E4600 3.30ghz Maximum overclock?

[Kelvin_C-J]

Hi,
I'm just curious!
I read on the internet that the E4600 'shuts down' if you try anything past 3.30ghz.. I was simply wondering if anyone would be able to confirm this? - They also stated that increasing the voltage did nothing so 3.3 was a 'shut off' point.

The reason why I'm asking is because I'd like to know what to expect from mine;)

Many Thanks,

[Brad]

I would say thats totally rubbish.

[skunksmash]

there is some talk of there either being an FSB wall or voltage wall past 3ghz on this chip..... an E2xxx would have been better to OC, but give it a try...

don't go above 1.4v & watch those temps .... remember you cant damage the CPU while OCing really, they have built in fail safes to stop them frying :thumbs: CPUs are very rugged.


:)SK

[Kelvin_C-J]

Hi Brad, thanks for the response.
It may well be rubbish; I'll test it out soon anyway so then I'll be able to confirm or deny that statement^.

[Kelvin_C-J]

there is some talk of there either being an FSB wall or voltage wall past 3ghz on this chip..... an E2xxx would have been better to OC, but give it a try...

don't go above 1.4v & watch those temps .... remember you cant damagethe CPU while OCing really, they have built in fail safes to stop them frying :thumbs: CPUs are very rugged.


:)SK


On the website, it said to get it stable on 3.30ghz they had a voltage of 1.425V. It also stated that no higher voltage was needed to get it up to 3.0ghz - it was fine on the default voltage apparently!

[skunksmash]

On the website, it said to get it stable on 3.30ghz they had a voltage of 1.425V. It also stated that no higher voltage was needed to get it up to 3.0ghz - it was fine on the default voltage apparently!

what website..??, it certainly weren't Intel.

here's the ''recommended'' voltage for your chip...

E4600 SPECS (http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLA94)

i had my old E2180 @ 1.5v to hold 3.4ghz, so it is possible on a 65nm chip, but TBH anything over 1.4v for 24/7 use is excessive.... you have to take ''electromigration'' into account.... the longer your chip stays @ 1.4v & above the shorter its lifespan....


:)SK

[Callidus]

on a sensible voltage of 1.4 I'd guess you'll be good for 3.2/3.4 this shutdown talk is nonsense. with sufficient cooling and a very good mobo / ram you could see more out of it, this shows what is capable at an extreme 5ghz (http://www.hwbot.org/result.do?resultId=707341) of course I'm not suggesting you can get anywhere near that but for arguments sake with a watercooled setup and quality parts I'd say 4Ghz is possible.

I'd start by keeping fsb / ram at stock and using the multi to see what the chip will do. at a 1:1 ration with 400 fsb ( assuming DDR2800 ) then in theory you've got up to 4.8Ghz. find the best o/c you can then lower the voltages to see how low you can get it stable, it's then the decision process of v / clocks.

If you can get to 3.8Ghz but it takes 1.4v to run with stability or you can run at 3.6 with only 1.3v I'd suggest the latter as a better option irrespective of temps etc. once you've found your cpu's limit work on getting the fsb / ram balanced in order to give a quicker all round system, i.e try to get to 3.6 with a lower multi but with a higher fsb.


Cal

[Kelvin_C-J]

Thanks for the replies.
If your interested Cal, my 'new' system will be comprised of the G33M-DSR2; 4GB Corsair XMS2 CL5 800mhz, 500GB 7200rpm HD, 9800GTX+ and the good ol' E4600.

I'd be perectly happy with 3.2ghz as an increase above 3.2 didn't seem to offer much of a performance advantage. Excessve heat shouldn't be a problem either as Ive ordered the Arctic Freezer Pro 7 and have ordered 3 120mm fans etc.

