I got my Core 2 Quad running at 3.02 GHz on a 1333 MHz FSB from the default 2.4/1066. It's idling around 36 Celsius and loaded with FSX around 45-46 Celsius. I have a Thermaltake V1 Heatsink running at max speet, 2 25 cm case fans running at max speed, and 2 12 cm interior fans running at max speed. Are these temperatures OK? The manual said something like the safe point was 38 Celsius. Is 46 too much?Thanks,BoeingGuyEDIT: If it's unsafe, I'm bringing it down to 2.8 Ghz. If I have the OK, I'm taking it up to 3.2 GHz and stopping there. 3.2 might my final destination, depending on if there is anyone out there who can tell me their temps.

Those temps sound fine, in fact low under load.Try using coretemp to measure your temps,many other programs report it wrong.http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/You can check the Intel max temp spec here, depending on if you have a GO its 71C or B3 its 62C.http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.aspx...sSpec=&OrdCode=3.2 wouild be a nice o/c with the quad.Did you use Prime95 to check if its stable?What voltage did you use?

Thanks jackcnd, in that case I might go up to 3.5-3.6 if I can. Is there anyone out there who has the same Thermaltake V1 and a Q6600 who can tell me the temps at 3.5+ Ghz?To answer your question, I haven't run Prime95 yet, and I left the VCore at Auto after debating if I should set it to 1.35 V, but I didn't want to risk frying the CPU.Thanks again,BoeingGuy

You need to run Prime95 or Orthos before you go any further. If your overclock is not stable where you are at there is no sense in trying to push it further.3Ghz with Q6600 on air is a good overclock if its stable. As previously stated, stress test it before you go any further.

Here's your temp guide. Keep in mind the difference between Tc (Temp, Core) and Tj (Temp, Junction). Tj is your limiting temperature. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-2...mperature-guideTc is taken in the center of the CPU's "case." Tj is taken inside each individual core. Tc will be a bit cooler than Tj because it is slightly remote from the 4 Tjs. Actually, Tc will be about 10C cooler than the average of the 4 Tjs. So far it appears you are looking at Tc. Put that away. Get out Coretemp and start Overclocking!CoreTemp measures your 4 Tjs. These can have a 10C split between Tj(min) and Tj(max). This is normal. For instance, my Q6600 runs a Tj(average) in the low 80s. Drop that by 10C to get Tc, and there it is . . . that 71C Tc Intel likes to advertise for the Q6600/GO.Use Coretemp to monitor your temps, but also, don't worry about damaging the CPU. The actual operating limit for a Q6600/GO is 95C, Tj. The CPU will begin to throttle at 95C and shut down at 100C (Tj). The CPU is entirely capable of protecting itself from damaging temperatures. You gotta pump up the core voltage. Don't trust the bios setting or the mobos utility. Use CPUZ. Set, then use CPUZ to verify 1.4 vCore. If your cooler can maintain those Tjs at the mid 80s, you will be good to a 400mhz FSB (1600mhz with whatever you are looking at). This will provide a 3.6Ghz CPU clock. I'm there, on air, 24/7 with the Q6600. It's been just 'set and forget.' That's your target.

Here's a great OC guide:http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=515316I go for Max CPU speed, Min CPU volts keeping under Intels spec, all within a well cooled case with a 3rd party cooler.These are my guidelines for my system.1) Use Coretemp to check temps, during full Prime95 load keep them under 60C for my system. 2) Do not exceed in the bios the max voltage for my CPU as defined here:http://processorfinder.intel.com/Default.aspx3) Use Prime95 with Error Checking on to load my CPU and check temps and see if its stable. Some want it to run 12 hours, some 6, some less. FSX will NEVER come close to putting that much stress on your system. 4) Use CPUz to check CPU speed, etc5) No need to overclock ram, it really makes little if any difference except in benchmark tools. 6) Buy the CPU with the highest multiplier or unlocked multipler. As its easier to o/c with a lower FSB, needs less volts and generates less heat. FSB speed makes little if any difference except in benchmarks, that is 333x12 vs 400x10. 7) Leave power management tools on like C1E, speedstep, no need to have your CPU running at full speed when your just reading the web etc.

