Overclocking a Core 2 Duo (E4300)

[Xpyrofuryx]

Okay, I have my C2D rig up and going now. I am ready to overclock. Before I start though, I want to know any tips, and how to do it right.

here is the system:

Intel Core 2 Duo E4300
2GB DDR2 667mhz
Gigabyte S-series Intel 965
XFX nVidia GeForce 7600GT
FSP 450watt PSU
320GB Hitachi SATA2

I would also maybe like to overclock the VGA since it is a 7600GT, maybe I could get some more performance out of it. But please I want to do this right and any help would be highly appreciated

 

[Grimmy]

I'd start by using TAT worklevel load (100 percent on both cores), to be sure your cooling (HSF) can handle even stock speed loads before over clocking your CPU. Even running Prime95 for a few hours can help determine if you have any hardware errors to begin with.

Once your sure you have your hardware installed correctly, I would read Wusy's OC guide for C2D.

The real question is, how far do you want to push your CPU, or do you have a certain speed in mind?

 

[Xpyrofuryx]

The CPU is running at 25C under load times, and I want to achieve maybe 2.6Ghz from it (its 1.8 stock). Is that too far of a jump?

 

[billdcat4]

The CPU is running at 25C under load times, and I want to achieve maybe 2.6Ghz from it (its 1.8 stock). Is that too far of a jump?

25c cant be right unless you live in Antarctica.

You could definately OC the e4300 to 2.6ghz with stock cooling, although I would recommend getting Aftermarket cooling such as an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro for $30-35. With that HSF you should be easily able to OC to 3ghz. I have a friend with an ACF7P who's Pentium D 805 is at 3.7ghz.

For the GPU: I got that same GPU today from a friend. It came with a Zalman VF700CU aftermarket heatsink. My friend said that he OC'd his card quite well with the Zalman, and that the stock heatsink is crap.

You can OC the GPU with Coolbits or other programs

Getting aftermarket cooling for either the CPU or GPU has several benefits:
1. Lowers Temps for better OC'ing
2. Lower Noise
3. Lower temps for longer life

i would suggest the ACF7P for the CPU and a Zalman VF700 or VF900 for the GPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001647%2040000576&Manufactory=1647&bop=And&Order=PRICE

Any will be fine...

good luck!!!

 

[SuperFly03]

No offense, but it isn't running at 25c under load. That just doesn't happen on air or water. If you have TEC then it is possible (though that would be a very underpowered TEC).

2.6 is cake for an E4300. You can generally get ~2.8GHz on stock voltage, maybe up to 3 GHz.

Mkae sure and set your RAM:MEM ratio at 1:1 and then you can start upping the FSB by following Wusy's C2D guide.

 

[Grimmy]

The CPU is running at 25C under load times, and I want to achieve maybe 2.6Ghz from it (its 1.8 stock). Is that too far of a jump?

2.6 should be quite easy, but nothing to laugh at. I have my dad's E4300 at 2.4 ghz.

As far as the 25C load temp, I agree with the others thats not exactly doable with air cooling.

The program I'm referring to is:

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/392/mirrors.php

By clicking that link, the download should start in 5 secs.

That program should read your 2 core temps, as well as push them to test their thermal limits.

A great source to read on C2D temps:

Core 2 Duo Temperature Guide

Which should have links for other programs to use, but like for speed fan, it will show temps, but the core temps may be 15C cooler then TAT temps.

 

[Xpyrofuryx]

Sorry, that was a typo, I meant to say 35C under load.

 

[waleedhk]

set your pcie 100 and pci -33mhz...bump the fsb from 200 to 266 (1066(QDR)) and set your memory multipliyer i think so 2... i am pretty sure that it will boot

 

[SpeedyVV]

...and then you can start upping the FSB by following Wusy's C2D guide.

Hey SuperFly03:
Can you please tell me where to find Wusy's C2D guide. Please excuse my ignorance, I am brand new at this.

 

[Grimmy]

. o O (thought I had that link on my other post)

But here ya go:

Core2Duo Overclocking Guide v1.1

 

[dean7]

. o O (thought I had that link on my other post)

But here ya go:

Core2Duo Overclocking Guide v1.1

And now let's all take a moment to reflect upon the fact that Wusy is a badass.

