Q6600 for a newb

[adakins]

Hi my name is Adam, i own a cyberpower pc with q6600 3g ram (1 2g and 1 1g), my GPU is a xfx gt 240 1g ddr5 and im currently running MSI afterburner with it. After messing around with afterburner i would like to OC my my q6600. I was just wondering how to go about doing that. im running windows 7 ultimate 64 bit, have a sigma 400w PSU, oh yeah im am air cooling as of now and would only like to bump it up to a 3.0-3.2 ish. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[adakins]

sorry for the double post, i searched for original and couldnt find it

 

[desolator4u]

Dude, if you search the forums for just "Q6600" you'll find a million posts regarding this. Try it, then post back her for something fore specific

~Des

 

[dalauder]

A bit of info: You'll probably be able to hit 3.0GHz just by switching voltage to manual defaults, reducing RAM speeds to minimum, & upping your bus to 333.

Make sure to monitor temps. I'm pretty sure I've written a guide on one of these threads for Q6600's already.

 

[adakins]

Im so sorry to ask a question that has already been answered. In my Bios i changed my to 9x333 for the 3ghz. It ran fine for a while then i got a black screen and had to reload defaults in bios. how do i reduce ram speeds in the M.T.I. tab? i see a system memory multiplier and memory frequency what should i do?

Thanks a ton for the reply

 

[desolator4u]

Memory Frequency is what should affect the RAM speed. For best performance, it should be twice the CPU's FSB. So for example, since you were running the CPU's FSB at 333, you should select DDR2-667 MHZ for the Memory Frequency.
I don't see why you should get a BSOD at 3GHz, because most people can do it with the stock CPU Heatsink.
We need more info about your system, especially regarding the PSU, CPU Heatsink and RAM.

~Des

 

[dalauder]

Oh, you don't have to apologize. Just try to search for the old threads. I haven't bothered to look yet.

M.T.I. tab? When OC'ing, you probably want to do it in increments. So don't bump straight away to 333, maybe go up by 10MHz or 20MHz max--although what you did could've worked fine.

Reduce the memory frequency. It'll run at some multiplier times the base clock. So your 533MHz setting was default 266x2. Now that you're at 333MHz, your RAM's at 333x2 = 667MHz.

So if you had it at 800 to start, then you were at 266x(400/266)x2 = 800. Now the 800 setting would be at 333x(400/266)x2 or 1001MHz! That's probably higher than your memory can run at. If you have 800MHz RAM, you could probably use the 666 setting and it would run at 333x(333/266)x2 = 834MHz. 834MHz isn't a lot to ask of 800MHz ram, especially if you bump the voltage to 1.9V.

 

[adakins]

this is what cpu-z shows me. I deleted a alot of it so it wasnt such a long post.

Number of processors 1
Number of threads 4

APICs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 0
-- Core 0
-- Thread 0 0
-- Core 1
-- Thread 0 1
-- Core 2
-- Thread 0 2
-- Core 3
-- Thread 0 3

Processors Information
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1 ID = 0
Number of cores 4 (max 4)
Number of threads 4 (max 4)
Name Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Codename Kentsfield
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Package (platform ID) Socket 775 LGA (0x4)
CPUID 6.F.B
Extended CPUID 6.F
Core Stepping G0
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 1600.0 MHz
Multiplier x FSB 6.0 x 266.7 MHz
Rated Bus speed 1066.7 MHz
Stock frequency 2400 MHz
Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T, VT-x
L1 Data cache 4 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 4 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 2 x 4096 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
FID range 6.0x - 9.0x
Max VID 1.313 V



Thread dumps
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU Thread 0
APIC ID 0
Topology Processor ID 0, Core ID 0, Thread ID 0
Type 01008005h
Max CPUID level 0000000Ah
Max CPUID ext. level 80000008h
Cache descriptor Level 1, D, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1, I, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2, U, 4 MB, 2 thread(s)



CPU Thread 1
APIC ID 1
Topology Processor ID 0, Core ID 1, Thread ID 0
Type 01008005h
Max CPUID level 0000000Ah
Max CPUID ext. level 80000008h
Cache descriptor Level 1, D, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1, I, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2, U, 4 MB, 2 thread(s)



