Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

[Micz]

Hi,

I'm having problems trying to overclock my Q6600 with EP45-UD3P to 3.0 GHZ. Here what I did

• CPU Clock Ratio: 9x
• Host Clock Control: Enable
• CPU Host Frequency: 333
• PCI Express Frequency: 100

I didn't make any change to System Memory Multiplier or memory settings since I don't care much about the FSP ratio.

In addition, from what I read so far, Q6600 can be safely overclocked to 3.0GHZ without increasing voltage so I also didn't make any change to the CPU Voltage Control (later tried to set it at 1.27500V but still failed)

Anyway, with that settings, the system failed to reboot and then it automatically reset to mobo's default. When I went into the M.I.T. it displayed an error message saying that the problem is because of voltage issue. So I really appreciate any help on this.

Here my system specs:

CPU: Intel Q6600
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

Here would be optimal ranges for 3Ghz, all CPU's are different so you may or may not be able to get 3Ghz with stock voltages. But I do advise you set voltages manually as Auto will WAY Overvolt them

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.00


[b][u]Clock Chip Control [/u][/b]
[b][u]Standard Clock Control[/u][/b]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100[/B]

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


[b][u]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/u][/b]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 50-150 (Can help with stability)
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 150-250 (Can help with stability)


[b][u]DRAM Performance Control[/u][/b][u][/u]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3.20B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[b]Standard Timing Control[/b]
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15/18

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................3-6
tWR............................................4-6
tRFC...........................................52-62
tRTP...........................................3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................800-1200 (Test all three last) Set 1066 for now

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................: Alll up to your chip, and your board,  What you set here will be less in windows, and less then that at load. Maybe 1.3-1.4 for 3Gh (Actual) you can check your boards drop with CPU-z set a voltage at stock speed and then go in windows at look in CPU-z and see what you get, then keep that in mind when adjusting this for 3Ghz

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.24-1.45
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.24-1.28
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.55-1.6
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< 1.14-1.25

[b]DRAM[/b]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Micz]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

Thanks alot...But when I set System Memory Multiplier to 3.2B, the Memory Frequency ends up being only 853 which will underclock my memory ...Can I just leave it at Auto which seems like will let me keep it at 1066Mhz.

Quick question, is setting it to Normal = stock? And by "Leave", do you mean keep it at Auto?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

3.20 is 1066 ONLY if you overclock to 333 FSB, which you asked about so I gave you settings for that. 333x3.20=1066

If you are not overclocking, or have EIST/C1E enabled then of course your CPU and ram will downclock when idle. Best to disable those when overclocked and things will stay at 3Ghz and 1066Mhz ram

Yes, Leave means Leave in Auto, Sorry about that. Normal can vary depending on speeds and other settings, depending on which thing's normal setting you are looking at.

Best to set things to stock or less if I did not suggest them to be set above if you want to change them because many do change automatically as you adjust others. Those for sure that adjust automatically are these >>>>

CPU Termination (Vtt) Automatically changes the following if manually set >>>
CPU Reference Voltage
CPU Reference2 Voltage
MCH Reference Voltage

DRAM Voltage Automatically changes the following if manually set >>>
MCH/DRAM Reference Voltage
DRAM Termination Voltage
Channel A Reference Voltage
Channel B Reference Voltage

[Micz]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

Thank so much for your help, Lsdmeasap. I've just realized that the reason my Memory frequency drops to 853 is because somehow my CPU Host Frequency was reset to 266 (Stupid me, I didn't look at it). Just set it back to 333Mhz and it looks all normal now.

Anyway, I followed your instructions and everything seems to work great. Again, thanks alot. So I decided to drop the Vcore back to 1.27500V (stock voltage) and surprisingly, the system remains stable. CPU-Z reports 1.216V at idle, and 1.184V on full load with Prime95 and OCCT. So in your expert opinion, do you think my Vdrop/Vdroop is decent??

So here is my settings, is there any more tweak that I can do in order to make it run much safer?

