1st overclock

[vincentmoy]

Hi all,

My first post here as well as my 1st attempt oc.

I have a E6750 @ stock and 3G DDR2-667 generic RAM. My MB is a XFX 680i LT. I want to OC it to around 3Ghz. I've read the guide posted here but I still am not entirely sure what to do because according to the guide, my RAM seems to be the weak link to a higher CPU clock. So if any help from you guys I'll really appreciate!

Vincent

 

[SpidersWeb]

Yeah the E6750 was one of the first to run a 333 FSB, which means the native RAM speed is 333 without any multiplier (which is the max speed your RAM is rated to). I'm yet to see a board that has a ratio of less than 1 (e.g. run the RAM slower than FSB).

You could do it in steps, you may find your RAM runs faster than 667, and possibly quite a bit faster if you increase the CAS timings, but this can make things harder to get working as you'd be doing a RAM and CPU overclock at the same time.

If you get some DDR2-800 you'd be able to go up to 3.2Ghz. (400 x 8 = 3200). Pricing is pretty good, even DDR2-1066 is quite cheap with some brands. You'll likely want a decent CPU cooler too if you're still got the stock one on there.

 

[vincentmoy]

for the cooler I think I'm going to stick with the stock one for now as I'm not doing anything significant. I just want to get a higher clock speed and see if there's improvement on FSX, which is the only game I play anyways :lol:

 

[SpidersWeb]

No harm seeing how far you can get with the stock cooler, just keep an eye on temperature under load (I use RealTemp to watch core temperatures, and Prime95 set to SmallFFT to load).

From what I heard recently, about FSX, I'd expect you will see improvement.

 

[jsc]

Relax the RAM timing from whatever it is (your system specs would have been nice) to one"bin" higher. For example, go from 4-4-4-12 to 5-5-5-15. Increase the RAM voltage by .2 volts.

The 680i BIOS is a little different from the rest (I'm on vacation and I am away from my books). Try changing the memory timing to LINKED or to a memory clock multiplier of 2.0. That way, the mem clock will always be twice the FSB freq.

You are really going to need to watch your temps with the stock cooler. One of your BIOS options is a CPU thermal alarm. Set it to 70 C.

What follows is part of my standard overclocking cut 'n paste.

Warning - broken links - later post fixed them

This should be your first stop.
HOWTO: Overclock C2Q (Quads) and C2D (Duals) - Guide v1.6.1
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] uals-guide

This should be your second stop. You need to know something about thermal management or you can fry your CPU. It's actually kind of difficult to fry a modern CPU, but it is possible.
Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ture-guide

Third stop will be a guide for your particular motherboard. Google is your friend.

For anything higher than about 3.0 GHz, you will need better cooling. Here are two under $50 heatsinks that are pretty popular:
Sunbeam
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835207004
Xigmatec Dark Knight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233029

They both require a somewhat different approach to applying thermal compound.
Suggestions for applying thermal compound:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index. [...] mitstart=5

And they are pretty large, so they might not fit inside your case.

Keep in mind that these are guides, not cookbooks. YMMV. Your Mileage May Vary. Because of all the variables, you may not do as well as someone else with a similar system. Or you might do better.

Once you have gone as far as you want/can, try gradually dropping the RAM voltage

----------
Overclocking since 1978 - Z80 (TRS-80) from 1.77 MHz to 2.01 MHz

 

[vincentmoy]

Haha, right now in Alaska is below 0 and my room temp never get past high 60.... But I will keep an eye on the temp for sure!

 

[jsc]

Although I am home on vacation (Texas), I work in Saudi Arabia where I have the opposite problem.

 

[jsc]

Another poster reported that most of my links didn't work. Fixed now. Sorry

This should be your first stop.
HOWTO: Overclock C2Q (Quads) and C2D (Duals) - Guide v1.6.1
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

This should be your second stop. You need to know something about thermal management or you can fry your

CPU. It's actually kind of difficult to fry a modern CPU, but it is possible.
Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-29-sticky-core-core-temperature-guide

Third stop will be a guide for your particular motherboard. Google is your friend.

For anything higher than about 3.0 GHz, you will need better cooling. Here are two under $50 heatsinks

that are pretty popular:
Sunbeam
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004
Xigmatec Dark Knight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

They both require a somewhat different approach to applying thermal compound.
Suggestions for applying thermal compound:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=5

And they are pretty large, so they might not fit inside your case.

And here's a good budget cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

 

[rockyjohn]

This should be your second stop. You need to know something about thermal management or you can fry your

CPU. It's actually kind of difficult to fry a modern CPU, but it is possible.
Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-29-sticky-core-core-temperature-guide

The link to the Temperature Guide is not working. Will you please provide an updated link. Is it a stickee in one of the forums?

 

[nottafanboy6954]

I have to admit here that throwing some better RAM in here would easily make your experience easier and more enjoyable. Most MOBO allow you to lock down the DRAM frequencies but being able to lock it down higher will likely yield better results.

As for the subject of thermals, they should not stray far from what you started with if you can overclock this puppy without any major voltage changes however sometimes voltage changes are a completely necessary evil to get good stable overclocks so your ambient temp may work in your favor specially if your case cooling is good.I do however agree, next to a RAM upgrade,a better air cooler will likely make it easier to drive some higher clocks.