If my Q6600 is running @ stock settings and idle at 31 degrees would it be safe for me to at least attempt an OC and see if I can get it around 2.6 or 2.8ghz?
I was thinking about doing that if I can while I wait for a better heatsink.
I'd say, you can get at least 2.6-2.8GHz, on a stock cooler. The temperatures might be high, but it's possible. Which stepping of the Q6600 do you have? B3 or G0? To find out, download CPU-Z, and tell us the revision.
I was able to push my G0 to 3.2ish on stock voltage so you should be able to overclock a bit on stock cooling. The TRUE is the bomb, as long as you dont mind heating up your room with all the heat coming off the CPU. I plan to use my computer in lieu of running the heater by just clocking the quad back to 3.6ghz, maybe higher if it'll run it .