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.00


[B][U]Clock Chip Control [/U][/B]
[B][U]Standard Clock Control[/U][/B]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100[/B]
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


[B][U]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/U][/B]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 50
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 50 (different than yours suggestion)

[B][U]DRAM Performance Control[/U][/B]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3.20B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15

[B][U]Advanced Timing Control[/U][/B]
tRRD...........................................4
tWTR..........................................4
tWR............................................8
tRFC...........................................68
tRTP...........................................4
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................ 1066

[B]Channel A[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................:6
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[B]Channel B[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................:6
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[B][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/B]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.27500V (stock voltage as displayed on the BIOS)

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V.......:1.240V
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V.......:1.500V
CPU Referen.…………....0.760V.......: Auto

[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.200V (bit lower than your suggestion)
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........; Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: 1.570V
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: 1.200V

[B]DRAM[/B]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 1.840V
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Auto

FYI, according to HWMonitor, my CPU is idle at about 38 C and around 50-56C with full load.

[mozzle]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

@Lsdmeasap

Thanks for the great info on overclocking the Q6600 with the EP45-UD3P. I would like to OC to 3.0Ghz as well, however, before I change the BIOS settings, I wanted to confirm some things about the settings you provided.

I have different (slower) RAM than the original poster and I assume some of the memory settings you posted will be different due to the different RAM specs. Of course, I could be completely wrong seeing as how I am new to all this!

My RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

I would greatly appreciate it if you re-posted the settings to match my RAM specs.

Some notes...

1) In MCH/ICH, I don't have a choice for 1.55 or 1.6 - my stepping choices are ... 1.5, 1.57, 1.59, 1.61 etc.

2) In advanced settings, I don't see "C2/C2E State Support" or "x C4/C4E State Support"

3) I am using BIOS version F6 and Windows XP Pro SP3 (32-bit) - My Q6600 is the G0 variety.


Thanks a lot!!!

[Nickel020]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

System memory multiplier at 2.4B wil run the RAM at DDR2 800. Set the DRAM voltage to what your RAM manufacturer specifies.

1) the setting just one step lower will be fine (in my opinion setting the MCh/ICH values to stock should run fine at this medium overclock as well).

2) don't worry about it

3) G0 is good :)

Note that you may need more VCore than the other guy here though, every CU is a little different.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

Hi Mozzle, if you still need more help let me know. The above advice is spot on

[mozzle]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

Thanks guys.

I'm still a bit confused and need some clarification.

@Nickel020 - When you say "the MCh/ICH values to stock should run fine" does that mean to set them to specific numbers or leave them at [Auto]?

I basically need to know which settings I absolutely must set manually for CPU and DRAM as opposed to leaving them at [Auto]. I know most of them from Lsdmeasap's original settings list but when it comes to MCH/ICH and DRAM voltage settings, I'm not certain.

Thanks for taking the time to help me with this.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

You MUST Set Vtt and PLL yourself if you are overclocking, Auto way overvolts them in many cases. The rest may or may not need adjusted from stock/auto.

ICH you may need a little bump 1.14 or so depending on your GFX card and drives connected.

MCH Will likely need 1.2-1.3+ depending on memory strap used, timings, and overall FSB/Ram speeds

[mozzle]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

@Lsdmeasap,

Thanks for the clarification. I'm going to go ahead and make the changes and see what happens.

Quick question: I didn't see any reference to "Load-Line Calibration" in your original suggested settings.

My BIOS shows the following:

********* Motherboard Voltage Control *********
>>>>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled] - Default setting

[Disabled] is noted as "Follow Intel spec"
[Enabled] is noted as "Improve VDroop directly"

Should I leave this or enable it when overclocking?

Thanks again!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

You can enable LLC if you like, it is fine for that CPU

[mozzle]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

Thanks. I've enabled it now.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

You may/should be able to lower your voltage with it enabled if you was stable before. Check with CPU-z you should now have little to none vdroop

[mehul0519]

Re: Safe overclock Q6600 with EP45-UD3P

Hello guys


1) I am new to overclock but I have same memory and cpu as Micz and want it to overclock to 3.0 ghz. I am running windows xp. Should I just run the same settings as Micz? please, help....



2) if I want to overclock to 3.2 ghz ..what only stuff I have to change.....pls advice me..



Thankx in advance...