Overclock 101

sahitanand

Member
k My signature gives you all my system Specs.
i was wondering if anyone here has a similar setup and overclocked their system. and hoped they gave me the settings they used.
so if anybody out there overclocked their system with similar specs (all stock)
just lemme know what voltages or timings and everything.

thanx
 

My Computer

Photobucket is blocked from work.... Post up if these don't work. They're from the last time I beat up on my comp...


[media]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/Scotteq/EverestStressTest.jpg[/media]

[media]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/Scotteq/Voltages.jpg[/media]

[media]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/Scotteq/Jan20P95.jpg[/media]

[media]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/Scotteq/cachemem.jpg[/media]
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Proudly Built by Me!
    CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    DFI UT LP P35 T2R
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 C44GK 4-4-4-12 2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon 4870x2
    Sound Card
    AuzenTech Prelude 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 Acer P243 24" and 1 Samsung T260 26" Monitor/HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    Both are running at 19x12
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 7200.11 (Vista x64)
    Seagate 500GB 7200.11 (Win 7 x64)
    PSU
    OCZ GameXtream 900w
    Other Info
    FSB at 400 (1600) Mhz, CPU Multi @ 8 for 3.2Ghz
The biggest hurdle people seem to trip up on is that on Intel chipsets the Front Side Buss and Memory speeds are linked. So when you increase the FSB, you are *also* forcing your RAM to run faster. Now... A Q6600 will take a 30% overclock on air cooling, no problem. Memory??? Do Not Count On It. Not At All. So before you start, set the memory divider (ratio of memory speed to FSB - it has different names in different Bios') so your RAM is UNDERclocked. This way when you increase the FSB to overclock your processor, you'll have headroom.

Important detail: Front Side Buss speeds are 4 operations per base clock. This means your 1066 stock speed is actually 266 x 4. Memory speeds are on multiples of 2 - So DDR2 800 is actually 400 x 2. As long as you take this into consideration and don't overclock your RAM, you won't go too far wrong.

In your case, you have DDR2 800 RAM. So as long as your motherboard will allow it, you could increase your Front Side Buss from 1066 to 1600 (400 x 4), run your memory on a 1:1 ratio with the FSB (400 x 2 = 800) and not break any rules. So far so good....

The third piece of information is that your processor has a multiplier as well. In the case of a Q6600, that is 9. Intel "Extreme" processors (the US $1,200 ones) have an "unlocked" multiplier - this means you can increase it. A Q66 does not let you do that, but you can DEcrease it, if you want. Now: Remember the baseline speed for a 1066 FSB is 266 Mhz. 266 x 9 = 2,394, and so now you know why your processor is running at 2.4Ghz. SO!! 400 x 9 is 3.6Ghz - Doable with good aftermarket componentry, but aggressive for air cooling. And I certainly wouldn't recommend it on the stock Intel Heat Sink/Fan. (more on this next paragraph) So, you have two choices - go with a lower Front Side Buss: 333 x 4 = 1333, 333 x 9 = 2997 (3Ghz), and 333 x 2 = DDR2 667 Memory at 1:1. Or lower the multiplier on the processor in order to run your Front Side Buss and memory harder while not pushing your processor as much: 400 x 4 = 1600 FSB, 400 x 8 = 3.2Ghz, and 400 x 2 = DDR2 800 at 1:1.

Regarding heat: As you push your components harder, they will generate more heat. Also, increases in voltages needed for more aggressive overclocks will increase heat output nearly exponentially. This is why some of the very serious overclocking people will use liquid and even some exotic methods (phase, liquid NO2, and all sorts of craziness). Your stock CPU cooler is meant for just that: stock speeds/voltages.


My general experience with a Q6600 is you can have 3.0 Ghz with no more effort than simply setting the front side buss to run at 333 (1333Mhz). Seldom will voltage changes be needed. With a little care, a mild (10th and a little) bump in voltage, and a decent HSF ("Heat Sink/Fan") you can get to 3.4 without much trouble. 3.6 is more aggressive and will need a bit more power and will definitely need good cooling. Also - If you're running air cooling, take the ambient temps into account. If the room is 10 degrees warmer, than your processor will also. No Free Lunch. :)



Since this is an OS Specific site, I'll post a link to the Core 2 Duo/Quad Overclocking guide at Tom's Hardware: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

