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I have posted pictures for the setup before, running at 3409MHz. I can't post my settings anymore, because the computer was sold to my uncle more than 2 months ago.

Another problem there might be Corsair switching over from Micron D9's over to the Promos chips lately. The Promos module doesn't seem to overclock as well.

And I did not promise anyone could get above 430MHz, what I wrote was just a mere guide to tell people this setup can reach at least 3GHz at a minimal cost.

Thank you for replying. That explains what the problem I was experiencing was.

I knew it had to be the RAM, but I didn't know exactly what. So its because of the chips used in the DIMMS.

Wiz.

I didn't say you promised anything. I wish I knew about the RAM beforehand, but like I said, I'm not really greedy. 430 == 3010. I can't stand uneven numbers like that

429 rounded off is 3000. I can deal with it. It is super fast. I am happy with the system and my purchase. I mean for 400$ you can't really complain.

So thank you for the guide.

I think I might find a buyer for this system. Next time I build a system I will have to do research in very much detail.

Anyway, you're guide was for a 3.00ghz core 2 duo system stable for very cheap. You guide managed to help me do that. I quite happy.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

Can I get a link to said guide please?

Also Wiz, for the extra $10, is it worth moving from the 4300 to the 6300 if you're only using 667?

If you got a 667MHz rated RAM, you'd get a much better overclock from a E4300, because it's stock FSB is rated at 200MHz, which is only 400MHz on your RAM. So you can be assured that if you overclock on a E4300, your RAM wouldn't be your limiting factor.

yo dude nice guide .... i want you to help me to over clock to .... just dat i want it to go 2ghz+ .... i wood have followed ur giude but mY mother board is Intel D975XBX .. can u peep into sum one who has similar mobo n help me out .. i just want a simple oc of cpu to 2.0ghz + dats it

thanks in advance

Sparko

With decent - not necessarily expensive - components properly installed, you should be able to get past 3.0 GHz easily.

My own "I would do this instead" would be to use an E6400 instead of an E6300 as a minimun. $30 dollars more and the higher internal multiplier means that for any given speed, you do not need to run the FSB as fast.

john

Hi , Excellent guide.. in fact SO excellent, i followed your specs except for a few adjustments....Here they are :

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300, Socket 775, 1.86 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, Allendale Core, 2MB Cache, Retail

2Gb (2X1Gb) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC5400 (667), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12

Gigabyte GA 965P-S3 iP965, S775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 533/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX

Western Digital Caviar SE16 Hard Disk Drive 250GB Serial ATA II 7200rpm 16MB

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 PRO

Powercolor Radeon X1950 PRO Extreme 256MB PCI-E DDR3 Dual DVI/VIVO

Antec P150 case 430w PSU HE

Vista Home Premium 64-bit OEM (Dual Boot with XP Pro)

Now if you noticed Ive got the same memory as you except in 2GB form..Now my main concern is will this overclock to 800-900mhz with 5-5-5-15 relaxed timings? Im aiming for the 3ghz mark and have read youve even reached 500MHZ with the same memory (in 1gb) which is amazing. Whats the maximum voltage the corsairs will handle? and whats a safe way of keeping them cooled?

Also will I be able to keep my system at stock voltage to reach 3ghz presuming your guide works for me too..

TIA

This guide should really be updated to signify recent changes in the market.

For one, the 4300 dominates the price range. It has a higher multiplier than the 6300 and can consequently be used with DDR667 ram to hit post 3.0 ghz with a good ratio and loose timings.

The 4300 is cheaper and a better processor for enthusiasts.

I made a really compelling argument about the 7300GT versus the X800GTO, but then I did some research and the OP made a better choice even for frame-rate sake.

Why? Well try to find an X800GTO that's IN STOCK somewhere other than Ebay, and you'll know why.

Honestly though. My $768 build will run current games @ max settings at high resolutions and will walk up and down your rig.

