Overclocking E6600 - can't get over 3.0 ghz

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630
I've just spent some money for a brand new tuniq tower and a case fan to keep things cool and overclock my rig at last.
Very happy with the cpu cooler as it keeps my CPU at idle temps of 22-24 *C and when overclocked at 3.0 GHZ it keeps it at 28-27 idle temp. That looks awesome. However the computer fails to boot if I get over 333 (355 or similar step) FSB!
I have kingmax ddr 2 800mhz memories and an Asus 500 W power supply (also 8800 GTX, 2 case fans, tv tuner, 2 soundcards (dont ask me why) )
Ok so I tought the damn cheap memories can't OC. Having an asus commando motherboard I could not find an option to change the FSB:DRAM ratio, therefore I tried 400 FSB and set the memory freq from the list of options to the first one DDR2 - 800mhz. That means I don't run OC'ed memory right?
Why won't the computer post if it runs that cool. And about the vcore voltaje I tried both on Auto and manually on 1.5 (which seems to be highest acceptable for a e6600). Still did not boot. What should I do?
 

monst0r

Distinguished
Mar 31, 2007
444
0
18,780

Uh, sounds like you haven't changed the timings/voltage of the RAM. Check the recommended settings and try those (might need 2.1v/5-5-5-18 timings). For the CPU, you most likely need <1.4v, as 3Ghz isn't that extreme. What are you're +12v Amp ratings? You might have been running the system on edge, and the OCing pushed it over the edge.
 

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630
How do I check the +12v amp ratings? Also everything else was set to auto. And this is where should I look on what to set?


And about the 12v if you mean the values written on the psu it sais:
+12v1 / +12v2 -> 18A/ 18A - > 380 Max
 

Try setting it to 667.
 

slo

Distinguished
Feb 27, 2008
176
0
18,690
Try raising memory voltages, or looser timings. I got the same Cpu and i cant see a reason to go over 3ghz.
to stable oc at 3.3 i need to raise the Vcore which equals to more heat and smaller life span of my cpu.(plus more heat in the case) And all that, for a 3 fps raise in games or 2 secs faster benching.
I have it running at 3.0 ghz undervolted and is even faster than what i need.
 

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630

There is no 667 option. It all depends on the fsb so the only time i can do set on 667 is when I set 333 FSB (therefore getting 3.0 GHZ). Also at the same 333 FSB setting and 833 or so not sure exactly(the second option besides 667) memory-wise it does not boot windows vista saying the boot mgr is corrupt. I'll try to manually set memory voltages and see what happens.
 

jeremyrailton

Distinguished
Oct 12, 2006
389
0
18,780
edit: didn't see your last message. look for a feature to unlock memory and fsb, allowing you to set the memory speed independent of fsb. if your board has that feature, it will make your life much easier.

depending on your motherboard, you might need to set the memory lower (533,667) instead of 800. You've raised the normal fsb, so trying to boot at a normal 800 would cause it to try to boot much higher than that, making your ram fail.
 

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630

I think that must be it as it fails when the fsp is 333 and the memory is set to 800 and it works when the fsb is 333 and the memory is set to 667. But how can I force a 667 setting since the motherboard only offers several options, totally dependent of the fsb I set.

*Later edit: Sweet. I managed to get windows starting at 355 fsb (3.2 GHZ) by setting vcore to 1.4 (will try to decrease), memory frequency to something like 740 (the first option I had in the list), memory voltage to 1.9 and it works. I'll try some more. I think the memory is the issue here, maybe I should get better ones.
 

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630
I managed to get 3.4 GHz by setting the memory voltage to 2.25 - seems auto was crap. How much voltage can I give the memory and still keep things safe? My goal is 3.6 then I'll stop. Also if it worths mentioning the numbers were written in red ( everything about 2.0 of the ram voltage )
 

dagger

Splendid
Mar 23, 2008
5,624
0
25,780

It depends on model specs. Can be anywhere between 1.8 and 2.2, you'll have to look it up.
 

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630
CPU-Z says 1.8 as you can see in the attached photo few posts up. - that is the maximum safest voltage? :-S

About the 3.4GHz something might be wrong as I got this with orthos:

Test 1, 4000 Lucas-Lehmer iterations of M19922945 using 1024K FFT length.
FATAL ERROR: Rounding was 0.5, expected less than 0.4
Hardware failure detected, consult stress.txt file.
Torture Test ran 0 minutes 59 seconds - 1 errors, 0 warnings.
Execution halted.

Prime seems to be working fine. (round off checking enabled)
Also cpu temps dont go over 45 during stress sessions

The main question: Is it safe to run 1.8V memory at 2.2-2.3V?

 

lcaley

Distinguished
Nov 19, 2007
253
0
18,780


Your fatal error means that orthos got an error while doing its testing, this can usually be fixed by increasing your vcore, but with your ram issue, it may not be the cpu. Usually, I'd say no, overvolting anything by .5 volts over spec is not a good idea, but hey its your ram lol.
 

Granite3

Distinguished
Aug 17, 2006
526
0
18,980
Try to "unlink" your ram in the bios. It will give you a lot more flexibility in setting fsb and not worrying about your ram settings. Will prolly allow orthos to run as well.

Keep your ram at 2.0 volts, any more on cheap ram can case instability just as much as undervolting can.
 

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630


I searched super hard for an "unlinking" option. There's no such damn thing even if the motherboard is Asus Comando "The republic of gamers" and has a special bios option called "extreme tweaking"

If I set my ram on 2.0 volts it won't post with the CPU @ 3.4Ghz as it is also auto ocing (the ram) and can't handle the speeds without more voltage (or at least that's what I deduced may not be true)
 

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630
Anyway, what memories would you guys recommend to get a nice stable 3.6 GHZ overclock? I have to spend some money as the 1/2hrs lockups drive me insane!

Are these good enough? http://www.pcgarage.ro/memorii/mushkin/4gb-ddr2-800mhz-cl4-xp2-6400-frostbyte-charcoal-gray-dual-channel-kit/

They're like 155$ (pretty expansive)
 

Evilonigiri

Splendid
Jun 8, 2007
4,381
0
22,780

Simply because you don't have that setting. It's only for Nvidia chipsets I believe.
 

Evilonigiri

Splendid
Jun 8, 2007
4,381
0
22,780

I don't see what's wrong with your old ones, unless you want to do some major OCing.

If you can't boot, it's most likely some unstable setting. It's probably the ram, so tweak it around by loosing the timings and such. If it still doesn't work, set EVERYTHING to auto, which includes voltages and timings.
 

illusionx

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2008
60
0
18,630
If I set everything to auto and the CPU to 3.4Ghz it won't boot.
The only way I can make the cpu to boot at 3.4GHz is to manually set the ram voltage at 2.2. It'll go into windows and stuff but it's not fully stable. I get lock-ups quite often. I figured it was the high ram voltage as a previous poster said, and then I thought that the only way to get a stable OC at 3.4 or 3.6 Ghz is to get memories which will be stable at higher voltage and can overclock.
About timings and such settings I could not find anywhere. The only option I have for the ram in the OC menu@BIOS is setting its speed(totally dependent on what FSB i choose for the cpu as it's a menu to choose from) and voltage.
So I guess I am running out of options for that stable 3.4/3.6 besides buying that ram?