Overclocking problem (?) - any ideas

GingaNinja · 8 Nov 2007 at 09:37

Hi guys. So I just upgraded from an AMD3800+ X2 to a Q6600 (G0), and I'm pretty pleased with the results. However, I don't seem to be able to get beyond 300 fsb (9x, so 2.7GHz). I've tried lowering the multiplier to 8x and upping the voltage to see if I can get a higher fsb, but it just locks up by 305 or above. The machine performs pretty good at 2.7GHz (3DM06 score ~12200), but I was hoping for at least 3GHz.

Specs are as follows: Q6600 (G0), Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, ECS NF650iSLIT-A, 2x1024 generic DDR2 800 ram (not overclocked), Hyper-R 580W PSU, Albatron 8800GTX.

I know the mobo is a bit on the, erm, cheap side, but I wasn't hoping for stellar overclocks or anything, and online reviews suggest that this board should be able to reach 350, which would be more than enough for me.

Any thoughts?

Ginga

Columbo · 8 Nov 2007 at 11:22

Bios update might be in order if its not already been done.

But I also notice that your RAM is 'Generic', this could be holding you back. What speed is your RAM running when your CPU is at 2.7ghz?

Generally so called 'Generic Ram' has very little room for Overclocking.

GingaNinja · 8 Nov 2007 at 11:29

Yeah - might need to update the BIOS. Has helped with other mobos. Regarding the ram, point taken, but I have it set in BIOS to run at 800MHz (the BIOS seems to adjust the ram divider to get a value as close to 800 as possible). You've got me thinking though. Maybe I need to set the ram to run a bit lower. Will try that later.

Thanks for the response!

Ginga

Cob · 8 Nov 2007 at 16:30

It's a 650i board so you should be able to unlink the memory to keep it at 800mhz.

But I'm not sure how well the ECS 650i board clocks quads. An up-to-date BIOS may help a little, but I doubt you'll get much more out of it.

GingaNinja · 8 Nov 2007 at 16:39

Yeah - I have it unlinked in BIOS. I might just have to be satisfied with 2.7GHz. It seems funny to me, though, that it's perfectly stable under load at 300 (at stock volts or even undervolted a bit) but at 305 it won't even POST. I'd like to try running the ram well within spec (700 or something) and see if that gives me any joy. Thx!

Ginga

GingaNinja · 8 Nov 2007 at 17:54

Well, I'm at a loss. Nothing I do will allow the fsb to go above 300. I've tried lowering the CPU multi to 8, increasing all the voltages, lowering the ratio on the ram - nothing works. I guess I'll just have to be satisfied with 2.7GHz.

Ginga