Interesting Overclock data Quad G0 6600

vwgolfman

vwgolfman

vwgolfman

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Interesting Overclock data and queries

In the last few days I have been attempting some Overclocking but need your help/advice as I am rather a beginner.

Abit iX38 Quad-GT
Intel Core 2 Quad-Core G0 Q6600
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX DDR2 XMS2 Dominator, PC2-8500 (1066)
Zalman CNPS9700-LED Super Aero Flower Cooler

I wish to run my CPU at 3GHz minimum (instead of 2.4GHz stock) and my RAM at 1066MHz.

I am using CoreTemp and Prime95 to monitor/test.

The main problem I am having is that I can't get both to happen at the same time.
i.e. I can either run my RAM at 1066MHz and CPU @ 2.4GHz or RAM at 800MHz and CPU @ 3GHz or greater.

Please see my results below and make any comments on things I should know.
Thank you for your time.
By the way @400FSB my temps were 73, 66, 66, 72 and I didn't really want to go any higher with my VCore.

Image1.gif
 
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Is it true that at higher FSB's the divider has to be set lower?
Why is this?

Could future revisions of the BIOS enable higher dividers to work?

What do I actually have to do to get the CPU at 3GHz minimum and the RAM at 1066MHz?
Would ANY RAM/Mobo combination be able to achieve this with the G0 Quad 6600 CPU?

Could there be different RAM which WOULD work at say 1 : 1.5 ?
i.e. enabling my RAM to run @1000MHz with a 333FSB and 3GHz CPU (X9)?
If so I might be prepared to purchase some more.

Before I purchased some were advising I purchase lower latency 800MHz RAM instead of 1066MHz RAM.
I was under the impression that I would have no problem running the 1066MHz (decent RAM and decent Mobo) but was I sadly mistaken?
 
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For starters you are undervolting your ram. Iirc it should be run at 2.2v to run stock settings of 1066 5-5-5-15. If your ram is not able to run at its stock settings then it could be faulty but I doubt it. Corsair is usually very robust, reliable memory and as previously stated you should up the vdimm a touch to at least stock settings before even considering the ram as faulty.

You may also want to consider giving your memory controller a helping hand by upping the NB voltage a touch.

With memory speeds getting faster and faster it is not true that you HAVE to use a divider, although they do help in certain circumstances. Dividers are great for those who need to adjust the speed of there ram to within spec (or overclock) depending on FSB speed.

Future bios revisions could provide better dividers but I don't believe that is the problem here as you are undervolting and slightly underclocking your memory.
 
Hi w3bbo :)

In no way do I want to doubt you (I have seen a lot of posts by you and you are obviously an experienced overclocker ;))

However I think row 6 shows that the RAM CAN run at its stock settings doesn't it?

If the RAM is fine on row 6 (1066MHz) @ 2.15V I wonder why it doesn't like row 7 (833MHz) @ 2.15V?

The issue(s) seem to stem around the divider and it being too "high".

You mention that I don't HAVE to use a divider. Can you please tell me how I can get my RAM to 1066MHz with my CPU running at least at 3GHz?

How do I up my Northbridge voltage in order to aid my memory please?

THIS Corsair datasheet suggests that my RAM should run @1066MHz at 2.1V although the sticker on the sticks themselves states 5-5-5-15 @ 2.15V.

EDIT: I have just realised where you got the 2.2V from.
There are 2 different versions of the RAM (1.X and 2.X).
Version 1.X runs at 2.2V but I have version 2.X which runs at 2.1V.

A Corsair techie announced this on the Corsair "RAMGUY" forum.
 
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My voltage control figures are absolutely identical to those shown in the image.

I am currently running as per row 5 in the table in my original post.
I have checked the DDR2 voltage and set to AUTO gives me 1.85V.

Please tell me what you would like me to do.
 
The problem is m8 that when you increase FSB you also increase the stress on the northbridge, couple that with the fact that you are also undervolting the memory and most likely have not adjusted the mch (northbridge voltage) then it really isn't surprising you are having difficulties.

Change these values :

DDR2 Voltage 2.2v
MCh voltage 1.3v(may need more but increase in small increments to gain stability).

