QX6850 Extreme Restoration Blog

[storm-chaser]

Well, my sadness has been replaced with joy. lol my new E7500 is already overclocking better. I have a feeling the original CPU had been overheated or something because I'm already hitting over 4.1 Ghz (40% OC) without any voltage adjustments.

FSB 385 on 11x multi:

Yes! 400Mhz FSB!

FSB 415:

Here we are at 50% OC and I am happy with the results focusing more on DRAM Frequency than FSB. Going to keep this one around

 

[agent_x007]

@storm-chaser Took a while... but I think it was worth it

Also :

https://valid.x86.fr/n3ipns
Had to switch PSU (OCZ ZS switched to Corsair TX 750W v1)

 

[storm-chaser]

Well done, you've set one hell of a benchmark. Very impressive!

Do I have a response? Guess we all have to wait and see

Need me some of that DDR3 2000... Can you please post some pics of your QX6850 build?

 

[storm-chaser]

Time for a memory upgrade!

So I've found my lost 8GB kit of G.skill ripjaws!

Maybe this kit will play nicer with my QX6850....

EDIT:
Right out of the gate, we are able to hit 1600Mhz FSB no problem. This was a struggle before with my Corsair XMS3 kit. I'm happy, lets see what she can do

 

[agent_x007]

I guess new RAM is Double Sided
Good thing it likes high tRFC.

Just FYI : I used 200MHz Strap, 1,51V NB Voltage, 1,35V FSB Voltage (and some GTL tweaks)

 

[storm-chaser]

Here is my cooling system... lotta good it does me in the attic... lol

Well, I changed power supplies but I still can't hit 4.0Ghz stable. The system posts but don't get much further than that. I tried replicating your settings, Agent 007, but I'm getting no love. Not to mention ambient temps here in the 80s.

The build has changed dynamics. We are shifting gears... We are going from an overvolt / overclock situation to an undervolt / overclock scenario. I had the gunslingers over at bios-mods.com make me a custom BIOS file so I can run this QX6850 in an HP slimline HTPC. That thread is located over at overclockers.com if you guys are interesting in seeing the evolution of this build. I will be using throttlestop to mitigate extra heat and keep the TDP down to survivable levels.

So the next step is to swap the processor out from my P5Q3 motherboard and stab it in the Foxconn board, say a few prayers and hope we don't get hit by the boom as it swings around: xD

 

[agent_x007]

Just so you know how far I could pushed mine :
R15 score :

Also :

^WTF is with this stable FSB ?!
Not that I'm complaining, but... DAMN.
Shouldn't 65nm Quad Cores suck at this ?
GTL value : 0,93V (as in Volts), for multiplier value - it should be around ~x0,64 (FSB Termination : 1,45V).

Also, I now know why I have shut down issues...
The analog sensor (in CPU package), shows +20C more than it should (based on CPU Cores temps).
PC shuts down when that temp goes to 100C, and that is reached with IBT when Vcore is at 1,4V.

PS. For 4,0GHz - (I estimate), you would need over 1,55V Vcore (and that's with Load Line Calibration).

 

[Caring1]

View attachment 105297

Do you find it hard maintaining credibility when you willingly post pics of yourself wearing CROCS!!!

 

[storm-chaser]

Do you find it hard maintaining credibility when you willingly post pics of yourself wearing CROCS!!!

trust me Caring, crocs took my credibility from me a long time ago! *ROFL*

 

[agent_x007]

They say quads don't go high FSB on X38/X48... well, this is valid stable with 16GB of RAM installed :

https://valid.x86.fr/s8pyhq
^I think I simply own a NUTZ chip on FSB side.
Or maybe board is great on picking the right delays/skews to my GTL settings
Either way, this is my first quad core CPU, to ever made it past CPU-z valid at those kinds of FSB speeds.

 

[hat]

That's weird about that CPU temp sensor. Usually they report temps lower than the CPU core... which would make sense, considering the actual heat source are those cores, not the socket.

 

[agent_x007]

@hat I know !
Maybe someone went to town with this chip on LN2/DICE/Phase, and sensor got inaccurate ?
Because, it basicly does what it should 90% of the time (temps will rise/fall with Core temps), the only problem is -20C difference between digital Core sensors and analog CPU one.

 

[storm-chaser]

agent007,
I think you've got something special there. Quite a chip. I don't think my CPU is on the same level. With this mainboard (Asus P5Q3) I've been able to get decent OC results on my E8400 and E7500, respectively, however as soon as I throw my QX6850 in it wants to cramp right up on me. Not even stable at 1600FSB. 530? forget about it! I think it's happy right around here and that makes me angry! EDIT: Might be time to ditch this one and go for some of the newer 45NM Quad cores.

Just doing some testing at these low FSB clocks and it gives me better margins between each multiple. I was able to hit 4.012Ghz using the 20x multiplier.

Fresh CPUs are inbound. I'm having a lot of fun with LGA 775 and I don't wanna to stop now...
-Q9650 $40
-960T $40

 

[storm-chaser]

With the 9x multi and 445Mhz FSB that should net me 4,005Ghz with the Q9650.

As for the 960T, I'm hoping to find one that unlocks into a Thuban X6... fingers crossed...

Little more tweaking with my QX6850. Stable for what it is, I'm happy with it right here for daily use....

 

[storm-chaser]

So the Q9650 has arrived! Very happy to have another Core 2 Quad to add to the stable. CPU looks to be in mint condition and runs flawlessly. I have it set at 4.185ghz with the memory at 775Mhz. So overall, it's a stout system now. I've retired the QX6850 for the moment while I test and tune with the new Q9650.

