The Definitive, Unbiased Core 2 Duo Overclocking Guide.

[NoStateofMind]

Keep the deluxe and 6400. Changing to better RAM in the other situation (P5B-E+6300) won't help you get that 3.2GHz any easier.

 

[The-Noid]

Well the P5B-E has a different heat setup compared to the P5B Deluxe. It is a great board and unless you are looking for crazy high fsbs it will work the same. The problem with those G.Skills it the binning I have not been happy lately with the 800mhz G.Skills as I have had a couple of sets fail at the rated speeds. Oh well they will RMA it so it doesn't matter and get you one that does work. It is just the luck of the draw. The Red Set is actaully better they are just on sale.

Buy these rams as well while they are on sale. They are good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145034

 

[rayjayturbo]

Hi Yoxxy, I bought 2 sets of the OCZ 2gb pc2-6400 platinum rev1 4-5-4-15 ram when it was on sale at outpost.com preparing for a C2D build. I am getting close on having the funds to get the rest of the parts. I was trying for your Performance Gamer type setup. Is this memory going to work or do I need to post the ram in the FS/FT forum? I was waiting on the RD600 board from DFI and E6700 but am still open to changes. Any thoughts?

Ray

 

[jondl]

Hey guys. I just wanted to give out my own personal experience of upgrading from an opteron 170 to a e6300 c2d.

First off heres my rig:

Gigabyte DS3 - C1 - F8a Bios
E6300 Retail
Scythe Ninja Plus Rev. B + Thermalright HR-05 NB Heatsink
Crucial 10th Anniversary PC2-5300 2x1gb kit
X1900xt 512mb
X-fi
Lian Li V1000b

Anyway, from the start i was a little scared going with the e6300 because of the low 7x multiplier but once i got my chip, i was VERY satisfied. I did a lot of research and found out about the Crucial sticks and how they have D9GMH chips in them which are known to do 1000+ at fairly low latencies. Stock voltage on these are supposed to be 2.2v but combined with the low latencies, i was optimistic that i wouldn't run into the 1.8v problem.

My first trial of OCing, i reached 3.2ghz with stock voltage. I then proceeded to lower the voltage until i wasn't stable anymore (1.3v). I was very happy with my chip and thought that i could do 3500+ ghz but the chipset limited me to 491 Orthos stable. I got 3430mhz with 1.325v with 4-4-4-12 ram latency and i KNOW my memory and cpu has a lot more to offer. MCH already at +.03% and FSB default. I tried everything from moving around my PCIE frequencies to trying the F6 bios. The best one for me was the F7 but my x-fi wouldn't function properly with the f7. I then tried the F8a and everything worked out great.

Overall, if i had to do it all over again, i would go for a higher multiplier like the e6400 or the e6600 but then again, my chip is a monster!

P.S. I had two DS3s because i bought one from fry's at first but got a better deal buying online so i had to return it. Both had the same results. I hope this helps anyone trying to purchase or planning on overclocking. If you just want 3.2ghz, i would say go for the e6300 but if you want MORE get the 6400 if you can't pay up for the e6600 price.

 

[The-Noid]

That ram will work find it is using elpida modules that are binned for high speed. It is the Micron D9GMH or D9GKX that has problems with the DS3 or P5B.

Cheers.

 

[angryman]

Would be best if you bought a new cooling fan, Scyth Infinty, Thermaltake Big Typhoon, Tuniq Tower. Typical Settings for your setup and hitting 3.6 ghz would be.

# vCore: 1.525 (Vdroop to 1.45 under full load)(3.6 ghz)
# vFSB: 1.4
# vNB: 1.4
# vMem: 2.25
# Configured FSB: 400
# Memory Ratio should be 4:5 or DDR2-1000
# Configured Ratio: 9
# Configured Memory Timings: 4-4-4-4 (Configured under Chipset)
# C1E and SpeedStep off, Locked PCI Express Frequency locked at 100, PCI Sync Mode at 33.33.

The ram you have is pretty great, works very well with lower timings than it says. It is D9GKX which is still the best DDR2 you can buy.

That VCore may end up being kind of high but you can lower it when you know you are stable. Gives you a good place to start though. But I would definetly buy a new cpu fan before you do that .

