n00b warning! Overclocking QX6700 with MSI P7N Diamond

Jack Hammer

Jack Hammer

Jack Hammer

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7 Jun 2010
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I am new to overclocking although I have been reading up on and off for years.

Currently I have,

CPU - QX6700 (Currently at 2.9Ghz Undervolted) (Coolit ECO ALC @ 35 degrees Celcius)
RAM - OCZ DDR3 1600Mhz Reaper (7-7-7-24, 4 x 2Gb)
GPU - 8800 GTS x 2 (640Mb (Primary with added cooler, Secondary with stock)

MoBo - MSI P7N Diamond (790i)

I am unsure of things such as FSB to RAM, etc. Also to whether they should be linked, unlicked, etc. If anyone can help me and advise what settings to try would be very helpful.
 
Ah, thank you! I think I have tried OCing with linked RAM to FSB and hence why I could only OC on the multiplier.

I know this CPU is failry old now, I bought it quite a few years ago. Though I cannot afford a rebuild so I just upgraded the RAM, after the old failed, case, cooling and the motherboard.

What would I set the FSB to? I am always confused between the numbers and to whether higher is better. I know it is stupid... Currently the FSB is 1067Mhz and you recommended 360? (I am sorry I get confused easily)

I want to set the RAM to 1600Mhz (It's highest stock) though the MSI P7N Diamond motherboard says in BIOS only available upto 1400? Even though the specification of said motherboard is 1600Mhz RAM.

Also I set my RAM to 1.65V even though it's recommended at 1.7V and with all 8Gb of RAM Windows, Linux and all software doesn't function correctly. Could this of been the cause? Also will I have to up the voltage on the DIMMs as I increase the frequency? If so would what would be the highest setting without risk of damaging mobo, CPU, etc.?

I am not sure what would kill my CPU...

ChrisLandin said:
Storage: Raptors Raid0 & 1TB
Click to expand...

I can beat that...

1 x SATA 320Gb
2 x SATA 750Gb
1 x SATA RAID0 3 x 330Gb (890Gb)
1 x Drobo BeyondRAID 3 x 1.5Tb (3.2Tb)
1 x ESATA RAID0 5 x 1.5Tb (7Tb)

Also bought another 1.5Tb disc because I was worried one of my current ones was corrupted.

You can see where the money for a new processor went can't you?
;)
 
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ChrisLandin said:
Are you using an asus mobo?
Click to expand...

No, I am using an MSI P7N Diamond (790i) and OCZ DDR3 (1600mhz). My limitations in the BIOS say 1400mhz for RAM. I will try the RAM at 1333mhz, though I have to wait until I getting running stable with all my RAM.

ChrisLandin said:
Liking all the drives but what the hell for lol
Click to expand...

You always need HDD space!

I was wondering if you could help me with a more underlying problem. It turns out the BIOS and BIOS applications run just fine with all 8Gb of RAM installed. When it gets to the BOOTMGR, Windows, Linux or any software running under those it says it is corrupt as it is having problems with the RAM. Under 4Gb of RAM everything runs smoothely and properly: Though often I have to end up reinstalling everything as using 8Gb corrupted some of the files.

I have tested all four DIMM slots with all four RAM DIMMs they all work in any dual configuration. I have run memtest86+ from BOOT and all 8Gb of RAM have been tested without a single failure. So I am thinking it must be the way my RAM is configured that is wrong. Unfortunatly I don't know what at all is the matter.

The only options I see in the BIOS relate to:
RAM Voltage (1.75V (Recommended 1.7V))
RAM Timings (7-7-7-24 (Recommended 7-7-7-24))
RAM Frequency (1066Mhz (Recommended 1600Mhz)

To which I have set the RAM to it's recommended settings except for the frequency. At first I did not set the voltage and it was automatic which caused complete RAM failure and to crash, as opposed to now where it just mislays files in the RAM causing corruption (Or at least that is what I believe). So perhaps my current voltage of 1.75V is not high enough? Should I try setting all the RAM settings to automatic and see whether it will configure the 8Gb automatically? I am running out of ideas though.

EDIT: Also Windows recognises all 8Gb of RAM I don't know about Linux as that would crash on install. Booting just fine with CPU 1066 and RAM 1333 (Although still only 4Gb).
 
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Not to worry I have solved the problem!

The cause: Me being a complete tool...

Troubleshooting:
Is it plugged in? Yes
Is it plugged in correctly? No...

Turns out like I said before the DIMMs and DIMM slots were fine, hence passing all testing. Turns out I put them in pairs of 1+1 and 2+2 instead of 1+2 and 1+2.What is my rubbish excuse? The serial numbers on the RAM are holographic and hard to read...

No wonder it could never find anything and the images were distorted! The addressing was askew. I feel like a complete and utter idiot, spending almost a week getting so frustrated because I can put RAM in correctly! I ish a PC wizzard and piracy wus my idea!
 
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