Is this Healthy OC? (Q9550)

Luke2

Banned
Messages
155
Hello, question is very simple, I have Overclocked my Q9550 a while ago, and now I was thinking about pushing it even further.
I am still at the starter stage of overclocking skill-wise.

This is currently what I am working with
MOBO - BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP LGA 775 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138123

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
OC'ed to ~3.3

RAM - CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194

CPU COOLER - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055

Here is the OC
1-1.png

2-1.png

3.png


Is this a healthy OC ? I know the Core Voltage might be slightly high. What would you guys change to get higher speeds?
My problem is, I understand overclocking of the CPU itself, however when the FSB/Memory Timings and all that comes into play, I'm pretty damn confused.
 
im keeping my eye on this thread
ive been wanting to OC my Q6700 to 3.25 GHz
i need to understand the memory timings myself
so here is a bump
 
Unless you have a poor chip, it should reach much higher frequencies at that core voltage. Have you set all voltages manually in the BIOS? As the mobo will automatically and often unnecessarily raise voltages by itself if left on "Auto".

Leave your RAM on the looser timings whilst you work on the CPU OC, this eliminates variables. You have the ratio @ 1:1 with the FSB, this is best. Your FSB is 400MHz (1600 QDR), so your RAM runs at 400MHz (800 DDR)

EDIT: Memory timings are simply the delay (either in ms or cycles depending on the timing) that the memory takes to process commands. You should leave the memory at looser timings as you have done (5-5-5-15 when your memory can run 4-4-4-12 @ 800 DDR) until you have finalised the CPU OC. Timings have a negligible effect on performance, but it's always fun to get them down as low as stability allows.

I'm thinking of getting an E0 Q9550 to play with myself :p
 
Thank you for the info.
I was browsing through many OC threads for this particular chip, and it seems like people would get high speeds at much lower Vcore than I have. Therefore I lowered it a bit. But the PC does not post.
I think my problem lays in other voltages with which I am not too familiar.
I took a picture of my BIOS Voltage settings.
I manually set these paramaeters.
Are these all in the "safe zone" ?
And could I raise the Chipset/FSB/DDR some more ? If yes, which ?
Thank you so much
Luke

here are the Voltages
P1000384.jpg
 
Tone down the FSB voltage, it's too high for the 45nm chips. I'm running 4.3 with 1.1V fine. High FSB voltages are the primary cause of failure.

And understand that every chip is different, some overclock better than others and duds do exist as do little gems.
 
Given that your cpu is at idle I would consider those temps to be too high, check your cooler mount / Thermal paste application / case airflow. What are the temps under load? (Prime95 Blend Test)


Linked NB/SB voltages? mmmmm, first time I've encountered that, usually they're seperate.

That said, 1.264V on the NB seems low to me for a Quad

CPU VTT (FSB Voltage) is a little high, I'm using 1.15V for mine

Your cpu should be able to go to 1.3625V OK, rule of thumb is not to exceed 1.4V on air cooling, as always, keep a close eye on your temps.

And could I raise the Chipset/FSB/DDR some more ? If yes, which ?

Chipset
(NB/SB) probably, you need to keep a close eye on the temps if you do, I would try and stay under 1.5V if temps are OK (without specialised cooling)

FSB
(CPU VTT) Probably not, it would be better to try and reduce this as above.

DDR
VDIMM, according to your CPU-Z screen dump you're already exceeding the XMP Profile voltage for 400MHz at 4-4-4-12 timings, you should not have to do that, reduce it to a maximum of 2.1V

Before continuing - Reduce your cpu temps
 
Ok tyvm.
I will get on this hard starting tommorow, probably start from scratch, re-apply thermal paste and all that good stuff.
btw, the temps under load from P95 and Intel Burn Test are ~72C.

I will post some results/questions tommorow.

thx again
 
That said, 1.264V on the NB seems low to me for a Quad
It's the 55nm P45 remember, the X38/X48/P35 are all 65nm.

That said, it's worth a shot once you've reduced the FSB voltage.
 
It's the 55nm P45 remember, the X38/X48/P35 are all 65nm.

That said, it's worth a shot once you've reduced the FSB voltage.

True, a little more VNB would probably help with a lower VTT though

doesnt that ~72C seem VERY high under load for that OC?
It does as do the idle temps hence my post regarding checking CPU cooler seating / thermal paste application / case airflow
 
Back
Top Bottom