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Overclocking Q6600 on P5N32-E-SLI PLUS


mbo

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Hi,

I'm thinking to overclocking my CPU and memory.

I've never donre it before, that's why I write here:)

 

OK, I would like to go to around 3-3.2MHz on CPU. At the moment on stock cooling the CPU runs around 54C on load. I'm thinking of getting ZALMAN CNPS9700NT cooler, but I'm not sure if it will be good for Quad ? I might also put little NB cooler as well.

 

As for memory I'm waiting for Corsair Twin2x4096-6400C5DHX to arrive in a week or two. When here, I would like to oc it to around 900MHz but make the timing tighter (I read that this gives better resoult than oc to 1066)

 

Can anyone please advise me on all the settings I should use for CPU and memory in my BIOS ? Should I consider better cooler?

 

Thanks,

mbo

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Can anyone please advise me on all the settings I should use for CPU and memory in my BIOS ? Should I consider better cooler?

 

If you are running a Quad core then, yes, I would consider an aftermarket cooler. Not only will a good one allow you a far better overclock, but it will also apply a more robust thermal drop delta. This is the length of time it takes for the temperature to drop. For example, in gaming and application use, you do not make use of the CPU 100% of the time. There are points where data is being transferred, CPU use drops in multiple environments, multiplexing needs time to revive a stream, etc... During these times, the processor cores load drops and so does the thermal output of the cores. On a stock cooler, the time between the drops and the loads is marginalized by the coolers inability to release the thermal output and thus the CPU does not benefit nearly as much. With a cooler such as a Thermaltake BigTyphoon, Tuniq Tower and Thermalright Ultra-120 xTreme are ones to look at. Thermalright has fixed an issue with their new released edition and this is one of the best coolers around at the moment. It has a drop delta that is rapid! I have used all three and the Tuniq/Ultra Xtreme are both very good.

 

For the Northbridge, you might wish to look at the Thermaltake Extreme Spirit II. I have used this and it is a good cooler. I used it for the I965 and Striker as they are pretty warm when overclocking but on the P5K, there isn't any real need as it runs cool.

 

 

When you have it all setup and can tell us what you finally chose for a CPU and cooling system, post for help and it will come. :)

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DerekT,

thnk you for such an interesting and detailed post :)

Would you recommend Thermalright Ultima 90 as well? It got my attention as motherboard removal is not required for installation :)

 

Michal

 

EDIT: ooopsss.... it has to be removed as well.

EDIT2: decided on Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme. It seems to me to be better choise for Quad proccessor.

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There are only a few aftermarket coolers that I would recommend for an overclocked Quad Core. The Sunbeam Tuniq Tower and the Thermalright Ultra Xtreme 120 Plus. These Quad cores are thermal output beasties and even the G0 versions ramp up the thermals easily.

 

Yes, it will be a bit of extra work to remove the mainboard, but it is very worthwhile a venture and the Ultra Xtreme is a very easy installation.

 

Edit:

 

You will not regret that purchase. Your overclock will be more stable at heavy gaming/workloads and your CPU will thank you for it :)

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Thanks DerekT :)

I have on order now:

 

Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme

Arctic Ceramique compound

Noctua NF-S12-1200 - 120mm fan

 

and 4G Corsair Twin2x4096-6400C5DHX comming from US.

 

We will start the fun when I get all the pieces :)

 

mbo

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The AS Ceramique is to be used as a permanent bonding solution and should not be used as a heat transfer compound between a CPU and Heatsink. I would advise you to use Arctic Silver 5 rather than Ceramique.

 

http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm

 

Ultra 120

 

http://www.only4pro.com/img/tuotteet/orig/Thermalright_ultra_120_1.jpg

 

Ultra Xtreme 120

 

http://xtreview.com/images/thermalright-Ultra-120-Plus-11.jpg

 

http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2943

 

A major difference... Keep in mind that the second picture has two of them, but look at the heatpipes...

