Q9550 Overclock to 400 FSB
Q9550 Overclock to 400 FSB
Hi everyone, I'm just starting out with overclocking but I'm trying to figure things out. I've got a Q9550 with the default clock and a GA-P35T-DS4 motherboard that has 4x2Gb DDR2 RAM. When I try to change the FSB speed, it won't let me start my PC. Do I need to adjust more settings? I know every board needs different configurations, but I really need some guidance. Thanks for your time and any advice you can give.
It's a surprisingly low maximum temperature, which means I'd just let things sit if you're content with the pace. If not, adjusting voltages and trying ~417 x 8.5 = 3.54GHz could work too. Once you're confident about the settings, run Prime95 overnight to verify all RAM is functioning properly. After all, the IntelBurnTest tests only the first 1GB so far, mainly for CPU checks. While it might be fast, I'm cautious about stressing a 45nm CPU for extended periods due to concerns about electromigration and long-term overclock stability. 65nm...
Typically your memory capacity will be constrained by RAM availability—stable options like DDR2-800 or PC2-6400 are recommended since most manufacturers restricted DDR2 speeds below the standard clock frequency. Quad processors usually support higher FSB than dual-channel units, but 400 MHz should be feasible without complex adjustments to voltage settings.
Configure the system's base frequency to 400, set the memory divider to its minimum value (2.00), adjust the VCore to +0.05 volts from your VID, MCH to +0.1 volts, and DDR2 to +0.2 volts with all other parameters left at default. This setup should enable proper operation and performance.
If you check CPU-Z and see that your RAM's speed rating matches something like 400MHz 5-5-5-18 at 1.8 volts, Turbo tRd 8 should be optimal. Alternatively, if the rating is 400MHz 4-4-4-12 at 2.1 volts, you might consider Turbo tRd 7 for reduced latency by increasing the voltage to +0.3 volts.
For RAMs rated at DDR2-667 operating at 333MHz, attempting 400MHz with slower timings and a +0.4-voltage boost is possible, though not guaranteed. Generally, you won't require significant additional CPU voltage for speeds around 3400MHz. Extra MCH voltage becomes beneficial when all RAM slots are occupied, but it's usually only necessary for very high FSB. DDR2 modules typically have limited lifespan at elevated voltages, so if they fail, a replacement with improved specifications is advisable.
Thank you very much for your quick response. I really appreciate your time, but I have to admit I’m new to this and I might be missing something or making a mistake. I shared some pictures of the BIOS settings and my CPU-Z details here for more information. Since I’m not sure if I’m doing it right, the system still won’t boot, so I hope someone here or another smart person will notice where I went wrong. Thanks to everyone for your help.
Hmm, looks good except you have neglected to supply the CPU any extra voltage. That's a fairly low VID chip so you have plenty of safe headroom. Try 1.275 to 1.300v to start, or if you are tired of clearing CMOS and manually resetting things, just go for the maximum common VID sold (for 45nm) of 1.325v and go down later if it's stable.
Hey, thank you very much for your reply, I really appreciate it.
I adjusted the voltage to the maximum as instructed—1.325—and the system started up smoothly. Then I gradually lowered it to 1.2, and I’m currently maintaining a safe temperature around 40°C.
Would it be wise to run a benchmark program or confirm its safety at this voltage?
Thanks again for your assistance.
I prefer to test at least five passes of IntelBurnTest to ensure the CPU remains stable and the thermal management works well in any situation. This method is efficient, allowing you to identify the lowest stable voltage and then increase it slightly. If temperatures are acceptable, 3.4GHz outperforms all previous stock C2Q versions, making 1.325V reasonable. The published VID table reached 1.3625V, suggesting Intel would have pushed further if AMD had posed a challenge. The maximum safe voltage was recorded at 1.45V, indicating normal operation without damage. Lastly, I run a minimum of 12 hours with Prime95 blend to confirm RAM stability; although it takes longer, it provides confidence in its reliability compared to overclocked OEM units.
The test completed in just 0.11 seconds and marked it as successful. Is there anything I'm doing incorrectly or is the speed really impressive? You're wondering if raising the voltage would help if it remains stable. Could you suggest some alternative tests, please? I feel uncertain about my approach. Thanks!
It seems you evaluated a single pass at 5MB, which is considered standard. The goal was to reduce the voltage until it becomes unstable and fails the test—this indicates the limit. Running the test further wouldn’t be necessary since the system already shows its boundaries.
I just checked it with 5 passes and got a max of 65C. Is it fine to proceed, or should I try another option? Should I use Prime 95 for blending? Thanks a lot, I really value your advice. You clearly understand what you're discussing.