HOWTO: Overclock C2Q (Quads) and C2D (Duals) - A Guide v1.7

[NTB]

Originally posted by: froboy733
I am new to OCing and as a simple trial I OC'd my E6400 from 2.13 to 2.2ghz I'm using a Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Rev 1.0. While running Orthos my cpu makes a high pitched squeaking noise. It does this consistently until I stop the utility. While the tests are running my temps are fine. I was wondering if anyone else had this same noise or might know a way to stop it. Thanks for your help.

Are you using intel's stock heatsink and fan?Even if you aren't, a lot of boards have fan controls that will turn the fanspeed up when the PC is under load; that's probably what you're hearing. Although, I thought those 'controls' came turned off by default.

Nathan

 

[NTB]

cruisin' along at 2.9GHz - 290x10 - here Using an Asus P5B (no deluxe, jut the basic board), an E4400, and a Thermalright Ultra120-Extreme. I tried 3.0, but the best that would do, even with higher voltage, was boot into windows; as soon as I started Orthos, the program would croak.

Nathan

 

[NTB]

Well, that was wierd. I decided to lower the multiplier so that I could raise the FSB without raising the CPU speed, so I set it at 9x322. Computer re-booted and everything looked fine, but every program I looked at showed my CPU running at 10x322. That's strange, bit at least it was still working. Then I tried 8x363, and that wouldn't even boot. So I'm back to 10x290.

Nathan

 

[graysky]

Stock for the E4400 is 2.0 GHz, no? 45 % o/c is pretty good. What is the vcore and are you setting it manually?

 

[lopri]

Folks please be aware that high FSB will, in most cases regardless of straps, stress NB a lot. And on Intel platform NB = memory controller (plus your video card). It's fun and all to have sky high FSB, but if you want to keep your board for longer period time without quirks, keep FSB within reason. Many weird board behaviors (disk problem, USB problem, video problem, etc.) stem from the instable chipset/memory configuration, and the fierce competition among board manufacturers to catch enthusiasts' attention totally ruined the image of 'stable' Intel platform. When overclocking Opterons, I knew it was my fault if something went wrong. But ever since I started fiddle with C2D boards, there hasn't been a board that gives me such confidence(?). And to be honest Intel overclocking is, IMHO, much simpler than AMD overclocking at least where it matters - i.e. things that users have the control over. (It'd be a different story if board manufacturers open more BIOS settings and Intel gave us more choices of multiplier without charging a fortune) My main rig with which I get most of my business work done is still the DFI LanParty for that reason (stability).

If I had to say the very gist of overclocking C2D (or Intel in general):

1. Raise the FSB as high as possible under the strap as low as possible.

So for instance if you're lucky enough to own a multiplier-free C2D, something like 350FSB under 800 strap with 1T memory would be a pinnacle of performance.

 

[nyker96]

Just wanted to congratulate you for an excellent guide on OCing C2D. I have been Ocing for a few years now and still manage to learn quite a bit from this article, well done guys and thanks for putting in your precious time so all of us here can benefit from your work.

 

[graysky]

Glad you found it useful!

 

[AkumaX]

thanks graysky u're awesome

i have a question though; is there anyway to tell on the physical chip of the q6600 if its a g0 stepping or not?

 

[kenny0813]

Excellent thread, but just one thing I wanted to make sure:

As long as you don't make any drastic changes to your FSB, you can probably bring your CPU speed up without actually increasing the vcore.

E.g. I have an e6600 @2.4ghz (stock). I've read that the e6600 can go to ~3.0Ghz with stock cooling and just by making it 333 * 9. Is that correct?

 

[Takemaru]

Great Faq, the p35 has a lot more settings than the 965 though, would have loved a guide like this a couple months ago when i was shooting blind with my P5b, i'm a bit overwhelmed by the P5k @ the moment so i think i'll just sit on the free FSB Oc for the summer.

 

[graysky]

Originally posted by: AkumaX
thanks graysky u're awesome

i have a question though; is there anyway to tell on the physical chip of the q6600 if its a g0 stepping or not?

I don't think so...

 

[graysky]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: kenny0813
Excellent thread, but just one thing I wanted to make sure:

As long as you don't make any drastic changes to your FSB, you can probably bring your CPU speed up without actually increasing the vcore.

E.g. I have an e6600 @2.4ghz (stock). I've read that the e6600 can go to ~3.0Ghz with stock cooling and just by making it 333 * 9. Is that correct?</end quote></div>

All depends on the chip. Some run at lower vcore values than others do at a given setting. It's really a craps shoot. Read the section of the guide that talks about minimizing your vcore to see just how low you can run your chip. It is a razor's edge. For example, mine is >6 h stable to prime95 (4 threads) or 2x orthos @ 1.2625 V in the BIOS; if I drop it down one notch to 1.2500 V in the BIOS, it craps out after 20-30 minutes... that's *only* a difference of 12.5 mV.

 

[graysky]

Originally posted by: Takemaru
Great Faq, the p35 has a lot more settings than the 965 though, would have loved a guide like this a couple months ago when i was shooting blind with my P5b, i'm a bit overwhelmed by the P5k @ the moment so i think i'll just sit on the free FSB Oc for the summer.

Interesting...got a digicam? Take some pics of these settings, I'm curious.

 

[Takemaru]

i'll get them up tonight, gotta charge the camcorder first

Edit: They moved the memory settings from the northbridge to jumperfree, so i left out the irrelevant half of the menu.

link

 

[AkumaX]

just a headsup; ocforums says that SLACR are G0 steppings; i got a SL9UM today

 

[nownot]

good guide helping me alot. i have just one question, if i have a e6300 2*266=1862 and i have pc6400 ram at 800mhz. how do i set the ram up to be 1:1 since 800/2=400 and thats not anywhere close to fsb. i maybe missing a part or something but if someone could fill me in on the settings for 1:1 w/ these components. thanks.

 

[SickBeast]

This thread should be sticky.

I'm getting a Q6600 in a week and will definately refer to this. Thanks, Op!

 

[graysky]

@nownot - If you're running your chip @ 266 MHz FSB, your DDR2 ram will run @ 533 MHz in 1:1 mode. If you want to raise your DRAM frequency above that, you can either 1) up the FSB on the chip or 2) use an asynchronous mode on your memory. If you makes you feel better, I have DDR2-800 Memory I'm only running @ 667 MHz.

 

[nownot]

im planning on running my cpu at 6x400 or 7x400. so that will give me 2.4 or 2.8 on a e6300 which is not that uncommon. and this will give me full speed on my ram. atleast this is the plan if this is a dumb idea pls tell me before i try on wednesday. bye the way thanks for the input and any other input you might have.

 

[graysky]

I wouldn't say it's a dumb idea, but you won't benifit from the higher speeds... more heat is all you'll get

 

[nownot]

why wouldnt i benefit from the cpu being overclocked. plus it would make it in sync with the ram so wouldnt it be a win win situation?

 

[SonicIce]

Yeah, what he said. g------You're giving away all your secrets, my friend.

 

[nownot]

^^^ok now im just confused lol

 

[nownot]

Originally posted by: nownot
why wouldnt i benefit from the cpu being overclocked. plus it would make it in sync with the ram so wouldnt it be a win win situation?

any comments on this from anyone, im really curious. thanks.

 

[nownot]

double post