E6600 Overclocking project - Experianced eye required!

[rss1979]

Right, let me say right from the start that I am very new to overclocking and only just understand the basic concept!

That said, I thought I would play with my new system and see what I could squeeze out using the stock HSF.

Spec is.....

ASUS P5B Deluxe WiFi AP
Intel C2D E6600
Corsair TwinX XMS2-8500C5D (5-5-5-15)
MSI NX7600GT T2D256E
WD Raptor 74GB
WD Caviar 200GB (x2)
Tagan 500W PSU

I will list my BIOS settings below ............

CPU Config

• Manufacturer: Intel
• Brand String: Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 CPU 6600 @ 2.4GHz
• Frequency: 3.27GHz
• FSB Speed: 1448MHz
• Cache L1: 32KB
• Cache L2: 4096KB
• Ratio Status: Unlocked (Max:09, Min:06)
• Ratio Actual Value: 9
• CPUID: 6F6
  
• Modify Ratio Support: Enabled
• Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
• C1E Support: Disabled
• Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
• Vanderpool Technology: Enabled
• CPU TM Function: Enabled
• Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
• PECI: Disabled

------------------------------------------
Jumper Free Config

• CPU Frequency: 362
• DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1086MHz
• PCI Express Frequency: Auto
• PCI Clock Sync Mode: Auto
• Spread Spectrum: Disabled
• Memory Voltage: 1.45V
• FSB Termination Voltage: Auto
• NB VCore: Auto
• SB VCore (SATA, PCIE): Auto
• ICH Chipset Voltage: Auto

------------------------------------
North Bridge Chipset Config

• Memory Remap Feature: Disabled
• Config DRAM Timing by SPD: Disabled
• DRAM CAS# Latency: 5
• DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM RAS# Activate to Prec: 15 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM Write Recovery Time: 5 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM TRFC: 42 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM TRRD: 10
• Rank Write to Read Delay: 10
• Read to Precharge Delay: 10
• Write to Precharge Delay: 11
• Static Read Control: Auto

---------------------------------------------------

So, they are the settings and the PC seemed stable, I checked the temps usings PC Probe (ASUS Tool) and also BIOS.

PC Probe

Idle

• VCore:1.42V
• CPU: 37C
• MB: 29C
• CPU Fan: 1739RPM

Under Load (Prime95 Toture Test In-Place Large FFT's)

• VCore:1.39V
• CPU: 60C
• MB: 30C
• CPU Fan: 1739RPM

BIOS Temps

• CPU: 44C
• MB: 30C

So I suppose my question is simple after all that. Are my settings ok? Is 60C too hot? Am I risking damaging the memory running it at that frequency?

For now I am back at the stock 266MHz FSB just to err on the side of caution.

All help/advice/critisism welcome!!

[Flewis]

Download coretemp, it gives the most accurate temperature readings. Post back with what you get from that.

[rss1979]

Sorry, I should have said I am using Vista x64. Coretemp will not run on 64bit.

[Flewis]

60 seems high, but i dont know how accurate the asus program will be. 3.2GHz on the stock cooler seems like alot, so high temps would be expected. You could always lower the OC a bit rather than running at stock. Need someone to recommend a 64bit program to measure temps accurately.

[rss1979]

60 seemed high to me as well......problem is, i don't want to assume it is too high, i want to know it is......

What are the safe tollerances for temperatures on this processor? I have searched the intel site and all i could find was a tech spec sheet which talked about "thermal specification of 60.1C (whatever that is..)

It would be nice if intel just said, xC is the maximum temperature you should allow this processor to reach! end of!

I am also concerned about the memory as i drifted slightly over the stated FSB.

Like I said, I am new to all this, i dont even know what i am talking about half the time!!

[Clunk]

Will Orthos run on x64? You could do with some kind of stress test running overnight.

If orthos will run overnight, leave things as they are, unless you want to try for higher, or try lowering the voltage maybe.

If it isnt stable, some things to try are highlighted below

Right, let me say right from the start that I am very new to overclocking and only just understand the basic concept!

That said, I thought I would play with my new system and see what I could squeeze out using the stock HSF.

Spec is.....

ASUS P5B Deluxe WiFi AP
Intel C2D E6600
Corsair TwinX XMS2-8500C5D (5-5-5-15)
MSI NX7600GT T2D256E
WD Raptor 74GB
WD Caviar 200GB (x2)
Tagan 500W PSU

I will list my BIOS settings below ............