The website was: http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=700
- obviously Not Intel's ;)

[Callidus]

Ahaaa that's a 2 yr old review also every chip is different it's always pot luck, that mobo was cracking for me with the following e6300/e8400/q6600/e5200 it oc'd each of them wonderfully. I'd hedge my bets I reckon you'll see 3.6ghz with ease p'raps 3.8 at a push

good luck mate and can't wait to see the results

Cal

[GeorgeStorm]

It just means that the chip had an FSB wall, and so wouldnt go past that clock.
All chips are different, although,the e5xxx/e2xxx and e4xxx all tend to have lower FSB walls,

[Desertmonk]

You seem to be reffering to one websites findings on one chip?

Lesson 1 you learn in overclocking is every chip is different. Some will fail to hit 500mhz above stock, yet some identical chips from a better batch may be able to achieve 1200mhz above stock. The same is true for voltages and FSBs.

[Kelvin_C-J]

Ok Thanks very much guys.

I ordered my PC from Dell in July last year so hopefully it was one of the later and 'better' models of the chip!

I'll test it out in about a months' time anyway, so thanks for the information.

Also, I know it's only from one website and years old but I couldn't find any of the chip past 3.30ghz to go by.

But I'll try my own experiements anyhow;)

Also, I'm hoping for an increase of my previous 3dmark 06 score of 6000!!!

[skunksmash]

Ok Thanks very much guys.

I ordered my PC from Dell in July last year so hopefully it was one of the later and 'better' models of the chip!

I'll test it out in about a months' time anyway, so thanks for the information.

Also, I know it's only from one website and years old but I couldn't find any of the chip past 3.30ghz to go by.

But I'll try my own experiements anyhow;)

Also, I'm hoping for an increase of my previous 3dmark 06 score of 6000!!!

hang on.......are you thinking of OCing a DELL..??, as far as im aware thats impossible to do via the BIOS, you would have to use S/W & i DO NOT recommend that.

or have you built a new rig & just happen to own a DELL..??, or did the chip come out of the DELL..??

please clarify...


:)SK

[Kelvin_C-J]

To Clarify;
I have a Dell Vostro 200.
I've since ordered, a new Mobo - G33, new RAM, new heatsink and new case.
From the Dell^ I'm taking the HD, processor and Graphics' card. so really it's a mix and match system that is being built;)

Also I tried OCing the Dell but no luck; the Bsel mod would have worked, had I got conductive ink!

[skunksmash]

To Clarify;
I have a Dell Vostro 200.
I've since ordered, a new Mobo - G33, new RAM, new heatsink and new case.
From the Dell^ I'm taking the HD, processor and Graphics' card. so really it's a mix and match system that is being built;)

Also I tried OCing the Dell but no luck; the Bsel mod would have worked, had I got conductive ink!

ahh..... i see :thumbs:

yes the BSEL would have worked but they create their own problems on a board which has no voltage adjustment, the chip might not of been able to run the higher strap without a voltage kick, so you could of been left with a non posting rig..




:)SK

[Kelvin_C-J]

Nah, there's also a voltage Bsel mod, so I would have used that!

[skunksmash]

Nah, there's also a voltage Bsel mod, so I would have used that!

lol.....seems like a lot of work for a few mhz, probably the reason for the new setup...:tongue:



:)SK

[Kelvin_C-J]

However, Cal and I both agree the Mobo was 'bottlenecking' my system so I have since replaced it!:D

And hopefully get a performance boost to boot.

(basically exactly what you said^)

[Desertmonk]

Errm I hate to be the one to break it to you... but there is a fundamental flaw in your plan. It won't work.

Copies of an OS bought from OEMs (e.g. Dell) are locked to the motherboard they are first installed on, meaning when you move the HDD with an OS to a new motherboard, it won't be bootable. Even if you did a fresh install, using the same disc and same key unfortunately it would not work.

Vista Home Premium 64bit is £86 at nova IIRC.

[Kelvin_C-J]

I've got XP (pro) or alternatively I could download Windows 7...
The Dell OEM version was Vista Buisness. - I only use that for formatting the HD.