Another way is to configure the ratio as 8 keep the other settings the same and leave vCore @ 1.3815 for now. That would give you 3.2 ghz and would be more than stable with the stock cooler.

Cheers.

Unfortunately these settings have'nt worked for me whatsoever I have'nt even gotten a boot up just a black screen, which required a shutdown and a power off from the wall socket, then on restart choose default setting(F2).
Also a strange thing I noticed is that Hyper Threading and Intel SpeedStep are not even listed as options in Bios, and yes I looked at my manual to see where they reside. Another thing is that I am not able to configure the individual ram timings in Bios either. I am a little confused! Has my Bios been corrupted or is there something i am missing. I would think it strange the Bios being corrupted as everything works fine at default setting and the revision is 0711.

Thanks in advance


"The ram you have is pretty great, works very well with lower timings than it says. It is D9GKX which is still the best DDR2 you can buy. "

Yoxxi this seems to contradict with this post you made, i could be wrong though.(edit)No re-reading that i think you were just being nice as I had it in my possesion already.

" That ram will work find it is using elpida modules that are binned for high speed. It is the Micron D9GMH or D9GKX that has problems with the DS3 or P5B."

Cheers.

 

[angryman]

Anyone help with this?

 

[KBTuning]

this has been an informative thread that is helping me decide on my parts... currently i plan on buying...

E6400
P5B Deluxe
TT Big Typhoon, i almost bought this back when i built my A64 system
1GB Corsair XMS2 (2x512)

it will be going in an Antec P180 that i currently have and i will continue to use my two 160gb 7200rpm Sata drives in raid0 as well as my X800GTO2 and kee it overclocked and unlocked to X850XTPE untill i get more money and DX10 cards come out... also i currently have a Thermaltake 420watt PSU and it is keeping my A64 stable that is stock at 1.8Ghz but i have oc'd to 2.3 on stock voltage... the psu says it has 19a on the 12v rail and yes its a single rail psu... will this hold up to the C2D?

 

[The-Noid]

Angryman if the computer you are using is the one in your sig that should work well. Otherwise you can pm me and we can work it out. ARe you having any problems with temperatures or anyhting?

 

[angryman]

i had it at 3.2ghz with 400 by 8 multiplier with all settings that you mentioned but the setting for the memory at ddr1000 seemed to be crashing it. I will try again at lower settings . But why can i not see the Speedstep/hyperthreading function to turn off in bios. And do i use memset to configure the memory to those timings you suggested as i cannot see them at all in bios.

Ah the temp on the CPU when i started the orthos proggy jumped to 66 celcius stright away so i canned that until i get a better Fan, however i read in another forum that the same test was done with the scythe fan at the same cpu speed with the same temp. i am not willing to risk that however.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Another request for a sticky on this thread.

 

[BoboKatt]

In your recommended mobo section (975 Chipset) the AW90-Max... what was the final decision on its vFSB being at 1.2 max? Is it still able to OC with the 1.2 max without the mod?
Thanks

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: BoboKatt
In your recommended mobo section (975 Chipset) the AW90-Max... what was the final decision on its vFSB being at 1.2 max? Is it still able to OC with the 1.2 max without the mod?
Thanks

with the 2MB L2 (2MB disabled) conroes or what everyone is calling an Allendale (which is not correct) 400+ seems to be no problem with 1.2 on the vFSB.

with the conroes though, it's few and far between you'll see anyone running 400+ stable with this board.

At the moment I will define stability as 8+ hours of orthos blend.

I've only seen about 2 or 3 people able to do this.

Most of them have performed the vFSB mod in order to get greater than 400. One person has one of the red/black slot boards (vs. the retail blue/black slot ones) so that might be part of the reason why.

My chip is capable of 3.8+ if i run small fft test but i can't even run 9x400 with orthos blend.

I'm using bios 1.2 and I've tried many different combinations of vFSB and vmch.

vFSB i've tried between 1.2 to 1.55 and vmch i've tried between 1.5 to 2.0 (with booster mod so there isn't as much of a droop).

I also tried replacing the stock NB with a swiftech mx159(?) copper and that doesn't appear to have helped either.

I've been fighting with this board for a while now and can't seem to get close to stable going over 400.

the highest i have been able to go using uguru in windows for benching is 425.