Set the memory on whatever divider gives you closest to stock speeds (1066), which obviously depends on you FSB and available dividers. That should help your memory out a little.

When you are stressing which test are you using, small,large or blend? Blend is best for memory.

Let us know how you get on.
 
w3bbo....

I have been using small FFT's for stressing the CPU.
I have never been able to pass a single Blend test (big RAM stress), even at stock speeds and slightly increased voltages until you suggested I up my NB a tadge.

Now @333FSB (X9 = 3GHz CPU)...........
Upping the NB to 1.3V has not only enabled me to pass my first Blend test but also to run a stable machine with a divider of 1:1.25 (833MHz RAM). Until now @333FSB the highest divider I have successfully used has been 1:1.2 (800MHz RAM).

I increased the divider further to 1:1.5 to up my RAM to 1000MHz but the machine was bordering death. I increased the NB a touch more and was able to run Blend. After a short while though I experienced a ROUND error.

I would be very surprised if I could get to 1066MHz without a real struggle.

For this reason I am considering ending it all (the overclocking that is :D)!

I was under the impression that purchasing a Mobo and CPU which would enable Overclocking and RAM which the Mobo could run at stock (1066MHz) would enable me to run things easily, smoothly and at fairly standard voltages.

My fault I suppose for not knowing enough about it before purchasing.

Can I take this opporunity to thank you and everybody who has helped me (I am still open to suggestions; not jacking in completely!).

Can I just ask two more questions....

1) If I decide to stick on operating my machine @333FSB with 1:1.2 divider (800MHz RAM) would the machine perform better with lower latency PC6400-800MHz RAM (4-4-4-12) than with the PC8500-1066MHz RAM (5-5-5-15) I am currently using?
I ask this because if so I might purchase some 800MHz RAM and forget about my efforts in getting to 1066MHz with a 3GHz OC'd CPU!

2) Would you recommend upping my NB a tadge even if I run my RAM at 800MHz for the simple reason being that it will not pass a Blend at the current value?

I look forward to your response.
 
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You are almost there m8, don't give up now. Overclocking takes patience and understanding.

Imo intel prefers higher bandwidth over tighter timings, whereas amd is the opposite, of course it also depends what applications you are running aswell.

A rounding error in prime does not mean your pc is near 'death', it simply means its made a computational error. You could probably run all your usual applications without a problem but the idea of prime is that it shows you have an as near as dammit 100% stability.

Another option you may want to consider is dropping the multiplier on your cpu to 8x and increasing the fsb to 375. This will still give you a 3 gig clockspeed but may give you better numbers in your dividers. As previously stated tho m8 you need to be patient and try a multitude of settings to see which settings work best for your particular setup and aims.

You may want to increase the VTT voltage a touch for high fsb's but it shouldn't harm increasing it regardless.

I'll say it again...DON'T GIVE UP - Keep trying!
 
Definitely don't give up. On paper that motherboard is outstanding for overclocking and for you to want to get your CPU to 3GHz is well within the bounds of possibility (25% free performance). You've pretty much got it cracked now anyway, from the look of it.

Add to that the fact that all of us learn a little about how the different boards overclock by studying these cases, and you've got to keep going. I haven't seen a lot of people working with the X38 boards, so you're practically the greatest living expert at the moment:p

I'm sure it won't take much more to get there.

EFFORT=RESULTS!
 
Well guys I've tried some more but.......

As you know I can get my CPU to 400FSB (3.6GHz) so that isn't a problem (other than my temps are a little high due to air cooling).

I can also get my RAM to perform correctly at 1066MHz at the stock (266FSB) for the CPU (2.4GHz).

What I cannot do is achieve BOTH.

I have just upped my VDIMM to 2.25V and Northbridge to 1.35V and with a 333FSB and 1:1.5 divider I was hoping to achieve 1000MHz with the RAM.

It wouldn't have it. It locked up in Blend.
Those voltages are rather high aren't they? Dare I go any higher?

I have tried higher FSB's at X8 multiplier but to no avail.
As I can get to 400FSB I don't think I need to touch my CPU VTT do I?
It is always the RAM which falls over.
 
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