Beginner to Overclocking Q6600

WastedWrath · 22 Mar 2010 at 17:47

So, I have had my:
Q6600 G0 Kentsfield (stock) (30C at idle)
P5q Deluxe mobo
4gb 800mhz OCz

for a couple of months now and I have decided to overclock. The thing is I can't find a guide that will tell me the way to do it, I've learnt about voltages and this and that and other people motherboards and processors but none which make me confident in manually overclocking myself.

I've got ASUS Ai booster but have seen people criticise it, All I need to know is, does overclocking my CPU include me reducing the speed of my RAM, and increasing something on my motherboard?
What are safe increments on CPU frequency?
What should my CPU ratio(multiplier) be?
If anyone could help me, especially people who have had experience with the Q6600 or the P5q I'd be very grateful.
Thanks.

EDIT: looking to make at least 3 ghz with stock cooling, anymore would be great.

Lee · 22 Mar 2010 at 19:11

I have a Q6600 at 3Ghz, running fine for over 2 years (1st overclock). To be honest, all I did was up the FSB to 333 with the x9 multiplier. I didn't need to change anything else if I recall. According to CPU-Z, my Core Voltage is 1.168V.

Try doing it in increments of 20 FSB, and fully test stability with prime, monitoring your CPU temps. If it crashes up the core voltage a little and try again.

I'm no expert mind, but that worked for me. I'm sure someone with more experience on these forums will have some other suggestions.

WastedWrath · 22 Mar 2010 at 20:19

Thanks for the advice. Tried this method (increased FSB from 266 to 286) but unfortunately running Small FFT's on Prime95 shot my CPU up to 100C whilst it is usually 60C at load. Is this due to my stock cooler or another factor?

Lee · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:10

A bit too toasty is that. What CPU cooler are you using ?

Just noticed, you're using the stock cooler. That'll be your problem. Suggest you look at getting a decent CPU cooler if you are looking to overclock. There's plenty advice on these forums for which ones peform best. I've got a Tuniq Tower 120, works ok, but I'm not totally happy with my temps. The fan in is on it's way out though, so hopefully when the replacment fan arrives tomorrow I should be in a better place.

WastedWrath · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:25

I looked around and have seen that people are running up to 3ghz on stock with temps running max 70C, but anyway thanks for the advice looks like I'll have to buy a cooler, I had the artic cooler 7 pro suggested to me a while back but I might have to go for the Corsair H50.

UFX · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:34

You sure your your hsf is seated correctly? I'd have thought thats pretty high jump for just such a small increase.