OC'ing the Q6600 on the Intel D975XBX2 board

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by ShawnP

First I want to say thanks to Muffin for giving the details that got me started.

I have built a video render station around this board because it was what I can afford right now.

Here are the specs of what I am working with right now with:

Q6600 on Air in the Intel D975XBX2 board
I boot up with the Intel Matrix raid running 4 500 Gb drives in Raid 0 into Win7 RC 64bit.

I have done the 1st wave of tweaking that Muffin outlined. I am rendering out a segment to test out the settings.
I am using the newest Bios as well.

Hey Shawn, Welcome to the AOA forums!
We got a good bunch of people here & they also can help you as they've helped me.
I'm glad you found some of my posts to be useful to you for setting up the Badaxe2 & OCing.

It's funny, I've been OCing my system for a couple of years straight now & every single time I think it's on it's way out & ready to die it seems to come back to life again! LOL
So this is a pretty tough board as far as longevity & OCing.
It doesn't get blazing speeds nor does it support 45nm CPU's but for what it is & what it does it's a pretty good board.

One thing to watch for when OCing this board is Stability & Voltages.
You can OC this really high but it won't be stable over the long run.
I can bootup on default voltages pretty high, but its not stable at all & will cause system's file corruptions.
The two settings I've found that seem to be the most important for me & my setup has been vcore & memory voltage
although FSB & MCH/ICH voltages do play a part in this as well. It's a balancing act as you've probably figured out by now.

To update my earlier posts I'm currently using these drivers with Windows 7 OK.
Everything so far is very stable @ 3.40GHz so I'm happy with it.

Bios: v2838
Chipset Drivers: v9.1.0.1012
Intel Matrix Storage Manager: v8.8.0.1009 (AHIC / NQC enabled)
Intel(R) PRO 1000 Network Drivers: (Windows 7 assigned as they work better)
IDT HD Audio drivers: v20001.0

Yea, you have to have a certain number of posts before you are able to start uploading pics & what such to this forum...a preventative measure put in place for bot drivebys.

Anyways, keep posting Shawn & you'll get the rights to start attaching pics & screenshots to your posts.
Personally I'd like to see your system as not too many OCers use this board anymore as its outdated technology wise.

[ShawnP]

Thanks again for your articulate information.

You are right about the voltages. I just finished doing another install of Win7. I returned all the voltages back and won't touch them again until I make an image of my boot drive.

[ShawnP]

In the process I lost my 2nd partition. It still shows up, so I will probably try Hard Drive Mechanic or Active Partition Recovery. I have a backup of all the files but I want to see if I can get them back just to know what program works better.

[ShawnP]

Any opinion on the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800?

As I understand it this the top cpu that this board will take.

Anyone try Xeon cpus? I don't know if you can, but if they make engineering samples of any of the ones that work you could still OC them.

[ShawnP]

Just to add more detail about my systemd that I haven't put down yet:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 7200RPM 32MB Cache

and to keep the CPU cool I use:
Kingwin RVT-12025D Direct Touch 4 Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 LGA775
(it is the shiznit)

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by ShawnP

Any opinion on the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800?

As I understand it this the top cpu that this board will take.

Anyone try Xeon cpus? I don't know if you can, but if they make engineering samples of any of the ones that work you could still OC them.

Are you saying that the Core 2 Extreme QX6800 is the CPU you have on your board?
If so then yes, you can lower the multi so you can raise the FSB higher which is what you want to do for the most throughput.
Such as 9x400 (1600FSB)=3.60GHz or 8x450 (1800FSB)=3.60GHz
I don't think ALL Badaxe 2 boards are capable of a stable 450 FSB 24/7 though & they are few & far between.
More than likely you'll be hitting max FSB at around 400 or a little over that.


With my CPU I'm stuck with a multi of 10 on this board, though other boards allow for the multi to be freely changed even though it's not an Extreme addition CPU.


Personally I've never OCed a Xeon CPU & I haven't seen any posts here on that since I've been here.
These CPU's as you know are mainly used for Servers because of their stability.

