Q9400 overclock

Skynet-T800 · 19 Nov 2011 at 13:25

Hi chaps

I'm going to have a go at this overclocking but would like some tips on this CPU.

Where do I start?

Can I just increase the FSB to 400mhz with the rest on auto?

Any help guides will be great.

Cheers

jamesfreddie · 19 Nov 2011 at 14:38

Set FSB to 420mhz then bump the voltage up a little bit and run OCCT and watch the temps. The Max voltage is 1.3625 So dont go above that you should be able to get 435.

Skynet-T800 · 19 Nov 2011 at 14:53

What happens if I don't up the voltage a little?

jamesfreddie · 19 Nov 2011 at 16:53

Skynet-T800 said:
What happens if I don't up the voltage a little?

You can try with no voltage change but i doubt wether it would pass tests. but try it.

Skynet-T800 · 19 Nov 2011 at 22:36

1st Tried 400mhz without upping the voltage and didnt even want to know about it.

So did what you said and put it to 425 fsb and 1.3v

using occt now but what temps are good?

What is the CPUTIN temp? is this the main one?

cheers

jamesfreddie · 19 Nov 2011 at 23:37

In about the middle of OCCT you should have 4 temps listed. Anyware upto about 80*C is OK. You should aim for around 75*C Max though. What cooler are you using?

Skynet-T800 · 20 Nov 2011 at 19:39

Just using stock cooler atm.

Just upgrading my case which will improve air flow and then will get a new cooler.

What would be a good un?

Do I have to tinker with memory timings or anything else also?

Also on CPU-Z the cpu slows down when not in use so how do I disable this feature?

Skynet-T800 · 20 Nov 2011 at 21:07

jamesfreddie said:
In about the middle of OCCT you should have 4 temps listed. Anyware upto about 80*C is OK. You should aim for around 75*C Max though. What cooler are you using?

Temps after 1 hour max temps

CPUTIN: 66°c
Core 0 : 79°c
Core 1 : 70°c
Core 2 : 76°c
Core 3 : 73°c

vcore at 1.19v

What do you guys think? OK for now
will get it lower with new cooler for sure.

jamesfreddie · 21 Nov 2011 at 18:18

OK, you should order a new cooler something like a corsair A70 i run one on my Q9450 @ 3.4GHz and its fine. But they are a bit loud. You dont need to change any thing elce like ram timings. What are you overclocked to now? How long have you run OCCT for? Look at my sig to see what i have on my Q9450. To disable Speedstep you need to look for C1E in the bios and disable it. It should be under CPU tab. Also see if you have LLC (Load Line Cal.) Enable that if you can. It should stop Vdroop. I found it really helps with my OC.

Skynet-T800 · 21 Nov 2011 at 23:51

i'm on 3.4ghz and just got me a Corsair 650d which seems to have brought the temps down by 4°c so the hottest core is now 75°c

jamesfreddie · 22 Nov 2011 at 15:40

Skynet-T800 said:
i'm on 3.4ghz and just got me a Corsair 650d which seems to have brought the temps down by 4°c so the hottest core is now 75°c

what about my other questons?

Skynet-T800 · 22 Nov 2011 at 19:19

Yeah LLC is enabled and speedstep is now disabled, thanks.

I've run OCCT for just over 1 hour atm, should I run longer?

I also tried to lower the voltage a little but blue screens on me so I figure this is as low as I can get.

What temp do you get under load?

jamesfreddie · 22 Nov 2011 at 20:53

Skynet-T800 said:
Yeah LLC is enabled and speedstep is now disabled, thanks.

I've run OCCT for just over 1 hour atm, should I run longer?

I also tried to lower the voltage a little but blue screens on me so I figure this is as low as I can get.

What temp do you get under load?

On my Q9450 with corsair A70 i get about 65-70*C but my room is about 32*C. You should run OCCT for about 2 hours then download prime 95 and run small ffts for about 12-24 hours. Then i would call that stable. What cooler are you going to get? What is your budget?

Skynet-T800 · 22 Nov 2011 at 22:31

jamesfreddie said:
On my Q9450 with corsair A70 i get about 65-70*C but my room is about 32*C. You should run OCCT for about 2 hours then download prime 95 and run small ffts for about 12-24 hours. Then i would call that stable. What cooler are you going to get? What is your budget?

OK cheers

My budget is about £80 and was thinking of the NOCTUA NH-D14 based on the reviews and the fact that I will upgrade at some point maybe next year so I could use it in maybe an i7 or so.

jamesfreddie · 23 Nov 2011 at 15:15

Skynet-T800 said:
OK cheers

My budget is about £80 and was thinking of the NOCTUA NH-D14 based on the reviews and the fact that I will upgrade at some point maybe next year so I could use it in maybe an i7 or so.

Yeah go with a D14 on that budget, it is one of the best air coolers and will cool an i7 2700k overclocked. Or you could wait and go with a dual rad in your case with custom watercooling.

Republic · 24 Nov 2011 at 00:49

Stock to aftermarket cooler, 4C difference? Seems a bit small tbh.

Also @ James: 32C in your room... corr how warm do you want it!

jamesfreddie · 24 Nov 2011 at 15:51

Republic said:
Stock to aftermarket cooler, 4C difference? Seems a bit small tbh.

Also @ James: 32C in your room... corr how warm do you want it!

That is in the summer and i have no choice the room is a converted garage with a skylight and the boiler in it.

Your temps on stock seem low. But my delta on the a70 is only 33*C. But on stock it would not hold up.