Overclocking Q6600 G0

WingZero30 · 11 Oct 2010 at 23:09

Hi guys

I have a Q6600 G0, 1.2625V VID. I was interested in overclocking the cpu to 3.0GHz from 2.4GHz (stock speed). I kept the Vcore to 1.2625V in bios (stock voltage). Here are my preliminary results with Prime 95 running for about 10-15mins.

Q6600@ 3.0Ghz

CPU-Z readings:

Idle 1.200V
Load 1.168V (Prime 95)

Idle 1.200V
Load 1.168V EIST Disabled

Idle 1.232V
Load 1.216V Load Line Calibration Enabled, EIST Disabled

Now looking at those figures EIST enabling/disabling doesn't seem to be making difference although I experience quite a high Vdrop/Vdroop compared to Bios setting.
However when I turn on the Load Line calibration(LLC) there is improvement in Vdroop and Vdrop.Also the multi seems to be fluctuating now between X6 and X9 even though C1E is enabled. It seems that LLC is somehow interfering with C1E.

I wanted to ask should I overclock my cpu with LLC enabled. Doesn't it seem more viable to use LLC with which hopefully I can get better overclock for the same voltage rather than upping the Vcore in Bios which would be like pushing more voltage through cpu and experiencing high Vdroop thus making my overclock more unstable (if you know what I mean)?

Many thanks

.

MouthBoy · 12 Oct 2010 at 01:18

WingZero30 said:
Also the multi seems to be fluctuating now between X6 and X9 even though C1E is enabled.

Disable Speedstep in the bios

WingZero30 · 12 Oct 2010 at 01:28

smeaney said:
Disable Speedstep in the bios

I did disable EIST speedstep in bios. Anyway I reckon I will need load line calibration for overclocking as I experience a large Vdroop/vdrop of 0.1V regardless of vcore in bios. So if I set say 1.3875V in bios, I get 1.2850V under prime95 from CPU-Z reading and this makes my overclocking unstable.If the vcore in bios is 1.2625V then Vdroop goes to 1.168V in CPU-Z.

I was also testing my [email protected] with a vcore of 1.3500V in bios. When running prime95 it seemed stable enough until I reached coretemps of 70-75C and it gave me BSOD. I think I will need to invest in a new cpu cooler aswell as my current one is 'thermaltake big typhoon' which is old and I read somewhere not suitable for quad overclocking.

With LLC if Vcore in bios is 1.3500V, then Vcore in Cpu-Z shows 1.312V (under load) as opposed to 1.256V without LLC.

Evil-I · 12 Oct 2010 at 13:41

My Bios voltages and CPU-Z voltages never tied up with my Q6600. CPUz was alwas a fair lump lower. If i remember correctly I went as high as 1.4v on the CPU to reach 3.5Ghz, but brought that down to about 1.325 for my 24/7 overclock of 3.2Ghz (all stated voltage are set in bios, not what CPUZ was reporting).

If possible aim to have max load temperature around the 60-65 degree mark, I'm suprised your CPU cooler isn't working a bit better, just googled it and it seems a fairly lumpy thing with a 120mm fan?

How the rest of your case cooling? Its amazing how much difference just keeping your cabling tidy can make to your case airflow, and ultimately all your temperatures.

Evil-I · 12 Oct 2010 at 13:46

Hi WingZero,

If you do replace your CPU cooler, I'd happily buy your gentle typhoon, would be perfect for one of my media centres.

FYI I ran a thermaright Ultra120 (lapped) on my Q6600 (also lapped) using a single Noctua 120mm fan. Not a praticularly cheap setup, but worked well.

WingZero30 · 12 Oct 2010 at 17:27

Evil-I said:
If i remember correctly I went as high as 1.4v on the CPU to reach 3.5Ghz, but brought that down to about 1.325 for my 24/7 overclock of 3.2Ghz (all stated voltage are set in bios, not what CPUZ was reporting).

If possible aim to have max load temperature around the 60-65 degree mark, I'm suprised your CPU cooler isn't working a bit better, just googled it and it seems a fairly lumpy thing with a 120mm fan?

How the rest of your case cooling? Its amazing how much difference just keeping your cabling tidy can make to your case airflow, and ultimately all your temperatures.

What is your Q6600 VID?

The 'Thermaltake Big Typhoon' is a very good cpu cooler but it is mainly for dual core processors afaik. It managed to overclock my E6600 to 3.2-3.4Ghz (1.3250V VID) requiring 1.3875V although the sweet spot was 3.20GHz and temps never went higher than 65C with intel burn test.

With my Q6600 G0 (1.2625V VID) I can easily reach 3.0GHz on the stock voltage and temps never go higher than 62C. However when I push my overclock over 3.0GHz especially at 3.4GHz , then the temps hit the roof and easily reach over 75C and I get BSOD. Then the 'big typhoon' seems to show it's limitations. Yes it is massive

.

Evil-I said:
Hi WingZero,

If you do replace your CPU cooler, I'd happily buy your gentle typhoon, would be perfect for one of my media centres.

FYI I ran a thermaright Ultra120 (lapped) on my Q6600 (also lapped) using a single Noctua 120mm fan. Not a praticularly cheap setup, but worked well.

I was planning on selling the 'big typhoon' on ebay but will keep your request in mind

. I am looking at either Akasa Venom cooler or Thermalright Silver Arrow as my new cooler but can't make up my mind. I want to overclock my Q6600 to 3.4GHz.