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

[EnzoFX]

Quick question: I'm trying to set my ratio 1:1. FSB is @ 266, and I set my ram to DDR2 533 speeds. Wouldn't that do it? According to Everest it's @ 4:3, I must be missing something...

edit: Ok just figured out that I can't set the ratio on the p965-s =/

 

[Alex C]

I'm trying to OC my E8500, and right now it's at 3.70GHz with a FSB of 390, a 9.5x multiplier and a vcore of 1.2v. I'm using 4gigs of Corsair XMS2 at 5-5-5-18 (I'm not sure what voltage, I set it to auto), and I'm getting load temps in the low to mid 50's. When I try a FSB of 400 it will boot up, but I'll get a prime 95 error after about thirty seconds. Any idea what's holding me back?

Edit: I just found the fsb:dram ratio is 10:12, is that normal? All the values given in this and other threads were a lot lower. I can't find an option in my BIOS to set the ratio though.

 

[MikeBrie]

Originally posted by: OLpal
You'll probably be able to run stock volts, just keep an eye on your core temps [just to error on side of caution]. Makes for 1 easy , smooth, overclock !!
Ol'Pal

Originally posted by: andrei3333
hey guys have read this article a while ago but in a nutshell to get my e8400 from 3.0 to 3.6 all i have to do is make the FSB go from 333 to 400, disable that intel thing that slows down the cpu when its at idle and increase the vcore but by how much ?

with my sig below will i see a noticible difference in games or no ? its pretty fast as it is btw

Thanks for this great guide. I'm an overclocking newbie and have a couple basic questions:

1. So is this the basic algorithm for overclocking multiplier-locked CPUs?

a. Increase FSB 5-10 MHz. Ensure your RAM timings are to spec
b. Test the system (POST, watch Temps, go into Windows, run Prime)
c1. If fail, increase VCore, fiddle with BIOS, and test again.
c1a. If still fail, go back to last working setting. You're done.
c2. If pass, go to step A to continue overclocking.

Is this correct? It's not totally clear from the guide imo.

2. I read the post quoted above, where andrei says he's just going to jump from 333 FSB to 400 FSB. I thought you have to take baby steps (e.g. 5-10MHz at a time)! Is this gonna work for me as well (specs below)? Seems like a nice shortcut.

3. How long should I expect this whole process usually take? 3 hours, 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months?

Your help is appreciated!!

----------
My specs:
Intel Q9550 Core 2 Quad @ 2.83 Ghz (8.5 x 333)
Gigabyte P45 EP45-DS3R Mobo
MSI 512MB Radeon HD 4850
WD VelociRaptor 150GB
G.Skill 8GB DDR2 800 RAM
Corsair 650TX 650W Power
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 Cooler
Vista 64-bit Home Premium
Dell 30" 3007WFP Monitor
Antec P182 ATX Case

 

[mikeg]

Depends on how much you want to tweak your system. As for me I went to with a Q9400 and just ran the CPU #400FSB and got it to go to 3.2 gigs from the getgo. I just stopped there If I think I need more speed then Ill tweak it more and see how much faster I can go
Mike

 

[supastar1568]

graysky,

could graphics card errors cause prime BLEND to fail?

I ask because my system passed SMALL FFT 24 hr, BLEND 24 hr, memtest 12 hr.

With the same settings, I updated my video card drivers and got a message saying that there is a hardware error with the graphics card. I ignored the error. I then decided to run Prime Blend and failed after about an hour. Ran small FFT to determine if it was the CPU (degradation was my guess, even tho volts are just at 1.33) but that passed at 24 hours. Memtest also passed for 12 hours again. So prime was the only thing it was failing, so I'm assuming it was my bad driver installation.

So could a gpu driver error result in prime blend failing?

 

[roid450]

thanks a lot for this guide. it is exactly what i needed. i havea q6600 G0 and a evga 750i and 4gb gskill 1066 and a Tuniq tower. i went to 2800 reall easy, then set it to 9x333 and it all went very well tho i had to increase my NB and SB volt by .05 each since my system had some crashes. now its stable and i have a ratio of 8:5 FSB/Ram

the pencil mod helped greatly on this mobo too by the way. im running about 58ºC max now under load with that cooler only at 1300K rpm. quiet as can be.

