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Overclocking Q9550 to 4.2Ghz

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Dec 24, 2008
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Processor Intel Quad Q9550
Motherboard P5Q Deluxe
Cooling Noctua NH-C12P
Memory 2x2gb gskill 8500 PI
Video Card(s) Powercolor 4870X2
Storage Seagate 1TB 7200.11
Display(s) Benq FP937s
Case Coolermaster HAF932
Power Supply Toughpower 850w
Software Windows 7
Hi guys,

I currently have the processor running at 4 Ghz, but being the performance hog that I am (and jealous of the i7 speeds) wish to aim for a higher overclock. Now I take my current knowledge of overclocking with a grain of salt, as it is probably far from experienced, and probably happened on 4ghz by sheer luck. My fsb is currently running at 471mhz, although anything higher seems to hit an fsb wall (i.e i can make it post and enter windows, but massive instability). I've read about fsb holes, but not sure about what that is? (anything to do with setting the pci-e to 105? 'Cause i've already attempted that.)

Here's my current rig:
CPU: Intel Q9550
Mobo: ASUS P5Q Deluxe with 2001 bios
GFX: 4870X2 Powercolor
PSU: Toughpower? 850w
RAM: 2x2gb GSkill F2-8500CL5 PI @ 5-4-4-12 991mhz

Overclock settings for 4.2Ghz:
FSB: 495
FSB strap: auto
RAM mhz: 991mhz
CPU voltage: 1.3675v
CPU GTL (0/2): 0.675
CPU GTL (1/3): 0.680
CPU PLL: 1.54v
FSB termination: 1.4v
DRAMv: 2.1v
NBvoltage: 1.4v
NB GTL reference: 0.66
SBvoltage: 1.1v

Loadline calibration: enabled
CPU spread: disabled
PCIE spread: disabled
CPU enhancement: performance

Any tips at all? Appreciated it. Thx.
 
Last edited:

BradleyKZN

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Nice overclock, getting my q9550 today :D what cooler are you using? And welcome to TPU!
 
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Processor Intel Quad Q9550
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Memory 2x2gb gskill 8500 PI
Video Card(s) Powercolor 4870X2
Storage Seagate 1TB 7200.11
Display(s) Benq FP937s
Case Coolermaster HAF932
Power Supply Toughpower 850w
Software Windows 7
Ty :D currently using a Noctua NH-C12P. Works wonders.
 

BradleyKZN

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Yeah i believe so, have you tried raising yr cpu voltages yet? Thats wat the problem was with my e2180 so thats the best i can suggest. You can add your system specs in at the user cp near the top of the screen btw
 

Rasmus66

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Try using the settings you have posted with 1,4 vcore and maybe a bit more NB volt.

Nice 4 ghz BTW:toast:
 

BradleyKZN

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And welcome to you too Rasmus66, so was I at least half correct then with the CPU Voltage?
 

Rasmus66

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Processor Intel Quad Q9550
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Display(s) Benq FP937s
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~59 degrees

wow 1.53... that might explain why mine on 1.4v for 4.2ghz still froze :p I dont think i'm up for 1.53v tho..

Bah these gSkills arent very good overclockers though. Can't even tweak the timings at 991mhz to anything lower than 5-5-5-15 without being able to log into windows.
 

Rasmus66

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~59 degrees

wow 1.53... that might explain why mine on 1.4v for 4.2ghz still froze :p I dont think i'm up for 1.53v tho..

Bah these gSkills arent very good overclockers though. Can't even tweak the timings at 991mhz to anything lower than 5-5-5-15 without being able to log into windows.

On air?

But you have to go for 1,45 volt and maybe more..
 
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BradleyKZN

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Is that 59 idle or load?
 
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59 on load.
Apparently DarkEgo got 4.25Ghz @ 1.384v :O must know his secret! And yes.. the club >_>
 

Rasmus66

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59 on load.
Apparently DarkEgo got 4.25Ghz @ 1.384v :O must know his secret! And yes.. the club >_>

Not all processors are the same.

But i dont think what you will get much higher without better cooling
 
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Processor Intel Quad Q9550
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Storage Seagate 1TB 7200.11
Display(s) Benq FP937s
Case Coolermaster HAF932
Power Supply Toughpower 850w
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yeh thats true. I may just live with this current oc in the meantime. Its cutting into my WoW time :D

Btw, should I tweak my GTLs? And by tweak, I mean randomly set values?
 
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welcome to TPU
good overclocking my friend using low voltage and hit 4.2G
if you put some test pictures using programs like super pi and 3d mark06 it will be cool
 

moogle

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I think 4.2 will be hard to hit on the Q9550. Maybe it's the FSB or the CPU. I could boot at 4.25 but wasn't stable and I didn't want to increase the volts. The difference in performance from 4->4.25 is so small anyway it seems better to run at 4GHz imo :)
 

Yaragondo Chung

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nvm

Try using the settings you have posted with 1,4 vcore and maybe a bit more NB volt.

Nice 4 ghz BTW:toast:

Btw i'm yaragondo chung, you probably can pull CPU speed past 5.0 GHZ if you get liquid nitrogen. and i think theres way to water cool with liquid nitrogen. you possibly can pour liquid nitrogen in pipes of cooler.
 
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