[Callidus]

easy enough, ring ms explain dell mobo = dead and you replaced it, job's a good un. I just switched my mobo/ram/cpu and vista needed to be re activated. it did it online with no hassle at all

[Kelvin_C-J]

Ok, thanks for the infomation Cal buddy.
I'll do that soon!

[Desertmonk]

easy enough, ring ms explain dell mobo = dead and you replaced it, job's a good un.

I've heard about this a fair bit, but at £85 for a new copy of vista I'm reluctant to rely on hearsay. As I understand it you're saying you have done this and it worked fine? What did MS issue you with to make it work, a new product code? (Furthermore if MS can solve the issue then am I right in thinking it's locked to the MOBO by something in MS's control as opposed to Dell? because I'd hate to have to try and explain the "mobo has broken" to Dell)

Many thanks in advance for a bit of clarification. I'm great when it comes to hardware, but software and OS I have no idea :o :p

[Kelvin_C-J]

Well, I decided to install Vista (from Dell) to see if everything work's ok and luckily it does.
I also tried some 'basic overclocks', and they seem to have worked well.

I have the E4600 @ 3.25ghz and the same memory from my Dell in because the Corsair's are faulty, hopefully gunna RMA 'em. I have the memory @ 723mhz, and they seem to be running fine; highest temprature reached so far is 30 degrees celcius, for both the general pc and CPU.

I was just wondering if anyone think's I could or should push it further?
My Windows Experience Index scores increased from 5.3-5.7 for the CPU, and from 4.8-5.6 for the RAM.

[Callidus]

go for more !!! 3.8 I'm telling ya ;)

[Kelvin_C-J]

Ok Cal, I'll try that later. I'll need to increase the voltage though, currently it's @ 1.31250, and can go up to 1.6. However, my processor being 65nm can apparently handle more than 1.4v because of it's architechure, though I don't want to adjust the voltage too much incase I damage it. - so I may need some help on the voltage side of things, please.

[PaulyD]

65nm = bullet proof pretty much

[Callidus]

bang it onto 1.4v

find the highest clock you can get into windows with, take it slow shoot for 3.2/3.4/3.6/3.8 in steps

download intel burn test, it's perfect for stress testing and unlike prime won't take all night

Cal

[Kelvin_C-J]

Ok thanks for the information and tips.:)

As said, I'll try that later and I'll update to tell of the results, if you want?

[Callidus]

**** yes we want results get clocking man !!!!

[mithrandir]

I've got mine at 3.15ghz @ 1.36v (1.34v under load). Can't seem to get any higher stable, I can boot into Windows on a touch above 3.2ghz but Blue screens with hardware fault.

[GeorgeStorm]

3.8 is wishful thinking im afraid, atleast for a daily clock
As you will probs need 1.6v or so to get there. And thats a little too much, even for 65nm
1.55v is probs the max you can go, but I would recommend going no higher than 1.5v

[cje]

65nm = bullet proof pretty much

I can testify to this. I ran my Q6600 at 3.8ghz, for a very short period.(on a simple Noctua heatsink and no lapping).

I ran it at 3.8ghz with 1.6v on air for a short time. I was checking temps with ASUS pc probe (don't kill me) and I thought they were ok. I started a run in prime95, and after 5 minutes I opened up Realtemp. Only to find my temps around 90 degrees, I was going to switch it off, but the pc switched itself off. I sh*t myself, thinking I'd killed it. I tried the power button, it came on for 2 seconds then died again. There I was pacing back and forth in the room, and I cleared the CMOS and tried it again.

Lo and behold, it switched itself back on as normal as if nothing happened. So yes, my 65nm quad has taken some abuse and survived. Though, I wouldn't sell it to anyone, because I know I've abused it fairly badly.

[Kelvin_C-J]

To be honest, I think 3.8ghz would be too much to ask anyway. The most I'd feel comfortable trying would be 3.6ghz. But I doubt I'd be able to reach that, either because of the voltage or because of the memory.

3.25ghz is way better than what I had on my Dell anyway, so if that's as high as I can get I'll still be happy.