Q6600 OC Help

Putting together a system with:

Q6600 Quad

EVGA 780i mobo

2gigs Corsair Dominator DDR2 SDRAM 1066 (PC2 8500)

Either a EVGA 8800GT SC or 8800GTS

Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler

I'd like to overclock the cpu and possibly the gpu but have never done either.

Can anyone point me to a good beginner's tutorial for OCing? I have no idea how to OC the RAM to balance OCing the cpu either.

I've read 3.0GHz is pretty stable OCing for the Q6600. Can I just take it to that and assume it will be stable?

And in regard to that, how do I know when my system becomes unstable? Would I exit the BIOS and run a benchmark, etc?

Thanks for the help

For starters, you need to figure if you have the right Q6600 for overclocking. Check the box for the PCG number if it is a 05B, then you have a "B3" stepping which is not your best choice for OC, but if you have a 05A, then you a a "G0" stepping which is better suited for OC.

One problem with overclocking is that you really need to know how to do it properly with your motherboard and CPU, so following a generic guide may not be the best idea. But you can search Google for forum topics on overclocking+Q6600+EVGA 780i and read through the descriptions.

Overclocking video tutorial with your MB:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApUiWgzUkGM

Yeah it's definitely a G0. I'd hate to think Microcenter is still selling B3s

Yeah I've kinda looked around overclock.net but didn't really find anything that would help me beyond their tutorials, which really detailed in my opinion.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=2057083&enterthread=y

About basically all you need to know to start OCing.

well the motherboard i have (gigabyte p35 DS3L) its pretty easy, i pretty much raise one option in the bios and it raises the clock speed and ram for me. i do have to up the voltage myself though.

you can easily get to 3.0ghz without upping the voltage, but i wouldnt go much farther than that. mines at 3.42ghz with a thermalright ultra-120 extreme hs and i upped the voltage to 1.5. its running extremely stable. i could get it to 4.0ghz with stable temperatures probably, but i dont really see the point.

Thanks a lot, that gives me enough to go on.

One more quick question

With this setup would a 8800GTS 512 outperform a 8800GT Superclocked? Like enough to make it worth spending the extra $50?

Found this guide

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=222688

Has the following suggested:

CPU FSB QDR Multi RAM Final MHZ
Q6600 266Mhz 1066QDR 9x 533Mhz =2400Mhz
Q6600 333Mhz 1333QDR 9x 667Mhz =3000Mhz
Q6600 400Mhz1600QDR 8x 800Mhz =3200Mhz
Q6600 375Mhz 1500QDR 9x 750Mhz =3375Mhz
Q6600 450Mhz 1800QDR 8x 900Mhz =3600Mhz
Q6600 400Mhz 1600QDR 9x 800Mhz =3600Mhz
Q6600 416.6Mhz 1666QDR 9x 833Mhz =3750Mhz
Q6600 425Mhz 1700QDR 9x 850Mhz =3830Mhz
Q6600 450Mhz 1800QDR 9x 900Mhz =4050Mhz
Q6600 466.6Mhz 1866QDR 9x 933Mhz =4200Mhz
Q6600 475Mhz 1900QDR* 9x 950Mhz =4275Mhz

Essentially, could I start at the top and just work my way down until I've reached ultimate stability, or should I go in smaller increments to get my cpu to 3.0GHz?

^^^ I have the same mobo and cpu as you. I wouldn't worry about going in small increments... I clocked my Q6600 to 3.6GHz my first time with no problems what-so-ever.

Before overclocking your Q6600 you need to have the following applications installed so you can monitor your overclock.

1. Monitor temps Download Coretemp. I'd say anything over 60 C is risky but do-able, anything below is fair game.
2. Stress Test Download Prime 95. Be sure to set affinities for each core. It's very important to monitor temps when your CPU is at 100% load because they increase substantially. If you computer is unstable, Prime will show error codes or your computer might even freeze up in which case you'll have to reboot. Google for more info on how to use the app.
3. CPU-z will show you general info on your processor (clocks, voltage, etc.) and memory

Overclocking your Q6600 for starters.. tinker with settings further as needed.

