Overclocking QX6850 to 4.0GHz Settings... Please advise

[haomaru87]

Hi, i'm new to both the forum and OC so advices are welcome!

Here is my settings:
Mother Board: EVGA 790i FTW (Phoenix Bios)
CPU: Intel Quad-core Extreme QX6850 @3.00Ghz (Stock FSB 1333Mhz, Vcore 1.25V)
Cooling: Thermaltake Prowater watercooling - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1457/thermaltake_prowater_850i_liquid_cooler/index.html
Memory: Corsair 2x2GB (althou in OS 32bit it only reads 1.75GB ) stock settings DDR3 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24 @ 1.8V
Power Supply: Corsair 1000W
Graphic: Quad-SLI EVGA 9800GX2 (stock settings for now)
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit

Overclocking Settings:
4.00Ghz
Multiplier 10X
FSB 1600Mhz
Vcore stable for running OS @1.5V (Crashed in 3DMark06)
Temp: Idle @56C and Underload @73C

3.60Ghz
Multiplier 9X
FSB 1600Mhz
Vcore @1.35V
Temp: Idle @47C and Underload @60C Max


If I miss anything, please feel free to comment. This is my first OC rig btw.

 

[calinkula]

Those temps seem rather high for liquid cooling. You may need to increase the size of that radiator to bring those temps down. 73C is way higher than I would feel is safe. Don't wanna fry that $$ CPU. And go for a 64 bit OS.... The GPUs are eating all your mem space.

 

[vinegarjoe]

Hi Haomaru, welcome to Tom's!

Start here if you haven't already read this sticky (guide to OC): http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

1 big thing I notice, is that your temps are REALLY high at 4.0ghz. According to intel's guidelines (http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLAFN) You're exceeding the max temp for you cpu depending on what reading you're getting and if it's calibrated. The max tcase temp for your chip is 64c.

Also, the proper test for your cpu is small fft torture test in Prime 95. If it doesn't pass for at least 6-8hrs (without getting too hot) your OC is unstable. Also, this test will push the cpu to the max which will give you a good indicator of your load temps.

 

[haomaru87]

To Calinkula: Thanks for replying. I thought so too. I always thought water cooling is much cooler than that but what do I do make thing cooler? >.< I am now running at 3.71GHz at 1.35V (FSB 1650Mhz X9 Multiplier atm) (Idle @48C Load @65C) for now and so far no more crashing. I also wanted to make a move for 64bit OS but not sure since i heard 64bit isnt compatible to many softwares >.<) And yes, that supposedly 2x2GB kit is looking pretty sorry at 1.75Gb More advice needed

To vinegarjoe: Thanks for replying and welcoming me ^^! I.. kinda read the post but not all lol. And thanks for letting me know the max possible temp of my chip (been wondering where i could find such info ) I dunno, i thought of OC so i bought myself some watercooling in hope its cooler than normal but its still hot. And imma run some test with my 3.71Ghz and see if its stable. More info will be posted soon.

 

[haomaru87]

unfortunately, none of my OC settings (3.6GHz, 3.7GHz, and 4.00 GHz) pass the stability tests. They all got too hot (about 68C+). Only the stock settings at 3.0GHz passed that damn test. But i didnt buy this Extreme chip to settle at 3.0Ghz Wats wrong with my Water cooling, i did the installation perfect and everything..


Please help.

 

[richardscott]

haomaru87 sadly i found out the hard way the £250 of WC isnt as great as it made to sound on the web, so i switched to phase change, unfortunatly the qx6850 has a tdp of 130w where as the q6700 is only 95w which means for max overclock the q6700 is much better. as far as wc goes thats a crap loop, id sujest building your own from scratch then you can pick the best components for it, if your going to spend 600 on a processor then why not 200 on cooling?

 

[antiacid]

this thing has a really small radiator. I'm thinking that with the high heat generation of that chip and the small radiator, you get too much heat.

Look into adding a second radiator to your loot with some decent fans and you should be able to drop down your temps by another 5-10c.

 

[Kaldor]

I wouldnt bother with a second radiator. Take the Thermaltake crap out, and throw it away. Those systems are NOT designed to overclock and take that much heat.

Buy a decent CPU waterblock, pump, a 240 radiator, and set your self up for water cooling.