Updated!!! -> First Time OCing

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MacMarauder

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Nov 7, 2006
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I'm quite new to these forums and I have always found a wealth of information on this site.

I am a complete Noob when it comes to OCing, but I decided to give it a whirl last night.

System Specs:
CPU: e6600
Mobo: Intel 975xbx (rev 304 with the 1441 bios)
Ram: 2GB DDR2-533mhz (4-4-4-12)....from Wintec (not tooooo sure of anything more specfic ..sorry)
PSU: 500 Watt
HD1: 1 x 250GB WD SataII
HD2: 1 x 200GB Maxtor External
Optical: Sony DVD RW and Sony DVD-Rom

I'm not using any aftermarket coolers, even though the fan on the HSF says Foxconn....
Also, the side of my case essentially has this tunnel-like mechanism to allow the HSF to blow air directly out the side....

Now yesterday, there was something wrong with the forums, and I couldn't post questions or anything....so I decided to give things a try and do a modest overclock on my own.

Currently(i have not changed any voltage settings in bios)
My e6600 is running at 3.0Ghz and my ram at 667 (5-5-5-15)

Before the OC I was getting temps of 39 at near idle.
After - after boot temps were in the high 40's.
While Orthos was running temps were between 57 and 62
Currently (45% load on CPU) my temps are 52.

Are these temps ok/reasonable for the stock HSF?
I ran Orthos for a few hours and everything seemed stable.
I've read that at this modest OC there's really no need to change voltages, and the system should still be quite stable....
However, I just want to be careful...any tips/comments/suggestions are welcome...
Aftermarket coolers and faster ram are not options up for consideration at this time.....next year though :lol:

Thanks!
 
Download CPU-Z and run it to get more detailed info on the memory & CPU if you want it.

I would invest in some sort of aftermarket cooling if you plan to leave the system at this. Those load temps are a bit toasty. If you're room temps are a bit cool (if it's winter where you're at) those temps will only rise once the room temperature starts to rise when it gets warmer. More effective cooling would be a good investment.
 
Thanks for the reply.

I'm on Toronto, and it is getting chilly these days.
The thermostat in the house is set to 21.5 (same for the summer)...and I'm on the second floor, thermostat is on the first.


As far as the aftermarket cooling goes..
Is it 100% necessary at this modest overclock?
I, cleary in my noob-knowledge, thought this OC and temps were 'OK'..but not great....

Not tooo sure as to what to do.....this was mainly an experiment....but...i like the feeling of near x6800 speeds for e6600 prices.... :)
 
Alright....now....
looking at that cooler, and comparing to the one in my system....they are oriented differently...

the side panel of my case has a grate that draws air in through some tunnel-ing thing, through the foxconn fan to the CPU....

so I guess to make use of the tunnel-ing thing..I would need a cooler that is oriented that same way....
i.e. the fan is parallel to the case-side not perpendicular...

anything like that?
 
It's referred to as a "tower" style cooler and plenty of people use them. In fact they're the weapon of choice these days. It's not absolutely necessary to have a downward facing cooler. Remove the "tunnel" from the case side and you're set.

If you feel you must use a downward facing cooler, search for the Thermaltake Big Typhoon as it will do a good job and isn't too expensive, although it's more money than the AC Freezer 7 Pro. Either way, you'll still have to remove the "tunnel".
 
Thanks again....see I learn more everyday.. :lol:

Ok, so now moving on to further questions...

I think I'll stick to the tower style cooler since it will make use of the grate of the side of the case....
The case side looks pretty much like the one shown here:
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/GUIDE-GHz-Core-Duo-Budget-System-631-Overclock-ftopict205223.html

but instead of the fan, there's a tunnel/funnel thing.
*As a note....that thread is using the stock cooler for OCing and is seeing temps around what I had for load....

I apologize for all the noob-ish questions in advance...
is the Thermaltake BigTyphoon easy to install? Comparable $/perf with the ever popular Zalman 9500?
Also...last thing....good old thermal paste removal and reapplying must be done as well?...

Thanks for your help thus far.
 
Comparable $/perf with the ever popular Zalman 9500?
Also...last thing....good old thermal paste removal and reapplying must be done as well?...

