Help me overclock my system!!!

stipes · 10-29-2009, 06:23 AM

What I have atm:

Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
Intel Quad Core Q8200
inno3d 9800GTX+ 512MB
4GB G Skill DDR2 1066 RAM
Thermaltake V9 Case
Coolermaster extreme power duo 650W PSU

All I have to cool the system is the case, I dont have any extra fans or cooling systems installed.

If someone could clue me in on CPU voltages and the like I would be appreciative. I will be happy if my CPU gets overclocked to about 2.7ghz.

Under CPU-Z it goes my DRAM frequency is 400mhz, does that sound right?

Thanks guys

**greenbrucelee** · 10-29-2009, 07:25 AM

read this if you are new to overclocking / read here for starters

you will need extra cooling if you do overclock

**Tyree** · 10-29-2009, 10:40 AM

What Mobo?
Your 1066 RAM should be showing about 533MHz.

stipes · 10-29-2009, 11:22 PM

woops i forgot to include my motherboard wow sorry

its an Asus P5Q-PRO

if i can have a basic idea on what voltages and stuff to use for a SAFE overclock of around 2.6 or 2.7ghz that would be great.

Thanks guys

**greenbrucelee** · 10-30-2009, 12:09 AM

if you read the link I gave you it's all in there.

You do not need to raise voltages unless your system becomes unstable or you are going for a high overclock.

Phædrus2401 · 10-30-2009, 12:10 AM

The Q8200 is rated at up to a VCore of 1.3625V, but only increase voltage if it's unstable at the clock setting you're trying for.

The P5Q Pro is a good board to overclock on, so you're good in that department. Power supply... Is not great. The eXtreme power is CM's junk line of PSUs (anemic +12V rails, low efficiency, group voltage regulation, loose noise control, etc.). I'd want to see one of our recommended brands in there, or at least an OCZ or something.
Recommended PSU brands:
Corsair
SeaSonic
CWT
PC Power and Cooling
CoolerMaster Real Power Pro
Thermaltake Toughpower

Also, without an aftermarket CPU cooler you might have difficulty getting to 2.7GHz. The quad cores get hot fast. 2.5-2.6 might be doable, but you'll be running hot on the stock heatsink.

**greenbrucelee** · 10-30-2009, 12:10 AM

going to 2.7 probably wont need the voltages raised as it's hardley a huge overclock.

stipes · 10-30-2009, 01:37 AM

why does cpu z say that my cpu is running at 2ghz for? (333.3 x 6) But then everywhere else says its running at 2.33ghz.

and why cant i change the cpu ratio setting to 7.0 for? Every time I do change it I look back in cpu z and its still 6.0?

Someone please help me out?

**greenbrucelee** · 10-30-2009, 01:54 AM

All bios have a setting which reduces the speed of a cpu to a low setting when it is not doing anything intesive. For Intel cpus this will be called Intel speedstep and C1E you can disable them in the bios which will make your cpu stay at full speed all the time.

Intel speedstep and C1E are used to conserve power and energy.

When you overclock you disable these whilst stress testing the cpu and getting all your settings right but some people enable them later on and some people don't.

You don't really notice a difference when overclocking when your just using your computer normally only in cpu intensive apps like a slightly faster boot up time and in games.

stipes · 11-03-2009, 06:02 AM

Ok one more question:

i just changed my dram so in cpu-z it says that my dram frequency is operating at 531mhz (which is the closest i could get to 533). I also changed my dram voltage to 2.1

Is this perfectly fine? Will I run into any problems running my RAM like this?

**greenbrucelee** · 11-03-2009, 06:35 AM

Whenever overclocking or changing settings it is wise to stress the cpu or ram this will tell you if there are problems

you could use memtest for this but it would be wiser to use prime95 and run the test that uses lots of ram since thats what you have changed.

stipes · 11-03-2009, 06:57 AM

yes i will do

but since my ram is 1066 my dram frequency should be set at 533 shouldnt it?

it started off at 400mhz

**greenbrucelee** · 11-03-2009, 07:33 AM

yes the dram speed should be double the fsb speed so as in my case my ram (1066MHz) is running at 866 because I have overlocked which makes my fsb 433

stipes · 11-03-2009, 07:39 AM

my fsb is 354 though and my dram frequency is 531 (in cpu-z)...

have i done something wrong?

**greenbrucelee** · 11-03-2009, 10:45 AM

have you switched intel speedstep and c1e off?

are your ram sticks running in dual channel mode?

**Underclocker** · 11-03-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stipes

my fsb is 354 though and my dram frequency is 531 (in cpu-z)...

have i done something wrong?