Coretemp does not work on my system. It gives me a driver error and about 85 error messages pop up. I got scared of Prime95 (:-shy ) because it made all 4 GB of my RAM being used, which completely froze up my system. I'm now using Orthos. I'm not overclocking the RAM, the PC didn't post when I did. I'm trying to stay at low voltage, I don't want to fry the CPU.Running 54-60 degrees under 2 core 100% load. That's kind of worrying.Thanks, I'll keep everyone posted.BoeingGuy

You should be stressing all four cores at once. Run four instances of Orthos and assign each instance to its own core. Your overclock could work well on three cores and be unstable on one. Hence why you should load and test all four cores.Your doing good so far don't be afraid of burning up your CPU it will shut itself off before you can do any damage.

Got it. Holding steady at 70 degrees Celsius! I'm using AI Suite to monitor temps. Does it show Tj or Tcase temps? I'm very close to the 71C limit. I don't want to push it to 3.1 or 3.2 just yet. Pity, doesn't seem I'll reach 3.6 GHz just yet. Maybe I should look for better cooling. Thanks to everyone who helped!My biggest question is: I know the stock 2.4 even on a quad core won't cut it for FSX. So...will 3.02 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB, 4 cores, cut it for FSX/SP1/SP2?

Sounds like your using the stock cooler?Get a Extreme 120 Ultra , it will bring your temps down 10-15C.I wouldn't recommend overclocking without it, 70C is too hot, IMO.Your case will quickly heat up unless you have lots of fans on the front and back.Watch out with AI Suite, it used to report the quad temps 15C under, meaning you may be running at 85C. They may have updated it.Prime95 lets you know how your doing, if it cant run, you may issues, be careful. I set my PCI Express at 100, ram volts as spec'ed for the ram, and cpu volts under Intels limits. I dont suggest you use auto cpu volts if you still are. Who knows what its doing on auto?I lost a stick of ram and a lot of time, learning to over clock, just trying to help.Yes, 3Ghz will be fine for FSX with the right settings.Water off or on 1x, 15% or less AI planes, etc.Of course 3.6 - 4 is that much better :)

Although it's a "lowly" dual-core instead of Quad, the E8400 3.0Ghz chip is selling for just $219 at newegg and is 45nm so it runs very cool with low power draw and people are getting it to 4.0Ghz on air I understand....sounds like a good motive to fry the chip you have and get something that runs 3.0Ghz native?

I'm using the Thermaltake V1 cooler. I have two 25 cm fans built into the side of the case, and two 12 cm fans inside the case. The motherboard stays around 25-28C because of this. What should I set my voltage to? For 3 Ghz and 333 FSB?Thanks a bunch to everyone,BoeingGuy

Umm no thank you, I'm happy with a Core 2 Quad which just happened to cost $279.I'm stopping at 3.1 GHz for the week. What should I set my VCore to?

Here's the coretemp for Vista 64. Run the batch file first, then the coretemp.exehttp://forums.erodov.com/showthread.php?p=15559Try this for a Prime95 version with Quad support. If not, google around. It's out there. http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=11089Your ram is rated to run up to 800Mhz. A ram "overclock" is when you run the ram faster than its rated speed. You will NoT be overclocking your ram until you are above a 400Mhz FSB. Since your target FSB Is 400Mhz, a ram overclock will not occur.AI suite uses Tc. However it may not be reliable. Use Coretemp, then jot down a ballpark average of those 4 Tjs. Subtract 10C from Tj (ballpark average). That will be about Tc.Does AI suite display (about) this temperature? If AI Suite is way off, just ignore it. The temperature is meaningingles. BTW, my Asus P5K bios reports this Tc number 10C low, NoT high. Tc is just a reference anyway. The real deal is Tj. Really, just use coretemp.It's true that you don't know what your Bios is setting for vCore. Use CPUZ to verify vCore. For instance, my P5K bios sets my vCore .1v low. That's a lot. I have to set 1.525 vCore in my bios to actually get 1.425. vDroop is not an issue on this board. Here's CPUZ: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.phpGet your tools running (Coretemp, CPUZ and Prime96/Quadable). Set a 333 FSB and 1.3 vCore (verify with CPUZ). Prime it. Tjs in the 70s mean you have more room. Bump vCore to 1.4 (Verify with CPUZ). Go 350. 375, then 400 FSB. Watch Tjs. You are looking for Tj(ballpark average) in the low 80s.

You guys are way above my overclock iq!In any case I just overclocked (never overclocked in my life) my core duo e6750 2.66 ghz to 3.3.Thanks! 10 fps higher in fsx! Should I be going higher? I have a p5k but set most at automatic settings. http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/1b5baf...b9f427f694g.jpgMy blog:http://geofageofa.spaces.live.com/