Thanks for your help thus far.
Click to expand...

Use isopropol alchohol on a tissue to remove the termal paste and put on new stuff. The old stuff won't work. I use Artic Silver 5, but there's other pastse that are as good and some maybe better. With the AS5, my idle temps are 36-37c and load temp is 43c. That works for me.
 
Unless you can find a Zalman (9500 or 9700) for the same price as the Big Typhoon or AC Freezer 7 Pro, avoid it like the plague. It's way overpriced. And yes, the two coolers I mentioned do perform on par with the Zalman.

The AC Freezer 7 Pro is easy to install and you don't need to remove the motherboard. I'm not sure about the Big Typhoon, IIRC you need to remove the motherboard to install a backplate.

In addition to Sailor's advice, a lot of people say to use a coffee filter to clean the old thermal paste off instead of a tissue because it's supposed to be lint free.

If you buy the AC Freezer 7 Pro you will not need to buy additional thermal paste. It comes pre-applied with an already excellent paste.
 
Thanks for the advice guys.

So here's where things stand right now....
I went around to various shops in my area and I found the Zalman 9500,
I also found the Big Typhoon (which is MASSIVE and heavy).
I decided on the Zalman because I've read it performs just as well as the BT and also because it is lighter (i was scared the BT would bend the board when I move the case...)

I'm at work now so I'll get around to installing it tomorrow night....
Anything I should be aware of? Advice/tips?

I'm excited and anxious..... 😳
 
The Big Typhoon wouldn't have damaged the board. You remove the motherboard and install a backplate to reinforce it

I sure hope you didn't pay more for the Zalman 9500 than the Big Typhoon was going for.
 
That can be a thing of watching for sales. I got my 9500 a few weeks ago for $43.99 Saw its up to $63.99 today. On the other hand today's price at Newegg for a 9700 is $59.99, making it a better buy.
 
On the other hand today's price at Newegg for a 9700 is $59.99, making it a better buy.
Click to expand...
Over what?? Remember that the Infinity and T-120 are below that price.

Perhaps should have specified that I meant the 9700 was better than the 9500. Didn't mean to include other brands of coolers.
 
Well I got my 9500 for $62 (CAD)... the BT was $64 or something....

I can't wait to get this on there and OC to 3ghz (for now... :wink: )

It's best to give it a few days before pushing it right? To let the thermal paste cure or something?
 
That works out then....i won't have time to fully play around until the weekend anyway.

During the 'curing' period...should i leave the computer on/off?
or does it not matter?


I've read that as long as you give your computer time off to allow components to cool from time to time during the curing portion, it should be ok...but i just wanted to be sure...


Thanks for all the help....once it's on and installed, i'm sure I'll be back with more questions..... 8)
 
I'm right outside Toronto, open your window to cool that beast down 😉

Keep us posted, I'm interested to see how that mobo does.........
 
Will do!

It certainly has been quite cold this last week or so....
One week we had 15 C and now we're @ -4C....that's Toronto for ya...(Scarborough, essentially).


My main goal is to hit 3ghz, for now...later on when i make a move and get more ram, i'll buy 4gb of faster ram and push it farther then....for now...my ram will limit my OC potential....

Meh, either way...3ghz is (slightly) faster than x6800 speeds 😀 so I can't complain
 
I'm in Mississauga :?

I got 3.0 on my 6300 no problem, but I have a Gigabtye S3 mobo.....so dunno about yours. Good luck though.

GO LEAFS GO!!!!




😀
 
I was able to hit 3ghz on this board with the stock cooler and 533mhz ram, but temps became toasty....and that's when I embarked on this journey..

I was wondering what I should set my memory voltage to for this OC?
I will loosen the timings to 5-5-5-15...
When i attempted my OC (first post)..i left the voltage setting for ram to "auto" and i guess that wasn't a great idea since orthos beeped after a couple hours......

So, any thoughts on what voltage I should set the memory to?
Wusy's guide doesn't have the 975xbx yet.. 🙁

All other voltages should be left alone?

Please help 😀
 
You should be able to pump the memory voltage to 2.2 to with no worries. The guide's voltages are more or less generic and not motherboard specific unless otherwise noted. Clock away.
 
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