A Question About Overclocking (should I go further?)

I'm currently running an Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 at 3.4 GHz quite stable (with the VCore set to 1.3600) with an idle temperature between 18c-25c and a max load temperature (that I've seen) under load at about 36c (while running Super-Pi to 32 million digits). I'm using an Abit IP-35 Pro motherboard, and the temps are taken from uGuru inside the OS.

I tried once to raise it to 3.6 GHz, and had only increased the voltage to 1.3700, but the computer wouldn't post, so I cleared my CMOS and reset it to 3.4 GHz. I haven't stressed it with Orthos or Prime95, but I've heardm any times if a system can finish Super-Pi on 32 million digits, its stable 99% of the time (one of these sources was a computer assembly guide on Corsair's website).

My question is, given my low temps thus far, should I try a higher overclock? If so, what should I aim for and how much should I increase the voltages?

what CPU cooling?
what CPU:RAM ratio?

I'm using an Arctic Cooler Pro 7, with the RAM timings set to 1:1 (the current CPU FSB caused my RAM to overclock slightly, but it doesn't seem to be hurting it...the 1:1 ratio was the lowest I could get it to go; 1:1.25 and higher was raising my memory's MHz even higher than the mild overclock it already has, and I can't find an 'unlinked' setting. My RAM is rated for 800MHz (currently running either 820MHz or 850; I can't remember), and is rated for up to 2.2v, which I'm currently running at 1.95v (Its supposed ot run 4-4-4-12 timings at 2.2v, but that didn't work for me, so I left the timings on Auto and dialed back the voltages; the RAM seems to work quite well right now).

it's probably your RAM that's holding you back as I would imagine that an AC7 will manage 3.6GHZ on an E6750.
If you haven't already I would slacken the timings to 5-5-5 & I would try increasing voltage.

You may also have to increase CPU VTT & MCH voltages a notch or 2.

true to relax memory timings a tad, but is it really worth it? after about the speed you have the gains per voltage are low. your temps are really good by the way. unless your desperate to go faster, i'd say stick to that good speed and good temps before something goes wrong!

How can I see what my current RAM timings are, since I have them set to Auto in my BIOS?

Set them to manual ;) cpu-z might tell you, i can't remember.

To be honest I would ask yourself have you even noticed the change between 2.66 and 3.4GHz? You've got some seriously good temps going there with that overclock and 3.4GHz will give you plenty of grunt for everything you might want to do. You might get a few more FPS in games but if you don't notice it struggling, then don't bother with going any further.

I did, actually. And when I went from 3.0 GHz to 3.4 (yeah, I broke the rule and did rather large jumps), I completed Super-Pi (to 32-million digits) about 2.7 minutes faster than 3.0 GHz had (3.0 finished in about 18 minutes, 3.4 did it in about 15 minutes). I never saw the temp rise above 36-38c.

Honestly, I wonder if uGuru's numbers are accurate, because those temps seem quite cold. :D

PS: staffsMike, is there a way to set my FSB/RAM to unlinked on the IP-35 Pro? Running at 3.4 GHz caused my RAM to run about 40 MHz faster than it should, and I have it set to 1:1 (anythign else made it go higher). :| Also, CPU-Z shows my timing at 5-5-5-16 (this is what the BIOS's auto setting gives).

Don't think so thats a nVidia feature normally.

I'm not talking about benchmarking..of course that will be faster.. but did you really notice a difference? :D

Play some games or do whatever you're going to do with the PC and see if you tell a difference.

You're starting to enter the bragging rights area if you go much higher.

I noticed less stutter in Oblivion, for one (enough so that I was able to turn back up a could of settings, run several mods including Unique Landscapes, and still keep HDR on, and actually explore without much drag (sometimes there's stil la hint of it, but my FPS never dropped to unplayable, or even unbearable). Considering I haven't changed any settings on my video card, I'd say it helped a bit. I also noticed zipping and unzipping larger files seems faster now. :D

lol ok.. then push away, but as you've already seen you will have to push it harder for less gain.

@3.6GHz you will be running 8 x 450. 450FSB is not the realm of casual overclocking - yet.

You WILL need to play with some settings and you may need to admit defeat as not every system is going to be capable of 450FSB.

Some voltages will almost certainly need bumping, memory may need to have its timings slackened etc.....Or you could be happy @ 3.4GHz ;)

Well, I tried again, set the FSB to 450, raised the voltages more than I did last time (to 1.3800v), and lossened RAM timings down to 6-6-6-18, but no good; it wouldn't boot. I might just stick at 3.4 after all, unless all I did wrong was keep the voltages too low...