 

[Xpyrofuryx]

Okay, I overclocked it from 1.8Ghz to 2.11Ghz at 1:1 ratio and 235 Bus Speed. But now it won't let me go any further. Whenever I go to change the Bus speed to 236 or higher it then restarts as normal but it starts the rig up at 200 stock bus speed instead. I don't know why. If I had to take a guess I would say it was my RAM now holding this machine back.

And if anyone is interested this is what I am at now:

Clock Rate: 2.11Ghz (1.8Ghz Stock)
Bus Speed: 235 (200 Stock)
FBS Rate: 940Mhz (667mhz Stock)
RAM Timings: 5-6-6-16 (4-4-4-15 Stock)
Multiplier: x9 (x9 Stock)

 

[SuperFly03]

How do you know it is starting up at stock speed? Is the BIOS POST screen telling you this or are you verifying this form within Windows?

Did you follow the OC Man Wusy to the letter?

RAM:FSB ratio at 1:1? [this is very important]

 

[Mondoman]

You may be confusing the FSB and memory buses:

...
Bus Speed: 235 (200 Stock)
FBS Rate: 940Mhz (667mhz Stock)
RAM Timings: 5-6-6-16 (4-4-4-15 Stock)
Multiplier: x9 (x9 Stock)

The FSB (CPU) bus is listed as 940MHz, while the (memory?) bus is listed as 235 (MHz?) Where are you getting these numbers?

 

[Grimmy]

Na... I don't think your ram is holding you back.

Might help some if you use CPU-Z. Either using the validation like the one I did for my dads E4300. Finally got his system to run 1:1.

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=200396

Or you could just do a screen shot on the CPU page, and Memory tab.

One thing that could be holding you back, is perhaps the memory voltage. I have mine set to 2.1 volts. All other voltage should be fine at their stock settings since it looks like your gradually increasing speed, instead of jumping directly to the speed you want.

Now with the memory, after going through some good info provided from another thread, to get a 1:1 ratio, try to be sure your running that DDR2 667 memory at 533 speed. I did have a blank screen problem, but I got it to finally boot. That was my main problem, I didn't think it would work. :lol:

For what I have setup for my P6N SLI 650i MB, I have the:

FSB: 1066
Memory Clock: 533

*Side note: my bios shows the full # spec's - so kinda confusing, so the FSB would be read 266 on other MB bios.

Now that is for a 2394mhz or 2.4 OC.

Not sure about the MB you have by gigabyte, if you have a ram multi, be sure to set it to 2, from what I understand.

And set the memory clock to 533. To sum up set:

1.) get CPU-Z so we all have a better lock at whats going on
2.) set your memory clock to 533 and if you have ram multi set to 2
3.) set memory voltage to 2.1 (shouldn't hurt it)
4.) leave FSB 235 for 2.11 OC to further test it with prime or othos.
5.) push FSB 245 to test that, and continue till you hit your target speed.

With those settings above, CPU-z should show your OC with 1:1 ratio, hopefully.

GL

edit:

Clock Rate: 2.11Ghz (1.8Ghz Stock)
Bus Speed: 235 (200 Stock)
FBS Rate: 940Mhz (667mhz Stock)
RAM Timings: 5-6-6-16 (4-4-4-15 Stock)
Multiplier: x9 (x9 Stock)

FSB 940????? Now I see what Mondoman was saying. :lol:

Errr that's your memory clock. Set that to 533, and if you have a ram multi setting, set that to 2, and the voltage to 2.1.

:mrgreen: . o O (too early in the morning fer me)

 

[Xpyrofuryx]

I do/have been using CPU-Z. That is where I am getting all these numbers from.

Also, I didn't have time to read all the posts, but I will soon, sorry.

 

[Grimmy]

Why are you not showing them.

Here, the easy way:

1 Open CPUz and click about tab
2 click on validation button
3 click save validation file ( desktop or anywhere you can find it)
4 on step 2, click on validation webpage.
5 fill out the info. from there you can copy the link. (you also get it via email)

Then just post the link on the thread. It would help us see better on what is going on.