I suspect that by merely asking this question, the proper answer is "don't even think about it"...but, foolhardly as I am...is there a more or less simple way to bring my cp up from its native speed of 2.4 to something a little higher, without adding much in the way of additional cooling. currently the cpu runs at between 45-49 Degrees Celcius. btw, I have an asus p5k mobo which has a software program that is meant to aid in overclocking the bd and the cpu...but, I'm a little hesitant at this point to toy with it. If anyone reading this has experience with this bd and its software, advice is appreciated. Thanks...Sherm

Hi Sherm,I'm overclocking my Q6600 with the stock cooler for now, although I do plan to replace it with something better. I would suggest that you disable the CPU fan speed control in the BIOS. On my motherboard the BIOS fan control keeps the fan at 1800rpm or lower. When you start to overclock, until you see what your temps are, keep the fan at full speed (about 2100 RPM) and see if you can lower it if your temps allow. The higher speed means about 5C difference on my setup.I'm using a different motherboard than you (a Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS4), but the principles are the same. Rather than cover the basics here I will refer you to this guide:http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-2...ads-duals-guideOnce you download the necessary monitoring software and familiarize yourself with the process, I will be happy to help you with specifics if you'd like.Dan

thanks, dan....since posting yesterday, I decided to take another look at the asus AI program which monitors and allows for clocking. it seems straight forward enough. with that, and the links you have posted, I'm more comfortable with the process.Sherm

With a P5K which is an excellent motherboard, you might be able to reach a 3.6GHz stable OC quite easily. I recommend however, that you use the BIOS instead of the AI suite, as the OC using this application is quite limited. The performance improvement with a 50% OC on a quad is considerable, and I suggest you go ahead and try. Read a bit in the abovementioned guide, then familiarize yourself with the BIOS for the P5K. If you have any more questions just ask! I suggest you set voltages to "auto" in BIOS if you're a novice. Otherwise overclocking is safe as long as you take it easy and read up a bit before you take the plunge, as well as adjusting BIOS settings slowly and not change anything without knowing what you are doing. The intel core 2 duo / quad range have a MASSIVE overclocking potential - enjoy and good luck!

I agree that you are better off making changes in the BIOS instead of using the AI software, and I urge you to read the voltage section of the overclocking guide to which I posted the link. When you are using the stock cooler, it can make a huge difference to be able to undervolt, and still overclock. i.e. My Q6600 has a VID of 1.30v, which is rather high for a GO stepping. If I set my motherboard vcore to auto, it sets the voltage to 1.38v, far higher than necessary. This generates a lot of heat, which may not be a problem if you have a great cooler, but the stock cooler will certainly limit your ability to overclock. I am able to run mine at 3.0 (9x333) with 1.2437v set in the BIOS, which on my motherboard gives me 1.20v under load. I have disabled Loadline Calibration, because an article on the Anandtech site convinced me that it could send spikes of voltage which could be harmful to the system. In practical terms, this means that you may need to set the BIOS vcore slightly higher to compensate for vdroop - the voltage drop that occurs on most motherboards when under full load. At stock speed I can run mine at 1.1525v, which runs far cooler than the VID of 1.30v, suggested by the chip. You will need to run tests with Prime95 for 8 to 12 hours to see if the system is stable at the lower voltage with 100% load. Each CPU/motherboard is different.