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The AS Ceramique is to be used as a permanent bonding solution and should not be used as a heat transfer compound between a CPU and Heatsink. I would advise you to use Arctic Silver 5 rather than Ceramique.

 

http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm

 

Also, note that the Heatsink Fan Assembly is the Thermalright Ultra 120 Xtreme Plus

 

 

ooops...I only ordered Ceramique as it is non conductive compound and I found the site recommending it. Hmmm.

I think the ultra 120 goes with some compound which I can use instead ? If Arctic Silver is better than that, I will order it, pls advise.

 

I can't see the "plus" anywhere, even on Thermalright site ???

I tought you misspeled it in previous post. I will ask the question to the supplier right now.

Thanks,

mbo

 

EDIT: as per the Ceramique compound I based my decision on info and links from here: http://www.nintek.com.au/x/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=558 this is the Arctic Ceramique - Premium High-Density Thermal Compound - 22g

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http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2943

 

My mistake. http://thiswebsitestinks.com/apb/icon_doh.gif The Plus is called the Xtreme :)

 

I have used the ceramique and it is a good compound but is not so good if you intend on removing the Heatsink. I use it for MOSFET Cooling as I remove the Northbridge/Southbridge and PWM's, lap them and apply ceramiqe. Some use it as they don't intend on removing the CPU. It's pretty hard to remove and AS5 is quite good. Check that review out and look at the temps with the included thermal paste. I don't really like paste as it has water and sooner or later dries out. The AS5 will not do that. Ceramique does not either.

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Should the fan be connected to CPU Fan socket or any other fan supply socket

 

I set to the CPU Fan socket as some motherboards return errors at boot when no fan is detected. Then you need to enter the BIOS and set the CPU Fan Reading to Disabled. So it depends on the board. As well, you might wish to use the BIOS settings to lower the CPU fan speed as temperatures lower. You can set the CPU fan to the Power Fan and use that control as well and many of the newer boards allow control of fans via BIOS to every singular fan header on the board.

 

If I remember correctly, you have changed your DRAM. Can you update your system specs so that it reflects the new hardware?

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If I remember correctly, you have changed your DRAM. Can you update your system specs so that it reflects the new hardware?

 

Thank you DerekT,

as usual stright and detailed answer to the question :)

 

I'm still awaiting DRAM to come from US (I'm in Australia and I couldn't get it here).

I will update my system spec then :)

 

Cheers,

mbo

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You're very welcome. I looked at your settings and thought "Overclock"? Not much with that DRAM, and then remembered that you were going with higher end DRAM.

 

that's right, 4G Corsair Twin2x4096-6400C5DHX is on it's way Down Under :)

 

thanks,

mbo

 

EDIT: it arrived today! Damn, I have to go to work...two more night shifts. Will try to put memory only tommorow, to see if there is any problems. Will post then.

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Hi,

memory inserted. System starts with no problems :biggrin:

Vista Experience Index for memory (weekest point in my PC) jumps from 5.0 to 5.2. I hope to get even better after some adjustments. I run Memtest as I write this, so far 1 pass, 4th test no errors :D:

 

I will try to insert cooling tommorow so we can start to do some OC for memory and CPU.

As I said, I've never done it before so I will relay on you DerekT ;):

I love this forum... :laughing:

 

Thanks,

mbo

Capture.PNG.80b89585d76e4d3de4695c15e52ae0e2.PNG

Capture1.PNG.53e8e3d5cd3a5efdb9a7b5a47c37dfd0.PNG

Capture2.PNG.5136574547e581b3bcf51e47faba3b49.PNG

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Very good. You are looking ready for the overclock as soon as you install the cooler. First thing to do is test the DRAM with the CPU at stock. I am happy to see that the DRAM seems to have taken at 800Mhz but only with Memtest will we be certain.