 

[ThaJollyMan]

Heya guys,

I am having problems getting my q9450 past 3.2 ghz stable ojn an xfx 780i board. I am running

q9450 C1 400x8 @ 1.275v
ocz reaper 1066 @ 5-5-5-15 2.1v 3:4 divider

i have been trying to get it up to 3.6 but i cant seem to find anything stable past 3.2ghz. I have read the guide but no matter what i try nothing works. Adjusting CPu vcore FSB vcore MCP SPP voltages nothing seems to work. I can get a post and OS boot @ 3.6ghz with 1.3625v but run prime and and one or two cores fail almost instantly or the OS freezes. Is anyone else running the same setup that might be able to help me or soomeone with experience OCing q9450 on 780i board. Any help would be greatly appreciated. BTW i am kind of a noob to OCing, but i understand the basics. Im not sure what should be adjusted when cores are failing. or what my mcp->spp settings should be or if i should run my RAM in synchronous or asynchronous. Like i said any help or suggestions would be great! Thanks!

 

[mine]

without any doubt simply the best guide around for newcomers
@Thajollyman
almost for years in the business this will happen to all of us

just got 2 9550 E0... first ...(unstable past 3,2)
second runs without any problems @ 3,8 IBT and OCC stable

same mobo, same ram , same components

best
regards from Germany
m

 

[mschietinger]

im looking to build my next system over the next month or two.

This is a big project for me and i'm trying to not make any mistakes buying parts.

first let me state what I want to have running:

i've settled on a Q9550 that i'd like to clock up to 3.4 (333 fsb up to 400 fsb) 8.5x

Noctua NH-U12P fan with the additional fan added on for push-pull fan review

EVGA nForce 790i Ultra SLI Motherboard tiger listing for reference

8G ram (4X2) Here is a major question for me. Im very unsure what type of ram to buy. I obviously need to get ddr3, but do i buy ddr3-1333 from a good manufacturer and over clock it when the fsb goes to 400? or buy ddr3-1600?

I'm also unsure if there is something im clearly missing here, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[roid450]

i have been trying to get my CPU to go over 3 ghz but when i restart the PC after applying changes it hangs up aat the part where its posting the CPU info, and i have to clear cmos and reset my old settings.

any idea why my system wont boot up at 3.2 ghz?

currently at 3 ghz im running 1.28 vcore in bios, 2.1 mem volt, 1.2 NB and 1.3 SB i believe

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: roid450
i have been trying to get my CPU to go over 3 ghz but when i restart the PC after applying changes it hangs up aat the part where its posting the CPU info, and i have to clear cmos and reset my old settings.

any idea why my system wont boot up at 3.2 ghz?

currently at 3 ghz im running 1.28 vcore in bios, 2.1 mem volt, 1.2 NB and 1.3 SB i believe

Up the vcore if you have the cooling. My asus has a serious vdroop, I've had the bios as high as 1.5 but normally run at 1.38 bios, CPUz reads 1.312 (sig system)

 

[roid450]

i will try that maybe tonight. i have a Tuniq tower that does a wonderful job at cooling. currently i have it at 1.3v and its running about mid to high 50s on prime 95 and the fan is on Medium

well. i got it to boot at 3127 mhz at 1.45 vcore. anything over 3127 and it wouldnt budge. just froze on POST. oh well. i guess i can do away with 3 ghz for at least maybe 1-2 years.

 

[Elstumpo]

I just installed a new cpu and tried overclocking it, all I did was set the cpu frequency(fsb?) to 400 and it booted up at 4 Ghz. The vcore was on 1.25v I ran orthos for a little over an hour without problems. Is this all I have to do ? Should I try for a higher overclock or just leave it?

Well after checking cpu-z and the bios they both said the vcore was 1.51v! I had just left the vcore on auto and assumed it would stay at 1.25v so I've restored the bios defaults I think I'll just leave it at the stock frequency for now

 

[davidm71]

I have an Abit 680i motherboard and for some reason in bios the initial voltage setting for my E6600 is 1.325 volts and no lower than that. I want to try lower volts. Does anyone know why or how. Also does anyone have any pointers for 680i type board? I know its not a great overclocker but if anyone has any tips or cautions specific for that system I would appreciate it...

Thank you.

