Overclocking my Q9650

Zothik · Nov 18, 2013

Hello everyone,
I was thinking about overclocking my Q9650 processor but I have little to no experience with overclocking, so I was hoping I could get some help on this forum. I believe my CPU has a standard Zalman cooler.

My current specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.00 GHz processor
MSI R6870 Hawk Graphics card
8 GB 1,600 MHz Kingston RAM
Corsair AX750 Gold Version PSU
Gigabyte G41MT-D3V MOBO
120 GB SSD
2 TB HDD

Thanks in advance,

Simon

spentshells · Nov 18, 2013

Ok well the first thing is you won't be able to reach the limit of overclock that CPU on your motherboard.

But you will however be able to overclock. Read this guide then come back with questions.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/259899-29-core-overclocking-guide

Bejusek · Nov 18, 2013

With this mainboard, no decent OC is possible. It doesn't have required options in the BIOS.

Your only chances are clockgen or BSEL mod.

spentshells · Nov 18, 2013

The high bus speed is a problem for that Motherboard but 3.33 might be possible.

I've not really seen how these DDR3 boards support overclocking.

Bejusek · Nov 18, 2013

Yeah, it looks like FSB 330-340 should be possible.
I initially thought that G41 doesn't even offer the possibility to change FSB and voltages, but it does.

Make sure to watch your temps.

Zothik · Nov 18, 2013

I also have the DFI LANPARTY DK MOBO with a P45 chipset lying around. Would this be a better option for overclocking? Thanks for your fast responses as well guys. I appreciate it.

spentshells · Nov 18, 2013

Zothik :

WAY better! way way better,

Those Motherboards have been seen pushing FSB as high as 550MHz which is important since your CPU has a default of 333MHz

Zothik · Nov 18, 2013

spentshells :

Oh, neat! I might just replace the mobo with this one then. I will probably need to reinstall Windows, but I'll survive

I'll get back to you when I have managed to change the MOBO.

Zothik · Nov 24, 2013

Okay, I have now installed the new mobo which is the DFI LANPARTY DK P45-T3RSB Plus. I managed to get my CPU to run at 3.6 GHz but I am quite worried about the core temperatures. It runs at around 55-60 degrees in idle. Is this normal? Should I consider a better fan (Although I don't want to invest in it atm)?
At heavy load it hits 85 degrees. I am talking celcius btw.

Bejusek · Nov 24, 2013

It's too hot. You need better cooling.
What is your current voltage and CPU VID (or simply how much did you increase it)?

Zothik · Nov 24, 2013

Bejusek :

My voltage is 1.344 V. I am not quite sure by how much it got increased. I used a program that went with my MOBO to auto boost the CPU.

Bejusek · Nov 25, 2013

That's why it is so hot. Your CPU voltage is too high.
I don't recommend using auto-tuning software.
Please read some overclocking tutorials for core2 family; you will easily find some. OC your CPU manually and adjust Vcore only as high as necessary to maintain stability.

Check your CPU VID by using coretemp. Use it as starting point for your voltage and increase it in 0.01 increments. Test stability with orthos/prime95.

However, if you are satisfied with current OC, only lower the CPU voltage, while maintaining other settings in BIOS.

Zothik · Nov 25, 2013

Bejusek :

I am pretty satisfied with my current OC, so I think I will just lower the CPU voltage by using your recommended method.
I managed to improve the airflow and got my CPU's temperature down to about 65-70 degrees during heavy load. This is also before lowering the voltage by the way.

Bejusek · Nov 25, 2013

70 degrees during heavy load sounds good.
Check your VID and lower the voltage as much as possible before it becomes unstable. This should lower your temps even more.

spentshells · Nov 25, 2013

OP do you have an aftermarket cooler? If you do not you should get one so you can take the CPU further.

Zothik · Nov 25, 2013

Bejusek :

Yeah, I'll try that =)

Zothik · Nov 25, 2013

spentshells :

I have a standard Zalman fan that I bought for like 20 bucks or something. Maybe I should consider getting something a bit better.

spentshells · Nov 28, 2013

Zothik :

You know what for about 20 dollars properly spent you could pick up a cooler master tx3 or hyper 212. This should allow you to at least keep the temps down while overclocking.

Zalman is old hat.

schmuckley · Nov 28, 2013

That board should go up to 350 fsb
set 350 FSB and add a notch or 2 of vcore and it should be good.
You may need to lower your RAM strap by 1..and that's about it

Tbh..I was running @ 2.8 with reduced voltage on a very similar board because the power delivery system is weak.
The plan:Lower Vcore by 2-3 notches
Lower RAM strap by 1
Overclock..raising the fsb 25 at a time..
Use Hyper-pi 32m to test if stable.
Good Luck!

spentshells · Nov 29, 2013

schmuckley :

You should have read the whole article, he's opted to use a DFI-lan party p45 now, FSB on these boards is insane (for the most part)

Overclocking my Q9650

Distinguished

Judicious

Distinguished

Judicious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Judicious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Judicious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Judicious

Distinguished

Judicious

Share this page