Q6600 + GA-P35-DS3L - my OC = 3.2ghz

BIOS SETTINGS = http://troysweb.com/files/_q6600v1/_q6600v1.htm

I just added a Q6600 to my previously cheap build (see below)
- Stepping B - Rev. G0 - using CoreTemp v0.99.1 & Prime95 v25.6.6

I feel I am stable @ 3.213ghz @ 357 FSB x9 x 1.45volts (1.408v CPU-Z)
- 10 hours Prime 95 @ room temp = 27C (81F)
- Prime95 = inplace large FTT's (max heat & power consumption)
- round off checking is - ON

*MAX CPU temps @ 10 HR. 100% LOAD = 67, 62, 65, 67C (152F) (scary?)
*IDLE CPU temps (flutter factor of 2-4%) = 37, 32, 39, 36C (96F)

UPDATE: - above testing was done with BIOS - C1E - OFF

With C1E - ON the volt is reported @ 1.376v in CPU-Z (still @ 1.45v BIOS)
- I ran Prime95 again @ 100% LOAD (room temp 81F) for 1.5 hours
*MAX CPU temps @ 100% LOAD 1.5 HR. = 65, 60, 63, 62C (143F) (lower = YES!)

C1E on & IDLE volt is reported @ 1.408v in CPU-Z (still @ 1.45v BIOS)
- CPU goes down to - 2.142ghz @ 357 FSB x6
*IDLE CPU temps (flutter of 2-4%) = 42, 38, 47, 44C (109F) (higher = WTF?)


FWIW - I was stable @ 3.30ghz @ 367 FSB x 1.5v too...
- 8 hours of Prime95 & max temps reached 70, 70, 67, 66C
- temps freaked me out & I backed down to 3.2ghz!

I can run @ 3.6 @ 400 FSB x 1.5v (hot) for apps too...
BUTT - I make skins for Race 07 & Live for Speed - so I open:
- photoshop + a bunch of skins (multi-layer *.psd files)
- a few big word docs & PDF's (tutorials & guides)
- 2-3 forums in Firefox & 3-4 Windows Explorer's
- HWmonitor, CoreTemp, CPU-Z, notepad & fraps
*MAX TEMPS = 47, 47, 36, 45C

I can run all that stuff @ 3.6 - no problems - BUTT - when test my skins:
- it reboots after 3-5 minutes of gaming...

So... I just run all that stuff + the game + lots of AI cars @ 3.20ghz - no problem!
*MAX CPU temps @ 47, 47, 42, 39C


However, I am still concerned about temps & I may try lapping (1st time)!
- I think idle temps are too high! - IDK, WDYT?


Anyway - since everything works @ 3.20ghz & I think I am done.
- UNLESS - you help me find something I "goinked" in my BIOS!
- or - until I find some time to lap my HS & CPU...

**BIOS settings - pics are here:
- http://troysweb.com/files/_q6600v1/_q6600v1.htm

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CURRENT BUILD:
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FYI - I had a cheap CPU to get started & just added a Q6600 & doubled my RAM!

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 ATX Mid Tower - love it!
CORSAIR 620W Power Supply

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 P35 ATX Motherboard

**ADDED - MUSHKIN 4GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel 5-4-4-12
HAD - G.SKILL 2GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel 5-5-5-15 (gave to my kid)

**ADDED - Q6600 - 08/12/08
HAD - Pentium 4 631 3.0GHZ 2M 800MHz CPU ---> $35! (gave to my kid)
- STOCK @ 200 FSB x 15 = 3.0 ghz & STABLE OC @ 281 FSB x 15 = 4.2ghz

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro - socket 775 CPU heatsink

**ADDED - 40mm fan to Northbridge heatsink
- I have this blowing DOWN onto the HS/mobo
- I plan to flip it & see if anything changes - will it?

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 750GB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Hard Drive
SAMSUNG 20X SATA DVD±R DVD Burner

PALiT GeForce 9600 GT 512MB GDDR3 (w/ Tomb Raider game)
- STOCK @ 650/900 & OVERCLOCKED @ 700/1007
- GPU temp = 36c ~ 50c (MAX that I have seen)

32” Westinghouse LCD TV (1360x768 @ 60mhz)

Yamaha 2.1 - 80watt (40w Sub + 20W satellites)
- on board sound works great!

**ADDED - Firewire card for video camera & EXT HD

MS Comfort Curve 2000 Keyboard
Logitech LX3 mouse
Windows XP Pro SP3

Playseat Racing Chair
Logitech MOMO Racing Wheel & Pedals
PIC: http://videogameracing.com/racedesk/new_pc_001.jpg


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My upgrade plan is currently:

1TB HD
42" monitor/TV @ 1920x1080 (vs. my 32" 1360x768)
4870X2 when it reaches $300-ish
1TB HD
Faster CPU! (my old stuff goes to my kids)

BTW - I am open to suggestions!

Thanks for your interest & I hope my data helps at least one of you!


PS - to tiraides - my new 4 GB ram kit still gives the error on exit of Far Cry.
- I went in the same slots as the 2 GB kit - so I will swap slots before I post again!

OK, I swapped my new RAM to the other slots.
I still get the "can't write" error when I exit Far Cry.

I should probably say - I am using a no-cd.exe - but don't know if that matters?
- I do have two legal copies of the game (one for me - one for my kid).

I assume that the no-cd.exe is a patch... did you get the "can't write" error when you were using the CD?

I see very similar temps on my [email protected] on the same board with a relatively mid high end cooler, I wouldnt be to concerned. 60-65 under 100% load during stress test. Case temp in the 81.3 Degree range per my sensor. Ram voltage 2.0v or 2.1?

Hmmm... Q6600 @ 3.2 runs awesome - how do I get 3.6?

Would a new heatsink alone get me there?

I am using the ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro - CPU heatsink
+ 40mm fan on Northbridge heatsink - blowing DOWN on the HS/mobo

I have been working the hell out of this build.
I am very freaking happy with this rig as it is right now!
Ripping or converting + watching video or gaming - both at once is amazing!

You need a much better CPU cooler -- like either the OCZ Vendetta 2 or the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (with retention bracket) -- in order to reach 3.6GHz. However, that's not a guarantee that you'll reach it. 3.6GHz is the Q6600's approximate limit (under air cooling), and certain processors may not be able to reach that limitation.

Thanks for the input tiraides... I really appreciate your consistent replies.

I skipped the CPU-HS for now & got a new HIS 4850 & gave my kid my 9600 GT.

This 4850 stock speeds are 625/993 & I am OC'd at @ 650/1133
- I got those #'s by knocking both settings down equal clicks from the auto-tune max.
- I ran the same game - the same level & equal clicks down - until I saw no artifacts.
- yes - I created a desktop & game profile - 40% & 90% FAN SPEED respectively.

Auto-tune made it to 690/1188 - but I was getting artifacts in games @ those speeds!

Is there a typical pattern - core vs. memory - that causes artifacts?
What will give better returns - lower the core & up the memory - or vice-versa?

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BTW - my continuing Far Cry saga... un-installed game + co-op mod & cleaned registry.
I had a level change cut-scene problem & the co-op mod was the culprit.
I re-installed & applied the 1.4 patch & used the game disk (not the "no-cd.exe" hack)
I still get a memory error on exit... but my games save & it works great - until I exit.
I get the error, I select ABORT button & that's it... weird, but, no biggie...
I am still blown away by this game's endless variety & it looks killer on this card!