Overclocking Q6600 to 3.0

[Ferrari308guy]

Hello all-

I am interested in overclocking my Q6600 from 2.6Ghz to 3.0Ghz - more if it's possible. Can anybody tell me the correct requirements and procedure for doing this? I have been told that I will need better RAM, as mine only runs at 533Mhz right now. My plan is to upgrade to 4GB of DDR2 RAM at the best speed possible, which I believe would be 122Mhz.

Specifically, I was looking at buying this set of RAM.

The only other concern I was aware of was proper cooling for the processor. I just have the cooler that came in the box, and I was told that this would be sufficient cooling if I only went to 3.0Ghz.

So, is there something I'm missing? Or would this be a good setup to overclock. The rest of my settings are in my signature.

Thanks,
Ferrari

[Slotback]

DDR2-800 should do for up to 3.6ghz. Of course, faster memory could give you slightly more performance. IMO, 1200 might be overkill.

533mhz RAM is not enough to get to 3ghz unless it overclocks VERY well. All you really need to do is change FSB to 333 and then change memory divider so the RAM isn't running too fast. Upping voltage might not be nessesary, my Q6600 @ 3ghz is still significantly undervolted (1.24375 vs 1.3250).

[Brett_Henderson]

NickN, held my hand through a Q6600 o-clock a couple years ago..

The posts are probably search-able..

[Ferrari308guy]

Thanks for the tips guys. I would like to get the 1200 RAM since that's the best stuff, but if it's overkill like you said, I might reconsider. I'm not sure I will overclock to 3.6Ghz, that would probably make me feel uneasy about the processor, but again, I'll consider it. Do I need to worry about voltage? The current power supply I have powers everything just fine, but will I need to upgrade with an overclock?

Ferrari

[Slotback]

Power supplies usually don't need to be upgraded when mildly overclocking.

Heat goes up linearly with clock speed, and exponentially with voltage.

You need more voltage for a higher clock speed. If the voltage is too low then you get crashes, to high and you shorten the life of the processor and increase heat output.

If you change clock speeds, then your voltage required will change.

Therefore, more voltage will be required at 3ghz than 2.6ghz which will increase heat. For example, on my Q6600 I need around 1.1 volts at 2.4ghz, and need 1.24375 volts for 3ghz. Stock voltage is 1.3250 volts, so if I really wanted to I would not need to touch voltage at all since it was already high, however that would mean unnessesary heat (which is critical since I"m on stock cooling). Make sence? IMO, ALWAYS go for minimal voltage.

When I started overclocking my goal was 2.66ghz (from 2.4), within 2 days I was at 3ghz and was trying to go higher but limited by cooling. You'll probably want to just go as high as you can once you get going.

[Ferrari308guy]

Ok, I think that made sense. You're telling me I shouldn't worry about the voltage though since the voltage required for a 3.0 overclock is under the stock voltage in the first place?

[Slotback]

That's probable however remember that every Q6600 is different. What works for me may not work for you. Also, I would try and get the voltage as low as possible to minimise heat.