Overclocking a Q9450

e36Adz · 24 Dec 2008 at 20:53

What is the maximum safe voltage for one of these cpus?

Just picked one up today and need some help overclocking it, what bios settings do I need to change manually.

Spec:

Asus Maximus Formula
Q9450 (freezer 7 pro)
4GB OCZ DDR2 PC2-8000
8800GTX OC

e36Adz · 25 Dec 2008 at 03:03

With PC probe I get temp readings of ~25-30C, however with Core Temp is shows the temp of each core at ~40C, which of these is most accurate and what is a safe temp for the Q9450.

It is stable @ 3.4Ghz which is fine by me, CPU voltage @ 1.260 and its just the temp I am worried about. Running prime saw it rise to 70C in Core Temp :eek:

RJC · 25 Dec 2008 at 10:19

Use Core temp, this will read the actual diode temps within each core.
PC Probe proberly will read the socket temperature or by the IHS.
I would keep the temperature around 70c max, what cooler are you using.

e36Adz · 25 Dec 2008 at 14:18

RJC said:
Use Core temp, this will read the actual diode temps within each core.
PC Probe proberly will read the socket temperature or by the IHS.
I would keep the temperature around 70c max, what cooler are you using.

I am using a Freezer 7 Pro, and temps idle around the 40C mark, it was only when running prime they hit into the 60s and 1 core hit 70C!

Cob · 26 Dec 2008 at 10:37

Recommended maximum safe 24/7 voltages (as shown in Windows, not set in BIOS) for a Q9450 are -

Vcore - 1.4v
PLL - 1.6v
FSB Term/VTT - 1.4v

The latter two are the most dangerous for 45nm chips, especially in the non-friendly-to 45nm quad X38 boards. Tweak your GTL's first before thinking about exceeding those limits.