Overclocking for beginners

[NeedMoarFarms]

I've skimmed over your Overclocking guide, and I've read various others guides and articles about overclocking, but I've never tried it myself.

I understand the concept well, and know a fair bit about computers (at least I think I do).

CPU: Q6600 2.4gHz
Heatsink: Sycthe Ninja
Mobo: Abit Ip-35 Dark Raider
PSU: 500W Corsair
RAM: 2gb OCZ DDR2

I heard the Q6600 is a piece of cake to get to 3gHz?

Now, I heard overclocking is pretty easy, and almost idiot proof (unless you do something ridiculous) but of course I'm wary of that.

Is there any step by step guide to overclocking the Q6600 with the Ip-35 mobo?

Go into BIOS, change this to this, this to that.
If that doesn't work, do this.

A guide like that? I just really don't want to mess it up. Thanks Hexus !

[staffsMike]

I'd go into the bios, set the fsb to 333MHz and see what happens

The ram and CPU will probably handle that without changing anything else

[NeedMoarFarms]

I'd go into the bios, set the fsb to 333MHz and see what happens

The ram and CPU will probably handle that without changing anything else

Really? I don't know if I'm that confident with " probably handle " haha

I read the overclocking tutorial in more detail there, and I'm pretty certain I understand it pretty well.

Any other input lol?

[staffsMike]

Well the worst that will happen is it doesn't post.. reset the CMOS and start again if it doesn't do it automatically

I'm pretty sure if the temps are good right now and it's not a lemon of a chip it will just go for that though.

It's not for the faint hearted I suppose but it's nothing to worry about.

[NeedMoarFarms]

I downloaded CPU-Z and something weird is happening. It is saying my clock speed is 1.6gHz and the multiplier is x6? It's definately 2.4gHz and running at that, could CPU-Z be wrong lol? I'd post a pic but I need MOAR posts.


I got more posts

[staffsMike]

It's intel's stepspeed, when your CPU is idle it underclocks it.

[NeedMoarFarms]

That makes sense .

So, set fsb to 333MHz? If it won't post, clear CMOS, try again with a lower number, say 300MHz?

My temps are around 35°C on idle and 45°C on load.

What sort of temps should I expect with 3.0gHz?

[shbris]

set voltage up a notch as well, fsb:ddr to 1:1 then FSB up to whatever you fancy

[NeedMoarFarms]

Do I really need to up the voltage yet? I'd rather not if I don't absolutely need to.

Just so I get it right, whatever the fsb is set to, the ddr should be double that?

Will I need to manually set the ram timings as described in the o/c guide?

[staffsMike]

Yeah set the ram timings to what they are rated at, at the rated volts.

You shouldn't need to bump the CPU volts but it may ensure stability first time out.

If the Divider is set to 1:1 then the FSB should be 333MHz, that will be 333MHz for both RAM and CPU.

Each multiply the FSB by different amounts. Core 2's x4 and DDR2 x2.

[NeedMoarFarms]

RAM timings are 6-6-6-18.
How do I find what the rated volts are?
Should I just set Vcore voltage to auto?

So, enter RAM timings and voltage.
Set Vcore to auto (?).
Set divider to 1:1.
Set FSB to 333MHz.
Disable speed step.
Save and Exit.
Cross fingers.
Amidoinrite?

[Webby]

Oh and don't forget to disable speed step it can play havoc with overclocking otherwise, as it lowers the voltage with the multiplier fine at stock clocks sometimes an issue when you have pushed it a bit further.

[NeedMoarFarms]

Ok, but how do I find the rated voltage of the RAM?

[staffsMike]

Ok, but how do I find the rated voltage of the RAM?

On the label stuck to it

[NeedMoarFarms]

Doesn't have a voltage, but has different timings as the one CPU-Z gave me. On the label is says 5-5-5 (CPU-Z said 6-6-6), should I change it to 5-5-5 then?

[staffsMike]

Yeah. If it's PC6400 RAM I would think it's 1.8V.. but I can't be sure.