Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

[rav]

Hi all,

I recently built a new system (specs below) and need some help to overclock it. This is the first time I am going to overclock a system so I am completely new to it, so may ask some stupid questions.

First of all, my specs are as follows:

• Gigabyte EP45-DS3R motherboard
• Intel Quad 6600 (G0 Stepping)
• OCZ Platinum 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2 1066mhz PC28500
• Sapphire 4870 Dual Slot
• 500W OCZ StealhXtreme power supply
• Coolermaster Case
• Arctic Cooler Pro 7

I am using Vista 64bit edition with Service Pack 1.

The only reason I bought the quad was to overclock it, but I'm not looking for super overclocks, just something that will make my system faster yet stable.

My current cpu temps (through Easy Tune 6) are 24degrees and system is 46.

Whenever I try to overclock the system through easy tune (by selecting the smart tab and pressing cruise), my system freezes and I have to load default settings from the bios in order for it to boot up.

Is this a common problem or does this mean by chip is not clockable?

Also, I know theres loads to change in the bios, so it is possible to get some help on the settings I need to change to hit 3-3.2ghz on 400fsb?

Thanks,

Rav

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

All overclocking should be done in the BIOS, so that is why you have ET issues. It will work, but you likely have not made the needed changes in the BIOS for it to be able to even work slightly.

Please give me a link to your ram and I can help you with 3.2Ghz settings.

For now you need to set your ram voltage, set MCH Voltage to 1.2-1.24, put performance enhance on standard, disable C1E and EIST and then ET should work a little for you. I have no clue about using the Tab with cruise, ect so not sure how good that would work but you can use the Tuner Tab, advanced for sure to get a little idea of what you can do. Do not use Save, only the apply button. If it tells you that you need to restart you likely changed to much and will have a reboot cycle so be ready to clear your CMOS if it will not stop cycling. This is why it is best done in the BIOS

[rav]

Re: Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

The link to my ram is here: OCZ 4GB (2X2gb) ddr2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 Platinum Memory CL5 - Ebuyer

Just incase the link doesnt work, ive posted the page here:

OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 / 1066 MHz / Platinum Series / 4GB / Dual Channel

The latest PC titles that make use of DirectX 10 crave more than the standard 2GB of RAM for the ultimate gameplay experience and the highest settings. Computer enthusiasts and professionals utilizing high-bandwidth video, music, and graphics applications will also benefit from the ultimate balance of speed and density the new PC2-8500 4GB Platinum offers.

The PC2-8500 Platinum Series will be available in 2GB modules and 4GB (2x2048MB) Dual Channel Kits. Although the OCZ Platinum series can meet all enthusiast demands, this high-capacity, high performance memory can become a user-friendly household item for the complete range of consumers looking to maximize system performance with additional RAM.

As part of OCZ's line-up of premium memory, PC2-8500 Platinum Series modules are backed by a Lifetime Warranty and industry-leading technical support so you can push your high-performance memory to its limit.


* XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heatspreaders optimize the thermal management of memory modules by promoting greater airflow by means of micro-convection throughout what is usually the dead air space inside conventional heatspreader designs. In this manner, build-up of heat is avoided and thermal dissipation of the memory components is offloaded more efficiently through the honeycomb design. At the same time, mechanical stability is maintained.

**OCZ EVP (Extended Voltage Protection) is a feature that allows performance enthusiasts to use a VDIMM of 2.15V without invalidating their OCZ Lifetime Warranty.

I really dont mind using the bios - the only reason why i thought EV was a good idea was because it seemed that it would overclock it all for me!


Thanks for the reply,

Rav

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

Here try this for 3.2 >>>>

You can use EasyTune, once you are semi stable to try small steps manually with the tuner tab, but as for the real overclocking it should be done in the BIOS.


MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.208


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 401Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

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


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<<
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<<


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

Set all Suggested below to highest Values first. Then later you can lower, one at a time, testing as you go

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................3-6
tWR............................................4-8
tRFC...........................................52-62
tRTP...........................................3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< 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

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< 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

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: All up to your chip, keep in mind what you set here will be less actual so set higher then you think so you can for sure boot. You can lower later. Not all chips are the same, boards as well. So... Maybe 1.35-1.425 actual for 3.2, all depends on the chip and board. Just set high

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< 1.25-1.45
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << 1.5-1.6

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

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.2-1.3 (1.2-1.24 likely good)
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.55-1.6
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< 1.14-1.2

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.1
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
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

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

[rav]

Re: Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

CPU

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

So should I leave them as auto?

also is it wise to flash my bios? i think i am on F8?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

Yes set those as Auto

BIOS flashing is always up to the user. I personally recommend it but only after you are for sure comfortable with the idea and have read how to do it. Here is my Guide for flashing with Qflash, DO NOT USE @BIOS >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

[rav]

Re: Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

okay i need some serious help

i entered those figures and went i clicked save

the pc went off

tried to restart itself then went off

and now it doesnt work! what do i do?

[Chucko]

Re: Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

I'm also finding that OCZ Reaper DDR2-1066 - or any other 4GB configuration at this speed - is tricky to make work with the same CPU and mobo. I have a thread similar to this further down...

To get back to a starting point, open the PC case, find the CMOS RESET jumpers, and short them together with some kind of tool (I used a car key) for a few seconds. This will reset the BIOS to optimized defaults. When it comes up again, set the RAM to run at 800 MHz or so. The other timings are safe at 800.

BTW my Q6600 came with a VID of 1.275 and it's currently running Linpack torture tests at 3.19GHz at 1.35 Vcore. It runs quite nicely at 3.0GHz with stock voltages. That's probably where I'll leave it.

[rav]

Re: Overclocking Q6600(G0) on EP45-DS3R

okay i managed to get the pc to boot up without having to reset the bios - the pc just managed to boot up after restarting itself 3 times and i reset the values to load safe defaults

i think my cpu is also running at a low VID

what settings r u using?

do u think its because i havent updated my bios? its at F8 atm

and im quite worried that overclocking it may blow it up now!