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Q9550 Overclock

JHONO

JHONO

JHONO

Associate
Joined
8 Feb 2004
Posts
865
Location
North West
Just realised that my Q9550 Was default clocked at 2.0 GHz :eek: When its suppose to be 2.8. Anyways not to worry its sorted out now and back to 2.8GhZ with a multipler of 8.5.

Thing is i want to overclock further using the ASUS Extreame Tweaker in the BIOS. Want to try and reach about 3.2GHz if possible, but i dont know if i need to start messing around with voltages which can be risky.

Anyways heres a screenshot my CPU-Z:






Also want to get a 1.1 Ratio as well with my CPU and RAM. What sort of voltages and other changes are required to do this?

Thanks
 
with regard to voltages, Qxxxx can handle upto 1.4v quite nicely. There's a stickied guide with what you need :).

Basically, increase the FSB speed by 5 - 10%, and when it gets unstable increase the voltages a little bit each time.
 
1:1 CPU/RAM ratios are overrated these days. With the Core 2s, the more memory bandwidth you can sling at them, the better. Just clock your RAM as high as you can.
 
Thanks Guys. Can i just ask how will i know when it becomes unstable? and how much is 5-10% lets say mayby increase FSB by 10 Mhz at a time then try?


Thanks
 
JHONO said:
Thanks Guys. Can i just ask how will i know when it becomes unstable? and how much is 5-10% lets say mayby increase FSB by 10 Mhz at a time then try?


Thanks
Click to expand...

sounds good to me (regarding 10mhz). You will know when it's unstable. Blue screens of death, freezing, windows won't load.. etc etc.
 
Asus Rampage Formula X48 | Q9550 at stock | 4GB Corsair XMS 2 Dominator | ATI 4870 X2 2048 | Enermax Galaxy 1000W PSU | Antec 1200 Ultimate Gaming Case

i have virtualy the same setup apart from OCZ ram , put my Q9550 in and clocked it up to 3.6Ghz(450x8) with all on auto in bios, then took note of the voltages and had to lower them :eek: to get temps down as the rampage overvolts!!!!!

I have had the cpu running at 4.0Ghz in this board but it was a bit toasty, my advice would be for you to go streight for 3.6, check temps and lower vcore whilst using prime 95 to check stability, if you go too low on voltage you will know (BSOD)

If you want any settings let me know i will post bios voltages for you to use as a guide ;)
 
Hi m8 just had a bit of problem then. When i first clocked it to 2.8 GHz it doublebooted then loaded windows, then i restarted and the computer just hung and the screen went blank. I had to reset the BIOS to fix this.

Could this be due to the fact that its over volting?


Thanks

Do post those BIOS voltages
 
JHONO said:
Hi m8 just had a bit of problem then. When i first clocked it to 2.8 GHz it doublebooted then loaded windows, then i restarted and the computer just hung and the screen went blank. I had to reset the BIOS to fix this.

Could this be due to the fact that its over volting?


Thanks

Do post those BIOS voltages
Click to expand...

What voltage do you have it on atm, personally i would bump up the voltage to 1.35v then take it from there with clocking. Once you get to a nice speed (like 3.6ghz) lower the voltage to it's most stable usage.
 
Thanks for that. Thing is though did you manually set the voltage to 1.200V thats what mine is on auto now? and im having problems?

Thanks
 
My Q9550 runs stable @ 3.4ghz using 1.15 voltage (1.14 according to windows) if its any help. Havent felt the need to take it higher than that as its fast as hell compared to my previous system :)
 
At 3.4GHz now voltage at 1.168 now what about RAM its running at 850MHz what sort of voltage would suit this? 2.1V?

Thanks
 
JHONO said:
At 3.4GHz now voltage at 1.168 now what about RAM its running at 850MHz what sort of voltage would suit this? 2.1V?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Take a look at manufacturers website, my OCZ is good up to 2.1v but is varies with manufacturer , also check the nb and sb voltages there on my screenie, all voltages were set manually in the bios and i also have loadline calibration disabled as well as all the 'spread spectrum' options ;)

Remember the more volts you put through, the more heat :o
 
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mmorpheus1 said:
Take a look at manufacturers website, my OCZ is good up to 2.1v but is varies with manufacturer , also check the nb and sb voltages there on my screenie, all voltages were set manually in the bios and i also have loadline calibration disabled as well as all the 'spread spectrum' options ;)

Remember the more volts you put through, the more heat :o
Click to expand...


Yeah thanks for your advice m8 its very good. Just stress testing now with SP2004. I think my memory voltage is ok at the moment its on auto but if its not causing any problems then i think its best left.

Also are you saying that i should lower nb sb voltages to lower temps? or to increase performance?

Im still a noob to the overclocking world m8 but im gradually learning more as i do this and from good advice from the people on these forums and yourself.

Also whats loadline calibration and Spread Spectrum? lol Heres a screenshot below of SP2004



It says that the CPU is clocked at 2.6GHz with a x6.0 Multipler when obviously its clocked at 3.4GHz x8 multipler on CPU-Z and Everest?
 
Last edited:
JHONO said:
Yeah thanks for your advice m8 its very good. Just stress testing now with SP2004. I think my memory voltage is ok at the moment its on auto but if its not causing any problems then i think its best left.

Also are you saying that i should lower nb sb voltages to lower temps? or to increase performance?

Im still a noob to the overclocking world m8 but im gradually learning more as i do this and from good advice from the people on these forums and yourself.

Also whats loadline calibration and Spread Spectrum? lol Heres a screenshot below of SP2004



It says that the CPU is clocked at 2.6GHz with a x6.0 Multipler when obviously its clocked at 3.4GHz x8 multipler on CPU-Z and Everest?
Click to expand...


Basically, Lowering the voltage = lower temps. As there is less electricity, causing heat, going to the chip. (that's as simple as I can explain it :P).
 
with the rampage can you not just go into cpu level up and it hit's 3.5ghz no prob?
I did and it seems fine although i dont have a clue as i'm trying to pick all this stuff up
does this look ok?
Capture.jpg
 
osullivanpt said:
I have this info as well if it helps
everest.jpg
Click to expand...

Take a look at your northbridge and southbridge voltages and temps and compare them to mine you will see what i mean about more volts more heat.

You can just use the level up option but like i said the rampage tends to overvolt.

using the readings you have got off everest, set it all manually in the bios and gradually reduce the voltages one at once testing for stability sa you go, the lower you get the voltages, the cooler it will run.

also if you are using stock coolers i recomend buying a decent aftermarket one, there are plenty on ocuk ;)
 
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