Managed get my G0 Q6600 to 3.4GHz stable at 1.36v

[rHy0]

I'm quite happy I actually achieved my main goal of 3.4GHz! The best part of it though is that I only need 1.36v running through it Thats unusually low for a Q6600 isnt it? Don't usually have much luck with CPU's so I am still finding it hard to believe this!

It's done close to 14hrs of prime. Solid as a rock.



Temps aren't as fantastic as you'd expect with such low vcore though... One core always touches 69C in prime..

So I guess this CPU is a keeper then?? Makes me think how well I could do if I only had better cooling!

I would like hear your comments. And maybe even some advice on how I can do things better.

 

[genec57]

The only way, IMO, for you to improve on what you have got is to go with water cooling.

 

[rHy0]

Hah no I'm too scared of water cooling and it seems way overpriced.... I am in desperate need of a new monitor right now as you can see, so all my money is going on that.

I am hoping for some cheap, easy methods of improving temps to give me more headroom.

I did set up a 92mm fan (pulled off arctic freezer) just above my 120mm intake, but really close and directly facing the tuniq. For some odd and annoying reason though, I had no temp improvements at all! Is there a certain way I should position it!?

Here's a pic - http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j312/rHy0/S1010047.jpg

 

[Valtiel]

Still working on mine... I have kind of the same set up as you.

Have gotten it stable at 3.4Ghz and 1.3625 volts but haven't tried lowering the Vcore.

Currently I am slowly ramping it up over the next week to totally optimize the voltage/frequency. I'm at 2.88Ghz on stock volts now. gonna try 3Ghz tomorrow

 

[rHy0]

Well I can't get the vcore any lower than what I have now or I start getting BSOD's so you probably won't get lower than 1.36v when your at 3.4GHz.

I was able have mine undervolted way up until I went past 3.2GHz. Then I had to start upping the volts...

We have really nice chips. I can imagine you'll do just as well as me.

 

[akhilles]

If your place has a basement, move the pc down there. It's free watercooling. 10'c less than ground. In the winter, I move it back up to my room - free heating.

 

[Hatman]

lol thats funy but the Q6600 actually IS a room heater..

atm mines just at 3ghz with 1.34vcore, havent tried higher YET but im going to ina min, mine only gets up to 60degrees MAX so I got a bit of space left, since it never gets to max load enough outside of a stress test to get that hot.

 

[rHy0]

Wow...the forums have really been dead recently...

 

[TexasVol]

I just received my system (mainly for video, not gaming...note the old video card). Same CPU and similar MOBO. I'm chomping at the bit to start doing some OC experimentation. I'll keep you posted.


------------
Q6600 G0 @ 2.4GHz / Tuniq Tower | Asus P5K Deluxe Wifi | 450W PSU | CORSAIR, 2x1GB XMS2 Xtreme 800MHz CL4 (4-4-4-12) | Ebay ATI RADEON X800 SE 128MB| Raptor 74GB | Antec P180 | Vista HP 32 bit | 21'' LCD

 

[rHy0]

Cool thanks.

I will be giving 3.6GHz a try now. Time to take advantage of the cold weather!

Hoping to achieve it with no more than 1.4v. Not sure if thats gonna happen though...

 

[Valtiel]

I got 3.2 Ghz on stock volts. But to get it up to 3.260 I had to give it 1.30625 volts still have to max out [the frequency on] this voltage, will post back later. Temps are around 57C max (full load).

 

[rHy0]

Man you lucky...

I just cannot control my temps...

Cores are closing in on 70C at 3.5GHz (1.39v) running prime... And this is in a chilling 18C room... I'm worried.

 

[timerboy]

Time for watercooling.... lol I currently have my Q6600 at 3.4GHz I am currrently researching watercooling before I try for 3.6GHz. My goal is 3.6 for my DRR2800 for a 1:1

 

[Speed-Geek]

I have my Q6600 running at 3.42 on air right now. My temps are a little under 70C when running prime95, not too bad i guess.

Im also looking into watercooling for my personal system. Its one thing to recommened watercooling to a friend and another to use it yourself...lol.

Good luck.

 

[MadCow809]

I did set up a 92mm fan (pulled off arctic freezer) just above my 120mm intake, but really close and directly facing the tuniq. For some odd and annoying reason though, I had no temp improvements at all! Is there a certain way I should position it!?

Here's a pic - http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j312/rHy0/S1010047.jpg

no wonder it doesnt help, your IDE cable is blocking it.

and 69c is kind of hot, mine never go over 50c, even under full load. Maybe u should consider water cool, or a better air cool heatsink+fan. Also, sort ur case out, if its too messy, it can affect the airflow rate, which result in high cpu+chassis temp.

 

[rHy0]

Yeah that damn stone age cable is my worst enemy I tell ya! And I am stuck with it because where I am, I can't find any rounded IDE cables...

