Pre-Overclock Check

MADMAN69UK said:
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Changed the VCore to v1.40000, FSB Frequency to 333.
Saved and rebooted. PC no longer posts.

Are there any more options I need to be configuring? NB etc?
What's this FSB Strap to North Bridge?
 
You're 100% sure that SpeedStep is off right? With cpu-z open, run a prime small fft test and see if cpu-z shows the multi/clock speed of your cpu go up... this would mean SpeedStep is on. I mean you have specifically told the BIOS to use 9x and its on 6x, so can't think what else it would be?

Doubt it will work, but maybe try deleting the cpuz.ini file that is in your cpu-z folder, maybe its caching info or something (grabbing at straws really now :) ).
 
eh :-).

Firstly, reseat your cooler and reapply your thermal compound.
Secondly, flash your BIOS to the newest one.

Then set:
core voltage : 1.44v
ram/memory voltage: 2.1v
northbridge voltage: add 2 notches on top of what is it by default
Set CPU:RAM ratio to 1:1.25 or better make it unlink it and set memory to 800mhz and timings to 4-4-4-15 + command per clock to 2T.
Set FSB to 350 and CPU multiplier to x9.
C1E Disabled.
Speedstep Disable.
Autoshutdown on 80c.

If that doesnt work one of your components is messed up or you got very bad chip - test each stick of ram with memtest for 200% coverage.

If it does ....

Boot in.
Enjoy.
 
I thought I'd mention this since no one has yet, since your using 4 sticks the northbridge will require higher voltages to maintain the rated speed and timings. I will also state that I had major problems with my motherboard since it didn't have great cooling on the Northbridge and a small voltage increase caused it to become incredibly hot and would become unstable quickly and fail prime95, when the PC is on put your hand slightly over the Northbridge and ensure the temps aren't really hot (you shouldn't be able to feel any significant heat coming from it).

My advice unless you have good cooling on the Northbridge is to keep the Northbridge voltage at default and work around it for your overclock.

Good Luck
 
Deimos said:
I thought I'd mention this since no one has yet, since your using 4 sticks the northbridge will require higher voltages to maintain the rated speed and timings. I will also state that I had major problems with my motherboard since it didn't have great cooling on the Northbridge and a small voltage increase caused it to become incredibly hot and would become unstable quickly and fail prime95, when the PC is on put your hand slightly over the Northbridge and ensure the temps aren't really hot (you shouldn't be able to feel any significant heat coming from it).

My advice unless you have good cooling on the Northbridge is to keep the Northbridge voltage at default and work around it for your overclock.

Good Luck
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That's the kind of good advice I'm after. Thanks muchly :)

I had recommendations on my old P5N board to get extra cooling for the NB, so I bought one of those fans on an arm which I can direct in the direction of the NB.

I'm looking for 3.2Ghz if possible so will probably try to shoot for that. If it's stable right away I'll attempt to bring voltages down etc.

Unless that doesn't sound like a very good plan, in which case someone stop me :)
 
Try setting the FSB to 333Mhz with the multiplier of 9. Set the vcore to 1.325 (1.35-1.375 max really).

Memory voltage should be set to 2.1v or whatever the rated voltage is, keep timings at the rated amount and set memory speed to 667Mhz for testing the CPU overclock. This enables you find out your max CPU overclock for the stated voltage without RAM becoming a factor.

Set NB voltage to default.

I don't have your motherboard, so assuming theres no need to change any other settings aside from any performance modes etc...turn them off or to standard whichever option you get.

You should be able to reach 3Ghz with those settings hopefully, but if if fails to post reset and change the multiplier to 8 test that...if that works, mess around with the FSB and multiplier until you find the optimum settings.

Once you have got your overclock sorted (and tested for stability), change RAM speed too 800Mhz +. Noting any instability. I am unsure whether its better to have RAM speed linked directly to FSB, so I'll leave someone else to advise on that.

Hopefully after following this, you will have done a basic overclock (changing as few settings are required). You might only reach 2.8-3Ghz, but you will become more familiar with it and will find a safe 24/7 overclock. As you become more confident you can start changing other settings and upping your voltages in an attempt to get a better overclock.

Let us know how it goes
 
I'm not entirely sure how I discover the default NB voltage?

Is there a standard that covers all, or will my motherboard have a specific default?
 
MADMAN69UK said:
I'm not entirely sure how I discover the default NB voltage?

Is there a standard that covers all, or will my motherboard have a specific default?
Click to expand...