Apologies if this is bending the rules a bit, but that's a lot of information to relay...
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Proudly Built by Me!
    CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    DFI UT LP P35 T2R
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 C44GK 4-4-4-12 2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon 4870x2
    Sound Card
    AuzenTech Prelude 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 Acer P243 24" and 1 Samsung T260 26" Monitor/HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    Both are running at 19x12
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 7200.11 (Vista x64)
    Seagate 500GB 7200.11 (Win 7 x64)
    PSU
    OCZ GameXtream 900w
    Other Info
    FSB at 400 (1600) Mhz, CPU Multi @ 8 for 3.2Ghz
hehe
thanx scotteq
man 2 more months before i can try overclocking.
a decent cooler here costs 2500quid so gotta wait for my next allowance
 

My Computer

hehe
thanx scotteq
man 2 more months before i can try overclocking.
a decent cooler here costs 2500quid so gotta wait for my next allowance
 

My Computer

I'm using a different mobo but I have my Q6600 overclocked to 3.4GHz for 24/7 use on air. I'm only running 1.29v stable and temps are 45-50ish under load. Thermalright 120 ultra extreme with a good fan is about the best air cooling you can get.
 

My Computer

yeah mathews im using a P5KC. i dont know what u mean by standard though.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

i guess ill first buy a CPU cooler first and then start experimenting. ill be happy to get a 3.5 Ghz at 35 -40 degrees cause it gets quite hot here at times.
 

My Computer

What version/stepping does your Q6600 have ? That'll give you an idea to start with. B3 don't overclock anywhere near as well as G0, but every chip is slightly different. With a good G0 you should be able to reach around 3GHz without running too hot.

But remember it's not just the CPU cooler, your whole system temp affects your CPU yemps as well as the volts you run through it. Make certain you have good airflow through-out your case with enough fans drawing air as well as exhausting it. I know some people who have had lots of fans but fitted them so the airflow was in the wrong direction.
 

My Computer

well no prblem with airflow and cooling and all that.
i have a fan for everything. just my CPU chasis ha 2 fans then i have the fan on top of my chip(that stock thing) i have one fan for my GPU and one fan on my SMPS so... u see there is always good airflow
errr....no idea of the stepping exactly hee :rolleyes:
and right now with no overclock the CPU running at 2.4Ghz is at 33 degrees
 

My Computer

The best way is try increasing the oc little by little. It's a slow process but it pays off in the end. Each time you increase the overclock test the system by running a stress test or something that really makes the FPU work hard. I think most folks like to use Prime95. Now you want the temps on the Q6600 to stay under 60degrees to stay on the safe side of things. Watch your temps while stressing the CPU, after 30mins if theres no faults go back to bios and step your overclock up another small step. You keep doing this untill the CPU fails the test or your reach a overclock your happy with.

Once you reach a overclock your happy with and the temps aren't too high you run the stress test for several hours to really check for stability. When your system fails you then go back to the last overclock you had tried and stress test it again untill you find a completely stable overclock.

Some people let the motherboard adjust the voltage on auto for them. I don't like this as I like to keep the voltage as low as I can as this is the secret to keeping temps lower.

Try Everest, CPUz and/or Coretemp for monitoring your system info and as I said I think folks like to use Orthos or Prime95 for the stress testing.
 

My Computer

BTW, just having 2 system/case fans doesn't mean you'll have good thermal management. I need better case cooling and I have 4 quality 120mm fans running plus a high speed 120mm fan on the CPU and a Thermalright 120 Ultra.

Good cooling also has to do with case itself, but when installing fans you need to think about if the fan is best sucking air in or sucking it out. You also need to look at how much air the fan can displace per min as not all 120mm fans are equal. Also when looking at a new heatsink read alot of reviews to see which suits your needs best. IMO the Thermalright ultra 120 is the best HS for air cooling but it may not even fit in your case (they are a big sucker). Anyways, all food for thought. Don't rush your overclock and fry your chip, take your time and do it well and enjoy a stable system. I'm certain others here will chime in with their info and helpful tips also, they seem like a pretty good bunch of people.
 

My Computer

k now i have different problem.
on the bios i have set the CPU multiplier as 9( 266x9) but when i come to windows and check with CPU Z and also asus AIsuite it says 266 x 6 ...
that means its actually underclocked. OH! my god!!
help...:eek:
 

Attachments

  • CPUZ.jpg
    CPUZ.jpg
    82.2 KB · Views: 18
  • Untitled.jpg
    Untitled.jpg
    76.7 KB · Views: 43

My Computer

also as soon as i start up and if i check the speed it shows 266 X 9 then after a while it shows 266 x 6
whats happenning??
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.jpg
    Untitled.jpg
    79.4 KB · Views: 17

My Computer

Back
Top