CPU Thread 2
APIC ID 2
Topology Processor ID 0, Core ID 2, Thread ID 0
Type 01008005h
Max CPUID level 0000000Ah
Max CPUID ext. level 80000008h
Cache descriptor Level 1, D, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1, I, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2, U, 4 MB, 2 thread(s)

MSR 0x00000199 0x00000000 0x0000061B

CPU Thread 3
APIC ID 3
Topology Processor ID 0, Core ID 3, Thread ID 0
Type 01008005h
Max CPUID level 0000000Ah
Max CPUID ext. level 80000008h
Cache descriptor Level 1, D, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1, I, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2, U, 4 MB, 2 thread(s)





Chipset
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge Intel P35/G33/G31 rev. 10
Southbridge Intel 82801GB (ICH7/R) rev. A1
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 3072 MBytes
Channels Dual, (Symmetric)
Memory Frequency 400.0 MHz (2:3)
CAS# latency (CL) 6.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 6
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 6
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18
Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) 52
Command Rate (CR) 2T
MCHBAR I/O Base address 0x0FED14000
MCHBAR I/O Size 4096


Memory SPD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Kingston (7F98000000000000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number HP5189-2180-ELC
Serial number 7CCC983E
Manufacturing date Week 20/Year 09
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #3 6.0-6-6-18-24 @ 400 MHz

DIMM # 2
SMBus address 0x52
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Hyundai Electronics (AD00000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number HYMP112U64CP8-S6
Serial number 03615C78
Manufacturing date Week 33/Year 09
Number of banks 1
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #3 6.0-6-6-18-24 @ 400 MHz







DMI
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DMI BIOS
vendor Award Software International, Inc.
version F1
date 04/11/2008

DMI System Information
manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
product EG31M-S2
version unknown
serial unknown
UUID {00000000-0000-0000-0000-001FD05C11DB}

DMI Baseboard
vendor Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
model G31M-S2
revision x.x
serial Fri May 30 04:32:30 2008


DMI System Enclosure
manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
chassis type Desktop
chassis serial unknown

DMI Processor
manufacturer Intel
model Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU
clock speed 2400.0 MHz
FSB speed 266.0 MHz
multiplier 9.0x

DMI Memory Controller
correction 8-bit parity
Max module size 1024 MBytes

DMI Memory Module
designation A0
size 2048 MBytes (single bank)

DMI Memory Module
designation A1
size 1024 MBytes (single bank)

Graphics

Display Adapters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter 0
Name NVIDIA GeForce GT 240
Revision A2
Codename GT215
Technology 40 nm
Memory size 1024 MB
PCI device bus 1 (0x1), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x10DE (0x1682)
Model ID 0x0CA3 (0x3004)
Performance Level Default
Core clock 135.0 MHz
Shader clock 270.0 MHz
Memory clock 135.0 MHz
Performance Level 2D Desktop
Core clock 405.0 MHz
Shader clock 810.0 MHz
Memory clock 324.0 MHz
Performance Level Uknown
Core clock 630.0 MHz
Shader clock 1534.9 MHz
Memory clock 1940.0 MHz

 

[dalauder]

Thanks for deleting some of that. It wasn't incredibly useful. Just that 1) Your CPU is currently at stock speeds and 2) Both your RAM sticks are DDR2 800MHz 6-6-6-18.

So run your memory at the 533 setting (or some motherboards let you set anything you want, in which case manually set it to 667) and 1.9V to eliminate your memory as an error.

OC the CPU at 300MHz. See if it'll pass 10 loops of LinX @ 10,000MB problem size without getting much over 60'C or so. Then bump the speed up to 310MHz. If it doesn't pass stability testing at a given speed, go back to the bios and bump your CPU voltage by 0.0125V or so. Do not exceed Intel's manufacturer voltage range. Voltage increases temps, so you want to use as little voltage as possible.

 

[dalauder]

Then OC your RAM after you find stable CPU settings. Stability test RAM with Memtest86+.