 

Settings for testing:

Multiplier = 9

FSB = 266

DRAM = Unlinked and set to 800Mhz

 

Memory Timing

 

FSB - Memory Clock Mode: Unlinked

CPU FSB: 266

CPU Multi: 9

DDR FSB: 800

tCL: 5

tRCD: 5

tRP: 5

tRAS: 15

 

Advanced Memory Settings

 

tRRD: Auto

tRC: Auto

tWR: Auto

tWTR: Auto

tREF: Auto

Async Latency: Auto

CMD: 2T

 

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled

PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled

LDT Spread Spectrum: Disabled

 

CPU Internal Thermal Control: Enabled

Limit CPUID MaxVal: Enabled

Enhanced C1 (C1E): Enabled

Execute Disable Bit: Enabled

Virtualization Technology: Enabled

Enhanced Intel Speedstep Tech: Enabled

LDT Frequency: 5x

 

PCIEX16_1 Frequency (Mhz): 101

PCIEX16_2 Frequency (Mhz): 101

PCIEX16_3 Frequency (Mhz): 101

SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz: 201

 

-- Voltages --

 

Vcore = Auto

Vdimm (DRAM Voltage) = 1.9v

1.2v HT: Auto

NB Vcore: Auto

SB Vcore: Auto

CPU VTT: Auto

 

Test with memtest for 3 passes.

 

Results?

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Hi, thanks for that :)

Before I left for work I run memtest for over two hours (5 passes) with no error (default settings). I will poke in your settings tommorow, test again and report here.

Cheers

 

mbo

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Hi DerekT,

cooler inserted, now to the settings. Firstly I will write all the options I do have on my board and I will put the values I set to them (taking to account your settings)

 

AI Tunning

auto

=manual

Standard-AI

Overclock

AI N.O.S

 

x Overclock Options DISABLED (Grayed out)

x N.O.S. Option DISABLED (Grayed out)

 

System Clocks

 

PCIEX16_1 =101

PCIEX16_2 =101

PCIEX16_3 =101

SPP<->MCP =201.0

 

FSB & Memory Config

 

FSB Memory Clock Mode =UNLINKED

x FSB Memory Ratio =AUTO (Grayed out)

FSB (QDR) =1066

Actual FSB (QDR) =1066.7 (Grayed out)

MEM (DDR) =800

Actual MEM (DDR) =800 (Grayed nout)

 

Overclocking

 

CPU Multiplier =9

 

Memory timing settings

tCL =5

tRCD =5

tRP =5

tRAS =15

CMD =2 clock

 

advanced memory settings

tRRD =AUTO

tRC =AUTO

tWR =AUTO

tWTR =AUTO

tREF =AUTO

tRD =AUTO

tRFC =AUTO

Async Latency =AUTO

 

Spread Spectrum Control

CPU Spread Spectrum: =Disabled

x PCIE Spread Spectrum: =Disabled (Grayed out)

x MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum: =Disabled (Grayed out)

SATA Spread Spectrum: =Disabled

x LDT Spread Spectrum: =Disabled (Grayed out)

 

CPU Internal Thermal Control: =AUTO (no enabled option)

Limit CPUID MaxVal: =Enabled

Enhanced C1 (C1E): =Enabled

Execute Disable Bit: =Enabled

Virtualization Technology: =Enabled

Enhanced Intel Speedstep Tech: =Enabled

LDT Frequency: =5x

 

 

OVER VOLTAGE

VCore Voltage =AUTO

Memory Voltage =1.90V

1.2V HT =AUTO

NB Core =AUTO

SB CORE =AUTO

CPU VTT =AUTO

DDRII Controler Ref Voltage =AUTO

DDRII Chanel A Ref Voltage =AUTO

DDRII Chanel B Ref Voltage =AUTO

 

SLI Broadcast Apreture =DISABLED

Nvidia GPU Ex =DISABLED

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

 

You wrote CPU FSB 266, I can't see this option anywhere ?

 

Thanks,

mbo

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AI Tunning = Manual

 

You want to reclaim the ability to manually choose overclock settings.