One other thing I thought I might mention...
If you decide to install the Intel Desktop Control Center only use it for Temp, Fan & monitoring to make sure your settings that you put in the bios "Stick".
NEVER use the program to input bios settings as it will really screw stuff up to where you will have to re-flash the bios!
I know this because I tried it out! LOL I was curious...

Anyways, as I said it's good to bring this up after inputting your bios settings to make sure they are
at what you set them to. (screenshot below / settings for 3.41GHz)

[ShawnP]

No, I have the Q6600, I wish I had the other one. Considering the cost of the other cpu I might just take that money and invest in an i7 machine. It is tempting. I know that I have to go with a raid card because if the raid ever goes down on this board I don't know where I would find another one to get my info back.

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by ShawnP

No, I have the Q6600, I wish I had the other one. Considering the cost of the other cpu I might just take that money and invest in an i7 machine. It is tempting. I know that I have to go with a raid card because if the raid ever goes down on this board I don't know where I would find another one to get my info back.

Yea, the new Core i7 920 processor @ 3.8GHz has no less than 3 times the performance of my current OCed E6700!!!

That's a BIG jump...

I'm too going to upgrade to the x58 chipset system with the Core i7 CPU.
By then in the next few years the price will be in the very good range ($130 for a 920) & there will be tons of choices on HW cfgs for the system build.

[Carlos_will]

Hey guys,

I'm obviously new to the forum. I've read over this thread, and I must say its THE most in-depth and helpful thread I've come across regaurding overclocking a q6600 with a D975XBX2 mobo!

Anyways my rig at the moment is as follows:

CPU: Q6600
Mobo: D975XBX2
GPU: XFX 8800GTX XT 768MB
Memory: (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2 DDR2 CAS 5-5-5-18, DHX
Hard drive: MAXTOR STM3500320AS 7200rpm - 500GB
BIOS: 2838 (latest i think)
Operating system: Windows Vista 64bit Ultimate edition

I do want to keep my CPU and overclock it to about 3.6GHz (When I purchase a Titan Fenrir TTC-NK85TZ) I'm just wondering whether or not the motherboard is good enough to withstand that clock frequency, and whether its good enough if I placed either a 4890, or a gtx 285 in there...

What do you guys think? Thanks a lot

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by Carlos_will

Hey guys,

I'm obviously new to the forum. I've read over this thread, and I must say its THE most in-depth and helpful thread I've come across regaurding overclocking a q6600 with a D975XBX2 mobo!

Anyways my rig at the moment is as follows:

CPU: Q6600
Mobo: D975XBX2
GPU: XFX 8800GTX XT 768MB
Memory: (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2 DDR2 CAS 5-5-5-18, DHX
Hard drive: MAXTOR STM3500320AS 7200rpm - 500GB
BIOS: 2838 (latest i think)
Operating system: Windows Vista 64bit Ultimate edition

I do want to keep my CPU and overclock it to about 3.6GHz (When I purchase a Titan Fenrir TTC-NK85TZ) I'm just wondering whether or not the motherboard is good enough to withstand that clock frequency, and whether its good enough if I placed either a 4890, or a gtx 285 in there...

What do you guys think? Thanks a lot

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner as I haven't checked this thread in a few days...

But I'm here now & see your post!

OK, since you DID take the time (Thank GOD) to read the prior posting you got a good idea of what this is going to take to do & what can be done with this setup.

What you can do with your paticular setup with depend on the HW components & your MOBO's Quality as to "How Long" will it last & at what voltages & frequencies.
No one knows the answer to this as only TIME will tell.

If there's problems with the board you'll find out quick enough once you start applying the juice to it & start cranking up the frequencies...

You'll just have to see & "Just Do it!"

I can tell you this much...
I've now been OCing my system for over 2 years now & it's still running strong at 3.4GHz 24/7.

Everytime I think it's about to die, I reset everything in the bios back to default, reflash & it's back to up & running stable again...LOL
I now think this board just won't die...just makes you think it's going too sometimes...