Look at this, she's MINT!

Want to see if I can get to 4.4Ghz on air.... Initial goal was 445Mhz FSB with the 9.0 Multi and that was fairly straight forward...

Then we bumped it up a little more and so far so good. Only making changes on core voltage...

 

[agent_x007]

Good upgrade.
Q9650 @ 4,4GHz on air is doable... if board and memory configuration can take 490MHz FSB.
I based that on my X3370 Xeon tests.

 

[storm-chaser]

Good upgrade.
Q9650 @ 4,4GHz on air is doable... if board and memory configuration can take 490MHz FSB.
I based that on my X3370 Xeon tests.

Here we are at 480FSB! Getting closer!

 

[BarbaricSoul]

my Q9650 in a Gigabyte ep45 ud3p motherboard would do 4.5 stable 24/7 (that was a fun combo). I was running DDR2 800 RAM.

edit: Yeah I went WAAAAYYYYY back (7 years Only validation I could find. This had to of been just after I got the motherboard and was my first 4.5GHz OC, which would explain the high voltage) and found a CPU-Z Validation- https://valid.x86.fr/show_oc.php?id=1881838

 

[storm-chaser]

my Q9650 in a Gigabyte ep45 ud3p motherboard would do 4.5 stable 24/7 (that was a fun combo). I was running DDR2 800 RAM.

edit: Yeah I went WAAAAYYYYY back (7 years Only validation I could find. This had to of been just after I got the motherboard and was my first 4.5GHz OC, which would explain the high voltage) and found a CPU-Z Validation- https://valid.x86.fr/show_oc.php?id=1881838

Well that will be my final mission goal then... try for 4.5Ghz on the CPU and 800Mhz on the ram if possible... I'll get back at it tomorrow for now I am just out of time. Guess it was a blessing in disguise, selling my Q9550 a few months back. I quite possibly would have never purchased the QX6850 or the Q9650 for that matter. It's been a fun o/c journey to say the least...

 

[agent_x007]

@BarbaricSoul On that board 4GB of RAM isn't a challenge - 8GB is.
Also, there should be "*" near that 800MHz RAM with adnotation :
*800MHz RAM used that was stable at 1GHz effective clock speed.
Because you can't have 4,5GHz clock speed on Q9650 without 500MHz FSB (2000MHz effective) and that at 1:1 ratio with DRAM = 1000MHz (effective) clock on memory.

 

[storm-chaser]

You can't run Windows 10 on Barton.
No NX-bit support = no Win 10 (or 8[.1] for that matter).

As long as I can run Windows 7 on my Barton I'll be happy. That's really all I need and I definitely still like the look and feel of Win 7. It's current enough! Although it still amazes me how fast XP is comparatively speaking.

Well folks it looks like my board is only good to 479 Mhz. So we are stuck at 4.3Ghz across all four cores. That's okay with me. I did some tune up on my memory timings getting down to 7-8-7-15 CR2 with 400Mhz FSB strap. NB voltage at 1.35.

As it turns out, my Asus P5Q3 is just out of breath @ 479. Seems to hit a wall and then it's a hard stop.
at anything above that. So far my 4.3Ghz configuration, will be glad to keep it as is. Core temps are in the 85-115 range.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Well that will be my final mission goal then... try for 4.5Ghz on the CPU and 800Mhz on the ram if possible... I'll get back at it tomorrow for now I am just out of time. Guess it was a blessing in disguise, selling my Q9550 a few months back. I quite possibly would have never purchased the QX6850 or the Q9650 for that matter. It's been a fun o/c journey to say the least...

I wish you luck. Mine would do 4.5GHz (500*9), but it would not do anything above that.

@BarbaricSoul On that board 4GB of RAM isn't a challenge - 8GB is.
Also, there should be "*" near that 800MHz RAM with adnotation :
*800MHz RAM used that was stable at 1GHz effective clock speed.
Because you can't have 4,5GHz clock speed on Q9650 without 500MHz FSB (2000MHz effective) and that at 1:1 ratio with DRAM = 1000MHz (effective) clock on memory.

Back then, 4 gigs of RAM was plenty for gaming.

Never did I say what speed the RAM was running at, only that "I was running DDR2 800 RAM" (Crucial Ballistix). But yes, it was running at 1GHz, as shown in the validation link. I replaced my previous working board (EVGA 750i FTW) with the UD3P simply because I wanted that specific board. It was known as being arguably THE BEST OC'ing motherboard for the 45nm C2Q.

 

[storm-chaser]

Did a little cooling mod this morning. I used a Pentium III CPU cooler fan and it fit perfectly between the video card and CPU heatsink.

Now my NB is properly cooled

With the cover on the case my temps rose a good 10-15 degrees. To combat the heat I installed another 120MM exhaust fan, the small NB cooler fan and last but not least, affixed the Core 2 Quad sticker on the front of the machine to complete the build! That's all folks!

Edit:
I also had to bump the CPU core voltage up to 1.464v to get stability back...

 

[storm-chaser]

Found out through a little research that my first E7500 has earlier stepping. It has the SLB9Z stepping versus the newer SLGTE. So everyone knows to stay away from the earlier one especially if you intend on overclocking.

 

[storm-chaser]

I have another CPU inbound, this time I went for the Q9450. This was a mere $14 so I could NOT pass up the deal.

The new CPU will find a home with my HTPC. However, before doing that, I will test it in my benching rig (Asus P5Q3) and see what we get for max clock and max memory speed. Should be able to run the 8x multi at 479 FSB to reach 3.8Ghz