 

[Mango1970]

Thanks for that info!! very much appreciated as all the rest of the posts in this regard.

Just one question.. how can you live with only one PCI slot. I was so set on this board based on its OC ability and my e6600. Now however I am scratching my head trying to figure out how I can live without my TV capture but most of all my wireless NIC since I will have Crossfire, and with 2 cards effectively it even eliminates the ONLY PCI slot. LOL.

grrr. guess it's the Asus P5W-DH then.

However, on a e6600 with my Ballistix 4-4-4-12 that I now have (also have the Team) does the OP still suggest the Abit board for extreme gaming and OC? I'd be willing to spring for the insane asus P5W64 as suggested but no Crossfire which just would make me sell my 2 X1900XT(CF) (sigh).. /cry.

All in all is the Abit an "easier" OC to say 9X370ish? I mean if Shimmishim can get 10X379 heck i would be happy with 9X370 LOL. Anyhow I still cannot get over the lack of PCI slots for what you pay! Sigh

thanks!

 

[Markfw]

Maybe I am late in the discussion, but why not the gigabyte DS3 or S3 ? Mine is at 7x500 and it has pci slots.

 

[Mango1970]

NICE!!! aye that was a consideration just that I cannot use my 2 ATI X1900XT. Again i might just sell them and get a new Nvida when they are out.

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: Mango1970
Thanks for that info!! very much appreciated as all the rest of the posts in this regard.

Just one question.. how can you live with only one PCI slot. I was so set on this board based on its OC ability and my e6600. Now however I am scratching my head trying to figure out how I can live without my TV capture but most of all my wireless NIC since I will have Crossfire, and with 2 cards effectively it even eliminates the ONLY PCI slot. LOL.

grrr. guess it's the Asus P5W-DH then.

However, on a e6600 with my Ballistix 4-4-4-12 that I now have (also have the Team) does the OP still suggest the Abit board for extreme gaming and OC? I'd be willing to spring for the insane asus P5W64 as suggested but no Crossfire which just would make me sell my 2 X1900XT(CF) (sigh).. /cry.

All in all is the Abit an "easier" OC to say 9X370ish? I mean if Shimmishim can get 10X379 heck i would be happy with 9X370 LOL. Anyhow I still cannot get over the lack of PCI slots for what you pay! Sigh

thanks!

Just Get the P5W DH you will be fine.... The OP is Biased to a board that is a dumb solution for 90% of the real world....... Keep your cards... The Pro will run them... but there is little use for the other slots... so they are a waste.... The ABIT Max only has one PCI slot..... and it may or may not be usable.... depends upon what you need to put in it....

 

[The-Noid]

There are 3 boards listed. You are the most Biased person on the board, you only post stuff that you own, and somehow it seems to be better than what anyone else can buy and get for results. Just becuase you own it, does not mean it is a perfect solution for everyone. I have a P5WDH is it a good board, Yes. Is it any better than the MAX no. Is the P5W64 better than both, Yes. Is the BadAxe better than the P5WDH, Yes.

Please stop posting your biased opinions about how great your hardware is. Also wait till the 8th as a new revision of the guide is already done . Please go away Nvidia NDA!

Also, sell me your Crucial Ballistix that clocks DDR2-1000, 4-4-4-4 @ 1.8v. It is a cheap DDR2-667 part, so I should get a great deal on this non-existent ram.

 

[Jeeebus]

took the plunge on several parts today for my new e6400 build. Just missing the mobo and gfx card at this point. Plan on OCing to 3.2 - 3.4. Too confused about the mobo right now, can't think straight lol.

Parts:
e6400
Tuniq Tower 120
Corsair xms 2gb (5-5-5-12)

Thinking about the p5b-e as it supposedly gets good results... any experience with that Yoxxy?

 

[The-Noid]

yeah P5B-E is a great board. I highly recommend it. You will be easy to hit 400-420 FSB. Once you bump Voltage to 1.5 on NB it starts to need a little better cooling than the stock aluminum heatsink for 24/7. If you are only shooting for 3.2-3.4, this is the perfect board for you.

 

[Jeeebus]

ya I imagine I'll be ok on the cooling with the Tuniq Tower. 3.2 is the minimum I'll be comfortable with. Once there I'm happy to take any extra., but the extra isn't necessary.