Also, make sure you install Core Temp or HW Monitor to measure your temps, and have an understanding of the difference between core temp and CPU case temp. This article will tell you what you need to know:http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-2...mperature-guide

thanks everyone for all the info. I did some test simming today...and things were blazing...I think I'm going to be set OK....Sherm

>>I suspect that by merely asking this question, the proper>answer is "don't even think about it"...but, foolhardly as I>am...is there a more or less simple way to bring my cp up from>its native speed of 2.4 to something a little higher, without>adding much in the way of additional cooling. currently the>cpu runs at between 45-49 Degrees Celcius. >>btw, I have an asus p5k mobo which has a software program that>is meant to aid in overclocking the bd and the cpu...but, I'm>a little hesitant at this point to toy with it. If anyone>reading this has experience with this bd and its software,>advice is appreciated. Thanks...>>ShermHere is how you overclock an Intel quad core Q6600 w/ an ASUS P5K-E/WiFi motherboard to 4.0ghz using only air cooling. Stay away from BIOS overclocking settings & Q-Fan.First my specs:Q6600 G0 version @ 4.0ghz (stay away from B3 version) $220.00ASUS P5K-E/Wifi Motherboard $120.00Zalman 9700NT cooler $70.00Cooler Master case which comes with lots of big fans - intake & exhaust $80.00Very important software you will need:CoreTemp to monitor temperatures... http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/Prime95 to stress your CPU to see your max temperature under load and to see if you get errors requiring a Vcore increase. The maximum heat this chip will take is 71C. The max the B3 version can take is 62C, so BE VERY CAREFUL WITH TEMPERATURE READINGS. NEVER RELY ON INTEL TEMPERATURE READINGS with the probe or suite software that comes w/ the mobo as it relies on sensors that don't give you waht the real temperature at core level. Prime95 temperature readings are very accurate... ftp://mersenne.org/gimps/p95v254.zipCPU-Z... http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.phpHere are the only settings that are important in the BIOS to overclock.**Note: Because everyone's cooling setup is different, I won't bring you directly to 4.0ghz. I'll start you guys/gals off from stock @ 2.4ghz to 3.0ghz, then to 3.5ghz, then to 3.8ghz, and finally to 4.0ghz.**Note: All CPU Voltage (Vcore) settings in the BIOS will show up much lower on CPU-Z. CPU-Z is the more accurate reading because of Vdroop on your mobo, something you don't need to know about. If you really need to know, just Google vroop on P5K-E**Note: There are 2 versions of Q6600, one being the B3 version that you want to stay away from, it runs real hot.What you want is the G0(Gee-zero) version that runs alot cooler allowing us to get to 4.0ghz on air. CPU-Z will tell you whether you have G0 or B3.**Note: Overclocking to 3.0ghz w/ a Q6600 G0 is so easy and stays very cool, its almost a joke. All you need is a well ventilated case with stock cooling.Lets get started...