However, if you change out the 6300 for a 4300 and the motherboard for an Abit AB9, and the ram chip for a single 1gb chip PQI, you could move the budget around enough to get a $100 video-card and stay within the $650 range.

Seems like u didnt read the whole thread before making a comment.
TS said that he will be making another guide in time to come, therefore there is no need to update it with the current market.

I'm sure u cant run current games @ max settings at high resolutions with a budget of $768. It all depends on what type of games you play. For example you cant run Oblivion at max settings, perhaps the games you played is WC3 , CS etc at max settings.

Well it takes alot of effort to write up such guides so i guess we should be glad
for that.

Hi, there are a few reasons I can't update this guide.

First, the computer was sold.

Secondly, I promised to write a new guide on my new build, but I have not got enough money to build a new comp, it's beginning of semester, and I have tuition fees to pay, and gas and stuffs, I'm working my ass off, besides that, prices of CPU has inflated, E6300 prices are higher than before, and E4300 prices doesn't justify its potential yet, as it's $189 on NewEgg at the moment, and I was expecting it to be a couple tens dollar cheaper than E6300. Usually, a trend for prices of computer parts drops over time, usually drop a lot during the first few months, but this isn't the case for C2D's, as they're owning the market now. I am not a full time reviewer of products, I don't get free parts, I pay for every single part with every hard earned dollar I get from part time job.

And again, don't follow my guide completely, use it as a guide to make you learn of the potential. I repeat, this guide was written almost 4 months ago, Corsair moved over to Promos chip and doesn't overclock as well anymore, which isn't good, and I wouldn't recommend X800GTO/7300GT anymore for now, I'd definitely go with 7600GT which the price has dropped. Best advice, just learn and apply accordingly.

You can still give a good guide--there's not much to update.

Here's my current shopping list at NewEgg...


SAMSUNG Combo Drive Black IDE Model SH-M522C/BEBN - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151086
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$23.99



XCLIO 188A Black SGCC / 0.5mm thickness ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811103009
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$49.99



NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16821152005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$6.25



Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822144415
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$52.99



EVGA 256-P2-N436-LX GeForce 7300GS 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130270
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$59.99



COOLER MASTER eXtreme RP-500-PCAR ATX from factor 12V V2.01 500W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817171018
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$49.99



pqi 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Desktop Memory Model MAC41GUOE - Retail
Item #: N82E16820141187
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$85.99



GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128017
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$118.99



Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116202
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
$119.99



* Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E4300 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115013
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
* UBISOFT Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter - OEM
Item #: N82E16800992001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Hope that helps. Total with WinVista is $744.16, without is $624.20. I upgraded the PSU and case, though spent much less on 1GB of Kingston ValueRAM ($70/gigabyte now). The RAM prices for DDR2 667 have dropped sufficently to let you put more money on other things.

Anyways... when you sold the computer... what did you get for it? I'm a bit interested in what you actually made.

Good list, except the Kingston RAM isn't the best overclocker. Finding Micron D9 chips on the cheap is virtually impossible. But there are some brands that still overclock well, though I HIGHLY DOUBT someone will hit 3.5 ghz on a 4300 CPU. Wiz got really lucky (and some skill too!! ) with his RAM, but Kingston and a 4300 won't get that high. It might hit 3.0 but I bet it'll be running pretty darn hot on stock air HSF....if it even gets that high......at least for OC beginners looking to do it on the cheap. Just a hunch though.

Haven't seen much factual evidence or info around here regarding OC's with a 4300 and various combinations of components.....

Each setup differs, for you to achieve highest overclock rate, try reading Wusy's guide. Anyway, I don't know about the latest Corsairs, I was told Corsairs aren't using the 10x10 D9 chips anymore, they instead changed them to Promos, so your overclock results may differ.

If you're interested in overclocking it higher, I wouldn't mind helping you, just PM me with your MSN/AIM/etc, I'd do my best to help. I've helped quite a lot of people through that method. But then, my classes stars this coming Monday, I might not be as free.

