Q9450 Overclocking Thread

i dont think the waterblock is the question, i think its the pump and radiator, i doubt the pump can push enough water fast enough to make that little rad very efficient
 
Hm, alright, well I plan on getting a new block anyways, perhaps someone can show me the parts to get? I should also brush up on upgrading a WC system.


As for now, how far do you think I can get stable on it?



Thanks.
 
Just noticed this thread, With quads the northbridge has to take alot more stress than with a dual core, so fsb above 500 is pushing it(my 790i will boot fine at 499fsb, as soon as i hit 500fsb it wont even post, odd..). If your lucky you will get just shy of 4Ghz, i have a Xigmatek S1283 air cooler and am running 3.95Ghz with 52/52/62/62 load (prime95 small fft) and 31/31/41/41 idle(using tj max of 100 in realtemp). I see you have an nvidia mobo, which you will probably run into the same problem i did @ 500fsb.
 
Alright, before I do any major overclocking, I plan on creating a kit of individual watercooling parts. I'll post some pictures of my case, showing you what I have to work with, so.

My main question right now is, what should my BIOS settings be? Like what about the Un/Link setting and stuff?




Thanks.
 
CPU Waterblock - Swiftech Apogee GTZ
Pump - Swiftech MCP655-B
Radiator - Danger Den Black Ice GT 120mm Dual
Reservoir - Swiftech MCRES Micro Rev. 2
Tubing - 1/2" ID 3/4" OD
Connectors - G1/4" 1/2"ID barb fittings
 
[-0MEGA-];1145903 said:
CPU Waterblock - Swiftech Apogee GTZ
Pump - Swiftech MCP655-B
Radiator - Danger Den Black Ice GT 120mm Dual
Reservoir - Swiftech MCRES Micro Rev. 2
Tubing - 1/2" ID 3/4" OD
Connectors - G1/4" 1/2"ID barb fittings

Alright, is there a site that sells everything you mentioned?


I'll read up on my WC removing/upgrading and buy everything in a week or so.


And besides color, what coolant do you recommend, and how do I determine the length of tubing I should get.


Or to make it easier, is there an air cooler that will do as well? I don't mind buying all the parts, it's just I felt more free and careless in a sense, when going to LANs and stuff.


Thanks.
 
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I use www.jab-tech.com for the larger items like the waterblock, pump, etc. (they are usually cheaper). I use www.frozencpu.com for all the barb fittings, reservoir, radiator, tubing, clamps, etc.

I use plain distilled water, but I added two UV dye bombs to give it some color. As for the length of tubing, I got 9' but I have about 3-3.5' left over. I always order more just in case I cut a piece of tubing only to realize that it isn't long enough for some reason.

A properly installed water cooling system is 100% watertight, so you could have your computer upside down the whole way to the LAN center and it will be fine, as long as your reservoir is filled up most of the way.
 
OK, OK, so there really is no coolant that won't damage the components if contact is made? And is there an advantage to using distilled water + UV coloring?

And I guess if the pumps run leak free for over 24 hours, then they're fine..

And should I eliminate air cooling? I mean besides the 4GHz overclock, I don't really see a need to OC it that high, I'd be fine with a 3.6 OC on air.


Thanks.
 
Technically distilled water won't damage electronics, so you could submerge your computer in distilled water and nothing will happen. HOWEVER that's because there are no minerals in the water, but there are minerals on the components themselves so even if you used coolant that claimed to be non-conductive, chances are the components in your case will contain dust that would make it conductive. The reason I use distilled water and UV coloring over coolant is because it's cheaper, and water cools better then most coolants.

I've ran my computer for about 48 hours straight with no issues.

Honestly, water cooling doesn't gain you a whole lot in the overclocking area. Sure you may be able to get an extra 400MHz+, but the main reason why I did it was for looks, bit better performance, and bragging rights. :)
 
CPU Core: 1.25000V
CPU FSB: 1.10V
Memory: 1.900V
nForce SPP: 1.30V
NF200 Voltage Level: 1.20V

I believe I need to change other settings, like un/link or something?

I don't know what the vCore is like on your CPU, I think it's a lot lower than the Q6600. You'd have to look around for that, or just experiment yourself.

If it's any help, here's my settings for 3.4Ghz;

CPU Core: 1.45625v
CPU FSB: 1.40v
Memory: 2.2v
nForce SPP: 1.50v
NF200 Voltage Level: Auto

FSB - Memory Clock Mode: Linked
FSB - Memory Ratio: Sync Mode
FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1700
CPU Clock Ratio: X8

I don't know if it's any help. Most of it will be down to just experimenting and messing with the settings yourself. I often go here for help though.

I think that 4Ghz may be pushing it a little, but you never know.
 
Alright, thanks Danny, I'm sure our settings our similar, and I now realize that 4GHz may be a bit much, so maybe I'll stay around 3.7?

And if I do to much of something, or not enough, is the CPU at risk at all?
Because I do plan on experimenting.




Thanks.
 
Alright, thanks Danny, I'm sure our settings our similar, and I now realize that 4GHz may be a bit much, so maybe I'll stay around 3.7?

And if I do to much of something, or not enough, is the CPU at risk at all?
Because I do plan on experimenting.




Thanks.

Yeah, too much of something can cause problems. Like too much vCore, well too much voltage on anything, really! I'd look at the thread I posted a link to and see if anybody else has your CPU, or ask them what they think. I have no idea how much is a safe voltage for you, so...

Also, when you get over 3.4Ghz maybe, you may need to start altering the GTRF lanes, or what ever they're called.
 
