I am about to start my first OC (Q6600), and have researched as much as I think I need to know already other than the relationship of memory speed to the OC process. I have DDR3-1600 installed ( Mushkin 4GB (2x2GB) XP3-12800 7-7-6-18 1.9V). Currently, prior to overclocking, I see in BIOS "System Memory Multiplier = Auto", and "Memory Frequency = 1066". This is with the default CPU Host Frequency of 266 MHz.Most of the procedures that I have seen appear to require that a discrete memory frequency be set manually when over-clocking. Two questions- do I need to set this manually?- and if so, to what? I'm thinking of over-clocking in stages, to 333 (3.0 GHz), 389 (3.5 GHz), 423 (3.8 GHz), then finally 445 (4.0 GHz), adjusting VCore progressively to 1.6V at 4.0 GHz.Thanks for any help, much appreciated.Bruce.PS. Tried to edit message subject to "Memory Speed...", but I can't change that non-word that is the result of my typo.

I'll address your memory speed question but first and foremost I must warn you that:1) 4GHz is unlikely to be achievable on a Q6600, at least on air-cooling2) 1.6V is WAY too high, especially for air-coolingWRT o/c'ing your RAM, you want to target a 1600MHz clock speed since this is the frequency at which your RAM is designed to operate. If you take your SMM off of auto and set to manual, leaving the strap @ 266 you'll find that as you start o/c'ing your CPU/FSB your RAM speed will increase in a linear fashion.

I'll address your memory speed question but first and foremost I must warn you that:1) 4GHz is unlikely to be achievable on a Q6600, at least on air-cooling2) 1.6V is WAY too high, especially for air-coolingWRT o/c'ing your RAM, you want to target a 1600MHz clock speed since this is the frequency at which your RAM is designed to operate. If you take your SMM off of auto and set to manual, leaving the strap @ 266 you'll find that as you start o/c'ing your CPU/FSB your RAM speed will increase in a linear fashion.

Thanks- I appreciate the advice, I had obtained that final speed and voltage from a procedure originally posted here I believe. I will certainly look closer at this prior to starting anything. And, thanks for the memory speed info. Bruce.

G'day BruceYou can indeed OC your Q6600 to 4GHz, but this is just about the very top of that processor's ability. Also, in order to achieve 4GHz, I strongly advise you to install a CPU watercooler at the least.Try Googling "Q6600 Overclock". You'll be surprised at how much info you can glean off the many sites and forums dedicated to such efforts. There are even databases recording user's settings and results.It won't be easy either - watercooling can be an especially complicated and messy affair, not to mention expensive. I don't have much inclination to push my rig that far, so I've taken the "easier" air-cooling way.After much research and many hours mucking about, I managed to settle on 3.3GHz stable on air. Any higher and my machine tends to fall over at the slightest exertion! My next move would be to get that Q9650 I've been eyeing for a while now. The Q9650 is apparently easily OC'able to 4GHz on air.Have fun and good luck!

G'day BruceYou can indeed OC your Q6600 to 4GHz, but this is just about the very top of that processor's ability. Also, in order to achieve 4GHz, I strongly advise you to install a CPU watercooler at the least............ The Q9650 is apparently easily OC'able to 4GHz on air.Have fun and good luck!

Thanks Owi, appreciate your reply.I realize now that 4GHz is a bit ambitious, I had seen an article here at AVSIM in one of the forums that claimed it was doable, but I will settle for less- I have air cooling although have installed an after-market cooler.Thanks, Bruce.

4GHz just isn't likely on a 65nm chip without some serious voltage, probably close to that 1.6V number which is well beyond spec and would require more cooling than can be achieved with air. I run my 45nm Q9550 @ 4GHz with only 1.33-1.34V but to hit 4.1GHz it needs over 1.4V and that pushes temps up over 80 degrees C even with my excellent air-cooling.