Problems Overclocking my Q6600

Hello everyone. I just built a new computer and am having problems trying to overclock my q6600. I have done a lot of research and it seems that most people can at least get close to 3.0ghz with an aftermarket cooler of some kind. For some reason, I have not been able to overclock my cpu at all. My cpu also seems to be idling at an elevated temperature (around 45-50) for having a cooler installed.

I have a feeling that my cpu is bottlenecking my performance in demanding games such as Crysis (where my performance has been HORRIBLE). I would think that with my setup, I should easily be able to get at least 3.0ghz out of my cpu. Anytime that I change anything in the bios and/or with asus's program in windows, it will never post on the restart. I am getting quite frustrated and would appreciate any advice you guys could give.

I am not anywhere near being called an expert when it comes to things like this, as this is the first time attempting to overclock a computer of mine.

Here's my setup.

q6600 at 2.4ghz with Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm cooler
Asus p5n32-e sli 680i mobo
2x BGF 8800gt superoverclocked 512 MB in SLI
4gb Patriot DDR2 800mhz 4-4-4-12 extreme performance ram
Soundblaster x-fi extremegamer
Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit
Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1000w psu
Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 case

Here's some pics of my info from cpu-z and coretemp 0.95.3 while sitting at idle.

Here's the pics of my 3dMark06 score with...

1280 x 1024 settings.

1920 x 1200 settings

I recently purchased the same motherboard and cpu and was met with the same problems as you when I tried going past 2.9ghz. By flashing the bios to the 1103 version I was able to surpass 3.0 without any problems. Been running Prime95 for a few hours now, so I am comfortable in saying that this should solve your problem.

Thanks for the help so far guys. I reset my heatsink using a much smaller amount of AS5 (exactly how much was shown on the directions on their website), and now my idle temps are running right about at 40...so that is a little improvement. Is that still too high, or is that about normal?


I just got done trying to OC this cpu once again. I upped my FSB from 1066 to 1333 (while down-clocking my ram to 677 as you suggested) and windows would not even load. I left all of my voltages on "auto" rather than trying to find a value that will work...do you think this is the reason that I could not get windows to load?

I will try updating the bios as you have suggested and hope that improves things. If this does not work, do you have any more suggestions?

Ok, I will give that a shot then. I've never done a BIOS flash before. Did you just use the asus update utility? If not, what method did you use?

Sound good, thanks again for you help...I'll give this a try soon. By the way, would you share the settings that you are currently using to overclock your cpu with me? What are your voltages, fsb, etc...?

Those idle temps are fine. I'm running a Q6600 in a micro ATX with admittedly mediocre circulation, and the stock heatsink (with arctic silver 5), and I'm getting around 50*C idle, 71*C full load Prime 95. 2.7ghz OC. Just keep your hottest core under 75*C and you'll be fine. Most people are running this CPU in uber-ventilated towers, and thus conclude anything over 35*C idle unacceptable.

Your problem has got to be your BIOS settings. Have you checked out the Quad OC guide? Have you read your motherboard instruction manual? Temps are the least of your concerns at this point.