E6600, can't get stable at 3.6ghz (400x9) FPO#L632B086

[smsmasters]

E6600, can't get stable at 3.6ghz (400x9) FPO#L632B086

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My cpu is an e6600 FPO#L632B086
Motherboard is ASUS P5B Deluxe Wifi
Cooler is Arctic Freezer 7 Pro

Here are the overclock settings I have tested so far:

I have found that I am stable at 3.2ghz @ 1.3V either 400x8 or 356x9. At this voltage, my temps as reported by core temp are 33C idle, 54C load.

I have successfully tried 3.6ghz (400x9) but I get errors in the first seconds/minutes of orthos. Even a voltage increase to 1.5v does not improve stability. I have even tried upping the SB, NB, FSB voltages but I still get errors in orthos.

Any advice please how to get my cpu stable at 3.6ghz? I can boot into windows fine at <1.38V 3.6ghz (400x9) but I get errors in orthos.

I think I have a good chip, but I think I just need to find the perfect settings to get it stable at 3.6ghz.

 

[smsmasters]

In response to the posts above:

My PSU is a hiper 480W (530W Peak)

My memory is fine I think since I can run 400x8. I guess I need more volts at load to get 3.6ghz.

I will try the vcore pencil mod. If I set 1.3V in the BIOS, it is 1.27V as reported by speedfan at idle. Under load it droops to ~1.25V.

I did try 400x9 (1.5V) but my load temps were around 70C!

 

[smsmasters]

Is it best to just test with orthos using small ffts or large or blend?

 

[smsmasters]

Anyway, I upped the vcore to 1.5125V (1.45V droop under 100% load) and I've been running orthos for 20mins so far...

Here's a screenshot. I think 1.5125V should be safe? ~70C load.

 

[smsmasters]

Orthos has been running 3hrs 34mins now, still no errors

 

[smsmasters]

5hrs so far, I'll stop here.

 

[smsmasters]

I decided to stay at 356x9 1.3V stable to keep my temps down.

Idle 33C
Load 54C

 

[smsmasters]

I found out my side intake fan was blowing air out instead of in.

Now my temps at load are 62-64C as reported by TAT when running orthos. Idle is 30C with EIST.

I also did the pencil mod and the cpu core voltage is a steady 1.43V at idle and load.

I guess I'll be sticking with 400x9 (3.6ghz) @ 1.43V.

 

[smsmasters]

Glad u found your sweet spot dude

Just a thought - they say 400fsb is where the NB is stressed highest on that mobo. Have you tried 401 as a matter of interest?

Yes, I've tried 401 but the memory latency tests in everest were slower. About 60ns compared to 55.1ns.

I've been running orthos for 4 hours now 15/15 rounds with no errors. I think it's pretty much stable enough for my needs.

 

[smsmasters]

Using a 632B here and mine runs rock solid with 1.46 volts at 3.6 orthos stable. 1600/800 1T 4-4-4-12 Synch P5N32 E SLI 680

Most 6600 seem to do 3.6 now but the key is doing 3.6 at low volts. Still waiting to find a good one after selling my gem to Jay, lol.

Still working well m8 ??

My cpu is running well. So fast. I can encode a whole album in 20 seconds to ogg format. I'm simply in awe at the power. I found the lowest stable voltage for my e6600 @ 3.6ghz is 1.43V. Anyone got any ideas how to make it stable at lower voltages?

Remember: "With great power comes great responsibility."

 

[smsmasters]

I just cant get my head around why some people buy more then 1 chip because they cant get a decent clock when 2.8ghz is plenty to start off with. its mental!

It's because in this world we live in, some people are eager to get as much as they can for what they pay for.

 

[smsmasters]

only option = find a better processor, there's not really anything you can do bar exotic cooling.

3.6ghz @ 1.43 you should be pretty happy with that.

not as nice as my 6600 @ 3.7 1.38v but hey you're not far away

What VID does coretemp say for your cpu?

Mine says 1.325V VID, I guess your cpu has a lower voltage at default.

 

[smsmasters]

I guess the trick to find a great overclocking core 2 duo cpu is the one that has the lower VID to start with.

 

[smsmasters]

I've just replaced the stock 120mm exhaust fan from my thermaltake soprano case with an Antec Tricool 120mm led at full rpm and my load temps in orthos are ~60-66C.


Not bad I'm now below 70C, I'm going to see if I can lower the voltage some more.