CPU Config

• Manufacturer: Intel
• Brand String: Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 CPU 6600 @ 2.4GHz
• Frequency: 3.27GHz
• FSB Speed: 1448MHz
• Cache L1: 32KB
• Cache L2: 4096KB
• Ratio Status: Unlocked (Max:09, Min:06)
• Ratio Actual Value: 9
• CPUID: 6F6
  
• Modify Ratio Support: Enabled DISABLED
• Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
• C1E Support: Disabled
• Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
• Vanderpool Technology: Enabled DISABLED
• CPU TM Function: Enabled DISABLED
• Execute Disable Bit: Enabled DISABLED
• PECI: Disabled

------------------------------------------
Jumper Free Config

• CPU Frequency: 362
• DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1086MHz
• PCI Express Frequency: Auto
• PCI Clock Sync Mode: Auto SET TO 33.3
• Spread Spectrum: Disabled
• Memory Voltage: 1.45V ?????? 2.45?? You can ask in the corsair forum for this if you are unsure.
• FSB Termination Voltage: Auto
• NB VCore: Auto Once stable with orthos, you can try and set this manually and reduce it, or up it a bit if you go higher with fsb.
• SB VCore (SATA, PCIE): Auto
• ICH Chipset Voltage: Auto

------------------------------------
North Bridge Chipset Config

• Memory Remap Feature: Disabled
• Config DRAM Timing by SPD: Disabled
• DRAM CAS# Latency: 5
• DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM RAS# Activate to Prec: 15 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM Write Recovery Time: 5 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM TRFC: 42 DRAM Clocks
• DRAM TRRD: 10
• Rank Write to Read Delay: 10
• Read to Precharge Delay: 10
• Write to Precharge Delay: 11
• Static Read Control: Auto

Not sure about the last few for your ram, but the P5B can be fussy about those last few, the defaults are 10. Check the corsair forum for those.
---------------------------------------------------

So, they are the settings and the PC seemed stable, I checked the temps usings PC Probe (ASUS Tool) and also BIOS.

PC Probe

Idle

• VCore:1.42V
• CPU: 37C
• MB: 29C
• CPU Fan: 1739RPM

Under Load (Prime95 Toture Test In-Place Large FFT's)

• VCore:1.39V
• CPU: 60C
• MB: 30C
• CPU Fan: 1739RPM

BIOS Temps

• CPU: 44C
• MB: 30C

So I suppose my question is simple after all that. Are my settings ok? Is 60C too hot? Am I risking damaging the memory running it at that frequency?

For now I am back at the stock 266MHz FSB just to err on the side of caution.

All help/advice/critisism welcome!!

Temps look fine for the stock heatsink, but try setting the vcore to 1.35v and see how high you can get the fsb before it starts to fail in orthos, you might be one of the lucky ones that has a 6600 that will go high without lots of volts

[rss1979]

orthos?

[moogle]

orthos?

http://sp2004.fre3.com/beta/beta2.htm

it does the same as prime 95, but its for dual core cpu's like yours.

[Clunk]

Oops, sorry, I forgot the link

[rss1979]

nice one, will give that a go!

[rss1979]

hmmm, interesting result after a quick 10 minute test at stock speeds. The temp still only got to 60C.

[Clunk]

You need to leave it going for at least 12 hours.

[moogle]

i usually stress for 30 min's, then if it stays stable then i leave it as that. i've tried 6 hours but the temp never increased so I always do 30 min's. plus i find its a waste of electricity running it for 12 hours at full load.

[rss1979]

ok, if I oc it and leave it torture testing for 12 hours, what is the worst that could happen? Would it be best to set the temperature alarm in PC Probe and stay within ear shot?

[shaithis]

30 min STs are fine as long as thats how long you use your PC for in any 1 sitting

I used to do the same until I started getting crashes after prolonged gaming sessions.....then found the benefit of making sure I am as close to 100% stable as i am going to get.

[moogle]

ok, if I oc it and leave it torture testing for 12 hours, what is the worst that could happen? Would it be best to set the temperature alarm in PC Probe and stay within ear shot?

nothing bad will happen, except if it overheats, yes if your going afk then i guess set the temp alarm in pc probe.