Have i reached my limit?

Derek W · 15 Jun 2009 at 20:45

Hi,

Previously I thought I'd managed to reach 3.6ghz overclocking my q9550 c1 stepping since I ran prime95 over half an hour and thought I was in good steading for a stable clock but recently I downloaded intel burning test and it failed around the 3rd or 4th run.

So I went back to basics, reset the cpu down to 2.83ghz and ran the ibt again stepping up 0.2ghz at a time up till 3.4ghz and after 5 passes each time successfully ran with no errors.

Current set up in my sig and the ram spec are corsair cm3x2g1333c9dhx at 1333Mhz so have i reached my OC limit?

By the way this is my first real attempt at overclocking so I'm not 100per cent sure on what to alter to increase the speed up any more.

Temps on load are mid to high 50s so I know there is room to clock more

aries2580 · 15 Jun 2009 at 20:47

From what I have read, you need to be running prime for 10+ hours to really see if a system is stable

NAM_killer · 15 Jun 2009 at 20:57

what was the vcore?

Derek W · 15 Jun 2009 at 20:59

I'd agree with you on that front cos I've seen folk running it for 8hrs + but I also read running it for half an hour would give an indication since normally if a system will fail it will fail sooner rather than later. I also read though that the intel burning test was a better test than running prime for 8hrs?

Derek W · 15 Jun 2009 at 21:00

NAM_killer said:
what was the vcore?

in cpu-z the core voltage is reading 1.6 although when i was at 3.6ghz i had it set to 1.25 in the BIOS

setter · 15 Jun 2009 at 21:01

Ibt is certainly quicker, but i like to run both just for good measure.

aries2580 · 15 Jun 2009 at 21:09

I like to use OCCT.
It gives you some nice wee graphs at the end of each test so you can check for any weird goings on in the voltage department.

I like to use the VTT before vcore if you want to push for moar!
Umm since its a quad try working with the GTL too.

This guide might help yah
Sexy cool guide (id advise for your final test let prime run overnight)

aries2580 · 15 Jun 2009 at 21:12

love that image

NAM_killer · 15 Jun 2009 at 21:13

Derek W said:
in cpu-z the core voltage is reading 1.6 although when i was at 3.6ghz i had it set to 1.25 in the BIOS

turn off vdroop and try raising the vcore little by little, remembering to do a stability test after each successful boot into windows, if it fails the stability test, increase the vcore, if it passes, increase the overclock until you are happy with the overclock you have. For your information, the q9550s max safe temp is 71c, intels suggested max vcore is 1.3625 and TJmax is 95c
Good luck with your overclock!

Derek W · 15 Jun 2009 at 21:29

Hmm think I need to read up on some stuff before going any further :confused:

Like i said I'm a bit of a noob at this so aries2580 and NAM_killer have just confused me

aries2580 · 15 Jun 2009 at 21:46

lol sorry, well do check out that guide I posted above.

and this one too

Guide 2

Derek W · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:18

aries2580 said:
lol sorry, well do check out that guide I posted above.

and this one too

Guide 2

Dont apologise, like everything new you've got to read up on stuff before mastering it so I know what I've got to do

Will check out the two guides along with the sticky to understand what you were meaning