Shadowake's OFFICIAL Overclock Thread!

shadowake · 15 Apr 2008 at 19:07

Well as per my last post I've lost all my overclock settings and have to start from scratch

This time I want to make sure my overclock is rock solid, so I thought what better way than to start my own progress thread where you guys can lend your expert views and help me along the way!

My main system specs are:

- ABit IP 35Pro Motherboard

- Intel Q6600 Processor 95W Edition 1066FSB 2.4GHz (As Standard) https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-161-IN

- Asus GeForce EN8800 Ultra 768MB

- 4GB Crucial Balistix PC2-8500C5 1066MHz https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-093-CR

- Western Digital Raptor 150GB 10000rpm x2 In RAID0 https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-069-WD

- Tagan 1100W PSU

- Asus Silent Square Pro CPU Cooler

- Vista Ultimate 64bit

Heres some screenshots from standard:

So what should my first step from here be?

Normally I'd just crank up the FSB until it wont go any further and then up the voltage. I didn't change any of the RAM setting though last time and left it on 1:1.50 (Default) but upped the volts to the rated 2.2V. I also left the multiplyer on x9 although I've been told that x8 may have been better to work with?

EDIT: Any other info you need/want just ask and I'll get it posted up!

MikeTimbers · 15 Apr 2008 at 19:28

Just up the FSB to 300.
Test
Then to 320
test
etc.

shadowake · 15 Apr 2008 at 19:38

Is it worth changing the RAM divider to 1:1 instead of the default 1:1.50?

Also should I drop the multiplier to x8 or will x9 be better?

Cob · 15 Apr 2008 at 20:12

Yeah keep it on 1:1 til you've finished clocking the CPU. Also set your memory voltage to 2.2v for the Ballistix.

shadowake · 15 Apr 2008 at 20:26

Cob said:
Yeah keep it on 1:1 til you've finished clocking the CPU. Also set your memory voltage to 2.2v for the Ballistix.

OK set it to 1:1 @ 2.2V it's running 5-5-5-18 timings are they OK?

I've set the processor to 350x8 on default volts. Priming it now, I'll give it 30mins then add 5MHz.

Also turned off fan control and speedstep.

shadowake · 15 Apr 2008 at 21:28

360x8 passed 30 min Prime95 small FFT test. I'll up to 365 or 370 and test again.

Cob · 15 Apr 2008 at 22:02

5-5-5-18 is grand til you've finished your CPU clocking.

shadowake · 15 Apr 2008 at 22:33

Cob said:
5-5-5-18 is grand til you've finished your CPU clocking.

OK cool, I'll keep it at that for now.

380x8 passed 35min Small FFT test in Prime95.

Quite suprised I havent had to up the voltage a notch yet, I'll up to 385 and retest.

shadowake · 15 Apr 2008 at 23:07

Well that passed too. Going to call it a night tonight and I'll give 390 a go after work tomorrow.

Da[]San · 16 Apr 2008 at 00:23

Yeah you seem to have a nice clocking Quad 6600, good low startup vid of 1.275v.
With your setup there is no reason why you can't hit 3.6ghz stable, what are your temps when priming?

shadowake · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:39

Think my teps were no more than low 50's in prime (I'll double check when I get home).

What does the DDR2 Reference voltage option do? It's on 0% as standard, but I've heared people say that with four sticks of ram it should be put to +2% or whatever the option is?

Cob · 16 Apr 2008 at 15:52

Setting it to +2% is meant to help a lot with 4 sticks on that board.

shadowake · 16 Apr 2008 at 18:48

Cob said:
Setting it to +2% is meant to help a lot with 4 sticks on that board.

OK stuck it on +2% (wahst does that actually do? Googled it but couldnt find anything).

Board is prime stable at 390x9 but fails on 392, 394 and BSOD'd on 396, 400.

Guess I'll up the core voltage a notch and then try 392x8 again.

Am I best uping the VCore first or should I alter any of the other settings? northbridge etc etc. Or should I wait until uping the VCore further makes no difference to max FSB.

Cob · 16 Apr 2008 at 18:52

Have you dropped your multiplier to see what your chips max FSB is?

shadowake · 16 Apr 2008 at 19:01

Cob said:
Have you dropped your multiplier to see what your chips max FSB is?

No prob a good idea though I guess as running a x8 multiplyer I may well get near it.

I'll drop my multiplyer to x6 now and see what I can get her to do!

shadowake · 16 Apr 2008 at 19:33

Cob said:
Have you dropped your multiplier to see what your chips max FSB is?

OK dropped the multi to 6 and my system wont post anything above 464.

So my max FSB is 464.

Does this seem about right for a Q6600 on abit IP35 Pro?

That would give me a max speed of 3712MHz on a x8 multiplyer right? Thats more than I need, I'm only expecting to get between 3.4 & 3.6 TBH.

Cob · 16 Apr 2008 at 19:40

Well 464mhz is decent enough for a Q6600. You could probably get more by fiddling with the voltages and the CPU GTL Ref.

Up your MCH voltage to 1.4v and try 400mhz. if that doesn't work then up your CPU voltage.

shadowake · 16 Apr 2008 at 19:57

Cob said:
Well 464mhz is decent enough for a Q6600. You could probably get more by fiddling with the voltages and the CPU GTL Ref.

Up your MCH voltage to 1.4v and try 400mhz. if that doesn't work then up your CPU voltage.

I did have the VCore up to 1.5050 just whilst testing for max FSB. As long as it's over 460 that should be good enough.

Is there any reason to find the max FSB apart from for reference?

Cob · 16 Apr 2008 at 19:59

Not really. It's always good to know that it isn't the FSB holding you back.

And you probably won't need 1.5v in BIOS til you're heading over 3.4ghz.

shadowake · 16 Apr 2008 at 20:07

OK tried 392 again put upped the vcore one notch from 1.2750 to 1.2850 and it failed prime pretty quick then BSOD'd. Upped the vcore to 1.2950 and so far so good, twenty minutes in prime and no warnings. I'll wait another 15mins or so then try 394 with the same vcore.

EDIT: 392 @ 1.2950 is fine I'll up FSB a notch and retest.

EDIT: 394 @ 1.2950 FAILED BSOD

EDIT: 394@ 1.3050 20 minutes prime stable so far... Temps around 61-66degC