1. Navigate to and disable all spread spectrums under "System Clocks" in your Bios.
2. Disable "Limit CPUID MaxVal", "CPU Thermal Control", and "C1E Enhanced Halt State"
3. Disable "NVIDIA GPU ex" and "Link Boost"
4. Navigate to FSB and Memory config
5. Link and Sync clock and ratio. (this will make memory run slower depending on your multiplier)
6. Change FSB to 1333 for a 3.0GHz overclock
7. Make sure your RAM timings are set to manufacturers spec.
8. Navigate to System Voltages
9. Change vcore to whatever is necessary. (For 3.0GHz, I'd leave it on AUTO for now)
10. Change RAM voltage to what your manufacturer suggests. NEVER overvolt your RAM.
11. Hit f10 and save. Boot up and monitor/test everything!

And FYI, I've got my Q6600 @ 3.6GHz 24/7 with a 1.425 vcore, everything else on AUTO except memory. It's running UNLINKED so that I can run my RAM at it's rated 1000MHz and everything is stable. So the steps above are just to get started and work for most people. Good luck!

Cool, thanks for the help. I'll start er off at 3.0 and go from there.

Just didn't want to take too big a jump off the bat and damage something.

1. Change FSB to 1333 for a 3.0GHz overclock

TheDuffman26

Is that supposed to be 333?

he meant 333.

im using 333x9 too

Overclocking your Q6600 for starters.. tinker with settings further as needed.

1. Navigate to and disable all spread spectrums under "System Clocks" in your Bios.
2. Disable "Limit CPUID MaxVal", "CPU Thermal Control", and "C1E Enhanced Halt State"
3. Disable "NVIDIA GPU ex" and "Link Boost"
4. Navigate to FSB and Memory config
5. Link and Sync clock and ratio. (this will make memory run slower depending on your multiplier)
6. Change FSB to 1333 for a 3.0GHz overclock
7. Make sure your RAM timings are set to manufacturers spec.
8. Navigate to System Voltages
9. Change vcore to whatever is necessary. (For 3.0GHz, I'd leave it on AUTO for now)
10. Change RAM voltage to what your manufacturer suggests. NEVER overvolt your RAM.
11. Hit f10 and save. Boot up and monitor/test everything!

And FYI, I've got my Q6600 @ 3.6GHz 24/7 with a 1.425 vcore, everything else on AUTO except memory. It's running UNLINKED so that I can run my RAM at it's rated 1000MHz and everything is stable. So the steps above are just to get started and work for most people. Good luck!TheDuffman26

#2, 5, 9 & 10 wouldn't be in my recommendations...

[QUOTE="TheDuffman26"]

1. Change FSB to 1333 for a 3.0GHz overclock

idknox

Is that supposed to be 333?

Nope. 1333 is the actual number you will have to use for the FSB. Nvidia mobo's use quad pumped FSB's.

Please read this thread: http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=61146

And then this thread: http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=222688

before you start overclocking... they suggest many things I've already stated and helped me out greatly!

Ah yeah. I didn't realize the mobo was using quad pumped.

I've been comparing the evga tutorial with this one: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=2057083&enterthread=y

but the anandtech guide is using a Asus P5B-Del mobo so only mentions quad pumping briefly.

Alright, think I'm ready to give it a go. Thanks again for all your help.

One more quick question:

PSU I'll be using: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817341002

I know it's overkill, but will that affect the temps of my system? If I were to use something around 610w, would that be better for my system, or does it not really matter?

dude head over to Overclock.net and sign up. you will find everything you need there.

Evga 780i Overclocking Guide

that should get you goin

This is the Guide I used. Ive got mine to 2.83 but am having heat problems. Idling at 47-50C. Might have to reseat the cooler and apply some AS5. Dont know what the builders used.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

Enjoy!