Hi Guys,

I have spent a few hours reading through the temp and overclocking guides above and found them both very useful. Thank you to the writers. It really helped answer some of my questions. However, I have some questions which I did not see covered that concern me.

First off I want to list my hardware:
Mobo: GA-965-S3 (revision 3)
CPU: E6600 2.52ghz (280 x 9)
Memory: Corsair CM2X1024-6400-C4 PC6400 (400mhz) with timings 4-4-4-12 at 2.1v (3.0 x 280 = 840)

1) When the FSB frequency is increased the memory clock is increased by the mulitplier selected. Mine is set to 3.0 and my clock is set to 280. This creates a memory clock of 840mhz, well at least I think. Should the memory multiplier be set to a rate which keeps the clock <= 800mhz? Is there a safe limit?

2) The guide recommends relaxing memory timings to prevent memory errors from interferring with the CPU results and giving your false readings. If the memory timings are interferring then isn't it related to the overclocking function anyway? Is it not going to be a problem when I complete the overclocking and tighten the memory timings?

3) The voltage on my comuter according to the BIOS is set to auto.
CPU-Z reads it as 1.136v, 1.280v loading applications.
Speed Fan 4.33 references Vcore1 as 1.14v (1.136 rounded I'd guess) and Vcore2 as 2.10v.
Core Temp 0.95.4 references VID as 1.1625v idle, 1.3250v when I load an application.

Which is the correct voltage? The guide says "Vcore Default 1.3525". Should I be setting that in the BIOS in replace of "Auto"?

I need to know because the guide mentioned that on auto the mobo overestimates the vcore. As vcore is a factor of heat generation I don't want to play with it until I start getting instabilities when I overclock. I need to set it correctly to prevent this as I don't think I should be trusting auto.

4) I ran a Prime95 test, specifically the torture test labelled Small FFTs. My two "Cores" are currently idleing at 34dc according to both Speed Fan 4.33 and Core Temp 0.95.4. Upon load they ran up to 57dc and held there for approximately 30 minute before I ended the Prime95 test. I had round off checking enabled and the tests produced no errors up to the point where I ended the test.

According to the temp guide my CPU can rise up to 80dc before throttling and 85dc for shutdown. Are the idle temp and load temps satisfactory to again increase my FSB or does it show some cooling issues?

Thanks for the help in advance.
Mark

Section 6: Scale

As Tcase to Tjunction Deltas are constant, Tcase Max is always the limiting specification for temperatures.

Scale 5: Duo
E6x00: Tcase Max 61c, L2 Stepping, Tjunction Max 100c, Vcore Default 1.325, TDP 65w, Delta 15c

-Tcase/Tjunction-
--60--/--75--75-- Hot
--55--/--70--70-- Warm
--50--/--65--65-- Safe
--25--/--40--40-- Cool

Thanks. I remember reading that. What about the voltage settings and memory clock. Can someone help there?

You put in as much voltage as it takes to get it stable.

Keep memory at or below stock until you get a stable CPU clock.

Okay. But how do I know what the current voltage of my computer is. Three programs each say something different?

I'm assuming by computer you mean vCore?

What programs are giving what readings?

The voltage on my comuter according to the BIOS is set to auto.
CPU-Z reads it as 1.136v, 1.280v loading applications.
Speed Fan 4.33 references Vcore1 as 1.14v (1.136 rounded I'd guess) and Vcore2 as 2.10v.
Core Temp 0.95.4 references VID as 1.1625v idle, 1.3250v when I load an application.

Which is the correct voltage? The guide says "Vcore Default 1.3525". Should I be setting that in the BIOS in replace of "Auto"?

apoth99, Vcore Default can be used as a starting reference point for overclocking. Also, if you click on the "Charts" tab in SpeedFan, you can observe a graphical representation of Vcore, which scales to 1.xxx volts exactly the same as CPU-Z. The "Charts" will allow you to visualize and track Vcore behavior as it changes during SpeedStep, as well as Idle and Load. I use CPU-Z for a quick check of Vcore, but I much prefer to use SpeedFan Charts for a more detailed analysis of Vcore, as well as temperatures. SpeedFan Charts is an extremely useful and valuable tool, so check it out.

Comp

Thanks for taking the time to help explain this all to me. I still am a little vague on the voltage settings. I have not yet attempted to change the voltage for the CPU.

Does the voltage for the VCORE work similarly to the Voltage for the DDR Memory in that, the setting is "auto" by default but you can add 0.1v or 0.2v for example, to increase it. Rather than setting a value of say 1.325v.

So, if you had for instance 1.300v then you would add +.25 using the options to get it to 1.325v or something to that effect. Is that how it is supposed to work?

I have it in my mind that I am supposed to set the VCORE manually to its value.

You are correct.

Thanks!

You're quite welcome!