[Stanm]

Just thought I'd ask what others have experienced. I am at 3.4 Ghz stable as a rock on 1.2625 volts (1.25 per software net).

If I add another 0.05 volts, about how much extra OC might I expect? How about for another .10 volts? The memory and FSB, etc should be fine. I am doing this via ECU pinmods so you may be able to save me some time. I want to wind up around 3.5-3.6 GHz so I can stay quiet on air. Thanks.

[CGR]

Every chip is different. You just need to try it out.

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by CGR

Every chip is different. You just need to try it out.

I understand that, I am trying to hear from folks as to what they actually experienced. I am OCing a "non-overclockable" prebuilt. So to make a voltage adustment via an ECU pinmod this takes a bit of time to disassemble (in tight working spaces in the small case) make the mod and so forth. I am not just scrolling to a new voltage via software so that I can try several voltages out in a couple minutes.

FWIW I went from 3.2 to 3.4 by just reducing Vdroop. So that is a good sign that I gained roughly 200 MHz by cutting a 0.05-0.06 Vdroop to about 0.01-0.02 volts. I am still on the stock Vcore at 3.4 GHz and rock solid stable.

[Stanm]

Okay it turned out to be a smidge short of an extra 200 MHz / 0.2 GHz from the extra 0.05 volts. So I am at 3.6 Ghz and 1.3125 volts presently and am testing with things looking good so far. This was about the same amount I gained when I reduced Vdroop by around 0.05 volts. So...so far the system is still in the linear range. That is I have not yet hit the point where lots more volts is needed to gain smaller and smaller speed increases.

I think that will be about it for my Gateway Quad. Since when I bump FSB I also run my memory faster and I am approaching how fast the memory has been able to go in the past. I may be able to squeak to nearly 3.7 GHz but then the memory will be at it's limits for 1.8 volts. I cannot easily raise that figure without a volt mod on the MoBo. I'm running fast sticks rated to work well at 1.8 volts though.

[D2H]

I say experiment. Loosen the memory timings/voltage, bring the core voltage up to 1.40ish, increase the FBS, run Prime or Orthos, and see if you can get to 4.0. If you're happy with 3.6 though, then don't worry. 3.6 is pretty damn good for a quad core, I might add, and since I don't know your personal limit on voltage, I can't make any strong suggestions for you. Plus, I've never really played with quad cores.

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by D2H

I say experiment. Loosen the memory timings/voltage, bring the core voltage up to 1.40ish, increase the FBS, run Prime or Orthos, and see if you can get to 4.0. If you're happy with 3.6 though, then don't worry. 3.6 is pretty damn good for a quad core, I might add, and since I don't know your personal limit on voltage, I can't make any strong suggestions for you. Plus, I've never really played with quad cores.

Thanks for the suggestions.

This is on an inexpensive Gateway prebuilt...so the MoBo is pretty locked down. I pinmodded the ECU to get the 1333 FSB (one piece of tape)...and also to get the extra 0.05 volts (one sliver of conductive paint). And I volt modded the Mobo to get Vdroop cut back to further help the OC angle, although I had to work that out for this board as it is a G33.

I see no easy way to adjust other voltages. I have no BIOS options. Getting the core to 1.40 is very doable however as I can adust in .01 increments by the ECU pinmods...but it takes about 30 minutes to make each change. Upping memory voltage would mean another MoBo mod, doable but the writing is on the wall I think. I have the memory tweaked via Memset and it is working well. I changed that from four sticks of 667 to 2 x 2 Gb of Muskkin rated fast at 1.8 volts, seeing this issue. The memory is running at a 12:10 ratio.

I think the memory would be good to about 3.7 Ghz at 1.8 volts based on past efforts at boosted FSB settings and what speed that put the memory at MHz-wise. It's doing well for the voltage.

I think I may call it a day at 3.6 GHz with quiet air cooling. I mean this is a 50% overclock on a non-overclockable rig.

It seem like the FSB is the present limiter, but I am not positive.

[jason4207]

You are doing very well, and I commend you for getting that kind of performance out of the locked-down Gateway!

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by jason4207

You are doing very well, and I commend you for getting that kind of performance out of the locked-down Gateway!