 

[ryan256]

MFL
I think this is just what I'll need to OC my system when the new video card arrives

 

[lostemple]

EVGA 680i
E6600
Corsair 6400 4X1GB

Will not even overclock to 2.5GHz! Boots to windows but locks up after everything loads. Any suggestions?

 

[graysky]

@lostemple - dude you need to provide more details such as vcc, chipset voltages, etc.

 

[roid450]

Originally posted by: lostemple
EVGA 680i
E6600
Corsair 6400 4X1GB

Will not even overclock to 2.5GHz! Boots to windows but locks up after everything loads. Any suggestions?

had the same problem on my PC (in sig)

my q6600 wouldnt go over 3.2 at all. I had to raise the Vcore and all other voltages by .1V or .15V to make the system stable. its at 3.2 now, but at 3.4 itll lock up on windows and freeaze after a few minutes of Prime, no errors, just Freeze.

my current CPU voltage is 1.47 in bios, 1.45 in CPUZ and Everest with idle temps of 36-38 on all 4 cores

 

[dwell]

I think I have a bum CPU. Can't seem to run stable at 3.0Ghz (333 * 9) at anything short of 1.4v vcore. Nbcore is at 1.33 and tried both settings for sbcore. Memory should be fine as I ran this mobo + mem with a E6400 @ 3.2Ghz (7 * 400) for two years without a problem.

The same core (core 1) bombs out every time but the others keep trucking, even at 3.2Ghz. Tried just about everything, VTT, bumping bridges, etc. Think it's just a bum core? I always seems to be 1c above the other cores too.

Edit: Rest of rig in sig.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Chris
I think I have a bum CPU. Can't seem to run stable at 3.0Ghz (333 * 9) at anything short of 1.4v vcore. Nbcore is at 1.33 and tried both settings for sbcore. Memory should be fine as I ran this mobo + mem with a E6400 @ 3.2Ghz (7 * 400) for two years without a problem.

The same core (core 1) bombs out every time but the others keep trucking, even at 3.2Ghz. Tried just about everything, VTT, bumping bridges, etc. Think it's just a bum core? I always seems to be 1c above the other cores too.

Edit: Rest of rig in sig.

Up the vcore. 1.4 V is not much for a 65nm chip. Try 1.45 V ,heck, I would go to 1.5 V if I had good cooling.

 

[Psyqo]

This thread is great. Thanks for the guide!

 

[oslama]

is the FSB limited by cpu bus speed ? ie if cpus is 9x333 then fsb cant go over. does the ram spd need to be adjusted to match cpu fsb ?


running a qx6850 (9x333) 3.0ghz on a gigabyte EP45DS3r with F10 bios


Settings i have tried with no success
CPU multiplier 9x
FSB 350
CPU voltage 1.325
RAM 1gb x4, OCZ platinum 800 mhz at auto setting, voltage 1.8v

I am trying to get to 3.2ghz


thnks

 

[coreyb]

im not an expert but there are other settings you can raise? nb voltage sb voltage...stuff like that. ive also read that its harder to overclock with 4 1gb ram vs 2x2gb ram sticks.

 

[roid450]

I had to lower the ram MHZ to 933 (rougly 3/4 of the 1066 stock speed) to get my system stable at 3.4ghz. If I set the ram at 1066 it'll lock up or just crash dring a game or windows

i ended up with 1.4825 bios Vcore (1.46 CPUz, 1.44 under OCCt or PRIME)
1.5 NB
1.5SB
1.4 CPU FSB (stock was 1.25 i believe)
2.05 mem

with all this my CPU idles in the high 30s with my Tuniq fan on Low speed

 

[polarbear6]

Originally posted by: roid450
I had to lower the ram MHZ to 933 (rougly 3/4 of the 1066 stock speed) to get my system stable at 3.4ghz. If I set the ram at 1066 it'll lock up or just crash dring a game or windows

i ended up with 1.4825 bios Vcore (1.46 CPUz, 1.44 under OCCt or PRIME)
1.5 NB
1.5SB
1.4 CPU FSB (stock was 1.25 i believe)
2.05 mem

with all this my CPU idles in the high 30s with my Tuniq fan on Low speed

well ur fan might not be whining so as the heat liberated but deep down in there the
processor is crying

enough no more no more )

i