Problem overclocking Core 2 Quad Q8300

[vlatkovr]

Hi,

I hope I can get some help regarding failure to overclock my Q8300.

I had until a couple of weeks ago, Core 2 Duo [email protected] and just by increasing the FSB from 266 to 320 I managed to get it to 3.2Ghz, piece of cake.

I replaced that CPU a week ago with Core2Quad [email protected] Ghz
FSB is 333Mhz. So I just thought I increase it to 400Mhz, adjust the RAM which is DDR2-800 to run at 400Mhz and make sure PCI Express stays at 100 Mhz.

However even if I increase the FSB even by a bit to 350Mhz the PC won't boot, i.e. won't even finish POST.

All my voltages are set to auto except the CPU Vcore which was 1.1 in BIOS but CPU-Z shows 1.12 to 1.137?? I tried increasing that to 1.5 in the BIOS even, still can't finish POST.

My PC specs:
MB: MSI P31 Neo V2
RAM: 2x2GB DDR2-800
Cooler: Arctic Cooling Pro 7

I have the option on the mobo to adjust the FSB, FSB/RAM ratio, CPU Voltage, DRAM Voltage, NB Voltage, VTT FSB Voltage, SB Voltage, SB Core Power. They are all set to Auto except the CPU Vcore (which doesn't support Auto).

Any suggestions of what I might try?

Thx

 

[redduc900]

Raising the FSB to 400MHz may need a bump in vNB, so try increasing it to 1.30V. As far as the required Vcore requirement, it depends on the VID of the chip, which you can find in either Core Temp or Real Temp. But for only a 500MHz overclock, and depending on the VID, I wouldn't expect the chip to require any more than approx. 1.30V for a 3.0GHz clock. You might also need to bump the Vtt (FSB Termination Voltage), starting by increasing it to approx. 1.20V.

 

[RJARRRPCGP]

Looks like wrong FSB-to-DRAM ratio. (Causes DRAM clock to be too high.)

 

[vlatkovr]

Still not working.

I still can't get it past POST.

See the screenshot. I've even tried with only increasing the FSB from 333 to 350 (with increased voltages as per image) but still not past POST.
Smth is weird.

Could it be the RAM? What should I check in that case?

Thx

 

[Tech Tweaker]

What is the model number for your memory?

 

[vlatkovr]

Here it is. Two different modules. That might have smth to do with my issues, but I am not sure.

 

[Tech Tweaker]

Here it is. Two different modules. That might have smth to do with my issues, but I am not sure.

With running mis-matched memory of different manufacturers and models I'd say it's a good chance that this is part of your problem. Adding an overclock to the mix increases the chances of them becoming unstable.

The fact that they are rated differently on the memory timings increases the chances of this being a problem.

 

[RJARRRPCGP]

I still can't get it past POST.

DON'T use "Auto" for the DRAM clock! That's why your OC was an epic fail!

Select 1:1 and try again. You should get close to 3.5 easily! I definitely don't expect instability at 2.7!

 

[redduc900]

If you look at both of the pic's the OP posted, the FSB : DRAM ratio is already at 1:1 (~333MHz x 2 = DDR2-667, and 366MHz x 2 = DDR2-732). Like Tech Tweaker mentioned, since you have two different modules, manually adjust the timings to 6-6-6-18 at 1.80V (all sub-timings on Auto).

 

[vlatkovr]

I think the issue is my motherboard which seems that 333 FSB is the maximum for any of the supported CPUs. So probably I am hitting an FSB wall. I was able to increase it to 345Mhz but anything after that fails.

I will investigate some more and see.

 

[redduc900]

I assume you tried loosening the timings?

 

[vlatkovr]

Just to say that I managed to overclock the CPU to 3Ghz. The issue before was the board/chipset. I got a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R from a friend (he didn't need it) and all is fine now.

I am running at 3Ghz on 1.25 Voltage. I know I can go a lot higher but in that case I get more heat and the fan is louder. For me a quiet PC is the prerogative

In your experience what would be the normal idle/under load temps for the q8300?
Also is the voltage the only paerameter that influences the temp? What I mean is if I increas the FSB more without increasing the voltage would the temp stay in the vicinity?