Overclocking: some help for a newb

[scryer_360]

SO I've read Wuzy's (extremely informative) guide to overclocking, and have enjoyed learning all that I have. But I still have a problem:

I am a college student, and really do not want to break anything I order for my new comp. I can actually build the thing fine, I've assembled PCs numerous times, its the actual overclocking itself that scares me.

So here are a few questions:

What is the E6300 in relation to the E6400? I think I read it somewhere that the E6400 is just an overclocked version of the E6300, or vice versa (with the E6300 being underclocked), or that the E6300 is just the E6400 with the multiplier set at 7 instead of 8.

IF they are technically the same, just the E6300 is underclocked or the E6400 is factory overclocked, is it safe to overclock the E6300 to the E6400's specs?

Also: much is mentioned about how to tune the BIOS, but I have little to no clue of how to access the BIOS. Also:
where can I get software utilities to ramp up the speeds on the fan of the PC, or the CPU and such even, or is it really just that much better to do it all in the BIOS? And if I do it all in the BIOS, is there a quick way to tone down the settings if I want to back down, or does everything require tons of time and restarting the computer and such?

 

[scryer_360]

Oh and uh, is accessing the BIOS and tuning settings the same on Windows Vista as it is in XP? I assume so, somehow I think even a few of us here are using Linux based systems, so it should all be the same right?

 

[sirheck]

i believe the e6400 has more l2 cache.

and to get into the bios usually hold down the delete
button on start up or restart.

oh and goodluck 8O

 

[grant8844]

the E6400 has the same 2.0 L2 cache as the E6300
The E6600 steps up to 4.0 cache

 

[Arrowyx]

All the E6xxx series processors are based on the exact same core. The E6300 and E6400 have access to 2 of the 4MB of cache cut away by laser. Aside from that the only other difference is the multiplier thats locked into the processor

E6300: multi of 7 and 2MB of L2 cache
E6400: multi of 8 and 2MB of L2 cache
E6600: multi of 9 and 4MB of L2 cache
E6700: multi of 10 and 4MB of L2 cache
X6800: unlocked multi from 6 to 13 (I think it's 13 at least) and 4MB of L2 cache

 

[sirheck]

the E6400 has the same 2.0 L2 cache as the E6300
The E6600 steps up to 4.0 cache

cool i couldnt remember which was which.

 

[scryer_360]

running the math it seems like the E6300 and E6400 are the very same, as if you divide 1.83 gigahertz by 7 then take the result by 8 you have 2.13 gigahertz (or just barely short of).

But about the multiplier, would the E6300 (if clocked to 2.13 gigahertz) run as hot as the E6400, or does having the higher multiplier mean better performance at less heat?

I'd rather not shell out the $30 for the E6400, but really, it almost sounds like I should just shell out $30 (the very edge of my budget will need to be clipped to fit that) and get an E6400.

Unless, even though todays processors have locked multipliers, there is a way to up the multiplier on the E6300?

 

[sirheck]

either way it should work fine for you.

you wouldnt notice any difference if you had them side by side.

a benchie would though. and not by much.

 

[scryer_360]

although, as yet, my questions about how to overclock (in Windows Vista) has yet to be answered. Thanks for all the advice, just, eh, is overclocking in Vista the same as overclocking in not vista?

 

[Arrowyx]

An OS has nothing to do with overclocking at all. The only thing Vista would do is make you unable to use any temperature monitoring programs. All overclocking is done through the motherboard's bios.

 

[HotFoot]

You should consider the RAM also when you are thinking of doing an overclock. If you definately want the performance of the E6400, you can do that with the E6300, but the overclock you put on the Motherboard will require you to either get better than 533 MHz DDR2 RAM or change the FSB:RAM ratio to something other than 1:1, which will incur a cost in system performance.

My point is that you may actually spend less money on a E6400 system if you buy DDR2 533MHz RAM than you would if you got a E6300 system and went up to the 667MHz RAM so that you can overclock while keeping the 1:1 ratio.

 

[scryer_360]

Hmm, well currently, again here is my setup (I have not ordered parts but will soon):
1.E6300 (sounds like I may just do E6400 and not do any overclock to start)
2.MSI 975X Platinum V.2 LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard
3.CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

But from what HotFoot was saying, it sounds like DDR2 800 is a waste of time? I know that for some reason P965 (I currently am on a 975 though) only run DDR2 800 memory at DDR2 667, and I need to overclock the memory to get that back.

Currently, I think in the end, I want a 400mhz FSB, so what do I then need to run the processor and memory at? On my thread in the General section, PCAnalyst stated that if I run the E6300 with DDR2 800 RAM, I would need to overclock the CPU to about 2.8 gigahertz (so I'd need non-stock cooling) to get that FSB to 400.

However, if a motherboard will only accept DDR2 800 at DDR2 667 speeds, then wouldn't I be better just doing DDR2 667 and then overclocking it to DDR2 800, or would there be benefits to the sticks themselves being DDR2 800?

 

[HotFoot]

If you're planning on taking the FSB all the way up to 400, then I would certainly recommend the E6300 and DDR2-800. The RAM will handle that FSB nicely. With the E6300, you'll be pushing 2.8 GHz, as opposed to the 3.2 GHz you'd require from your E6400. You probably won't get away with stock cooling, but you should still be able to manage on air cooling, so overall it won't be too expensive.

 

[grant8844]

I just o/c a 6600 to 3.0 g using stock Vcore

So you have a good chance to o/c either one of the cpus you are considering to 3.0. using stock cooling.

I am using an AC 7 pro and my temps under 100% load on both cores is only 52 degrees c

 

[Arrowyx]

Stock cooling in a case with decent airflow will get you to 3.1-3.2 or so before temperatures are high enough to start to worry. If you stick with the E6300 you won't need a different heatsink but if you go with the E6400 then you might want to consider a decent low-priced heatsink like the AC Freezer 7 Pro. It's a bit better than stock and would allow for a 400MHz FSB on the E6400.