Learning how to Overclock an E6550

[bytheway_r]

I find Intel BurnTest to be one of the nicer tools to stress test the CPU. You have to REALLY watch the temperatures when running it, though. I suppose it's a good tool to check how capable your CPU cooler is, too

Btw. I'd enable CPU temp warning in BIOS. I have it set to 70 degrees with my CPU's max temp being 73 degrees. A precaution if something were to fail. With air cooling, the CPU fan could fail for example. There's the fan fail warning option, too but it's not working right for me. With aftermarket cooler and fan that spins much slower or even stops when the CPU has just been turned on it's just not reliable.

[Lucky23]

Ok Update i just tried a 429fsb x 7 =3.0ghz and it booted to windows fine. I didnt change any voltages at all. I sure i will have to and thats what im going to play with now but i think 429fsb is pushing this system far enough for me right now. Plus my ram is already overclocked to 858mhz. So from this point i think i just want to try and get the 429fsb stable.

Yea i got CPU temp enabled but it was set to 80c but i can change it to 70c if that is better

[Lucky23]

Finally finished my overclock @ 3.22ghz
460fsb
Vcore @ 1.33v
+1 DDR2 overvoltage
+1 MCH overvoltage

Also got it to post into windows w/ a 500fsb @ 3.5ghz w/ 1.356v but i felt it was stressing the system too much so i dropped it back down to 3.22ghz. Also ordered an E8500 E0 stepping to take the place of the E6550. Hopefully will be at 4ghz soon.

Thanks for all the help. The overclocking guide was also very helpful

[Dark Mantis]

You seem to have it all in hand now ok See you at next years Gigabyte Overclocking Championships 

[oggmonster]

Hi there what were you using the system for? Its probably an idea to check for stability using prime95. Stability is a personal thing, but I like to run a memtest for 6-8 hours, then a prime95 small fft for 6-8 hours. This is on a gaming machine

[Lucky23]

I ran prime 95 on FFT for the CPU and Blend test to test the ram. I also use hyperpi.

I currently have my E8500 @ 4.03ghz 425fsb on 1.22v. I stressed it for 2hours on Prime95 FFT. I also ran blend to test the ram.

[oggmonster]

I ran prime 95 on FFT for the CPU and Blend test to test the ram. I also use hyperpi.

I currently have my E8500 @ 4.03ghz 425fsb on 1.22v. I stressed it for 2hours on Prime95 FFT. I also ran blend to test the ram.

Nice! I know its a different board and an E8600 but if you take a look here http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,615.0.html Got my E8600 to 4.53ghz stable - you might be able to use some of those settings or something

[Lucky23]

Yea i can push more out of this E8500 no problem i think. Im only at 1.22v which seems kind of low but ill definitely check out the link.

I also ran Intel burn test and that program is hardcore. Prime95 after 2hrs only got my temps up to 56c-57c w/ my mugen 2. I passed  Intel burn test on high and it got my temps up to a max of 61c  . Thats a good program for stress testing.

[oggmonster]

Yeah intel burn test stresses it a fair ammount more. Which is great for your 27/7 folding at home - or heavy heavy encoding. But for a general use/gaming machine - prime95 is great.
Although what "stable" is at the end of the day is pretty much down to personal opinion + preferences

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I agree. From a personal standpoint I regard anything that will withstand the noraml use I put it to and not fall over as stable. As oggmonster said it all depends on what you want to do with your machine. I only do everyday type things and a bit of gaming when time and the wife allows.

[Lucky23]

Yea well most of the time im just surfing the web and when i game i might be doing that for 2 hours at a time if that. But even gaming isnt as stressful as prime 95 or intel burntest nor will anything that i do keep the cpu at 100% load for a long period of time.

[Dark Mantis]

No that's my point very few people push their system to 100% in normal use even when multi tasking or gaming.

[Lucky23]

Yea i know i with you Dark Mantis

[Gus12]

The best stress test is running your pc normally for a while and see if anything fails; Also try to game cause when your overall case temperature goes up you might find your cpu overheating...Though If you can pass 8 hours of prime you should be fine. Intel stress test gets the cpu hotter than prime for some reason bit I dont think thats necessary

[Lucky23]

Well me personally i wouldnt say that running your computer like normal is a good stress test. For one there is no way to tell whats stable and whats not. The max ive run Prime95 is for 3 hours and thats plenty because at most i might game for 3 straight hours but even games are no where near as stressful as prime95 or Intel burn test.

Plus with out running a stress test you would have no way of knowing if your overvolting/undervolting your system until it crashes/BSOD

Everyone has there own method for stability in overclocking but i still feel that its better to stress test the system so that your able dial in your voltages to the lowest stable setting while reducing heat and prevent overvolting