******** 3.0 GHZ 1.35 Vcore ***********In Bios goto 'ADVANCED', then to "JUMPER FREE CONFIGURATION"AI Overclocking: MANUALCPU Ratio Control: 9.0FSB Frequency: 333 mhz (typing "333" manually is only option)PCI-E Frequency: lock it at 100mhz (this is crucial so video card doesn't get overclocked)Dram Frequency: If you have PC2-6400 set at DDR2-667mhz...PC2-8500 set at DDR2-1067 mhzDram Timing Control: AUTODram Command Rate: 2T or 2NDRAM Static Read Control: AUTOTransaction Booster: DISABLEDClock Over-Charging Mode: AUTOCPU Spread Spectrum: DISABLEDPCI-E Spread Spectrum: DISABLEDCPU Voltage(Vcore): 1.3500V...In CPU-Z, it will probably say 1.21V. CPU-Z is the accurate voltage reading. But in BIOS, set at 1.35VCPU Voltage Reference: AUTODram Voltage: Check in CPU-Z under the SPD tab, you will see what you Dram Voltage is set at. Mine says 1.8v and thats what I set mine at for all speeds.FSB Termination Voltage: 1.20VNorth Bridge Voltage: 1.25VSouth Bridge Voltage: 1.05V** Still under the "ADVANCED" tab, goto "CPU CONFIGURATION"C1E Support: Disabled (After overclock is stable, enable it as it will throttle down your CPU when you aren't gaming, and it will give you back your overclock speed when you are gaming. In CPU-Z you will notice this by the multiplier going from 9 to 6 and the CPU speed changing from high to low or low to high.Max CPUID Value Limit: DISABLEDVanderPool Technology: Disabled (If you have it enabled, thats ok also, but if you don't need it, why let it consume resources.)CPU TM Function: ENABLED This protects over-enthusiastic overclockers from pushing their CPU's too far. This setting will protect you from yourself...lolExecute Disable Bit: DISABLED (When overclock is stable, you might want to enable this as it prevents certain viruses coming in)EXIT & SAVE CHANGES ---> OK**COOLING: Stock cooling, well ventilated case.***RISK FACTOR to blow anything...very, very low risk. Risk is so low @ 3.0GHZ, its almost a joke with this chip and mobo.**NOTE: For the next overclocks, the following settings will ONLY be the ones you need to change from the 3.0ghz overclock.************* 3.5 GHZ 1.40V Vcore **************FSB Frequency: 389 mhzDram Frequency: If you have PC2-6400 set at DDR2-776mhz...PC2-8500 set at DDR2-973 mhzCPU Voltage(Vcore): 1.40VFSB Termination Voltage: 1.40VNorth Bridge Voltage: 1.55VEXIT & SAVE CHANGES ---> OK**COOLING: ThermalTake 120 Ultra Exreme plus a 2500rpm fan attached to ThermalTake heatsink (requires a technician as you have to take out mobo and reseat CPU) Zalman9700 (stay away from Zalman9500) This one almost as good as ThermalTake. This cooler comes with 2500rpm fan and speed control. ( also requires a technician as you have to take out mobo and reseat CPU)***RISK FACTOR to blow anything...low risk ************* 3.8 GHZ 1.5V Vcore **************FSB Frequency: 423 mhzCPU Voltage(Vcore): 1.5V (this is the MAX SAFE voltage that your chip is rated for. However, thats what you set it at in the BIOS. The real voltage in CPU-Z is 1.32V when you set BIOS at 1.5V) South Bridge Voltage: 1.20V**COOLING: same as above (keep your office/room very cool - ambient temperatures play a big part in how cool the coolers will cool off your rig. Try saying that 5 times...***RISK FACTOR to blow anything....low to medium riskQ6600 G0 version speed rating is from stock 2.4ghz to 3.8ghzEXIT & SAVE CHANGES ---> OK************* 4.0 GHZ 1.6V Vcore **************FSB Frequency: 445 mhzDRAM Frequency: lowest setting you can findCPU Voltage (Vcore): 1.6V (Under CPU-Z, your Vcore will still be within Intel's MAX Vcore)FSB Termination Voltage: 1.5VNorth Bridge Voltage: 1.7VCPU PLL Voltage: 1.8VEXIT & SAVE CHANGES ---> OK**COOLING: same as above***RISK FACTOR to blow anything...medium to very high(at this speed, temperature monitoring is crucial!!! Do not use Prime95, you will probably blow the chip, but with FSX and other major title games, at 4.0 ghz. I hit 65C under FSX and CALL OF DUTY loads, plus a very, very cool basement office. Ambient temperatures count alot here.At these speeds with a quad core, instead of FSX being a chore, it becomes alot of fun. YOU DON"T NEED TO SPEND 70% OF YOUR TIME READING/TWEAKING!!!!Have fun Guys/Gals

