Help overclocking an old PC (EVGA 122-CK-NF68 A2) (E6600 2.4GHZ)

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giesus

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Sep 17, 2014
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I have been searching all over google the last few days on how to overclock my old PC and have had no luck so i thought i'd post on here.
I am new to overclocking and the manuals for my system don't help explaining what to do. I know it can be overclocked as my manual says so.

My main aim is to increase the cpu performance as i use it for audio production and i am stating to hit the cpu limit when running large projects in my software.

I would much appreciate it if someone could help. Many thanks

Here is my spec:

Operating System
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2.40GHz 41 ∞C
Conroe 65nm Technology
RAM
6.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 333MHz (5-5-5-15)
Motherboard
EVGA 122-CK-NF68 A2 (Socket 775) 37 ∞C
Graphics
BenQ GL2450H (1920x1080@60Hz)
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS (ASUStek Computer Inc) 58 ∞C
Storage
298GB Seagate ST332062 0AS SCSI Disk Device (SATA) 37 ∞C
1863GB Hitachi HDS723020BLA SCSI Disk Device (SATA) 35 ∞C
Optical Drives
SONY DVD RW AW-G170A ATA Device
Audio
FA-66

I can provide more info about my spec if anyone needs it using Speccy or if there is a better program then let me know.

Thanks again


 
Solution
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Nope not too hard. Make sure you clean all the old thermal paste off the CPU. I use 91% rubbing alcohol and a coffee filter as that will not leave behind lint. Then use a small pea sized drop of new paste in the center of the CPU. The cooler will spread it with the pressure of installation. The cooler will have instructions with it. If it says to apply the thermal paste differently then go by the instructions. Different pastes have different viscosities so they may have a slightly different preferred method of installation.

As long as you don't have a smallish case it should fit fine. You will have to remove the motherboard to install the cooler in most cases. Even if you don't have to it will be easier if you do.
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giesus

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Sep 17, 2014
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Thanks for your fast reply. I have the intel cooler. Same one when i first bought it. I am willing to purchase something that will cool it better if needed. I can open up the pc and get the part number if needed as well.

Many Thanks
 
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Deleted member 217926

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I was able to run my old E6600 at 3.2Ghz for the several years I had it. I did have a ZeroTherm Nirvana NV 120 cooling it though. You will certainly need aftermarket cooling to overclock. Something cheap like a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus would work. Just make sure whatever you get supports LGA 775.
 
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Deleted member 217926

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Yeah that should work. I don't see in the product description that it comes with thermal compound though. At least one review says it does and most coolers do so I wouldn't buy any extra unless it comes without it.

You do have a decently sized case to be sure it will fit right? And have you ever installed a cooler before? If so you should have no problems.
 
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Deleted member 217926

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Nope not too hard. Make sure you clean all the old thermal paste off the CPU. I use 91% rubbing alcohol and a coffee filter as that will not leave behind lint. Then use a small pea sized drop of new paste in the center of the CPU. The cooler will spread it with the pressure of installation. The cooler will have instructions with it. If it says to apply the thermal paste differently then go by the instructions. Different pastes have different viscosities so they may have a slightly different preferred method of installation.

As long as you don't have a smallish case it should fit fine. You will have to remove the motherboard to install the cooler in most cases. Even if you don't have to it will be easier if you do.
 
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giesus

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Sorry to keep posting, but i read that guide (above) and i find it a bit too complicated. Is there something new like nTune for Windows 7 that will run tests and optimise my settings for overclocking without me having to try and work out what to enter into my bios. I read through and i understand most bits about the guide, it's when i got to the Memory section (part 3) i find it hard to understand as i have 6GB memory installed.

Advice would be much appreciated.
 
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giesus

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also, do you think i am able to clock my cpu to 2.67 GHz without using a new cooler as the new software i want to purchase requires a Quad Core 2.67 GHz and i have a Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2.40GHz?
 