Yeah, too much of something can cause problems. Like too much vCore, well too much voltage on anything, really! I'd look at the thread I posted a link to and see if anybody else has your CPU, or ask them what they think. I have no idea how much is a safe voltage for you, so...

Also, when you get over 3.4Ghz maybe, you may need to start altering the GTRF lanes, or what ever they're called.

Ah, OK, I'll do some more research and see if I should stay at/around 3GHz until I know more about the settings and stuff.



Thanks.
 
I have a q9450 on a 790i, if i get a chance in the next half hour or so i will grab a notebook and put down my settings. I am actually running at 3900mhz atm because 3950 didnt prove to be totally stable(well, its winter now so the ac isnt on and ambient is around 20F warmer than in the summer, thats prolly why.)

Ok, here are my settings, this is for a Q9450 with a VID of 1.1625 according to coretemp and on a 790i mobo, so your settings may vary(the spp and mcp voltages are the highest green voltages, so if you try these settings just do the highest green because im not sure if 750 and 790i have same spp/mcp voltages) Also memory voltage and speed will depend on what memory you have.(I have ocz gold 1333mhz ddr3).

-SYSTEM CLOCKS-
Cpu multiplier [8x]
PCIe x16_1 & x16_2 Mhz [100]
PCIe x16_3 Mhz [100]
SPP->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz [200.0]
nForce Spp --> nForce MCP [5x]
nForce Spp <-- nForce MCP [5x]
Cpu Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
HT Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
PCIe Spread Spectrum(SPP) [Disabled]
PCIe Spread Spectrum(MCP) [Disabled]

-FSB & MEMORY CONFIG-
FSB Memory Clock Mode [Unlinked]
FSB (QDR) [1950]
Mem (DDR) [1333]
P1 [Auto]
P2 [Auto]

-CPU CONFIGURATION-
Limit CPUID MaxVal [Disabled]
Intel Speedstep [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Control [Disabled]
C1E Enhanced Halt State [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology [Enabled]
Cpu Core 0 [Enabled]
Cpu Core 1 [Enabled]
Cpu Core 2 [Enabled]
Cpu Core 3 [Enabled]

-SYSTEM VOLTAGE-
Cpu Core [1.38750V]
Cpu FSB [1.35V]
Memory [1.900V]
nForce SPP [1.45V]
nForce MCP [1.650V]

GTLVREF LANE 0 [-80mv]
GTLVREF LANE 1 [-100mv]
GTLVREF LANE 2 [+00mv]
GTLVREF LANE 3 [+00mv]
 
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For me, the chip ran @ 3.4 GHz with the VCore at 1.3. I didn't need to make any adjustments to any other voltages. To get 3.6, I had to increase the VCore to 1.35 and slightly bumped the NB and FSB voltages. I could boot into Windows at 3.7, but couldn't run any benches or programs.

I've always been shitty at overclocking, so you don't necessarily want to take my advice in that area. I'm just relaying my settings to you. :D
 
I have a q9450 on a 790i, if i get a chance in the next half hour or so i will grab a notebook and put down my settings. I am actually running at 3900mhz atm because 3950 didnt prove to be totally stable(well, its winter now so the ac isnt on and ambient is around 20F warmer than in the summer, thats prolly why.)

Ok, here are my settings, this is for a Q9450 with a VID of 1.1625 according to coretemp and on a 790i mobo, so your settings may vary(the spp and mcp voltages are the highest green voltages, so if you try these settings just do the highest green because im not sure if 750 and 790i have same spp/mcp voltages) Also memory voltage and speed will depend on what memory you have.(I have ocz gold 1333mhz ddr3).

-SYSTEM CLOCKS-
Cpu multiplier [8x]
PCIe x16_1 & x16_2 Mhz [100]
PCIe x16_3 Mhz [100]
SPP->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz [200.0]
nForce Spp --> nForce MCP [5x]
nForce Spp <-- nForce MCP [5x]
Cpu Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
HT Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
PCIe Spread Spectrum(SPP) [Disabled]
PCIe Spread Spectrum(MCP) [Disabled]

-FSB & MEMORY CONFIG-
FSB Memory Clock Mode [Unlinked]
FSB (QDR) [1950]
Mem (DDR) [1333]
P1 [Auto]
P2 [Auto]

-CPU CONFIGURATION-
Limit CPUID MaxVal [Disabled]
Intel Speedstep [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Control [Disabled]
C1E Enhanced Halt State [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology [Enabled]
Cpu Core 0 [Enabled]
Cpu Core 1 [Enabled]
Cpu Core 2 [Enabled]
Cpu Core 3 [Enabled]

-SYSTEM VOLTAGE-
Cpu Core [1.38750V]
Cpu FSB [1.35V]
Memory [1.900V]
nForce SPP [1.45V]
nForce MCP [1.650V]

GTLVREF LANE 0 [-80mv]
GTLVREF LANE 1 [-100mv]
GTLVREF LANE 2 [+00mv]
GTLVREF LANE 3 [+00mv]


Alright, last night, I tried using your settings, and ended up running into a missing BOOTMGR message, lol. I'm still a little new/confused to this, I couldn't find the place where I change the actual GHZ.. I was pretty tired and not thinking straight, so maybe I passed, but could someone tell me what I should change from the list I quoted above?


I want to go to at least 3.4.

Thanks.
 
Alright, last night, I tried using your settings, and ended up running into a missing BOOTMGR message, lol. I'm still a little new/confused to this, I couldn't find the place where I change the actual GHZ.. I was pretty tired and not thinking straight, so maybe I passed, but could someone tell me what I should change from the list I quoted above?


I want to go to at least 3.4.

Thanks.

Bump.
 
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