Just keep it on Auto or Default (if you have that option). The motherboard normally states it in the section you can change voltages or somewhere on that page. But if you can't find it, Auto will be fine or simply not changing the setting at all :)
 
Ok, I set the memory to 2.1v @ 667Mhz.
Then I changed the CPU voltage to 1.4000 @ 333FSB.

When I turned on this time I made it past post and into Windows.
Temperatures were just over 30C.

Decided I'd try the FSB @ 356, for 3.2Ghz. Got into Windows again fine.

Went back into the BIOS and noticed that the memory frequency had turned itself to 893Mhz. Is that safe?

Is this something to do with the memory being linked?
On the old P5N I saw the "unlinked" option no problem. I don't seem to be able to find it on this board.

Can I just turn the memory frequency down again manually?

Not entirely sure what's safe in this situation...



Edit: I only have 2 options lower than 893Mhz, they are 855Mhz and 713Mhz.

Edit2: I have my CPU voltage down to 1.39375. Doesn't seem to want to go lower without causing the PC to reboot after booting into Windows.

Edit3: My temps while @ 356 x 9, 1.39375v CPU:

2993454864_b2bd42cc42_o.jpg
 
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Thats a very good overclock imo, test stability using Prime95 (google it, if you don't have it). Make sure you do the blend test on Prime95, 30mins usually shows failures if its significantly unstable...8hrs + to test whether its stable.

You can set the memory speed manually, atm its linked to your FSB using a 4:5 ratio (FSB:RAM). But assuming your using the rated voltage (no higher) and its stable, its all good.

Important thing is testing the stability, if its not stable change the FSB:RAM ratio to 1:1. It will then run at 350 or whichever your FSB is, well within the rated spec.

Sorry rushed this reply a bit, off out. Tell me how the stability checking goes, hoping you got a stable clock there..
 
MADMAN69UK said:
Crashed with a Code 4 :(

CPU voltage changed back to 1.40000, RAM frequency 855Mhz.
Click to expand...

Go for the 3Ghz clock, and change ratio to 1:1. Check stability

Edit, just looked at your BIOS screenshots

FSB - Memory Clock Mode - Change to Linked (or appropriate option you have available)

FSB - Memory Ratio - Change to 1:1 (if you have that option, if not there should be something obvious that does that :))

Oh btw is your CPU 45nm or 65nm? I got no time to research...........if its 45nm Don't go over 1.4v, if its 65nm you should be ok for some more volts but 1.4v is the end of my comfort area on a Q6600. Not sure about the rated volts for that CPU though
 
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It failed 1h stability test in OCCT within about 5 mins. Temps all remained around 50C. Got a Code 1 crash this time.

Memory is rated for 800Mhz. Should I turn it down to 855 or 713?

I've been Googling this P5Q board and it appears there is no option to "unlink" the memory. I'm not seeing this 1:1 ratio option anywhere? What name might that appear under?



Edit: Looks like the chip is 65nm. Info from HERE.
 
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You sure you have no option, check your BIOS screenshots earlier in the thread. There's one with 'FSB - Memory Clock Mode' on it.

If you can't change the ratio, or work it out....set it to the 713 you just stated and test it, setting the RAM below its rated speed will ensure only the CPU overclock is the cause of the instability. I am assuming you set the RAM voltage to the one its rated for (normally between 2-2.2v).

You can probably push your Vcore safely to 1.45v, but from what I've read you shouldn't need to go that high for 3-3.2Ghz. It could be the Northbridge voltage that needs increasing, but like I said stay away from that for now (or 1-2 notches up MAX, checking heat coming from it). Keep temps below 60c preferably when at load.
 
Which screenshots are you refering to?
Any before post #51 are of the old motherboard before I ruined it :eek: lol.
After post #51 it's the new P5Q motherboard.

Failed stability test after about 7 mins this time with a VCore of 1.41250.
Trying again with 1.42500...

If that crashes I'll look into the NB I think.
My NB does have a fan over it so 1 or 2 notches might be ok.



Edit: On the manufacturer's website it says my RAM is rated for 1.9v - 2.1v.
I've set it to 2.1v following the advice earlier in this thread.
Would setting it lower help eliminate RAM from the crash equation?
 
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no keep it at 2.1v, lowering it will result in it not booting if the RAM is already unstable. 'FSB to Northbridge Strap' or something like that might be the option for ratio, but I'm just guessing.

You will have an option somewhere, if you can't find it try loosening the timings to 5,5,5,18. You should be able to run it up to at least 900Mhz on that, so should take the RAM out of the equation
 
I'll list the options available in the FSB to North Bridge Strap after this current stress test.

Currently still running after... 15 mins @ 1.42500v *touch wood*



Edit: Failed after 36 mins :(

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