I'm having trouble OCing my Q6700 (quad-core @ 2.67ghz stock). I've read that people are able to get 3.0-3.2ghz OC'ed on a Q6700 with stock voltage, but I can't seem to get past 2.8ghz. If I try 2.9, my computer resets after the Vista loading screen. I've tried bumping up the voltages a little, but no luck. I've also tried different combinations of the CPU multiplier and FSB (8x, 9x, and 10x, up to 3.2ghz)... tried linking my memory... I'm out of ideas. I've heard of bum CPUs that don't overclock well, but not being able to OC by .2ghz seems a little extreme. Am I missing something?

Specs:

Q6700
780i
4gb PC6400 ram
10,000RPM Raptor HD
9800gx2
750W PC Power & Cooling PSU

Yea, you missed mentioning your mobo model and brand. It seems that all your components are top notch so that could be the only problem. My guess would also be a faulty PSU but you have 750W PCP&C which are bloody awesome and almost never break down. Maybe the mobo is the culprit, who knows. Also, try OCing with one RAM module at a time. Faulty RAM could also cause restarts. My 2 cents...

lower the memory multiplier to 1 or the lowest you can use.then up the vcore to about 1.42V. you mobo is crap at OC.there is the advice i can give you.

That motherboard is difficult to OC with, so its probably the motherboard. There's numerous threads about OCing issues with the 780i, so perhaps set your multiplier to 6 and try from there.

you mean numerous threadSSSS about Nvidia mobo OC+Intel CPU.

Stock voltage... thats an interesting thing. Happen to know what your "stock" voltage is, by any chance? It would be very handy if you would mention to us its value!

Then I may take a crack at it!


--Lupi

Then again, it's prolly on Auto...

I would set it back to stock speed with auto voltage on the cpu and run Orthos cpu grommacs core test to see if its stable after nine hours at stock speed, set your ram to the lowest divider in bios to ensure your rams not being stressed, This will give you an idea if its a hardware fault if any errors are found at stock speed on orthos, Its rare to get a bum CPU but ive got a feeling its a ram issue rather than cpu, In bios you should be able to set the ram freq at 533Mhz, Ive dealt with countless customers that have tried ocing and not set a ram divider of 1:1 which solved a lot of their problems.

cheers

The Front Side Buss on most Mobos is also tied to Memory speed as well as your Processor. So UNDERclock your RAM while you are getting your processor to it's target speed. Why? Cos when you raise the front side it takes the RAM along for the ride as well as the processor. You may be able to get another 20~30% on air from that proc. But 30% on RAM??? No Way. (It'd be higher binned and sold at that speed for more money if it were) If you don't allow for that, you will hit a brick wall very quickly. Also - I see you have 4GB of 1066. Be advised that your board may not be able to run that much RAM that fast - It is very stressful. Instead, I'd recommend going for 800 Mhz and tighter timings. I know my DFI doesn't like running 4GB at 1066.... But it does 8GB at 800 Mhz in it's sleep.

EITHER WAY - I strongly recommend eliminating potential memory issues from the equation. Set your RAM so that it's definitely not the problem - Hell, remove 2 sticks if you want. Lower the speed, whatever. Then tackle your processor. Once everything is 8hour+ Prime stable, then go back in and set up your memory divider to run at the RAM's rated speeds.

That, and nVidia chipsets may be "Good Enough" You can use SLI, but that's a function of the Southbridge...

Scotteq has a point, my Asus mobo is not happy with its slots full, Try 2GB at the lower divider i said earlier.

cheers

at stock it wont have a problem if you can install windows and all its driver. if memory have problem like mogwilson it wouldnt boot up or even install or boot up windows.so dont waste your time and stress it on stock. just OC and stress.