Thanks Jason this has been fun! I noticed that my Intel DG33 motherboard seems to have a provision for a special BIOS jumper...which I have not physically found yet...maybe it is just pads on the board...or one of the jumpers nearby. On the photo below you can see a configuration setting noted. I'll look into Intel's comments...so far I see something about a maintenance mode.

I am wondering if that may provide some more options in my BIOS...that would sure be nice! Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Stanm]

From x-referencing other G33 based motherboards I see:



So I will play around with that..fingers crossed that some BIOS options become available...

[sMaCk III]

i also have the intel board the dg33tl and would be very interested in knowing all the changes u have made to be able to oc so well bc im getting my cooler in on monday and wanted to push to about only 3ghz so would love if u could help out...

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by sMaCk III

i also have the intel board the dg33tl and would be very interested in knowing all the changes u have made to be able to oc so well bc im getting my cooler in on monday and wanted to push to about only 3ghz so would love if u could help out...

Here ya go...two ways to get to 3.0 GHz, assuming your BIOS is locked like mine:
.
.
1) Use "setFSB" and PLL chip CV183APAG and then slide to your chosen FSB. 3 should be stable, a bit more is doable but gets shakier. This needs to be redone every cold boot. My G33 does NOT use the CV183APAG phase locked loop chip but that is okay since my chip is not covered but the compatible CV183 is covered. It will work fine and as expected. Here is my PLL chip:


.
.
.
Or 2) Tape one pin on the ECU as shown...this stays all the time:



There is minimal extra heat as you should be able to do this on the stock voltage. Just a few more degrees under load. You could do this using the stock Intel cooler but aftermarket is better.

To put the tape on I needed black electrical tape and an exacto knife. I place a strip of tape on a piece of glass...then cut a little square...lifted it using the exacto under the edge...placed this onto the pad...pressed it on with care using something about that size. This is very easy to do if you are already changing the heat sink and fan. If you do (2) you can do (1) on top of it to go past 3 Ghz.

HTH.

[Stanm]

Also...here is how I volt modded my Q6600 to change from 1.26 nominal to 1.31 volts. I found that 1.26 v was good until about 3.4 Ghz, and 1.31 to about 3.6. But for both of those I had to first do a pencil-vdroop mod. Without the Vdroop mod, 1.26 volts got me to 3.2 GHz when starting with the 1333 / 3.0 tape mod and then using setFSB from there.

First...Vdroop on a G33...pencil as shown until Vdroop is cut to about 0.01-0.02...I used a normal pencil and about 3-4 rubs by reaching into the side-open case...there are various programs to measure Vcore/Vdroop...I used Everest Ultimate...BTW the circled component that you pencil...from left to right in the image (up and down on a motherboard installed in a tower) is only about 1/2 mm..so use a fine pencil tip! That is about 20 thousandths of an inch. A piece of paper is about 3 thousandths of an inch thick.



Secondly here is a Vcore mod for the Q6600 and some other LGA775 chips with the same starting Vcore. For others you need to consult Intel's tech material to select the pin matrix choices for where you want to end up. In this case I tied VID3 to Vss to change the value from 1 to 0. Upper left hand corner as shown, 3rd row down from the top...connect 6th and 7th pin pads in from the left hand side. I used a trimmed paint brush and some rear window defogger paint. This paint is a lacquer with copper particles in it..it dries in a few minutes. With a trimmed brush this could be done freehand with no tape masking if you have a good eye and a steady hand...so have that beer later on! With different possible pin combos you can reach from 0.85 to 1.6 volts in just over 0.01 volt increments. See pages 15 and 41 in Intels guide for the Quads and note that page 41 is a mirror image of what you see on the bottom of the chip..note the triangle corner with the missing pin if you want to be sure.

[sMaCk III]

thanx stanm im gonna try that tape mod for one pin on monday or so when i receive my thermalright cpu cooler since i have to pull the mobo out anyway to set everything up. is it as easy as it looks o do the one pin mod? seems like all u have to do is stick the tape on there as long as it is big enough to cover the pin but not touch any other ones?

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by sMaCk III

thanx stanm im gonna try that tape mod for one pin on monday or so when i receive my thermalright cpu cooler since i have to pull the mobo out anyway to set everything up. is it as easy as it looks o do the one pin mod? seems like all u have to do is stick the tape on there as long as it is big enough to cover the pin but not touch any other ones?

