OCing E6600 with DDR2-8500

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Seldorin

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Mar 26, 2007
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I'm starting the process of finding a stable overclocked build for my computer and just want to make sure I am understanding everything correctly. Also, any suggestions and recommendations are welcome.

I am using:
E6600
EVGA 680i motherboard
2x1gb Corsair DDR2-8500C5D
(rest in sig)

After a lot of reading I was getting a little disappointed in myself for choosing DDR2-8500 when I built this computer because it doesn't seem like I'll need anything above DDR2-6400. It seems best to keep my CPU multiplier at 9 and increase the FSB until I find a stable overclocked build but even with the increased FSB it doesn't look like I'll need RAM that can support 1066 MHz while running in 1:1 synchronous mode. It seems like I would have been better off getting some DD2-6400 with lower timings. So I've just got a couple questions:

Is this true or can I efficiently/fully utilize my RAM?

What are some good numbers I should shoot for with my system?

I've done a ton of reading on these forums and looked at other people's builds in the Official Core 2 OC database but would just like some active and personal advice, especially concerning how to relate FSB and memory speed/timings for my build. I really appreciate it.
 
Ok so I've been messing around with some numbers to see what happens and so far have come up with:

3600MHz (9x400)
VCore 1.55v
memory at 5-5-5-15 @ 800
Vmem 1.85v

So far it boots up and I can run everything, however prime95 only runs for 21 minutes without error. Does this mean I just need to continue pumping up the VCore until it runs for 6 hours? My idle temps are around 35ºC with load at 65ºC. I think the VID for the E6600 is 0.85-1.5v so does that mean I can't push past 1.5v? I see numbers higher than 1.5v on the overclocking database I posted the link to above. Anyway my other voltages are on auto but what should I do to reach 3600MHz with stability without frying my parts?
 
What is the rated voltage for the RAM? Have you tried memtesting to make sure the RAM is ok?

Are the listed temps core or plain CPU? Depending on that, you might not want to push the volts since that will up the temps.
 
Rated voltage of the ram is 2.1v at 5-5-5-15 1066 but I am only running at 800 and it was stable with memtest. I bumped down the fsb from 400 to 389 with 9x multiplier and the VCore down to 1.5v and I've been running prime95 stable for nearly 6 hours now. The temps I mentioned were Core temps. After 6 hours at full load with these new settings my temps are maxing out at 59ºC. Maybe I'll just try bumping the FSB a little at a time? Do I need to change any other voltages or settings to get from 3500MHz to 3600MHz?
 
I have been continually testing different voltage/FSB combinations and I am having trouble finding a stable overclock. Previously as stated in my post above I was stable but then I tried pushing 3600MHz and couldn't get stability with primem95 even with VCore of 1.6v and decided I didnt want to increase it any more. My core temps never passed 70ºC. Now when I back off down to 3500MHz I can't run stable @1.5v anymore. I did change my bios version to see if it made a difference. I think I was using P31 previously but heard the P30 was better for OCing so I switched so maybe some settings got changed and I didn't realize it. Anyway, any idea what is going on?

Right now:
3500MHz (9x389MHz) unstable

Voltages
Core 1.5
fsb 1.3
spp 1.4
mcp 1.5
HT 1.45
 
set your ram at its maximum allowable voltage and see what happens. i've got an e6600@1.5v in an asus 650 board with corsair dominator ddr800c4's at their max voltage and was able to stabilize my 390fsb oc.
 
I tried doing this and it didn't change anything. As far as I know my ram voltage is fine after much testing with memtest. I still find it weird that I can't remain stable at a VCore of 1.5v anymore, I had to boost it to 1.5125. I guess that's just what I have to leave it at unless anyone has any other suggestions.
 
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