XFX 780i SLI w/ q6600, ddr2 800 2gbx2

^ Do you have an aftermarket CPU cooler or the stock one? And have you tried overclocking ? Do you know what is the stepping of that Q6600?

^ I have the Masscool 8W501B1M3G http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/ite...

I am reading and asking as many questions as possible before I try overclocking. I do not know the stepping of the Q6600 is.

This is a link for the CPU-ID that I got. Im more interested in overclocking the RAM more than anything. But I have read that in order to overclock the RAM you need to overclock the CPU.

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=708563

^ You are true...And intel Core 2 CPUs dont take much advantage of faster RAMs...
So first try overclocking your CPU and then your RAM...
These would help you...
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overc...
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-29-sticky-core...

And that CPU cooler might not be sufficient for a good overclock...

This is my first build. So I am learning. Sadly the hard way. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

Ok...I did it...   I used a Bus speed of 333 and a Multiplier of 9, so I am getting a FSB of 1333.7 All my temps are running in normal range with the air cooling that I have currently installed. I put a small fan pointed at the computer until I get my new Heat sink. Now for the RAM...Is it even worth overclocking the RAM?

http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?...
go there.... its not your motherboard but its close....
i680
q6600
and sli OCZ ram

yes it is worth it, my computer load *** faster then all my friends... i believe this is because of the ram overclock

Ok, I changed my times to those specified but it put my computer into SAFE MODE...Which in return slowed everything down.

I hear a lot of people are running the memory at 2.00V with timings of 5-5-5-15 OCd at 1066, or timings of 4-4-4-12 at 800 Mhz.

hey this is the second time im going to post this
go here
http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?...
i have the same memory as you... you can put 2.2v in to that ram... OCZ says its ok if you do that... go to the link i sent you and you can read about the 2.2v and all the other timings.... btw stick with the slower Mhz with the tighter timings it will work out better in the end.

btw i have the same Ram as you and my timings are
5-4-3-8

oh and you computer is going in to safe mode because you did something wrong... up the voltage and set those timings to 5-5-5-12. then restart your computer
after it loads your OS turn your computer off and try 5-4-5-12, if your OS loads try 5-4-4-12, then 5-4-3-12... keep trying till you get to 5-4-3-8, or till your system wont boot up properly... then you know what your system can handle.... OH and there are other settings and times you need to set. check that link i sent you, all the advance setting are on that page.. that link was the best page i could find for my self, and its off the OCZ forum... you know it has to be good

Appreciate it! Ill get to it. I did what that website said...I had to of got something mixed up. Ill keep at it.

this might help you out...
look at the link i sent you
check the first set of images
follow there setting on the window on the left side of the screen shot
if those dont work then try setting them a little higher then whats listed

I got the same board and the ram timings that I use is 5/5/5/15/CMT2 bank cycle time 26 (auto for the bank timing) at 2.00v. Also I oc my e6400 to 3.4ghz on this board so it can easily reach good speeds but when doing so knowing how to figure out the best possible ram timings is a must. Also look into doing the fan mod. On the side the compound they use with these boards drys out easily so in a few months when you eventually clean it replace the compound for the chipsets.
MCP temps avg around 30-45c.