Probably a few things that contribute: Processor revision--My first Q6600 was a B3 revision, and all I could get out of it was 3.2GHz at 1.4v. I now have a G0 revision. It can hit 3.2GHz without touching voltage at all. Stock VID--Each Intel CPU can have a different default voltage, even two from the same batch. They test each one, and only spec it to use what it needs to run the designed speed. Generally, the lower the VID, the better your chip is going to perform. My G0 has a VID of 1.2125v--lower than average for even the G0 revision. My older B3 had a VID of 1.3250v. Cooling--I run water. I think I could do 3.6GHz on good air, but I just don't have to worry about cooling anymore.
In total, I'm able to run 3.6GHz with a 400MHz FSB (allowing me to run 1:1 with RAM) at 1.33v and keep my full-load temperatures in the mid/upper 50's. I'm very comfortable with that voltage, since it's actually still under the generic Q6600 voltage rating of 1.35v printed on the box. If you have good cooling, and a G0 (based on you running 3.2GHz at 1.25v, I suspect you do), I wouldn't hesitate to bump your voltage by another tenth and try for more, assuming your cooling keeps load temps sane. I try to target lower 60's as a max temp, but I'm fairly conservative, since I'm more interested in stability and long-term endurance than getting every ounce out of it I possibly can. > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:hardware- > [email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Resnick > Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 12:44 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [H] Overclocking the Q6600 (was: New Phenom II X2 555 C3 > revision) > > Greg - > > I'm also running a Q6600 (on an ASUS P5K-WS). > Comfortably loafing along a 3.2GHz. > All I did is boost the FSB to 800 and add a modest vcore boost to 1.23- > 1.25v. > What did you do to get to 3.6. > When I tried (not a very dedicated effort) all I could get it to was > maybe 3.4 but not remain stable. > Is it just luck of the draw, or are there any suggestions that you > think might be useful. > > Thanks, > Mike Resnick > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > At 09:10 PM 2/20/2010, Greg Sevart <[email protected]> wrote: > >Funny that I'm now running a 50% overclock again...my 2.4GHz > >quad-core Q6600 at 3.6GHz. This machine has been so stable and is > still so > >quick that I've held off replacing it with a new i7 for some time > already. > > > >Greg > > > __________________________________________ > "Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security, will > not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Benjamin Franklin > > PS. Please note that I have switched to my GMAIL address - > [email protected] > Please update your email / address book / contact list accordingly. > Thanks