I'd go to 400 FSB & stay there & see how it goes from week to week. It may die quick or last for years like that but this is up to you & what voltages you "Feel" comfortable with.
At first I wasn't comfortable with 1.4v on the vcore & now I don't even think about it as it's been at that vcore for over a year straight now & higher.

So for 400 FSB "I" would go with this combo for 3.60GHz...
9x400 (1600FSB)=3.60GHz

Not exactly sure what your voltage will have to be for this though as I haven't been that high before.
You'll just have to see.

Again Carlos, Welcome to the AOA forums & enjoy your stay!

Oh one more thing that's important!
Make sure you take the time to update to the latests Chipset drivers v9.1.1.1014 as they
just released new ones! (6/16/2009)
I've got them installed now & my system seems even faster &
more responsive than it was before & they are very stable!
Yes, you have the latest Bios installed 2838.

Intel D975XBX2 Badaxe 2 Motherboard Drivers & Software

[Carlos_will]

Hey, sorry for replying a bit late, have been busy lately, I finally got hold of a titan fenrir NK85TZ! its a really good cooler. However...I have mounted it so the fan faces my GPU, not the memory, I've seen pics and people seem to have their heatsink and fan facing the memory... Why is this?

(I'd try and use links but im not allowed, so i dunno how to attatch images.. meh)

Hmm..I don't know if that would improve air flow/temperatures? Could someone please give advise on this .

MUff1N, thats pretty cool! 3.4 over 2 years, result! lol.

Yeah I do think 1.4 is probably the highest I'd go, maybe 1.45...I dont know yet. Anyways, its in there, but everything else is at stock at the moment. I'll start off with will take your advise and try 9x400 with an FSB of 1600. Lets see how this goes. Wish me luck.

[Carlos_will]

Right guys, I installed bios 2809 like you said Muffin. I did try and reach 3.4 GHz straight away, but like Dieterr, I started off at 3.0 GHz, with my FSB as 334. But my ram is running at 668MHz...and it is 800MHz ram, what shall i do?

I also have 4x 1gb modules, which could cause a problem in terms of how high my CPU is able to OC. My current core voltage is 1.313 according to CPU-Z.

(I still don't know how to upload images lol)

Also, in BIOS it states that my default settings for my ram are timings og 5-5-5-18, and for it to be run at 1.8 volts? On the ram modules themselves, it shows that the timings are 4-4-4-12, and should be run at 2.1 volts...Strange ? (Yeah earlier I said I had C5 corsair ram, but i do infact have C4 ram. Timings are supposed to be 4-4-4-12.

I don't know what reference frequency is as well? Muffin, you said that there are 333 and 266 FSB options, and 266 giving you tighter timings on the NB, what does this mean or suggest?

Thanks.

P.S - once again, sorry for the late reply to the forum.

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by Carlos_will

Right guys, I installed bios 2809 like you said Muffin. I did try and reach 3.4 GHz straight away, but like Dieterr, I started off at 3.0 GHz, with my FSB as 334. But my ram is running at 668MHz...and it is 800MHz ram, what shall i do?

I also have 4x 1gb modules, which could cause a problem in terms of how high my CPU is able to OC. My current core voltage is 1.313 according to CPU-Z.

(I still don't know how to upload images lol)

Also, in BIOS it states that my default settings for my ram are timings og 5-5-5-18, and for it to be run at 1.8 volts? On the ram modules themselves, it shows that the timings are 4-4-4-12, and should be run at 2.1 volts...Strange ? (Yeah earlier I said I had C5 corsair ram, but i do infact have C4 ram. Timings are supposed to be 4-4-4-12.

I don't know what reference frequency is as well? Muffin, you said that there are 333 and 266 FSB options, and 266 giving you tighter timings on the NB, what does this mean or suggest?

Thanks.

P.S - once again, sorry for the late reply to the forum.

I was wondering if you were ever going to come back to read my response or not. Some come here post & never come back again.

I just thought I'd tell you for the last year I've been running bios v2838 which is the newest one available for this board & it's solid & stable for OCing like 2809 was so if you want you can flash it to that version.

The "Default" memory timings are the generic timings set by the bios so that memory will work if you just stick in in there
& never do anything else. It does the same with my memory as well which is CL4.

