Newbie question - Q6600

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Yo guys, just a quick question since I’m getting my ram that I RMA’D tomorrow so I’m going to take this chance to also overclock my processor. My specs:

Ram: Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 HyperX T1 Memory Kit CL5 2.2V x2 (Will set this to 1066MHz once I get the other two sticks tomorrow)

Mobo: ASRock P43DE

Graphics Card: GeForce 9500GT 1GB (I will be upgrading this next time I get cash)

Heatsink: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro rev 2 Socket 775, 1156, 1155, 1366, AM2, AM3 Heatpipe CPU Cooler

Processor: Q6600 @ 2.4GHz

Here is CPU-Z info on my processor:

Here are my temps with 20mins of prime95 at max:

I’ve been reading quite a bit on OC’n and I don’t really wish to go big, I just want to get a nice stable 3GHz or 3.2GHz without messing with too much. I’m just making this quick post to get suggestions and stuff and also to find the easy way to do it without messing about too much ^_^.

 

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Depending on what mem dividers are available:

355 x 9 = 3195, 2:3 divider = 1064 mem
400 x 8 = 3200, 3:4 divider = 1066 mem
427 x 7.5 = 3202, 4:5 divider = 1068 mem

The second the best.

Mem deviders?

 

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For a basic 3GHz overclock the only change you'll probably need to make is increasing the FSB to 333MHz. 3.2GHz (FSB to 355MHz) should be possible with not much more than a slight increase to the cpu voltage.

You can leave the memory to look after itself while you get a feel for how far you can easily push the processor.

You can play with memory dividers later if you want to.

Personally I prefer to leave SpeedStep, and the other power saving features, enabled.

Thanks, I just want to get 3GHz or 3.2GHz, thanks for clearing it up how easy that is. I tried to set my ram to the 1066MHz before but I couldn't find the option. I'll mess around in the bios when my ram gets here and I install it etc.

 

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Just put the FSB to 333, OC'd to 3GHz. Booted fine.

Still running a Prime95 test, just hit the 40mins mark now. I will download IBT to make sure aswell in a bit. Oh i'm also viewing blu-ray content aswell since i'm bored lol.

 

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Ran IBT for 10mins or so then BSOD, didn't get to see the BSOD but the system just restarted. Not sure if I was using the right settings. (Windows said the error was a BSOD when I logged back on)

 

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Have you changed any voltages?

Nope, was told I wont need to due to it's only a small OC. Also my core voltages move from 1.224 V to 1.280 V.

 

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First of all download coretemp program and tell us what is your VID (stock voltage)?

Secondly if I am correct you are running 8GB of ram, basically 4 sticks of 2GB each?

Thirdly what is your RAM speed at the moment?

DDR2 1066MHz is basically overclocked DDR2 800MHz which is rated to run at 1.8v. Usually to stabilise DDR2 1066MHz, you need to up the DRAM voltage to 2.0v atleast.

Hey mate, thanks for the reply!

My VID is (Was just gaming so the temps are highish):

Yes I am running 8GB ram, 4 sticks at 2GB each.

Here is a picture of my ram and what it is currently set too, if it's wrong tell me.

 

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Click on 'Memory' tab and tell us the DRAM frequency. Those values are just JEDEC specifications and not indicative of your current memory settings although your ram specifications in top left is correct.

 

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So your RAM is running at 416MHz (DDR2 832MHz).

Your current memory divider ratio is 4:5. In your bios this will be known as 'Strap FSB to MCH' which will display your current DDR2 speed.

Is this how your bios overclock tabs look like?

Yes!

 

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So should I change the 'Strap FSB to MCH' to [1066] ?

 

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Good to know.

I will be back in 5 mins then we can start the overclocking process.

One thing I must say is that I have Gigabyte P45 mobo whose bios is slightly different from your Asrock one. So I will need your help/input aswell when dealing with some of the options .

That's fine mate! Thanks a lot for helping so far .

 

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Does it allow you to change those values?

I'll go boot into the bios quick and check, and if it does should I change them?

 

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i'll wait for your reply before I do so lol.

 

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Strap FSB to MCH is predefined by memory divider ratios with 4:5 being one of them. Since those ratios are preset and RAM speed is dependant on cpu FSB you may not get 1066MHz depending on the ratio and your current FSB speed.

2ndly since you are running 4 ram sticks, the P43 northbridge (MCH or NB) chipset is placed under more stress and you may have more difficulty stabilising your overclocked system. Do you have NB voltage option? I can see the SB (southbridge) voltage option in that pic.


3rdly afaik your VID is 2nd highest with 1.325v being the highest VID of Q6600. So this means that you may need more cpu voltage to stabilise at higher overclock speeds.

Ok I understand that but should I try to set it to 1066?

I will have to boot into the bios and take a picture for you.

Understandable but all I really want is a stable 3000MHz, that's all I wish for and I don't wish to go higher.

 

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Good to know. For [email protected]

Ok this is what I suggest:

-DRAM Frequency: what does it change to?
-Overclock mode: Manual
-CPU Frequency: 333MHz
-PCIE Frequency: 100MHz
-Strap FSB to MCH: Try changing that value?
-CPU Voltage: Try 1.35v
-Dram voltage: Change to 2.0v if you want higher than DDR2 1000MHZ

Leave the rest on auto

Edit: Tell what the values in DRAM frequency and Strap FSB to MCH change to? Also disable INtel Speed Step.

Just wrote all that down on a bit of paper mate, going to try it now. Brb!

 

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Gah my system took a couple tries to boot up, and now it seems it has set everything back to default. one moment while I upload pictures

 

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Here are the options for the Strap FSB to MCH:

 

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I presume vcore of 1.296v is the actual/idle voltage going through your Q6600. Can you check cpu-z what idle voltage it is displaying?

I don't understand why FSB strap to MCH is displaying the actual ram values which is meant to be displayed by DRAM frequency option at the top.

Did you save the settings in bios. Also turn off/disable Intel Speed Step.

I think go in bios and check what values are you getting in DRAM Frequency option rather than leaving it on auto. Also see what impact FSB strap to MCH is having on DRAM Frequency.

Also the intel speed step is disabled.

 

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So vcore of 1.296v isn't much different from cpu-z idle voltage. There will always be slight difference in the way it is reported.

Intel Speed Step in your bios seems to be on auto. Was this the only other option apart from enabling it?

As said before go in bios and look at DRAM Frequency values and see what impact 'Strap FSB to MCH' has on them when you change it .

Having trouble restarting now, it takes a couple tries then it uses the default settings. the settings I edited in the bios are still there but it boots with default settings.

 

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also just noticed the intel speedstep is on auto, would disabling it help?