Need a little help with Overclocking.

[Terpman]

So I've been wanting to overclock my Q6600 to 3.0 GHz, but I'm afraid that if I do, it will ruin my system. Here's my specs:
Video Card: EVGA Nvidia GTX 650
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.4 GHz 2394 MHz
3.25 GB DDR3 Ram
My motherboard is the one that comes in the Dell Precision Work Station 390
I have a 32-bit Windows 7 system
Not sure what the power supply is, but it should be fine.

I want to try to get the chip to run at 3.0 GHz by using this method:
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/385435/cooling-and-case-modding/intel-q6600-mod-simple-enough-for-idiots/

Will I be able to bump my CPU up to 3.0 GHz using this? And will it fry my computer or not? Thanks in advanced to anyone who helps me out!

 

[daswilhelm]

i dont think 600mhz is worth destroying your system.

 

[techgeek]

I can tell you from experience that overclocking the Q6600 is pretty easy. I ran an overclocked Q6600 until this January. I had it overclocked the entire 6 years I had it. I originally had it at 3.2GHz, but settled at 3.05GHz for 24/7 usage. I also left my computer on 24/7 running WCG work units, so CPU usage was pegged at 100% all the time. Needless to say I had a good HSF (Thermalright Ultra 120) to keep it cool.

That said, and I can't be certain, but with an OEM motherboard, I don't think you'll find any way to adjust your FSB, so you may be out of luck.

 

[Terpman]

I can tell you from experience that overclocking the Q6600 is pretty easy. I ran an overclocked Q6600 until this January. I had it overclocked the entire 6 years I had it. I originally had it at 3.2GHz, but settled at 3.05GHz for 24/7 usage. I also left my computer on 24/7 running WCG work units, so CPU usage was pegged at 100% all the time. Needless to say I had a good HSF (Thermalright Ultra 120) to keep it cool.

That said, and I can't be certain, but with an OEM motherboard, I don't think you'll find any way to adjust your FSB, so you may be out of luck.

So you're saying it won't work? Man, that sucks. Even with the little electrical tape mod it still wouldn't work?

 

[techgeek]

I'm not saying for sure that it won't, just it's unlikely. You could poke around in the BIOS and see if you have any options to adjust Vcore and FSB. If you do, then you can provided that you have a good cooler. If you don't, which is normal for OEM's like Dell, then no I'm sorry you can't.

 

[Terpman]

I'm not saying for sure that it won't, just it's unlikely. You could poke around in the BIOS and see if you have any options to adjust Vcore and FSB. If you do, then you can provided that you have a good cooler. If you don't, which is normal for OEM's like Dell, then no I'm sorry you can't.

If I tried it, could it break my pc and would I not be able to use it any more?

 

[techgeek]

Overclocking always comes with a risk. However 3.0GHz isn't too outrageous for a Q6600, they were exceptionally good overclockers.

That said you shouldn't get too worked up about it until you are certain that you even have the options available in the BIOS to accomplish an overclock. If you are lucky and you do (which I doubt), then you need to consider better cooling that what you have now. It is a certainty that raising your Vcore and FSB will increase the heat output of your CPU, and if you don't manage the extra heat, it will most certainly affect your system stability and possibly shorten the life of your CPU.

 

[Terpman]

Overclocking always comes with a risk. However 3.0GHz isn't too outrageous for a Q6600, they were exceptionally good overclockers.

That said you shouldn't get too worked up about it until you are certain that you even have the options available in the BIOS to accomplish an overclock. If you are lucky and you do (which I doubt), then you need to consider better cooling that what you have now. It is a certainty that raising your Vcore and FSB will increase the heat output of your CPU, and if you don't manage the extra heat, it will most certainly affect your system stability and possibly shorten the life of your CPU.

I'm not going into the BIOS to overclock, I'm just going to use the mod here: https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/385435/cooling-and-case-modding/intel-q6600-mod-simple-enough-for-idiots/

I was wondering if that would work and put me up to 3.0 GHz, I have a fan in there but would it still be ok?

 

[techgeek]

Well from that forum thread, it looks possible. However you will need a better heatsink than you have. You are talking a 25% overclock, you'll need more cooling. Look at something like a Hyper 212 EVO, it's inexpensive, but it's probably the best heatsink in that price range. It's compatible with LGA775. You'll just want to be sure that your case will accommodate the height of the cooler. Just take a quick measurement from the CPU socket to the point where you side panel goes on.

Also I think you have a typo in your original post. That RAM isn't DDR3, it's DDR2 on a Core 2 system. You may want to look at what speed it is. When you change your FSB it directly affects your RAM. If I'm right, you won't have access to memory dividers in your BIOS. If you have DDR2 333 or higher, you'll be alright. If it's DDR2 266, changing the FSB without adjusting the divider will result in overclocking your RAM and will lead to your computer not POSTing or BSOD's.

 

[Terpman]

Well from that forum thread, it looks possible. However you will need a better heatsink than you have. You are talking a 25% overclock, you'll need more cooling. Look at something like a Hyper 212 EVO, it's inexpensive, but it's probably the best heatsink in that price range. It's compatible with LGA775. You'll just want to be sure that your case will accommodate the height of the cooler. Just take a quick measurement from the CPU socket to the point where you side panel goes on.

Also I think you have a typo in your original post. That RAM isn't DDR3, it's DDR2 on a Core 2 system. You may want to look at what speed it is. When you change your FSB it directly affects your RAM. If I'm right, you won't have access to memory dividers in your BIOS. If you have DDR2 333 or higher, you'll be alright. If it's DDR2 266, changing the FSB without adjusting the divider will result in overclocking your RAM and will lead to your computer not POSTing or BSOD's.

So the Hyper 212 Cooler looks nice, but almost a bit too large, I'll measure tomorrow to know for sure. Would the Hyper TX3 cooler work? It looks like it will fit just fine (I'll measure for sure tomorrow) and it's a bit cheaper. Here's an Amazon link to the Hyper TX3: http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI

 

[techgeek]

I'm sure the TX3 would work, but the 212 EVO will be better. The retention mechanism on the 212 EVO is better. With the TX3, you get those stupid push pins. However if space is a concern, the TX3 is 20mm shorter than the 212.

Obviously the cooler you can keep it, the more likely you'll be stable.

Also make sure you check the speed of your RAM like I mentioned. If it's only DDR2 266, you are going to have trouble. DDR2 333 or higher is what you want.

 

[Terpman]

I'm sure the TX3 would work, but the 212 EVO will be better. The retention mechanism on the 212 EVO is better. With the TX3, you get those stupid push pins. However if space is a concern, the TX3 is 20mm shorter than the 212.

Obviously the cooler you can keep it, the more likely you'll be stable.

Also make sure you check the speed of your RAM like I mentioned. If it's only DDR2 266, you are going to have trouble. DDR2 333 or higher is what you want.

Ok, I'll probably just grab the TX3. The RAM, I'm not sure on that one, it's RAM that I bought and put in the machine so it might not be DDR2. We'll see when I try the mod. Thanks a lot for the help, and I'll probably post back here in a few days when I've done the mod.