Q6600 Overclocking Dell E520

[avcab]

Current specs:
Dell E520 PC (Intel G965 Chipset)
E4500 @2.2ghz/2.46Ghz(for mw3 and stuff) (Using setfsb, not bios as options are locked/grayed out)
XFX GT240 DDR5
OCZ stealthxstream 500w
4GB PC6400 DDR2
Windows 7 Pro 64bit

Supported CPU's for the intel G965 chipset:
http://

Thinking of upgrading to the Q6600 (SLACR G0 Stepping Version - which supposedly overclocks better than the other version) for causal gaming such as Black ops 2, Tomb Raider, Borderlands 2 etc. Currently my E4500 default fsb is 150/760 @ 2194.6MHz and I get upto 174/760 @ 2462.4MHz (Using SLG505YC56DT) stable until my motherboard/Ram prevents further oc. When I oc it to 2.5Ghz, it restarts instantly but when I check the speed, its set @ 2.5ghz after the reboot? Whats up with that?

The Q6600 has a stock speed of 2.4ghz and I'm wondering if I can overclock it slightly with Setfsb (Unable to do it with Bios). And nope, not enough money for New case + New motherboard + New Cpu so I can OC it further.
Is there a chance to oc the Q6600 to 2.5/2.6 or so with this PC? Or is it stuck at 2.4 since my E4500 can oc Stable to 2.46 from 2.2ghz.

Thanks.

 

[Maxx_Power]

Thing is 95$ is about £60 which is my budget.
Im thinking of getting the Sapphire version of the 5750/6750 priced at £40 and £44 respectivley.

5750 is 7.8inches in length, 4 inches wide and 1.3 inches thick, which I think should fit without any problems.

I don't know how that card is going to fit. The 2nd DVI slot on the top of the back bracket prevents you from cutting half the bracket to fit to the case...

Are you planning to try to mod the case ? I and I think Kisianik both agree that the back of your case doesn't have enough room to actually cut into before you hit the ethernet port/backplate for the motherboard.

 

[Kisianik]

Well, then there is no other option, but to get Asus 6670 DDR5 for £56.97 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Radeon-Graphics-PCI-Express-Dust-proof/dp/B004XANO24/ref=sr_1_12?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1370664484&sr=1-12


I don't like removing shroud, because it might decrease cooling efficiency, but this Asus is the best deal price wise. I wish you could squeeze extra 10 pounds for 7750 (offered by Maxx), but it is up to you now.

 

[avcab]

My bad, I got mixed up with the Sapphire version, I meant the XFX single slot edition

Which I'm pretty sure it will fit due to it being a single slot edition which Kisianik also mentioned will fit.

The 6670 isn't enough tbh If I wont upgrade for awhile and due to the limitations of my budget.

eg @ 1280x1024 BF3 (CREDITS: Tomshardware)

 

[Maxx_Power]

My bad, I got mixed up with the Sapphire version, I meant the XFX single slot edition

Which I'm pretty sure it will fit due to it being a single slot edition which Kisianik also mentioned will fit.

The 6670 isn't enough tbh If I wont upgrade for awhile and due to the limitations of my budget.

eg @ 1280x1024 BF3 (CREDITS: Tomshardware)

It is not a bad choice given your severely tight constraints.

If you have to go for this, go for it. But your other choices are faster, more power efficient and better future proofed, but just a bit beyond your budget, it seems.

 

[avcab]

Yep ahaha, sucks to be honest.
Curious about the Sahppire HD 6750. Its dual slot.

(CREDIT: OVERCLOCKERS)

Due to it being 7.25inches in length, only the bracket would have to be cut, and not the case? I'd rather get this version than the single slot version which is more expensive (5750 single slot)

 

[Kisianik]

Well, due to price constrains, I see nothing better, so your choice will do, but cut the bracket.
Just 1 question - can you provide a link to your BF3 chart, I need to check something.

 

[avcab]

Yeah, my budget constrains really sucks. 🙁
Here's the link:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gt-640-review,3214-2.html

 

[Kisianik]

Here's the link:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gt-640-review,3214-2.html

I hope you are not expecting for the FPS to be the same to the chart? They are using overclocked i7-3960. In your setup you probably will get to 20-30 FPS on the same settings, I am serious.
You need to think about your budget. 7750 might let you play on low settings with everything off, any cards below - you screwed. Just 10 pounds more?!

