O/C E6600 -> X6800 Spec ?

[AstroTux]

Hi,

I've been using AMD processors exclusively for the last ten years, but the time has come for me to go over to the "Dark Side" and run Intel.

I've been reading several articles on this site regarding the overclocking potential of the Intel Core2 Duo processor. I'm not wanting to overclock it to its full potential, but I am wanting to get a cheap X6800!

I was wondering what I'd need to do in order to get an E6600 running to the spec of a stock X6800, and whether it can run like this with the stock cooler? I intend to use the ASUS P5W DH Deluxe motherboard for overclocking.

The overall system spec I'm looking at is:

Intel Core2 Duo E6600
2Gb DDR2 800 MHz (2x 1Gb sticks)
1Gb ASUS GeForce 7950GX2
ASUS P5W DH Deluxe MoBo
2x 500Gb Western Digital Caviar WD5000YS RE2, SATA II (RAID 0)
SB Audigy 1 Platinum sound card
Creative DXr3 Hardware DVD Decoder
XP Pro/XP 64/Vista

I did look at just straight out buying the X6800, but after seeing the potential for O/C the processors in general, I'm considering getting the E6600 instead, and overclocking it.

Would the above be suitable for overclocking, and if so, do I need to do anything to the processor prior to overclocking in the BIOS?

Which PSU would you recommend (without going crazy)?

Best regards,
AstroTux.

 

[rwaritsdario]

The reason why the X6800 is so expensive is because it has unlocked multipliers up and down, so you can have enough fun with them alone hehe.
That setup will run you just passed 3Ghz, if you wanna run at ~4Ghz youll need a better FSB mobo and 4-4-4-12 timings on that RAM.
Youll need adecuate CPU cooling and ild wait for G80...

 

[WR2]

I was wondering what I'd need to do in order to get an E6600 running to the spec of a stock X6800, and whether it can run like this with the stock cooler?

The X6800 has a stock CPU multiplier of 11 and the E6600 has a 9 multi.
With a stock FSB of 266.5 Mhz that means the X6800 runs at 2.93Ghz (266.5*11) and 2.4Ghz for the E6600. Run your E6600 at 333 FSB and you're just under 3Ghz of 25% overclock. That 333 FSB speed happens to be an excellent match for DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) RAM by the way.
The stock HSF is actually a decent performer even at that speed. The noise of the HSF is usually an issue before its actual cooling ability becomes a bigger issue. So an aftermarket HSF not only keeps the CPU cooler it also keeps the noise down as well. A $30 bargin ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler With the better cooling and right RAM you can probably look for an overclock in the 350-380FSB range. Say 3.2Ghz to 3.4Ghz or 35-45% overclock without too much effort on your part or strain on the hardware.
ASUS P5W DH Deluxe review That review does a good job showing the BIOS overclocking options.

975X motherboard don't overclock as high as the newer 965 motherboards. Also the Nvidia 600 chipset motherboards are due out soon. That should be of interest if you're a SLI fan.

Given that you're looking at a 975X motherboard that supports Crossfire and not SLI are you open to considering ATI cards?

A quality PSU in the 500-600W range (1ea 1GB GeForce 7950 GX2) should work for you. Maybe 600-650W if you want to look at multi top level GPU DX10 cards (or 2ea GeForce 7950 GX2).
EVGA 7920 GX2 power requirements
Antec NeoPower NeoHE 550 $90 after rebate

 

[AstroTux]

Hi,

Given that you're looking at a 975X motherboard that supports Crossfire and not SLI are you open to considering ATI cards?

I'm not looking at running two cards. Will the GeForce 9750GX2 perform as well as it wolud in a board that supported SLi instead, or doesn't his matter at all for a single card config?

Best regards,
AstroTux.

 

[rwaritsdario]

No it doesnt. And youll kick yourself in the balls if you dont want for a 8800GTX.