C2D overclocking, origional E6600 2.4GHz 4MB L2

[EliteRetard]

Used to be at 3.4GHz...1.42v-->1.39v load for years.

Had issues so I dropped to 3.2GHz same voltage.

Still wasn't stable...so I had to go down to 3GHz same voltage.

The performance hit was noticeable in a few things...
So I bumped the voltage to 1.44--1.41v load and went back to 3.2GHz

Passed 8 hours of Prime95, but then just using the net it reboots on me. Obviously not stable. Anybody recall how much voltage was safe? Ive got a big tower cooler, and always kept temps under 60c...thats still the goal. This last run though I did peak at 59c (usually ran 55-56c) Id like to return to 3.4GHz if possible, but maybe the chip is degraded enough that I can't? Is it safe to give it more voltage?

Gigabyte GA965P-DS3
I got these pretty much when they came out in like 2006 or whatever.

Ive got 2.2v DDR2 800MHz CAS 4 (was 2v CAS 5, now 2.1v...I dont like so much voltage)
RAM 1:1
400x8
FSB & MCH voltage +.1v (only option)
Default CPU 1.325v now set at 1.4475v BIOS (1.41v load)

I can't get the CPU to underclock/undervolt at idle...even at stock speed those functions wouldn't work.

Had an 8800GTS 640MB, it blew up and now Ive got a 320MB version OC to 600/1400 core/shader 935 VRAM. Gotta manually change the clocks and fan speeds, it never did it automatically. I just have two profiles in EVGA Precision (one at 380MHz). No idea what the voltages are for the GPU.

 

[sm625]

I am still running an E6600 at 3.2GHz and it wont go any higher. It also peaks at around 59C but it isnt prime95 stable above 3.2GHz. It could be the fsb that isnt stable. So the limit could be in the northbridge rather than the cpu itself.

 

[Edrick]

So the limit could be in the northbridge rather than the cpu itself.

Your MB may be going bad and not the CPU. Can you test on another MB?

 

[Bad ConNecTioN]

Could definitely be the motherboard. But 6yrs of overclocked use can take its toll on a CPU....perhaps its finally reaching the end of its life?

 

[tweakboy]

That is way too much voltage for that chip for that OC.

You should do 3.6 just fine, theres a lot of potential you have not used yet lol

I think your right, slowly things are dying.

Even better, grab a Bridge and a 660 Ti . the 8 thread bridge. Or wait for Howard I mean , Haswell... lol

 

[EliteRetard]

Your MB may be going bad and not the CPU. Can you test on another MB?

System is permanently affixed in a custom case.

 

[EliteRetard]

That is way too much voltage for that chip for that OC.

You should do 3.6 just fine, theres a lot of potential you have not used yet lol

I think your right, slowly things are dying.

Even better, grab a Bridge and a 660 Ti . the 8 thread bridge. Or wait for Howard I mean , Haswell... lol

If I had the money for a new system I would have done it already...but thanks for the suggestion. Ive got a nice CRT, I'd love to be gaming at 1920x1440 or 2048x1536@75Hz. Alas PC can only handle 16x12 and less. And I have access to a stupid huge collection of games(~300). But I don't think Ive actually played anything newer than 2007. One of these days...

I do take donations

 

[Absolute0]

I also think its not the CPU. That's way too much voltage for that speed. And its crashing at idle. Something else in the system is seriously messed up.

E6600 should be able to do 3.5+ Ghz if you have decent cooling.

I've got an Engineering Sample E6600 that did 3.6 Ghz at stock volts, and about 4 Ghz when i pushed the voltage up. It was certainly above average but most 6600's should be able to get 3.5 Ghz stable on good cooling

 

[TC91]

Could be RAM if you have a set of crucial ballistix, they've been known to go bad after a while

 

[Name User]

Could be RAM if you have a set of crucial ballistix, they've been known to go bad after a while

4 RMAs later I had them finally just send me back some regular old green sticks, no heatsinks. Been fine ever since.

Besides that my p965 ds3 motherboard has been running this Q9550 and a previous C2D at 3.4 for what, 5 years now? It's fine but that NB heatsink is painfully hot so I zip tied a fan to it years ago.

Touch it right now. Hurts huh? Tell that to the motherboard (don't, it'll slap you).

So to summarize: Check NB temps, check your ram, look for blown caps, test on another motherboard. Probably in that order. Steps 1 and 2 solved my gradually developing instability problems several times.

 

[EliteRetard]

OCZ Reaper 800MHz 4-4-4-15 2.2v
Thats what it says on the sticker. Im running CAS5 at 2.1v...
I used to have it a 2.0v 756MHz CAS5 (378x9 for 3.4GHz)

These are the big black bastards with heatpipes.

Ive never wanted to put such huge voltage into the memory, standard is 1.8v for DDR2. Maybe I should do it.

The caps on the MOBO look OK as far as I can see...though theyre all those solid ones so I don't think they can buldge or leak even if they are bad.

The CPU fan is located half over the northbridge heatsink, it feels warm but not at all hot. Ive also got 4x120mm, 3 directed at the CPU/RAM/northbridge area and one directly over the GPU to feed it air. This is a custom built case so things are aranged differently. Every side has tons of 1/8 inch holes in it as well. All the case fans are pointed in and the GPU/CPU/PSU all go out.

The PSU is an FSP 450w (was supposed to be a good unit back in the day).
Acording to HWMonitor the only voltage that drops below normal is the 5v which dips to 4.95v.

Single HDD...was a PITA when I had to upgrade it, I got a Seagate 1TB 7200RPM unit for $25 like a year (maybe two) ago. The prices today are insane. Used a hole saw to cut 2x 4-5" holes in the bottom of the case, then upgraded the HDD (its wedged in a corner at the very bottom between a metal L bracket and a wall). This is a 3/4" thick maple wood case. The MOBO is horizontal in this case.

I do have two CD/DVD burners in this rig (with custom wood covers)...used to do a lot of disc burning/ripping. Dont think Ive used them in a few years now lol.

Back in 06-07 this was designed to be a pretty high end rig, actually for a freind. I inherited it when he upgraded (again, custom system/case cant really be upgraded).

I used to have Memtest on a USB...no idea where that is. I had a nice 32GB unit as well and its also in a box somewhere. Think of me like that guy off "The Guild", Im homeless and leaching off others. I don't know where my stuff is (other than in a box in somebody elses house somewhere).

I just don't know anybody that can get me parts out of an ATM or a library computer.

So if NB temps are good, RAM is ?, no obvious MOBO damage, and no way to test another MOBO...I guess all I can do is crank up the volts. Ill start with the RAM.

Edit: And maybe see if I can unplug those CD/DVD drives just because.

 

[Dadofamunky]

Keep the CPU for your collection - time for a new build. Stating the obvious, of course.

 

[EliteRetard]

Like I said, Im homeless (and jobless).

'Sides Ive still got a P2 533 that I built running in my dads office (yes P2 not P3). That means I should be getting 6 more years outa this thing at least right?