Problem overclocking new CPU/Mobo

[AML]

So I recently upgraded my PC.

Got an Intel core 2 quad Q6600 (2.4ghz), Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4, and 2gb of Corsair memory (Twin2X 2048-8500C5D) 2X1gb, Enermax 720watt PSU,
and an Asus 8800GTX.

For Cooling Im using air. (ANDY SAMURAI MASTER SCASM-1000) dont know if this cooler is available in the UK but its a pretty good heatsink/fan.

So I dont think the problem is with the cooling.

When I enter the bios there are a ton of settings. And I was wondering if I could get some advice on the best set up for easy over clocking.

I tried it and the PC just keeps reseting itself. I thought it might be heat, but it cant be since I tried a 1mhz OC and it still kept reseting and not starting up.

I tried the automatic OC setting (C.I.A.) which is specific to this board or to Gigabyte boards.

And the PC started up but froze on the windows startup screen and stayed that way. Tried reseting but same thing happened.

I can undestand this sort of thing happening when you take the CPU too far, but after a 1mhz OC its very unlikely.
Especially since this CPU has a good OC rep and should easely go to 3ghz.

Any advice on MOBO setings appreciated!

[Razor]

Here is a good guide on overclocking a C2D.

http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php?t=300298

Clear your cmos first, make sure you have the latest Bios firmware.

Also make sure your memory is running at the correct voltages as well as your cpu. Memory voltages can be found on the manufactures website. Most mobos default at a too low voltage ie 1.8volts. Mine Crucial Balasitix 8500 DDR2 runs at 2.2 volts

[dibdab]

I have a gigabyte motherboard that does exactly the same though it is a socket 939 board, I have also read of other gigabyte boards for the C2D that do exactly the same thing, they just will not overclock.

Can you do a bios update as that might solve the problem. I've read that has solved the problem for some.

[Dragy2k]

another clocking guide the more the merrier
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...beginners.html
i found heat was my problem ,i had to reseat the cpu with better thermal paste.
you should try and download some usefull programs to help monitor heat and your new overclocked settings such as :- orthos , coretemp , prime95 , cpu-z...if u manage to get started your overclock these should help ! good luck

[tinners]

I have the same board and overclocked my E6400 to 3Ghz without any voltage increase. Read that guide from Clunk on Hexus you can't go far wrong.

[booyaka]

nothing wrong with gigabyte boards - they overclock very well.

As suggest - latest bios needs to be used. Also follow and read the guides provided about overclocking and take it from there.

[AML]

Thanks all. Ill give it a go this weekend and post my results

[Gingerbillc]

Most o/c lock ups are memory related not cpu. Try unlinking the memory bus speed from the fsb.

[AML]

So I finaly managed to get the CPU to over clock and I took it up to 3ghz no problem. I left everything on auto so I didnt need to mess about with the V-Core settings or anything.

There is one small problem now though.

I updated the bios as was suggested and now since doing that CPUZ registers my chip as only having 3 cores!
Im pretty sure it was showing 4 before. So I dont understand how one core has somehow dissapeared.

I double checked the mobo settings and made sure to turn off any settings that might make it do that. (My board does in fact have a settings that limits the CPU to 3 cores for any legacy OS's, but that has been turned off).

Im pretty sure I read somewhere that others had the same problem with this board.

Anyone know how I can make it read 4 cores?

[Jacobus]

This may not be relevant, but...
have you got the latest version of CPU-Z v.141.
Is it related to having C1E/EIST on or not?

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Jacobus

This may not be relevant, but...
have you got the latest version of CPU-Z v.141.
Is it related to having C1E/EIST on or not?

CE1 normally just scales back the multiplier, not the amount of available cores.

ie x9 multiplier scaled back to x6 mulitplier

[AML]

Im pretty sure its the latest ver of CPUZ, but i will check that out.

As for EIST, well its all turned off so it shouldnt have any sort of effect on the CPU.

Going back to over clocking, I had to put it back to stock because the Company of Heroes expansion I am playing kept crashing!

It may have been a memory issue or not, but I think having the CPU over clocked was affecting the game.

Since going back to stock that game has been fine.

OC-ing is such a pain in the ass. If the current Extreme edition chips werent so damn expensive I would have gotten a faster chip. But im sure we are all in the same boat.

Still, even at stock speeds, I dont notice any difference in performance with any game ive played. So im still happy.

*update: So I checked CPUZ and it is the latest (1.41). Is there another way to check through windows without using CPUZ? Just to make sure that its not just CPUZ.

I tried task manager and under CPU usage history it just shows 3 cores. So im guessing that its not just CPUZ. Might I need to re-install XP?

*update:

So i tried re-instaling XP and it still reads as 3 cores. It has to be a problem with the mother board so i guess ill have to contact gigabyte.

It was ok unitl i updated the bios so it must be a problem with the current bios.

*update

Rolled back to this mobos previous bios and its back to showing 4 cores!

This is apparently a gigabyte problem with the bios. So if anyone has the same set up and has a problem with the F8 bios (latest) please roll back to F7.

[Vandiesel]

You really need to find out what your cpu and memory can do, auto is no good, you have to find out manually, it stands you in good stead, knowing what volts they require. Start off by setting the cpu to stock vcore manually, set memory volts manually. Then push the speed of the cpu on a bit at a time, testing as you go. I use a quick super pi 1m run each time I boot, and take it from there

[AML]

Thanks for all the advice, and I would follow it if it wasnt for the bios issue I had. With the latest F8 bios for my mobo there were a ton of settings I could do manually, but since I had to roll back to F7 a lot of those settings are now gone.

i cant use F8 since it will only read 3 of 4 cores. I guess i need to wait for Gigabyte to release a new bios that fixes these issues.

For now though I do have it running stable at 2.8ghz.

I player Crysis and it looks amazing. 2560X1600 with all settings on high.

Its totaly playable but I would love more frames. I guess the next batch of CPUs and cards will do Crysis justice.

I remember it being the same with Farcry a few years back.

Nvidia have new cards coming in spring and I guess intels new 45nm chips at around 3ghz should be enough.

[tinners]

Have you tried pressing "CTRL + F1" to unlock advanced settings ? Dunno if it works on the P35 but thats what you need to do on the 965 version.