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A Core2Quad has 4 cores. You only have 2. No overclocking will make up for the lack of 2 physical processors.

And to the other post I missed, no there is really not any reliable overclocking software. It's much safer and more stable to overclock from the BIOS. To overclock you will have to do it slowly with quite a bit of stability testing. I don't consider an overclock 100% stable unless it passes 12 hours of Prime 95 and at least a few passes of Intel Burn Test.
 
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giesus

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Thanks anort3. I've just looked into it and found out the minimum requirements, which is Intel Core 2 Duo 2.67. will clocking to this work without a new cooler as i don't think the cooler that i'm looking to purchase will fit as the original cooler only just fits in width and hight as there is another nvidia component in the way. I can take a picture if you want and post.

your help is much appreciated
 
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If the minimum is a Core2Duo at 2.66Ghz that is an E6700 and the next model up from what you have. Honestly the very small 220Mhz clock speed difference will not matter. It should run on your hardware. Now it's never a good idea to go with bare minimum specs. What software is it?

You should be able to mount a cooler on pretty much any motherboard especially one designed for overclocking like yours. RAM with high heat spreaders can interfere with a cooler but that's generally the only problems you might have unless it won't fit in the case.

I will be completely honest here. Even overclocking to 3.2Ghz, which an E6600 can do usually with good cooling you will still have an outdated system for any new software or gaming. Some stuff will not matter at all but demanding software like photo or video editing and processing will be slow. You're fine with older games but newer 'next gen' stuff from 2013 and newer will have problems.
 
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Yeah it looks like you are just below minimum requirements.

I don't know enough about software of this type to know how demanding it is on the CPU. So I'm afraid I can't be much help on if the software will barely run on minimum requirements or if it needs significantly better specs than minimum to run well. Some things like Photoshop will technically work with the minimum but only if you like sitting there waiting for tasks to complete more than actually doing something.

Minimum specs.
Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit and Windows 8 support to be made available), Intel Core 2 Duo 2.67 GHz/AMD Phenom Quad Core 9750 2.4 GHz or higher, 2GB of RAM, 1280x800 minimum screen resolution, 4.5GB hard drive space for minimal install, 20GB recommended.
 
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giesus

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Hi again, i am adjusting the memory ddr frequency in the bios and not 100% sure what to put in. At the moment it is at 666Mhz. I have four RAM slots on the motherboard.

According to Speccy :

Two of them are DDR2 1024 MB 333 MHz (Kingston 9905316-025.A02LF )

and the other two are DDR2 2048 MB 333 MHz (Kingston 2G-UDIMM)

totalling 6GB RAM.

So basically what frequency should i put. It's confusing seen as i have 4 x 333Mhz and the current setting is 666Mhz (in the bios)

Many Thanks
 
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Deleted member 217926

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The memory is DDR or double data rate so if CPU-Z is reading at 333 you are really running at 667 effective and that is correct.

The most effective memory speed for Core2 is a 1:1 ratio with the FSB. The E6600 has a 9x multiplier and a 266 FSB ( 9 x 266 = 2.4Ghz ) so you are fine and still have plenty of overclock room with the RAM. Ideally with overclocking you would keep the 9x multiplier and raise the FSB to 333 ( 9 x 333 = 3Ghz ) then you would be running 1:1 with the RAM:FSB.

To overclock to say 3.2Ghz you would also slightly overclock the RAM. So to reach 3.2Ghz you would use the 9x multiplier and a FSB of 355 ( 9 x 355 = 3.2Ghz ). At 355FSB and the RAM set at 1:1 the RAM is running at 355 x 2 = 710 effective. A very small overclock most DDR2 667 should be able to handle.

Sounds complicated but it's easy when you understand the FSB and multiplier. All Core2Duo and Quads use the same principle just with different FSB and multipliers.
 
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Deleted member 217926

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Just leave it alone for now. You won't need to change anything until you overclock and maybe not even then depending on how high you go.
 
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