Q6600 VIRGIN.

[Dazeon]

Hello,

Thought I'd use my first post to gather some advice and make sure I am doing everything right.

This is my system:

Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q6600
Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6 Intel® P35 + ICH9R Chipset Mainboard
GeIL 4GB (4x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Memory
Dual Sapphire ATI RADEON™ HD 2600PRO 512MB GFX
Dual Western Digital Raptor X 150GB RAID 0 HD
Corsair Flash Voyager GT 8GB USB2.0 High-Speed Flash Drive (ReadyBoost)
Gigabyte 3D Aurora 570 Case
Gigabyte 3D Galaxy II Liquid Cooling
Gigabyte ODIN GT 800W PSU
Windows Vista Ultimate x86

OK, cool. At the moment I have overclocked the CPU to 3.2GHz using 356 x 9.0 with the voltage running at 1.4000v. I seem to be able to run Prime stable and have clocked around eight hours. However the other morning after downloading some stuff it had frozen. According to Core Temp I am running at 51, 47, 47, 51 idle increasing to around 70 on full load. These temps do not sit comfortably with me though, are they OK? The CPU temp was around 32 at stock speed when I built the rig. I have followed the guide for my board from these forums and raised the voltages to the recommended settings.

I don't want to go on for ever but is this OK, or is there a better way to overclock this system, for e.g. a 400 x 8 scenario? Basically if you could give me some advice and put my mind at rest I would be very grateful. Any tweaks, tips etc. also.

Thank you in advance.

BTW. I haven't overclocked anything since my old Athlon 500!

 

[Cob]

Hi and welcome

70c during Prime is ok for a Quad. I wouldn't want to go much above it tho.

If you're running Prime95 did you enable the Round off Checking option in the Advanced menu before starting it? If not then it would probably explain why it's unstable despite passing Prime95 for 8 hours.

400x8 would only be better if it enables you to run your memory in a better configuration.

 

[Dazeon]

Thank you.

Yeah, I didn't really feel comfortable with 70, I expected the overall temperature to be much less anyway. I liked being at 32 (2.4GHz) but overclocking to 3.2 has given me 50 on average, hell of a jump in my book. Started to doubt cooling and seating.

I didn't enable that option so that's probably that...

I don't entirely get the RAM thing, it's running at 712MHz with my current clock (I think ). That is with the clock set at 2 or something? God I sound stupid. Shame I can't lock the RAM at its fastest speed and only overclock the CPU.

 

[Cob]

You could try the x2.4 (854mhz) memory multiplier, tho that would probably put the Geil very close to its limit, especially as you've got four sticks of it. But don't touch the memory until you've got a stable CPU overclock.

 

[Mattus]

70c Prime load isn't too bad for a quad. Do you know if it's an Energy Efficient (G0) quad or not?

BTW nice spec but I'd just use the Flash Voyager as a normal flash drive, ReadyBoost probably won't make any difference with 4GB of RAM.

 

[Dazeon]

Yeah, it is an energy efficient model... Well according to OcUK anyway, it was certainly purchased as one and the stepping is G0 in CPU-Z.

I just like the 'idea' of ReadyBoost, my old 1GB stick appeared to speed up my dual core system... I'm happy with the remaining 4GB for drivers etc. It will never be removed so it doesn't matter.

How can I not touch the memory when overclocking the CPU seems to overclock the memory?

Confusing stuff.

Looking forward to my Blue-ray, HD-DVD and Samsung 24" monitor tomorrow to complete my rig!