 

[Shimmishim]

3.2 should be EASY with the tuniq tower.

i got up to 3.65 with the tuniq on my chip.

currently i am maxed out at 3.79 ghz. anything over 380 i can't get "stable"

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
There are 3 boards listed. You are the most Biased person on the board, you only post stuff that you own, and somehow it seems to be better than what anyone else can buy and get for results. Just becuase you own it, does not mean it is a perfect solution for everyone. I have a P5WDH is it a good board, Yes. Is it any better than the MAX no. Is the P5W64 better than both, Yes. Is the BadAxe better than the P5WDH, Yes.

Please stop posting your biased opinions about how great your hardware is. Also wait till the 8th as a new revision of the guide is already done . Please go away Nvidia NDA!

Also, sell me your Crucial Ballistix that clocks DDR2-1000, 4-4-4-4 @ 1.8v. It is a cheap DDR2-667 part, so I should get a great deal on this non-existent ram.

Yes........ we all seem Biased by Our Own Personal Experiences.


Please stop Your Whining and Begging !! Buy Your Own Damn Memory.....

I got mine from My Crucial Rep .....

Sounds like you have tried enough third line vendors.... and Non- JEDEC members.

It is Not My Fault that you have thrown so much money at 300-500 Mhz... Seems to somehow lack value......

I can only Laugh, and think that My well spent $ 700.00 got me 95 % of your quest for the Holy Grail at one third the Cost.

 

[The-Noid]

I am only joking about the set of ram. It is sardism. Also the memory simply comes by my desk on the way to other computers. I am not paying much for these sticks, I just simply check to see if there is a golden pair in there or not. DDR2-1200 CAS4 is not much of a problem, niether is DDR2-1300 CAS5. I just want a set that will do DDR2-1250 CAS4 or DDR2-1400 CAS5.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Mr Fox

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
There are 3 boards listed. You are the most Biased person on the board, you only post stuff that you own, and somehow it seems to be better than what anyone else can buy and get for results. Just becuase you own it, does not mean it is a perfect solution for everyone. I have a P5WDH is it a good board, Yes. Is it any better than the MAX no. Is the P5W64 better than both, Yes. Is the BadAxe better than the P5WDH, Yes.

Please stop posting your biased opinions about how great your hardware is. Also wait till the 8th as a new revision of the guide is already done . Please go away Nvidia NDA!

Also, sell me your Crucial Ballistix that clocks DDR2-1000, 4-4-4-4 @ 1.8v. It is a cheap DDR2-667 part, so I should get a great deal on this non-existent ram.

Yes........ we all seem Biased by Our Own Personal Experiences.


Please stop Your Whining and Begging !! Buy Your Own Damn Memory.....

I got mine from My Crucial Rep .....

Sounds like you have tried enough third line vendors.... and Non- JEDEC members.

It is Not My Fault that you have thrown so much money at 300-500 Mhz... Seems to somehow lack value......

I can only Laugh, and think that My well spent $ 700.00 got me 95 % of your quest for the Holy Grail at one third the Cost.

I agree....I had no issues with Gskill ram running rated specs and or Ds3 mobos....Yet you have relegated them to crap....It is all biased whether you think so or not....You have to have multiple instances or experiences to be able to speak with definitiveness.

My mistake was getting an E6600 4m cache chip with a 965p chipset. they seem to do better in 975x chipsets.

As it stands I recommend for budget ocers which are pretty much most everyone who buys E6300 chips to get a good board like the S3...It is a value for the buck product. I built one for a buddy and I used my "shite" gskill sticks which were able to run 970ddr2 just fine at cas 5-5-5-15 for 3.4ghz. The board wouldn't post at 3.5ghz (7x500) but I was only giving it 1.45v and using a stock cooler in the brief time I had to test it. With another week a high end air cooler and perhaps 1.5v (the board undervolts like .02-.03v at idle) I think 500fsb was stable as well on this board...It could do 3.5ghz with a Gigabyte's windows based oc tuner and run all the benches I threw at it....The ram likely could have been the culprit as it was only 800ddr2 ram. I would definitely couple it with higher rated stuff next time.


I also disagree in using the windows based memtest. It wont test all the ram therefore I dont recommend it...Do it in Dos....