I think my CPU is wrong

robfosters · 9 Dec 2010 at 02:19

I am looking to overclock my Q6600 when I get a new cooler (on order) as my system was running very slow.

I had a quick look at the bios and the FSB is 266mhz, and the multiplier is 6.

A more detailed glance sees that the bios is detecting a 1.6ghz cpu????

I know myself thats not right. How the hell could this have happened. I dont remember changing anything from when it was 2.4ghz???

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 9 Dec 2010 at 02:34

When the CPU is not under load SpeedStep will lower the clockspeed to reduce power consumption.

cmndr_andi · 9 Dec 2010 at 02:38

Aye, its speedstep.

As you see, the multiplier is only 6 (the maximum for the Q6600 is 9). When you put the CPU under some load (like running OCCT) you will see the multiplier and clockspeed jump up to the correct levels.

Rroff · 9 Dec 2010 at 02:40

BIOS should still see it as 2.4gig tho - either its set to x6 multi in the BIOS or speedstep/C1E has messed up somehow.

robfosters · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:03

Yes, it's 6 in the bios.

Should I change it to 9?

And for the OC, I push the fsb up to 333. Is that correct?

danceforfreedom · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:08

Open CPUz if you have it,

On your desktop you should see in CPUz its running at its lower speed, then run something demanding in the background and you should the multiplier jump up.

If you don't as like Rroff said BIOS should still see higher speed set the multiplier to 9x in bios.

I've got an AMD chip but it has the same feature, in the POST screen it shows the high speed and the bios setting is the highest multiplier it has, it clocks down from this and not up from a low multiplier setting in the bios if you know what I mean.

robfosters · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:12

Yes it jumps to 9X multi.

But should the bios still read it as a 2.4 chip? It did before.

cmndr_andi · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:15

robfosters said:
Yes it jumps to 9X multi.

But should the bios still read it as a 2.4 chip? It did before.

So does it show 2.4GHz in CPUz when under heavy CPU load?

robfosters · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:17

cmndr_andi · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:18

robfosters said:
yep

Ok, well it sounds like it is working OK.

Where exactly in the BIOS does it say that it is 1.6GHz?

Also, may I ask what motherboard make and model number you have?

robfosters · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:20

On the POST. Says Q6600 detected at 1.6GHZ

Gigabyte G31M-ES2L

cmndr_andi · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:28

Ah, its during POST, not in the BIOS menus themselves?

Does it say something like "Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 1.6GHz" ?

robfosters · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:29

cmndr_andi said:
Ah, its during POST, not in the BIOS menus themselves?

Does it say something like "Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 1.6GHz" ?

yes, exactly!

cmndr_andi · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:31

In that case I'm pretty sure you are OK, so long as it does ramp up to 2.4GHz while under load.

Out of interest, what does it say for the CPU speed in Windows > System (properties)?

robfosters · 9 Dec 2010 at 03:33

Says its running at 2.4ghz. Same in device manager. All 4 cores running at 2.4.

Guess i'm all right then. Thanks for your help.

Will still raise the bios multiplier to 9 when I get the new cooler. See if it then shows up as 2.4 in post.

koooowweeee · 9 Dec 2010 at 10:03

i would set it to 9 anyway.

HazardO · 9 Dec 2010 at 10:43

koooowweeee said:
i would set it to 9 anyway.

Why? Speedstep is good, when the OP isn't hammering his CPU, it will use less power.

koooowweeee · 9 Dec 2010 at 11:27

HazardO said:
Why? Speedstep is good, when the OP isn't hammering his CPU, it will use less power.

will use speedstep anyway i didnt say turn it off just said i would set it to 9 anyway

Muel · 9 Dec 2010 at 11:59

It automatically scales down to 6 when it's idling, and up to 9 when it's not. He's already stated that when he puts it under load it goes up as it should. The CPU is working fine.