Yes it is as easy as it looks. IF you have an exacto knife more or less.

Bear in mind that the pins in the socket that will contact the pads are very small in diameter. If you look at the pin pad picture below you can see where the pins actually touch the pad surfaces. So when you look at your ECU you can see the actual point of contact for the pin pad you are about to tape. In the piccie below...the pin pad is the 5th one up from the bottom on the right hand side (to get 1333 FSB 3.0). Mostly...my pins touch very close to the center of each pad, but a few don't. I made my tape slightly rectangular in size...about 100 by 120 atoms (haha!). I situated the tape so that a bit extra went towards the RHS edge of the ECU. I'd use that extra bit to peel off the tape if the need ever arose. An exacto knife would be used to remove the tape, cut it, place it so it helps a bunch. I used glass as a staging surface to cut the tape...you just put the tape onto the glass so it adheres lightly and then make your cut and then remove the piece with the tip of the blade at one edge with most of the adhesive exposed and ready to go onto the pin pad. The actual cut and place effort takes under a minute. Use good lighting...don't answer the phone which will probably ring as you begin and take the usual antistatic precautions.

[sMaCk III]

ok ill do this asap when i get my cooler and then ill post results thanx man...

[sMaCk III]

did u do a vcore bump also or just the mod by it self?

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by sMaCk III

did u do a vcore bump also or just the mod by it self?

Q6600 / 2.4 GHz on locked down Intel G33 motherboard

(3 GHz) Stock Vcore voltage, stock Vdroop...I did this via setFSB. Then I did 3 GHz via the 1333-Tape-Mod so that I could hope to go past 3 GHz.

(3.2 GHz) With the 1333-Tape-Mod I ADDED some setFSB to hit 3.2 GHz on bone stock Vcore and Vdroop.

(3.4 GHz) With the 1333-Tape-Mod PLUS setFSB I ADDED penciling the motherboard to cut Vdroop: I hit 3.4 GHz on stock Vcore.

(3.6 GHz) With 1333-Tape-Mod PLUS setFSB PLUS penciling the motherboard I ADDED the ECU pin mod to gain +0.05 volts of Vcore.

(3.7 GHz) It appears that the memory may hold up to about the speed corresponding to the FSB for 3.7 GHz. But other issues may arise and I think I may stop at 3.6 GHz.

You'll have to adjust setFSB as required in each case...and in my case I added faster low voltage memory to help it deal with the FSB speedup (which affects both ECU clock and memory clock. Your system may wind up a bit or slower than mine,but those are about the speeds you should see if you do the abovenoted. For 3.2 and up I need to adjust setFSB after each cold start if I need the speed. You can also adjust the memory timing a bit using memset which may help if your memory is acting up. It's okay to slow the memory down a bit since the CPU speed is more important to actual in use results provided you have ample memory.

[sMaCk III]

yea i just wanna hit 3ghz so ill be fine with just doing the setFSB and the 1333 mod.once again thanx for the mod and ill post up on monday or tuesday my results.

[Hipcrostino]

you should be safe on stock volts at 3ghz sMaCk

Stanm, you have a steller chip there. It might be worth getting a real mobo. my G0 needs 1.4 volts to get 3.6 stable. 4ghz crashes even at 1.6vcore

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by sMaCk III

yea i just wanna hit 3ghz so ill be fine with just doing the setFSB and the 1333 mod.once again thanx for the mod and ill post up on monday or tuesday my results.

To hit 3 GHz you can do one or the other. The latter 1333-Tape-Mod is a bit nicer since it boots up that way with no extra steps, and you'll be at the ECU anyway.

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by Hipcrostino

you should be safe on stock volts at 3ghz sMaCk Stanm, you have a steller chip there. It might be worth getting a real mobo. my G0 needs 1.4 volts to get 3.6 stable. 4ghz crashes even at 1.6vcore

Thanks. I did hit lots of dead ends and had to forge ahead into the wilderness a bit though, dig through Intel PDFs, etc, etc. And I think that the up-to-date Intel G33 motherboard/chipset also helps. It may be locked down, but it is solid. I do see signs of some cheapness such as the ECU being fed with only 3 phase power whereas some boards use 4-5-6 phases. Overclocking is all new to me so I learned as I went along. With what I now know and the confidence I gained...I would not have bought a prebuilt were I starting again to replace an old basic PC.