I agree with this guide. Using CoreTemp, you can monitor temps different from the aforementioned 71C limit. The Q6600 can handle up to 100C Tjunction, which is in CoreTemp. Throttling starts at 95C. The max I can go with my set up is 3.2 GHz. Heck, with stock cooling, even 3.0 GHz almost fried my system. I would start with a small 2.7 or 2.8, get better cooling then go higher.Have fun and be careful.

I've been looking at the possibility of o/c for some time and this guide seems to be excellent. Unfortunately for me, I have a Gigabyte N680SLI board with an Award BIOS. I've looked at the advanced settings and there are a lot of differences in the settings described. Just wondered if anyone could supplement the guide with tips for my m/b.The one other difference in my set up I noted was that my memory is PC2-5300. Does this make a difference?Bud

This is a great guide, I also have never yet tried to overclock.I have a Gigabyte X38T-DQ6 board, running a G0 Q6600, and memory is:2* 1GB (DDR3 PC3-8500

Bud,With your PC2-5300 ram you still can overclock, but a super safe overclock will be limited by the speed of your ram. Otherwise we have to start getting into increasing ram voltages, which IMHO, it isn't worth it really short of faster ram. PC2-5300 is also called DDR2-667MHZ. If you don't feel comfortable overclocking your ram, limit yourself to a 3.0ghz overclock.

Bruce,Stock cooling you say? Then, I really suggest you don't go over 3.0ghz. If fact I insist you don't go over 3.0ghz...lol.I'd be surprised if your ram would be a problem. In your BIOS, to be sure, don't fool around with your ram timings until you know for sure your O/C is stable. Keep it at AUTO, as then the bios will read off the chip in your memory using the mfg's specs.And to close, I cannot say this enough times. When it comes to overclocking, watch your temperatures!!! If you are new at this, keep your eyes glued to your temperatures from CoreTemp. Like, don't even go to the bathroom....kidding, but partly not kidding.Hope this helps you Bruce.

Heck, with stock cooling, even 3.0 GHz almost fried>my system. I would start with a small 2.7 or 2.8, get better>cooling then go higher.BoeingGuy,How do I best say this without being offensive.BoeingGuy, IF? you almost fried your system at 3.0ghz, then I suspect you are trying to overclock with the B3 version or an incredibly poor ventilated case.. IF thats correct, this guide speaks about the importance of having the G0(Gee-zero) version of the Q6600. If I assumed wrong, the other scenario is that you do have the G0 version but with a very high VID voltage rating for your chip. BTW, you can find your VID, also with CoreTemp. Let me explain VID cause its very important as to how high you can go with your O/C before it limits you due to heat.VID is the lowest voltage you can go with a certain chip. The lower the VID is, the better. Lower means cooler. If you start your O/C with a high VID, first of all its going to run hotter alot sooner than with a chip with a lower VID. Secondly, it gives you less overclock room the closer you get to the 1.5V MAX. All chips are never the same even though they are all the same chip if you follow me. The Q6600 chip is rated I believe between 1.2V to 1.5V. I know for sure the MAX is 1.5V on all these Q6600's.Take for example using my VID, CoreTemp tells me that my VID is 1.21V. For the Q6600, I couldn't be luckier. 1.21V is one of the lowest VIDs you can find for the G0 version of Q6600. Therefore, translated, Starting off with a cooler running chip compared to others, I have alot more overclocking room to crank it up. I hope I explained that well.

Bud,Sorry, I didn't speak about your board.Overclocking with your motherboard will do fine. Having said that, its a decent overclocking board, but Gigabyte are somewhat new in the last few years at this O/C stuff. I am impressed though with the big heatsinks that are on the North/South bridge chipsets coupled with a heat pipe. A technician installing a ThermalTake 120 Ultra eXtreme or a Zalman 9700 might not be impressed though, as those big heatsinks on the chipsets doesn't leave much room to install these great coolers. But thats not your problem unless you are doing it yourself which I strongly don't recommend.**Side Note**Something I should mention to everyone looking to put a good cooler on their CPU, please do your rig a favor. Don't use the thermal grease that comes with the coolers when you reseat your CPU to the heatsink. Use the best in Artic Cool thermal grease. Its only $5-$10, probably the best $5-$10 you could spend on your rig.If you get this done by a technician and he/she asks you if you want your CPU and the heatsink sandpapered to flatten the surfaces(they are never perfectly flat making less than the ideal contact) for a more perfect contact....SAY YES PLEASE !!!!!!! He will be doing you a great favor.