680i LT SLI w/Q6600 Overclocking Help

[BMoffa]

OK. I never tried any overclocking before. I've been told that I should be able to bump this Q6600 up to 3Ghz. Can someone give me some guidance? My specs are in my signature.

[CDsDontBurn]

from stock 2.4Ghz to 3Ghz should be relatively easy.

simply go into your BIOS, then go: Advanced Chipset Features > FSB & MEM Config > FSB & Memory clock mode > Change from "Auto" to "Unlinked" > change FSB QDR from default of 1066 to 1333 and that's it. Just be aware though that it is very likely that you will need to adjust some memory settings as well. If you're not already running your memory at 2.0v to 2.1v, then change your memory voltage. There shouldn't be a need to change your CPU voltage at such a low OC. But if so, it shouldn't be that much of a voltage change. perhaps like 0.025v increase

[BMoffa]

Thanks for the help, but I guess I'm going to need a bit more...

I made the above changes, except for the CPU voltage. There are 2 things that refer to CPU volage and both at currently a 1.4v. I wasn't sure which to change (or if it is both).

The result was a blue screen shortly after entering my password and before the desktop appears. I tried setting memory voltage at both 2.0 and 2.1 and auto. The blue screen on auto mentioned something about memory managemet.

What next?

[DanD]

what type of CPU Cooler are u using?

[BMoffa]

Cooling the CPU with an Ultra X-Wind coper radial fan.

Also using P08 BIOS.

[DanD]

this one ? (http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_details.php?cPath=17&pPath=515&productID=514)

if so, i would suggest to upgrade to a big block fan. that X-Wind is far to small.

[BMoffa]

What do you suggest?

[DanD]

i suggest a bigger cpu cooler.

maybe one of this type (http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Specific.aspx?ArticleId=20515) or this (http://pcpowerzone.com/oczvacpuco.html). these ar only examples for u, so u can imagine which size i mean.

important for u is, the cooler has to fit on ur mobo and the cooler should have a qfan connector and the max rpm of the fan schould be between 2000 and 2400. the higher the better. u will oc a chip, so u have to cool it down with a big block :wink:

Best Regards
Daniel

[BMoffa]

Do you really think it is over heating that quickly? What is a good CPU temp.

With normal clocking mine runs from 42c at idle up to 53c in game. I find it interesting that the individual CPU temps vary 2-3 degrees given the close proximity.

This is a cooler I am looking at right now.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2932376&CatId=1588

[DanD]

well, i do not think that, i made my own experience. after replacing the standard intel cooler with a big block one, ocing that cpu was no longer a problem anymore.

so its up to you, make your own decisions and get your own experience.


Best Regards
Daniel

[CDsDontBurn]

The 680i board you have. You state that's an LT board. That's the one that only has 2x PCI-e slots right? you're not confusing that one for the original board (C00 PCB revision) with 3x PCI-e slots? just want to make sure because the original 680i boards with the 3x PCI-e slots had many issues when overclocking the quad-core (q6x00 series) CPUs where, the OC potential would be very limited, if any OC was able to be done on that board.

the 680i LT board, the one with 2x PCI-e slots, doesn't have this problem because it was built with rev2 (D00 PCB revision) specifications.

As for the BSODs, if all hardware is correct, then it could be that the CPU itself cannot handle the load of the OC. Try playing around with the FSB a little bit and try different speeds to see what the highest speed is before you go BSOD. Also, use CPU-z to verify which stepping you have for your CPU you have. Is it the b3 stepping or the g0 stepping? this is important because the g0 stepping has much better OC potential than the b3 stepping of the processor.

[BMoffa]

It is definitely the one with 2 PCI-e slots (Model: XFX Nforce 680i LT)

CPU-Z reports
Stepping box = B
Revision box = G0 (G Zero)

This link is the complete CPU-Z report: http://www.palao.org/cpuz.htm

[Pablo 54]

One other item to add: Depending on what tests you run, your RAID could be costing you some performance points. Since setting up my RAID I have noticed a bit of a delay using certain programs. My NB does get a bit warmer than what I would like also.

[BMoffa]

My latest results:

In all my previous attempts I have been booting Vista 64. So, just for laughs I tried booting XP 32 this time. Well, under XP 32 everything came up and worked fine. The CPU temps were in the 49-53c range doing basic stuff and got up to around 58 in game. I ran the Prime95 stress test for a while and that pushed the temps up to around 68c. These temps seem a bit high and a new fan is on the way.

Next, I rebooted Vista 64 and wam, the BSOD a few seconds after entering my password (same as before), but this time it completely reset my bois settings too.

I think I'm going to just give for now and save up for a new Mobo and processor.

[CDsDontBurn]

it's a shame that happened. how it only works under winXP and not Vista. it's also weird that it reset all of your BIOS information too.

as for the new MoBo and CPU, the new core i7 CPUs and NVIDIA/Intel x58 stuff is coming out soon. to my understanding it's Nov. 17 soon...

[BMoffa]

My guess is that the 64-Bit OS pushes the CPU and memory a bit harder that XP 32.