FWIW here is the information on the top of the chip...a 95 watt G0:

[sMaCk III]

Originally Posted by Hipcrostino

you should be safe on stock volts at 3ghz sMaCk

Stanm, you have a steller chip there. It might be worth getting a real mobo. my G0 needs 1.4 volts to get 3.6 stable. 4ghz crashes even at 1.6vcore

ok cool thanx. ill be getting my thermalright ultima 90 in the mail on monday so when i go to install it i will attempt the mod. there wont be much of a heat increase with this mod correct? but either way i believe ill be fine with the ultima 90 bc im idling at bout 40 or 41C with the stock hsf. and form what i have researched people were idling at bout 32 or 34C with the ultima.

[sMaCk III]

Originally Posted by Stanm

To hit 3 GHz you can do one or the other. The latter 1333-Tape-Mod is a bit nicer since it boots up that way with no extra steps, and you'll be at the ECU anyway.

so when i do this mod i place the modded chip in and then boot straight to bios and setFSB to 1333 or how does that part work?

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by sMaCk III

so when i do this mod i place the modded chip in and then boot straight to bios and setFSB to 1333 or how does that part work?

Load it in and it should go right to 1333 / 3 GHz if you are on a G33 MoBo or other 1333-aware board.

If you made no heat sink change there would be a minimal temperature increase. Since that mostly depends on voltage and not as much on clock. I hope it works out for you!

If you are into it...you could also lap the ECU and ECU heat sink for better heat transfer. It is not that hard. But at 3.0 and stock voltage you'll be fine and lapping certainly is not necessary or critical. With your new heat sink you'll still see a big drop in your temperature readings despite the slightly increased heat at the ECU. This is due to the higher cooling efficency compared to the stock Intel heat sink unit.

I'm using a Thermaltake Big Typhoon which I have modded. Even bone stock that unit (which is not as reputable as the present top dogs) caused my ECU temperatures to plummet. I thought that cooler closely matched my concept of using inexpensive / widely available parts such as the Gateway prebuilt I souped up. And then sprinkling on some TLC to improve the results.

[sMaCk III]

ok sweet now im gonna be impatient for the the damn cooler to get here lol...

[jason4207]

Originally Posted by Stanm

Thanks Jason this has been fun! I noticed that my Intel DG33 motherboard seems to have a provision for a special BIOS jumper...which I have not physically found yet...maybe it is just pads on the board...or one of the jumpers nearby. On the photo below you can see a configuration setting noted. I'll look into Intel's comments...so far I see something about a maintenance mode.

I am wondering if that may provide some more options in my BIOS...that would sure be nice! Any thoughts? Thanks.

That little arrow above the "BIOS CONFIG' wording leads me to believe that jumper to the upper left is the one in question. It looks like you already figured that out, though.

Have you tried it yet?

[Stanm]

Originally Posted by jason4207

That little arrow above the "BIOS CONFIG' wording leads me to believe that jumper to the upper left is the one in question. It looks like you already figured that out, though. Have you tried it yet?

Are you kidding? Once I figured that out...I HAD TO TRY IT immediately, haha!

No help though. I could change some passwords and monitor more stuff. But no overclocking adjustments were to be found. Intel does have a BIOS tuning tool that OEMs use. But for me it tells me it won't let me in...maybe there is way around that? You load the software once booted and then it scolds me...so maybe there is something it looks for in the registry (fingers crossed) else the BIOS or from the mother board (darn?).

I also tried Intel's extreme motherboard tweaking tool for X38 onward. Nope, even though a G33 has some similarities being a contemporary design. I'll keep sniffing though.

[sMaCk III]

im keeping my fingers crossed lol

[sMaCk III]

did the pin mod and works wonderfull got a 3.0ghz q6600 without really doin any ocing.

[sMaCk III]

only thing is my temp is at 37C idle now thought it would be a lil lower?. well im done messing with it for the night ill fiddle with the fans so more tom ....