Q9450 or motherboard

[jaysins]

So I have the above CPU along with a gigabyte P35-DS3R mobo. So my question is what is likely holding me back from OC my cpu past 3.3 Ghz and 1.3375 volts. I know it's not ram as I have had it higher and tested that and am now running it with loose timing and 1:1 to make sure it's not the issue. So I figure it's either my cpu or mb. Right now I'm sitting on 1.3375 vcore and cannot get it past 413 without having to drastically up the voltage. At 3.2 Ghz I'm below 1.3 volts around 1.27 something if I recall and can hit 3.0 without a voltage bump at all. To get to 3.32 Ghz 415 FSB I have to raise the vcore up two steps to 1.3625V and that's higher than I'd like. My temps at 1.3625v and 3.33 Ghz @ load w/ prime95 is round 57-58 for all cores. Also I have played with NB voltages, fsb voltages etc and think I've tried just about every combination so it has to be I either have a cpu that can't go high or the mobo. So what does everyone think.

 

[richardscott]

the faster you go the more vcore you need but its not linear for even just a little extra speed you might need alot more vcore it all depends on how high your willing to go.

 

[V3NOM]

power supply maybe? im not sure... also out of curiosity wat cooler have u got on it?

 

[jaysins]

Tuniq 120 and a very well vented case. Temps on full load while at my max overclocked state and 1.365v are usually about 57C. I have a the OCZ 800w eliteXstream PSU which delivers 62A over the 12v rail so I'm pretty sure I'm good there. I do realize that it is going to be an exponential growth of vcore and heat but I was wondering which of the two factors, mobo or cpu do you think is limiting my overclock as I know most people seem to reach 3.4-6 comfortably and with much lower voltages than I can achieve 3.3 Ghz. Just trying to learn more about my system and overclocking in general so I wanted to know those more knowledgeable than myself thought.. I was thinking of upgrading mobo's and if it's that it would be just one more reason.

 

[shadowthor]

nvm, run realtemp and list VID.

 

[jaysins]

It says my min is 1.1500 and max is 1.2250. Overclocked @ 3.3 Ghz 413 FSB and set to 1.34375 V manually my system is getting 1.31 V on idle and 1.26 load according to speedfan. Also my temps according to realtemp is 53 52 54 54 on the cores @ full load for about five minutes while overclocked.

 

[jaysins]

I'm kinda leaning towards mobo but again I don't have much experience with this so suggestions are welcome.

 

[bpogdowz]

not the cpu i've got the q9450. you want a x48 or 790i. can't be the PSU then. the only other RAM ratios that work are 1:2, 5:4, and 3:2.