To post an image look below your reply box & you will see a tab called "Manage attachments".
Select the image you want to have with your post & click upload, that's all there is to that...

Reference frequency is the FSB strap.
266 reference frequency being 1066 FSB which has tighter timings with CL4 & reference frequency 333 is 1333 FSB with CL5 which is not as fast which is the reason I use 266 OK.

Your memory speed will go up with your FSB speeds.
So the faster your CPU/FSB is running the faster your memory will run as well.

Here's a chart that's interactive. Put in the Multiplier, then your FSB & it will show your memory, FSB & CPU speeds. (Screenshot below) My setting in the chart are highlighted.

Here's the link to this chart as will as the rest of the site.
It's a good read with a lot on info specifically for the Badaxe 2 mobo.

Main Site: GTJ's Intel 975XBX2 Bad Axe 2 Guide

Badaxe 2 Calculator chart: http://www.peakin.com/xbx2/calculator.html

The Titan Fenrir NK85TZ looks like some serious air cooling!
Direct touch with 4 heatpipes! I posted the pics below of it for you.
This should be good for 3.4GHz easily & keep it within operating temps under full load.

[Carlos_will]

Just before I begin, I would have replied quicker if my stupid hotmail didnt filter the e-mail notifications as junk lol.

But yeah, once again I'm sorry for replying late lol. I managed to rotate my fenrir so that the fan faces my memory modules, s'all good. I did follow your advise and I installed the 2809, even though I did have the latest BIOS installed previously.

@ default timings business: Ahhh I see now, thanks for clearing that up.

And cool, so CL4 is clearly better then! Even though in the UK, its priced dearer..lol.

I checked out that chart, and I am also using 4:5 divider.

The Titan Fenrir NK85TZ looks like some serious air cooling!
Direct touch with 4 heatpipes! I posted the pics below of it for you.
This should be good for 3.4GHz easily & keep it within operating temps under full load.

Yeah it is pretty beefy, it interfered with one of the badaxe 2's heatsinks, the blue wave looking ones, I had to saw off little the little corners of the bracket for it to fit haha. Extreme DIY overclocking ftw.

I am having problems with even reaching 3.4GHz, 3GHz does seem stable . I did reach 3.2 today actually, but I was playing Prototype, and it crashed within 5 minutes, I assumed that was because of instability, but it might actually be drivers, or the game itself etc.

According to CPU-Z, these are the details:

CPU:

• Bus speed: 334.1
• Rated FSB: 1356.5
• Core voltage: 1.324v (BIOS: 1.3625v)
• FSB: 1.300v
• MCH/ICH: 1.550v

Memory:

• DRAM: 417.6 MHz
• 4:5 divider
• Timings: 4-4-4-12 @ 2.16v
• Reference frequency: default

So yeah...I don't know where to go from here, I've tried 3.4 and it just doesn't want to know..
I noticed you said earlier in the thread, that having 4 sticks on the mobo can overcrowd it, and this can mess the memory controller up right? =\ I should have bought 2x2gb sticks...but I didn't know in the past when I set the rig up.

And as for attatching images, there is no manage attatchments...

All I can find at the bottom is:

"You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off"

Thanks,

Carlos.

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by MUff1N

Yea, the new Core i7 920 processor @ 3.8GHz has no less than 3 times the performance of my current OCed E6700!!!

That's a BIG jump...

I'm too going to upgrade to the x58 chipset system with the Core i7 CPU.
By then in the next few years the price will be in the very good range ($130 for a 920) & there will be tons of choices on HW cfgs for the system build.

Well since my last post and after reading what Muff1n wrote I decided to take the money that I would've invested in another processor for the intel board and put it towards an i7 setup.

I have to say that the BDX2 board has served me well.

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by Carlos_will

Just before I begin, I would have replied quicker if my stupid hotmail didnt filter the e-mail notifications as junk lol.

But yeah, once again I'm sorry for replying late lol. I managed to rotate my fenrir so that the fan faces my memory modules, s'all good. I did follow your advise and I installed the 2809, even though I did have the latest BIOS installed previously.