 

[adakins]

i know this souds really newbish, but i cant seem to change my memory. i see this in my bios.

CPU Clock Ratio - 9x
CPU Clock Frequency - 2.40ghz (266x9)
CPU Host Clock Control - Disabled
CPU Host Frequency mhz - 266
PCI-E Frequency - Auto
Performance Enhance - standard
System Memory Multiplier SPD - Auto
Memory Frequency mhz - 800 , 800 this is grayed out btw i cant change it
normal CPU Volatge - 1.31250v
Vcore - 1.284v
DDR18v - 1.920v

This is all stock at the moment i havent changed anything in fear of messing something up lol

Sorry M.T.I. was supposed to be my MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.) tab in bios
How do i make fsb:dram ratio 1:1 instead of 2:3, and looking in cpu-z i see my ram is 400mhz so that means i cant go to the 667?

 

[desolator4u]

Look for an option in the BIOS that says something along the lines of Linked, Unlinked and CPU Memory Ratio. Someting like taht may be what's preventing you from adjusting the Memory Frequency.

~Des

 

[dalauder]

"System Memory Multiplier SPD - Auto"
Change Auto to Manual

"Memory Frequency mhz - 800"
Change 800 to 533

Don't be afraid to poke around and change settings off of Auto in your bios. You'll find out a lot about the options available. Just don't save it when you're done.

"CPU Host Clock Control - Disabled
CPU Host Frequency mhz - 266"

Enable and set to something higher than 266. Start with 280 and work up from there.

Change all Voltage settings to MANUAL.

 

[adakins]

k i set it to 300mhz so a 2.4 to a 2.7ghz. In the meory frequency after i put it on manual the options are like 2.5, 3, 3.5 and stuff like that. i have been running Prime95 for like 20 mins now and it seems to stay at 51 deg celc with a full load on the cpu running at 2699.9 mhz.

Thanks for the reply's. I think i have figured it out except for changing the RAM frequency ill check it in a few and let you know the options i can change it to.

ok when i change the option from auto on System Memory Multiplier there is no manual selection, it goes like this auto 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0+ i went through them and they do seem to change it. where it says memory frequency mhz right under it which is still grayed out but it says 800 , 900 or 1000 or 750 or 700 or 800

Sweet i have it to 3.0ghz i found the 667 memory frequency option in was the multiplier 2.0 i have the voltage selt to auto is that, bad its blinking in red when its on manual. and on auto its a solid green. What might i need to do there i have -

DDR2 overvoltage control
FSB overvoltage Control
CPU voltage control

it says my normal CPU voltage is 1.31250 i bumped it up to that in the option right above it they are the same for exapmle it looks like this in my bios

CPU voltage control - 1.31250
Normal CPU voltage 1.31250 then i put it back to auto with those settings so its not flashing red.

 

[adakins]

i think its stable how long should i run Prime95? stays at 55 degrees Celsius

 

[adakins]

my temp on all cores stayed around 55-60 for a while then went to 65 so i stopped the prime95 so it didnt damage my proccesor i moniterd it with cpu-z

 

[dalauder]

Sounds good.

Auto setting sometimes over voltage components because they are made to scale with frequency increases. So I always do manual voltages. If you check Intel's Website, it will tell you the safe voltage range for a Q6600.

Check what CPU-Z and HWMonitor say your voltages are at. You can run Prime95 for as long as you like. Running in separate intervals can count the same as a long one to check for crashing/errors. Same as LinX, you can run 100 back to back cycles or 10 cycles 10 times.

EDIT: Here's a walkthrough for everything overclocking related I did on the forums. You're past a lot of it now: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/298353-28-bottlenecking

 

[adakins]

SO IM RUNNING FSB AT 333X9 FOR THE 3GHZ sorry caps.... and memory frequency at 667 1.9v and all voltages on manual sound about right?

 

[dalauder]

Sounds great.

Now you're ready to tighten down your memory timings. Is it running on the 667 selection or does CPU-Z show it's running at 667 with the overclocked settings? According to your SPD info from your CPU-Z printout, your memory should run 5-5-5-15 at 667MHz. You can run Memtest86+ for stability.