Q6600, one core not stable

[Skinner.Daddy]

Have got a Q6600 @ 3.6 and have been testing for stability and core 3 isn't as stable as the rest.

Now I'm guessing that there's not much I can do about it but just wanted to post to see if there was something that could.

Cheers

 

[Durzel]

Aside from giving it more voltage/cooling it down more there's nothing you can do. If it was failing at stock speeds you'd have grounds for RMA, etc but as its not - you don't.

 

[vocch]

What temps are you getting with that AC7 @ 3.6ghz?

 

[Skinner.Daddy]

well using Core temps I'm getting between 45-50 idle and 71 max on 100% load

Yourself?

 

[Corasik]

Isnt the G0 stepping using a 100degree ofset, and Coretemp only using the 85 offset? Or are you taking that into account already? 71Max on a G0 could be as high as 86 degrees unless I am mistaken (which is possible). And thats too hot for comfort imho.

 

[Skinner.Daddy]

Erm,

Don't think so, it says T Junction 100 C. Intel tool says the same temps as core temp too.

 

[vocch]

well using Core temps I'm getting between 45-50 idle and 71 max on 100% load

Yourself?

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10025013&postcount=849

 

[hybrid]

What program are you using to test all cores?

 

[Corasik]

Erm,

Don't think so, it says T Junction 100 C. Intel tool says the same temps as core temp too.

Ok, Some versions of Coretemp get it wrong and display a Tjuction of 85. If it says 100 its spot on

 

[Skinner.Daddy]

Using Prime 2004, you can load 4 instances up and start the cores goings as you like to test each indivually, or with just 2/3 running etc

 

[MumboJumbo]

If only one core is unstable perhaps your heatsink isn't flat and therefore that part of the core isn't getting sufficient cooling.

 

[DavidB]

Or the IHS on the processor, you could lap them if there concave at all, possibly not worth rubbing away the warranty on the processor though, and still not gurantee it would work.

 

[ThatJoe]

What temps are you getting for all cores seperately. ie,

core 0
core 1
core 2
core 3

 

[mk17]

for that matter, can you get stability at 3.4? the extra won't matter in r/w behaviour, and e-p is the only difference.
Failing that, I'd go with 8igdave's flatness proposal, and hit the lapping board.

 

[Skinner.Daddy]

So what are safe Q6600 temps? now Vcore is 1.4750 and max load temps are 77 on cores 1 and 4 and 72 on other 2

 

[mk17]

77 is pushing it, to be honest - but probably within the curve. Real-world apps tend not to stress the cpu as much as small-ffts, or blend for that matter. Under 70 would be better, but that's stating the obvious .
If you have space in your case, and in the budget, a ThermalRight, Tuniq, or Noctua would drop those temps noticeably.

 

[Skinner.Daddy]

It'll make that much difference from an Artic Cooler 7?

It's in a 900 case so room shouldn't be a prob.

which one would be best?

Just to add, PC didn't run prime stable on that, cut out

 

[mk17]

I've a Noctua NH U12F and hit about 70c during 12+ hours of small fft @ 3.33GHz. But any of those three will do you very nicely. I had the AC7Pro on a previous build, and wasn't all that impressed with it.
The Noctua keeps my [email protected] at 32c idle, the AC7Pro keeps an X6800 at stock at about 45-50c. Different case and mobo, but still...