Hi, I'm Back from my trip and starting to do some tests. Right now I'm at 3.15Ghz using almost the same specs you posted for 3.0 only rasing the cpu voltage to 1.285 and DDR2 to +0.3. I was wondering how do you use two prime95 apps at the same time. Can you give detailed instructions?
Thanks again for this excellent post.

Eh... its meant to be overclocked to reach 3ghz - IIRC 333*9=2997. That's 3ghz. You can push 95% of RAM a bit beyond the rated speed. The RAM wouldn't do so well on an E6300 system as that will only give you 2.4ghz.

I only plan to do 3ghz. ValueRAM should be fine.

Your RAM choice I think should be updated. G.Skill has a DDR2-800 1GB stick with 4-4-3-5 timings for the same $129 on Newegg. 1GB single stick

GeIL is supposed to have a new line of high-performance DDR2-800 RAM featuring 3-3-3-6 timings come out sometime this quarter. Price and kit lineup has yet to be shown though it will be produced in 1GB sticks. Probably the same setup as G.Skill has with a single 1GB stick or a 2x1GB matched set for similar prices. Just a heads up. Link!

I would update it if I tested it personally, coz I don't want others to get something and not work. As I mention, learn from guide, choose parts relative to the guide, and you should do fine.

My new system.

E4300 - $162 off eBay
965P-DS3 - $72 off eBay
Big Typhoon VX - $49 -----> I spent close to 3 hours yesterday lapping this mother fucker! it's shining like a bitch ...
Arctic Silver 5 - $0 (had it from last time)
2x 1GB DDR2-800 Transcend JetRam (5-5-5-15) These doesn't come with heatspreader - 2x $72 - $144 <---- I'm surprised when I saw the chips installed on these module, they're SQUARED, and they're Micron chips. I suppose they're the awesome Micron 10x10 D9's ...
7600GT - $83 off eBay

PowerLogic AtriX 5000 - I brought this casing back all the way from Malaysia ... awesome casing, comes with FANS: 1x 12CM, 1x 9cm, 2x 8cm, and additional 2x 8cm expansion.

Surprisingly, I'm running these setup off a ChiefMax 650 Watt power supply, and it's running stable at the moment. I have an Antec power supply ordered, and has yet to arrive.

2x Raptor X hasn't arrived yet, currently using DVD-Writer from my old system. Currently running off my old Raptor 36GB.

Just received these parts, more coming in.

Current result - Running at 9x 400MHz (3.6GHz) @ 1.3875V
+0.1V Vmch
+0.3V Vdimm (as Transcend needed 2.1V to run at stock)

Idle: 43C
Load: 59C

Idle and Load, Vcore varies 0.04V, which I'm quite surprised, this old ChiefMax from an old system off a buddy is working quite stable.

Prime tested it stable for the past 3 hours so far (still running), haven't failed. Haven't got time to do MemTest yet, but will keep you guys updated.

Once everything works right, and if I got the time, I'll write a complete new guide, just like how I did this thread. But it won't be soon, I got 2 mid-terms due next week, 2 assignments, and a Senior Design Project that has to be delivered by Wednesday.

Anyway, wish me luck.

Thanks so much, WiZ83. I am a 1st time builder and 1st time Oc'er. My build went pretty well, but I couldn't have that good fuzzy feeling until I could OC. I was having no luck whatsoever in my OC attempt, nothing but lock ups and solid tome from PC (which I found out was mem failure).
That is until I got into this guide, I used your settings, although I backed off a little on DDR2 and Vcore, and my E4300 is running at 2988. I will play a little more, but this is all I need at this time. I just completed TAT, and my temps matched yours almost exactly - 28 idle and 56 loaded with TAT reporting 46 and 69.

Thanks again for a great guide and I have been reading across the net for several days, trying to get into my thick skull what I needed to do. I will run Prime95 and memtest next to verify stability.

Bill