 

Hi DerekT,

 

yes it is set to manual (lets set that all = signs means also selected :)

I run Memtest last night 8hrs 12 passes no error :)))

So what will be the next step?

cheers,

mbo

 

EDIT: the temperature is not so good... low 40C at idle and low 60/high 50C at full load. That is core temperatures. Maybe the thermal pase must settle, I might put too much of it.

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40C Idle at stock? What is the FPO/Batch number? It's on the Box. What fan do you have on the cooler?

 

Hi DerekT,

 

must be something wrong. It is iddling (well riping DVD at 7% CPU usage) and the temp is just below 50C. the fan I use is Nocuta NF-S12-1200 ( http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=5&lng=en )

 

The CPU batch is:L724A762

Thanks,

mbo

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Hi DerekT,

 

must be something wrong. It is iddling (well riping DVD at 7% CPU usage) and the temp is just below 50C. the fan I use is Nocuta NF-S12-1200 ( http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=5&lng=en )

 

The CPU batch is:L724A762

Thanks,

mbo

 

Give me a call on msn.

 

Ripping a DVD is not idle. I run 36/45C at 3.4Ghz and a full load at 62/70C.

 

Try these settings.

 

Multiplier = 9

FSB = 333

DRAM = Unlinked and set to 667Mhz

 

Memory Timing

 

FSB - Memory Clock Mode: Unlinked

CPU FSB: 333

CPU Multi: 9

DDR FSB: 667

tCL: 5

tRCD: 5

tRP: 5

tRAS: 15

 

Advanced Memory Settings

tRRD: Auto

tRC: Auto

tWR: Auto

tWTR: Auto

tREF: Auto

Async Latency: Auto

CMD: 2T

 

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled

PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled

LDT Spread Spectrum: Disabled

 

CPU Internal Thermal Control: Enabled

Limit CPUID MaxVal: Enabled

Enhanced C1 (C1E): Enabled

Execute Disable Bit: Enabled

Virtualization Technology: Enabled

Enhanced Intel Speedstep Tech: Enabled

LDT Frequency: 5x

 

PCIEX16_1 Frequency (Mhz): 101

PCIEX16_2 Frequency (Mhz): 101

PCIEX16_3 Frequency (Mhz): 101

SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz: 201

 

-- Voltages --

 

Vcore = 1.30 - 1.35v

Vdimm (DRAM Voltage) = 2.2v

1.2v HT: 1.3v

NB Vcore: 1.35v

SB Vcore: 1.50v

CPU VTT: 1.30v

-

Try 1.3V and raise incrementally if necessary. Test with Prime95. What are your load temps? Please post your CPU-z --> CPU and Memory Tabs.

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Give me a call on msn.

 

Ripping a DVD is not idle. I run 36/45C at 3.4Ghz and a full load at 62/70C.

 

Try these settings.

 

 

Try 1.3V and raise incrementally if necessary. Test with Prime95. What are your load temps? Please post your CPU-z --> CPU and Memory Tabs.

 

DerekT,

here is a pics at idle. The temp display is as follow from the left:

core 4,3,2,1 , Temp CPU and Temp MBoard

 

Thanks

mbo

1425133258_11.39-14oct-iddletemp.PNG.e5a4ce8badbefe7ca59e37a5786bbf22.PNG

1517635744_11.39-14oct-cpu.PNG.ff9b0709512f151a7fec0bb901222b5a.PNG

1494427863_11.39-14oct-memory.PNG.b6dc723c545183694bbd1f88ce3f2861.PNG

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Hi,

Conclusion:

This Motherboard is not the best choice for overclockers. This is not 680i chipset, it is hybrid.

OC will not work with the latest 0805 BIOS and you can go max. 3GHz with the 0801 BIOS.

Attempt to speed up memory failed, however 4G memory (2 sticks, Corsair) works well at 800.

At 3GHz CPU, 800/5.5.5.15 memory the system was checked with Prime for 16hrs with no glitch.

It is posible that with the future BIOS releases, further CPU and memory OC will be achievable.

 

Thank you DerekT for the time you sacrificed for me :)

mbo

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