E6550 Bad OC

[r3g]

So I upgraded the other day (sig specs are current) and after running prime95 torture test for about 2 hours I tried my hand at ocing. Now this is my first Intel system so I was unsure about how to OC them so I used this guide:

http://pc.ign.com/articles/747/747606p1.html

and with it am only able to hit 2.8Ghz stable, no where near what its capable of. Heres a screenshot of my current settings any ideas on how to get it higher?

(multi is set to 7x in Bios not 6 as shown in CPU-Z)

 

[Marvelous]

There's no such thing as bad overclock if you get anything above stock. Now that's out of the way....

E6550 is just like E6300 with 7x multiplier. You need good ram to hit high speeds. Looks like your DDR-800 is the culprit. When at 400fsb you are @ 800mhz on the ram. Some DDR-800 will not let you overclock even 1 mhz. I've had this happen to me with some Patriot DDR-800 and cheap G-skill DDR-800.

 

[Enigma]

Damn dude check out how tight yur memory timings are that is more than likely the problem try slacking them up a bit.... That will help greatly. Also why sucha high vcore voltage???? should not need that much voltaget to get to 2.4 ,and one last question what kind of cooling are you using for this setup?

 

[LhasaCM]

Damn dude check out how tight yur memory timings are that is more than likely the problem try slacking them up a bit.... That will help greatly. Also why sucha high vcore voltage???? should not need that much voltaget to get to 2.4 ,and one last question what kind of cooling are you using for this setup?

Because he followed the guide. They have a recommended vCore of 1.45v...which might be needed quite a bit higher on the speed charts, but shouldn't be at that point. It's kind of what I'd expect when a more "populist" site jumps on the OC'ing bandwagon...blunt instruments, brute force (their example shows the memory at 2.4v), and their results weren't anything earth shattering. Imagine if they knew what they were doing...

For the OP: as mentioned, you'll need to loosen the memory timings a bit in order to get to a higher FSB, assuming its possible. Also, you should disable the throttling features of the chipset in the BIOS, at least for now, if you really want to push it as far as it can go. And of course, make sure you have the latest BIOS.

That said - all CPUs are different. Just because someone else pushed their E6550 to speed x doesn't mean yours can go that high. It's only supposed to work at the stock speed. Anything beyond that is gravy. [rant]I think with some of the great results people are seeing with the newest Core2Duo chips, people's expectations have become awfully inflated...[/rant]

 

[officermartinez]

I completely agree. For starters, disable your thermal throttling. If your saying your multiplier is 7 but its showing up as 6, more than likely, you have thermal throttling enabled. Second, your timings are way tight. They should be loosened. I would start with 4-4-4-12 at 2T. Ensure that your vdimm is set to the manufactures suggested voltage on your ram. At 400 fsb x the default multi of 7, you are correct, it would be 2.8ghz. It's for this VERY reason that I went with the e6420. Its' default multiplier is 8. Will your ram do 430? I have the red heat spreader GSkill ddr2-800 ram (only average ram) and I have it set to a 425 fsb, no problems. A 430 fsb x 7 would atleast put you at 3.010ghz.

 

[r3g]

I dont believe my ram is the problem because Im Ive been running it at 900mhz ulinked for almost a full day now and a loto f the reviews i read on it say it does pretty well up to 980ish Mhz. Ill let up on the timings 4-4-3-5 is what the memory is rated at that the suggested voltage for it is 2.0~2.1v . Does it help telling you guys that I only tightened my timings after I hit unstable at 2.9+Ghz? While overclocking my cpu my memory timings were like 5-5-5-x. And lastely Im using the Zalman CNPS9700 for cooling and an Antec 900 with all possible fans. So I know my memory has headroom and my cpu temps never pass 32*C idle and 42-43* C.

Im not trying to hit a crazy OC and I know all CPUs are different but on damn near every forum and review Ive been on people are running there 6550s at 3.4 to 3.7Ghz on air so I figure I should at least be able to hit 3 stable.

 

[LhasaCM]

You could also try setting the multiplier to 6x to see how high you can push the FSB (since, as you've indicated, your RAM can take an FSB up to 450 easily). That way, you can isolate whether or not it's the FSB that's limiting you or if it is the CPU...

(And I saw that your memory was operating within spec. voltage. I was commenting on the quality of the guide...)

 

[Duro]

Testing the FSB would be a pretty good idea. You should also update to the P30 bios, as the older ones have had some trouble with G0s. You also may just have a less than stellar chip/board, who knows.

 

[r3g]

P30 Bios have been applied.


Im guessing my FSB is the problem. I turned my memory back down to 800mhz and put the timings on auto which set them to 5-5-5-12. Im stuck at 415 (1660), As soon as I try 417 (1670) I get a bios warning at post to turn down my cpu or memory clock even at 6x (which is only 2.5Ghz).

Oh well. 2.9Ghz with memory at 900mhz 4-4-3-5 aint bad at all. Ive yet to find the limit of my memory but I dont really have the desire to push past 900mhz. Thx for all your help guys Im loving this C2D. :]

 

[unclewebb]

Keep in mind that it is likely your board and not your cpu that is holding you back. The nvidia boards are famous for having FSB holes or spots where they simply don't like to run or even boot up. When you hit a wall try bumping the FSB up by 20 MHz or so and maybe you'll get lucky. For users that don't need SLI, you'll have a lot more luck if you go with an Intel P965 or P35 chipset when using this CPU.

 

[r3g]

Thanks for the heads up. Im content with where Im at now. performance is worlds better then the performance of the x2 3800+ i just upgraded from so im happy. :]