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:
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
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 waht the deal is now?

Many thanks Dobby

cooler master makes really nice cases and good psu's but they make really crappy coolers.

get a zalamn or thermalright or zerotherm or giant tower type of max q9300 speed

since you need such a high fsb you need to get out of the hole and skip up to 475fsb or so depending on the mobos

for intel your ram is wrong -you need higher clock for 2:1 ratio with out odd clocks

800 is good for 1600 but you need 1000 ram. i suggest you get 1066 and run it lower


you should have no issues at max fsb, fsb is the limitation - the p35 is probably not the right chipset the x38 may be better for 475bus

then again i build all 400-425fsb system, such as

Q6600 = 3.6ghz at 400fsb or 3.8ghz
E6750 = 3.4ghz at 425fsb
E8400 = 4ghz at 425fsb


honestly i am guessing that 475 is the right spot

yeah you can proberly see im working on a budget.
if i had DDR1066, x38 and a 'better' cooler, i think you would find i would be spending another £200.

it not 'Extreme' OCing but will it push past 3Ghz?

also i got the TX2 by recommendation from THG cooler tests.

i think will drop the ram down to 677, then let it rise with the increse of FSB to 800-900MHZ

You should be hanged for saying that... No seriously, Cooler Master good at PSUs? I wouldn't risk my machines on one of their units, but it's your choice I guess. Anyway I would look into getting a decent PSU, but that aside, you should be able to hit 3.5 without any problems.

^ Agreed. May be the "higher-end" PSUs max. Tier 3. Its ranked Tire 4-5 at XS Systems.

You have to beware of the fact that Q9300 only sports a 7.5 multiplier. Therefore the highest you can possibly get is 3.2Ghz, without tweaking other voltages. After that you'll slowly hit the FSB wall, which is around 450Mhz ~ 475Mhz. Personally I would set it at 3.0Ghz just to be safe.