@ default timings business: Ahhh I see now, thanks for clearing that up.

And cool, so CL4 is clearly better then! Even though in the UK, its priced dearer..lol.

I checked out that chart, and I am also using 4:5 divider.

The Titan Fenrir NK85TZ looks like some serious air cooling!
Direct touch with 4 heatpipes! I posted the pics below of it for you.
This should be good for 3.4GHz easily & keep it within operating temps under full load.

Yeah it is pretty beefy, it interfered with one of the badaxe 2's heatsinks, the blue wave looking ones, I had to saw off little the little corners of the bracket for it to fit haha. Extreme DIY overclocking ftw.

I am having problems with even reaching 3.4GHz, 3GHz does seem stable . I did reach 3.2 today actually, but I was playing Prototype, and it crashed within 5 minutes, I assumed that was because of instability, but it might actually be drivers, or the game itself etc.

According to CPU-Z, these are the details:

CPU:

• Bus speed: 334.1
• Rated FSB: 1356.5
• Core voltage: 1.324v (BIOS: 1.3625v)
• FSB: 1.300v
• MCH/ICH: 1.550v

Memory:

• DRAM: 417.6 MHz
• 4:5 divider
• Timings: 4-4-4-12 @ 2.16v
• Reference frequency: default

So yeah...I don't know where to go from here, I've tried 3.4 and it just doesn't want to know..
I noticed you said earlier in the thread, that having 4 sticks on the mobo can overcrowd it, and this can mess the memory controller up right? =\ I should have bought 2x2gb sticks...but I didn't know in the past when I set the rig up.

And as for attatching images, there is no manage attatchments...

All I can find at the bottom is:

"You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off"

Thanks,

Carlos.

Yea, you have to have more posts under your belt here before you can get more privilages such as attaching pics. So that comes with time.

What I need from you is your exact settings you are putting into the bios!
But from what I can see right now is that your FSB & MCH/ICH voltages need to be bumped up to the settings below for it to be stable at 3.4GHz OK.

This is how I want you to post your bios setting to me OK. Just copy what I have below I replace it with your settings. But for now, you should set all your settings exactly the same as shown below for 3.4GHz.
You might have to go a notch or 2 higher on the vcore because you're using a quad instead of a duo, but just try these settings for now & go from there.


Here's my current bios settings for 3.41GHz.

3.41GHz Overclock
Host Clock Frequency set to 341
CPU vcore set to 1.4000v with Enhanced Powerslope Enabled
Front Side Bus Voltage Override: 1.350v
MCH/ICH Voltage Override: 1.575v
Memory set to 4-4-4-12 CL @ 2.16v / Memory frequency: 667 / Reference Frequency 266 (FSB/DRAM 4:5) @ 856Mhz

[Clocker666]

Hi,

I also have a D975XBX2 board and have issue getting my QX6700 over 3.4ghz. I`m not in front of it right now but would it be cool to submit my settings and see if someone can help me?

Cheers,

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by Clocker666

Hi,

I also have a D975XBX2 board and have issue getting my QX6700 over 3.4ghz. I`m not in front of it right now but would it be cool to submit my settings and see if someone can help me?

Cheers,

Why of course Clocker! That's what this forum is all about!
I'll help you as much as I can, but won't promise anything...
I can get as high as 3.6 but I don't like to keep it there because I have to use a vcore or 1.5v!
I don't feel comfortable with that high a vcore on my system & that's why I keep it at 3.41GHz which uses a vcore of 1.4v.

Also, after 3.4GHz I can't keep my tight 4-4-4-12 RAM timings anymore & I have to use 5-5-5-15 RAM timings to go higher
& still stay stable. Otherwise I get a lot of memory errors.

[Daniel ~]

You do good work Muff1n and I'm NOT the only one who sees that! ":O}

[ShawnP]

I am just setting my board up getting ready to sell it and I thought I would run OCCT on it. I had to drop all my voltages to the lowest and bring it down to 3.0 Ghz so that it wouldn't overheat.