However, even though it looks like it in the pic, the cable is not interfering with the fans air. It is actually securely fixed to the side of the case behind the side of the fan..

I have just ordered a decent 60cfm 120mm fan though, so hopefully that will help a bit. I am planning on fixing it in the same general area as that 92mm fan, but as an intake at the front of the case.

I also ordered a pci-slot exhaust fan so that should help too.

 

[Guest]

I bought that pci-slot exhaust fan and put it right next to my 8800GTS, it works wonders.

This weekend I'm going to start to OC my quad. Just going to try to get it to 3.2Ghz, 8 x 400FSB. At 2.4Ghz it never climbs above 42C at full load, so I'm hoping at 3.2Ghz it won't pass 60C. But right now with all my fans and exhausts in the case, it blows out what feels like cold air! Room temp is 75F right now but when winter comes that will drop to 70F.

You guys remember your full load temps at 3.2Ghz? Is below 60F with Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme a reasonable goal for the Q6600 with G0 stepping?

 

[Evilonigiri]

You guys remember your full load temps at 3.2Ghz? Is below 60F with Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme a reasonable goal for the Q6600 with G0 stepping?

Impossible. 60C is what you mean, I assume. In that case, if the ambient temps are cold enough, quite possible.

 

[TexasVol]

Ok, so I'm up to 3.3GHz, but have to up my Vcore to 1.36 to get there. Also had to turn on Vcore buffer on my P5k to combat the Vdroop. The good news is that my Tcase is only at 61C, and I dont even have my fans at their highest speed.

How much overvoltage on Vcore is "safe"?

Are there other BIOS settings that I should look at to ensure max stability while I search for top speed?
Vmem is at 2.1 (max within warranty).
Fixed PCIe to 100MHz.
Mem timings at 5-5-5-15.

 

[CompuTronix]

Guys, respectfully, when dicussing temperatures, it's important to be clear. Reading through this thread, rHy0 specifies Core, then Hatman, Valtiel, Speed-Geek, MadCow809 and deuce271 don't specify anything, Evilonigiri is confused by deuce271, and TexasVol specifies Tcase. I wrote the C2Q/D Temp Guide, and with 2 exceptions, I can't be certain who's referring to what. If we say 65c without specifying, then it may be a safe temp, or it may be too hot.

Since there are 2 possibilities - Tcase (CPU) or Tjunction (Core) - if we're not clear, then temperatures are reduced to apples and oranges thermal fruit salad. I see this occur repeatedly in the forums. Although many users mistakenly assume everyone is referring to Core temps because they're highest, it's very confusing if we're not clear, especially for n00bs struggling to finalize their first build.

The following Scale from the Temp Guide will help to bring Q6600 specs and temps into perspective:

Q6600: Tcase Max 71c, G0 Stepping, Tjunction Max 100c, Vcore Max 1.372, TDP 95w, Delta 10c

-Tcase/Tjunction-
--70--/--80--80--80--80-- Hot
--65--/--75--75--75--75-- Warm
--60--/--70--70--70--70-- Safe
--25--/--35--35--35--35-- Cool

Hope this helps,

Comp

 

[Sparky6string]

Thanks for attempting to dispel the confusion CompuTronix, but my problem with that is nothing I have lists temperatures as Tcase or Tjunction. Regarding voltage, in bios my "CPU voltage" is set at 1.28125 and CPU-Z has "core voltage" at 1.232. Are those figures then Tcase and Tjunction respectively? Or is Tcase and Tjunction terms only used in describing temperatures?

 

[CompuTronix]

Sparky6string, Tcase means "Temperature Case", which is CPU temp, and Tjunction means "Temperature Junction", which is Core temp. You can read all about temperatures in the following Sticky: Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-29-core-quad-temperature-guide

Hope this helps,

Comp

 

[Sparky6string]

I had actually read that article before but somehow it hadn't sunk in. After revisiting it today I think I have a better grasp of it. Thanks for taking the time to write that also.

 

[rHy0]

Very helpful CompuTronix! That little temps chart you did out really opened my eyes more. I didnt realise Intels max temp recommendation (71) applied to the Tcase.

Thats great news actually because I though I was at the limit with one of my cores hitting 70C prime at my current OC. Then I just recently tightened the screws down more on my tuniq and my load temps dropped down to 67 max! So looks like I'm well safe and got alot of headroom left.

To get 3.6GHz stable I need quite a bit of voltage though.. about 1.42v. Temps were avg. 73C but jumping to 77 sometimes, but at least thats not going to kill my chip.. Right?

Also if I tried 450x8 instead do you think I could get away with lower vcore or would it not make a difference?

 

[CompuTronix]

rHy0, the short answer to your question regarding FSB, multiplier and Vcore is that it shouldn't make a difference, however, this is addressed in graysky's C2Q/D Overclocking Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

Comp