 

[avcab]

Ahaha, I dont have that 10 pounds more.
Yeah, I knew I definitely get much lower fps then those stated figures, and i7 @ stock would beat my E4500's ass so damn badly. However, I dont need max graphics or AA to enjoy a game, I'd enjoy low settings and/or lower resolution.

 

[Maxx_Power]

Well, your Sapphire would fit. Are you handy with a dremel ? That makes for the cleanest, do-it-yourself, cut.

A tiny bit of extra money would get you much better deals, though.

 

[avcab]

Yeah, that what annoys me, just a few extra quid.
I'm not exactly good with Dremel, so I might just go with the single slot 5750/5770 edition.

 

[Maxx_Power]

Yeah, that what annoys me, just a few extra quid.
I'm not exactly good with Dremel, so I might just go with the single slot 5750/5770 edition.

The single slot 5770 is a beast still. Dremel does require some practice (not to mention it does also void warranty, if that's important to you).

 

[Maxx_Power]

OK
a)get piece of cardboard..set up motherboard on that
b)$95 for GPU..challenge accepted

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161403 best I could do..

He's in the UK though. Prices there aren't as good. There is also this possible HD7000 series incompatibility via PCI-E interface.

 

[avcab]

Ahah yeah, I was looking at the USA prices and I was like... :<
Seems like 5770 single slot just went out of stock, single slot. This graphics card business is silly. Ill just buy the Q6600 and wait till I get more money to get a decent gfx card eg. 7000 series.
Thanks everyone for the help, especially Maxx_power and Kisianik.

 

[Maxx_Power]

You are very welcome. I hope you enjoy your new quad core!

 

[avcab]

You are very welcome. I hope you enjoy your new quad core!

Ahah thanks! Installed it today with Artic MX-2 and stock Dell Heatsink. Temps idle with Music, Opera with 4 tabs open are
38, 38, 36, 36.
I saw a massive boost in fps, Black ops 2, 1024x768, Extra Texutres, High Texture filtering, 2x MSAA, Ragdoll, High Depth of Field about 55 fps looking at large portion of map to 70-80fps in gunfights. Never dips below 45-50 and is stable. Before with the E4500 @ 2.4 ghz I was 45fps dipping to 30 fps everything low with extra textures.

Just wondering any Heatsinks/Fans for the CPU out there compatible with the E520 to bring the temperatures down?

Cheers.

 

[Maxx_Power]

You are very welcome. I hope you enjoy your new quad core!

Ahah thanks! Installed it today with Artic MX-2 and stock Dell Heatsink. Temps idle with Music, Opera with 4 tabs open are
38, 38, 36, 36.
I saw a massive boost in fps, Black ops 2, 1024x768, Extra Texutres, High Texture filtering, 2x MSAA, Ragdoll, High Depth of Field about 55 fps looking at large portion of map to 70-80fps in gunfights. Never dips below 45-50 and is stable. Before with the E4500 @ 2.4 ghz I was 45fps dipping to 30 fps everything low with extra textures.

Just wondering any Heatsinks/Fans for the CPU out there compatible with the E520 to bring the temperatures down?

Cheers.

Those idle temps are pretty good for a Q6600. What is your load temp ? (Try with OCCT's LinPack option, it also monitors CPU temps if sensors are compatible).

As for compatible heatsinks, that's the hard part. That Dell cooling system is designed to cool the VRMs as well as the CPU AND it serves as an intake fan. If you are able to keep the intake fan, you might be able to use a flat C-shaped heatsink like the Noctua C12, but they are not cheap, and the performance of those C-shaped coolers are not as good as the towers. However, the towers may or may not fit, depending on the width of your case.

You could try to get into the BIOS and see if you can ramp up the fan speed a bit (via a fan control option).

Try that load temperature test first, and if you are within the safe limits of the processor, then it is all moot. The G0 revision has a max (silicion) temp of 71 Degrees Celsius as per http://ark.intel.com/products/29765

 

[Kisianik]

CPU upgrade?
Now you are in my territory and at my mercy, hah.
First of all, BIOS is locked and doesn't have much there for any controls.
Fan control can be done through software, but some software may damage your fans, seen it recently on different Dell model.

So, my question, how much money are left, seriously - you might need another few fans?

 

[william p]

I wasn't around for this discussion but thought I'd update it with newer info. I wrote a tutorial "Overclocking Dell BTX Computers". The work was done on a Dell E520. The results are in my Sig.