First Time OC: Intel QX6850

[Fenian]

Hi all. This is the system that I am building in the next week and a half:

Intel QX6850 Quad 2 Extreme CPU 3GHz

Xigmatek HDT-S1283 CPU cooler

Thermaltake bolt-thru kit

Arctic Silver MX-2 thermal paste

Asus P5Q Pro mobo (2xPCI-Ex16, 3xPCI-Ex1, 2x PCI, 8 SATA, 12 USB, eSATA)

Pc Power and Cooling 750W Quad Crossfire PSU (all the connections you will ever need...)

4GB OCZ DDR2-800 RAM

Windows XP Pro/Vista 64 bit dual boot

Sound Blaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer

EVGA 9800GTX+ video card (to come in future, 8600GTS for now)

LiteOn 22x SATA DVD DL Burner

Seagate 7200.11 500GB HDD

NZXT Tempest mid-tower case

Generic internal card reader

An important note is that this is my first custom built PC. My current rig is a modified Acer S939 box with ZERO OC capability.

What would be some safe easy settings to help me ease into the overclocker's realm with this chip? I am also reading the sticky "An Overclocker's Guide version 1.0" but wanted some advice specific to my chip. I would like to try for 3.2-3.3 GHz if possible.

I understand that my CPU's unlocked multiplier may be a great help in this regard?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Fenian

 

[lsclincoln]

Youll have no problem getting 3.2 3.3 out of that monster.
I think the main issue when overclocking will be the temps.
If memory serves those extreme processors produce some extreme heat.

 

[grandmaster]

I have the exact same chip and I find that the overclocking potential is limited as even at stock it's a hot chip - and I have a G0 stepping.

3.33GHz is easy though. You have the multiplier at 9 as standard. Simply up it to ten and then adjust voltage upwards until it's stable. In my case, 1.35v was rock solid at 3.33GHz.

You should be able to get to 3.67GHz but in my case, it simply ran waaaaaaaaaay too hot at this speed due to the voltages required and the fact I'm currently living in a hot country.

I find it ironic that people with G0 Q6600s typically get a far cooler and faster chip than me with my XE, but them's the breaks - I got the CPU for £200 and I can most likely sell it for that too on eBay.