Hi all
how would you go about overclocking a q9300? with a Coolermaster TX2 HS/F, the parts already ordered.

it rated @ 2.5Ghz but i reccon it would easily get above 3.0, although im not sure how far?

also what would you set as the maxium voltage?
Spec: -these where bought to a budget, a x38, DDR2-1066 would all be desireable but hey.
q9300 (45nm @ 2.5Ghz, Quad) running in x64
coolermaster TX2
4GB (4x1Gb DDR2-800 Corsair XMS2 4-4-4-4-12 non EEC unbuffered (not DHX))
Asus P5K p35
NV geforce 8800gt
coolermaster 625W modular
500Gb Western digital Cavier
Coolermaster caverlier alu Case
(^^i hope you aprove)

i havent overclocked a Quad core nor 45nm machine before.

Also what would be the best way to OC the 8800gt, in the old day it was Riva Tuner but im not sure what the deal is now?

Many thanks Dobby

I take it that you have read the guide here? It's critical to get a general idea of OCing a C2D before starting. Follow the guide closely, and to get 3GHz on the Q9300, you'd need to do 400MHz FSB, just perfect for you ram.

You have asked how high you can OC this beast. Sadly, due to the Q9300's low multiplier of 7.5, you will be motherboard limited. Assuming that the motherboard can do 500MHz FSB (this is a bit on the high side), the highest OC you will be able to achieve is 7.5 x 500MHz = 3.750GHz. However, your ram would have to be clocked at 1000MHz if running 1:1, and hearing that Corsair ram OCs poorly, you may be limited by the ram.

To OC vidcard, read the vidcard OCing guide here.

when you say that it would be great for my ram, is that with my ram starting from stock and being raised in ratio, (which would leave at what DDR speed?) or with the ram taken back to 677 then lifted up?

im a bit confused.

thanks, i have read the guides im just unsure on modern computer limits.

Set the ram ratio to 1:1 and increas the fsb to 400; the ram will be running at 800mhz.

Your current fsb is 333 and your ram is at a ratio of 1:1.2 for 800mhz.


The ram will stay the same speed but the CPU and FSB will be running faster (overclocked). I suggest reading the stickies.