasing the VTT voltage can help with OCing but don't put it too high (no more than 1.35V ish).

fishfishfish · 10 Nov 2008 at 16:53

I'm also new to overclocking, and have the same rig as you. I've been running mine at 3.7GHz for a few weeks now and it's performed flawlessly and stayed nice and cool.

Ai Overclock Tuner = Manual
CPU Ratio Setting = 8.5
FSB Frequency = 440
FSB Strap to NB = 400
DRAM = 1146
DRAM timing = Manual
CPU voltage = 1.29375
DRAM voltage = 2.2
Everything else is on Auto.

Stephen123 · 10 Nov 2008 at 23:45

Thx for the replies. What is a safe temp to take the cpu to? Id prefer not to thrash it to the point of heat failure, so what safely should I be aiming to top out at?

zykan · 10 Nov 2008 at 23:51

don't go over 70c, and make sure you use intel burn test or prime95 to test it's stability. once you get a system with about 30 mins stable, then leave it on overnight

if your oc'd pc can handle 8 hours prime, then it'll handle anything

RickST · 13 Nov 2008 at 19:12

thanks fishfishfish

just managed to get oc'd using similar specs to you, gave me somthing to aim for... just running prime now... been on for 1/2 hour at 58c will keep an eye on it for the next few hours, quite excited

fishfishfish · 13 Nov 2008 at 19:14

Fingers crossed for you RickSri.

RickST · 13 Nov 2008 at 23:35

Well... i got bored after 4 hours of prime.. the temp didnt move about 60c so thats good.... just ran 3dmark got just over 20k so im happy with that....

one question fish - your ram - is it 6400 or 8500?

fishfishfish · 14 Nov 2008 at 08:08

Excellent. Glad to hear that it worked. I've using 4GB of GEIL Evo One DDR2 RAM @ 1066MHz, CAS 5, 2.2V.

jonnylaris · 14 Nov 2008 at 09:45

My Settings for 4122mhz stable

CPU Clock = 4122mhz
CPU Ratio Setting = 8.5
FSB Frequency = 485
FSB Strap to NB = 400
DRAM = 970
DRAM timing = Manual
CPU voltage = 1.40
DRAM voltage = 2.0
NB voltage = 1.4
FSB VTT = 1.4
PLL = 1.54
LLC = Enabled

Not recommended for 24/7 allthough I run it a lot for benchies and it is 100% stable

.

For 24/7 use I use these settings:

CPU Clock = 4003mhz
CPU Ratio Setting = 8.5
FSB Frequency = 471
FSB Strap to NB = 400
DRAM = 942
DRAM timing = Manual
CPU voltage = 1.362
DRAM voltage = 2.0
NB voltage = 1.36
FSB VTT = 1.36
PLL = 1.54
LLC = Enabled

fishfishfish · 14 Nov 2008 at 10:09

Must try these settings, Johnny!

Sayso · 14 Nov 2008 at 14:58

gotta say johnny has a good chip there mine needs 1.36Vcore to be stable at 3.8Ghz

RickST · 14 Nov 2008 at 17:31

stop temping me dammit... just got happy with 3.7 now i can see 4ghz on the horizon

Edit....
thought about it for 5 seconds.... upgrading ram on pay day then its 4ghz time

fishfishfish · 18 Nov 2008 at 20:54

I've bumped my 'clock up to 4GHz with Johnny's settings and it's running nicely.

RickST · 18 Nov 2008 at 20:56

better up date your sig

fishfishfish · 18 Nov 2008 at 21:14

Ah, yes. Will do!

CaptainRAVE · 19 Nov 2008 at 10:16

Going to try that myself. My Q9550 is stuck at 3.65Ghz, however I haven't fine tuned it that much. I have a Tuniq Tower rather than the Noctuna. Will post here when I have tested it!

My RAM is 8500...haven't really made use of it yet