Nothing's wrong, that's fine. You're running a 2:3 FSB:RAM divider.

I'm currently running my E4500 at 355 FSB and RAM at 532.5, similar to what you're doing.

10-29-2009, 06:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
stipes Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64	Help me overclock my system!!! What I have atm: Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Intel Quad Core Q8200 inno3d 9800GTX+ 512MB 4GB G Skill DDR2 1066 RAM Thermaltake V9 Case Coolermaster extreme power duo 650W PSU All I have to cool the system is the case, I dont have any extra fans or cooling systems installed. If someone could clue me in on CPU voltages and the like I would be appreciative. I will be happy if my CPU gets overclocked to about 2.7ghz. Under CPU-Z it goes my DRAM frequency is 400mhz, does that sound right? Thanks guys

10-29-2009, 07:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,780 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! read this if you are new to overclocking / read here for starters you will need extra cooling if you do overclock __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-29-2009, 10:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,416 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! What Mobo? Your 1066 RAM should be showing about 533MHz. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-29-2009, 11:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
stipes Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! woops i forgot to include my motherboard wow sorry its an Asus P5Q-PRO if i can have a basic idea on what voltages and stuff to use for a SAFE overclock of around 2.6 or 2.7ghz that would be great. Thanks guys

10-30-2009, 12:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,780 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! if you read the link I gave you it's all in there. You do not need to raise voltages unless your system becomes unstable or you are going for a high overclock. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-30-2009, 12:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,728 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! The Q8200 is rated at up to a VCore of 1.3625V, but only increase voltage if it's unstable at the clock setting you're trying for. The P5Q Pro is a good board to overclock on, so you're good in that department. Power supply... Is not great. The eXtreme power is CM's junk line of PSUs (anemic +12V rails, low efficiency, group voltage regulation, loose noise control, etc.). I'd want to see one of our recommended brands in there, or at least an OCZ or something. Recommended PSU brands: Corsair SeaSonic CWT PC Power and Cooling CoolerMaster Real Power Pro Thermaltake Toughpower Also, without an aftermarket CPU cooler you might have difficulty getting to 2.7GHz. The quad cores get hot fast. 2.5-2.6 might be doable, but you'll be running hot on the stock heatsink. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for. Last edited by Phædrus2401; 10-30-2009 at 12:11 AM.

10-30-2009, 12:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,780 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! going to 2.7 probably wont need the voltages raised as it's hardley a huge overclock. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-30-2009, 01:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
stipes Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! why does cpu z say that my cpu is running at 2ghz for? (333.3 x 6) But then everywhere else says its running at 2.33ghz. and why cant i change the cpu ratio setting to 7.0 for? Every time I do change it I look back in cpu z and its still 6.0? Someone please help me out? Last edited by stipes; 10-30-2009 at 01:40 AM.

10-30-2009, 01:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,780 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! All bios have a setting which reduces the speed of a cpu to a low setting when it is not doing anything intesive. For Intel cpus this will be called Intel speedstep and C1E you can disable them in the bios which will make your cpu stay at full speed all the time. Intel speedstep and C1E are used to conserve power and energy. When you overclock you disable these whilst stress testing the cpu and getting all your settings right but some people enable them later on and some people don't. You don't really notice a difference when overclocking when your just using your computer normally only in cpu intensive apps like a slightly faster boot up time and in games. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

11-03-2009, 06:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
stipes Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! Ok one more question: i just changed my dram so in cpu-z it says that my dram frequency is operating at 531mhz (which is the closest i could get to 533). I also changed my dram voltage to 2.1 Is this perfectly fine? Will I run into any problems running my RAM like this?

11-03-2009, 06:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,780 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! Whenever overclocking or changing settings it is wise to stress the cpu or ram this will tell you if there are problems you could use memtest for this but it would be wiser to use prime95 and run the test that uses lots of ram since thats what you have changed. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

11-03-2009, 06:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
stipes Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! yes i will do but since my ram is 1066 my dram frequency should be set at 533 shouldnt it? it started off at 400mhz

11-03-2009, 07:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,780 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! yes the dram speed should be double the fsb speed so as in my case my ram (1066MHz) is running at 866 because I have overlocked which makes my fsb 433 __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

11-03-2009, 07:39 AM	#14 (permalink)
stipes Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! my fsb is 354 though and my dram frequency is 531 (in cpu-z)... have i done something wrong?

11-03-2009, 10:45 AM	#15 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,780 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Help me overclock my system!!! have you switched intel speedstep and c1e off? are your ram sticks running in dual channel mode? __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified