D975XBX2 Overclocking - rookie getting started - needs help

[Smob100]

I am a rookie at overclocking and am having some trouble making it work. The BIOS manual from Intel on this board doesn't appear to match the BIOS I have, so is of little help. Does someone have any suggestions for a beginner like me?

[largon]

Here's the basic OC settings:

Host Clock Frequency (MHz):
Also known as FSB. Raising it will OC your CPU and RAM. Raise in small steps (5-10MHz) and test for stability with memtest86+ and orthos prime.
Before adjusting this set Host Clock Frequency Override to "Manual".

CPU Override Voltage:
CPU vCore. Raise only if bumping the FSB causes instability. Should be safe upto 110% of your CPU nominal vCore. Watch you CPU temps and make sure the chip is cooled well if you adjust this.

MCH/ICH Voltage Override:
Northbridge voltage. Raise if bumping the FSB causes instability. Safe upto 1.6V.

[CMcguire]

This is handy if you are wondering what some of the settings are refering to... personally i didn't think much of the XBX2 bios doesn't seem as straightforward as other bios settings i've seen

http://download.intel.com/support/mothe ... nu_v07.pdf

[Sparky]

This link should help you with OCing and memory speed settings.

http://www.peakin.com/xbx2/calculator.html

[Smob100]

This is handy if you are wondering what some of the settings are refering to... personally i didn't think much of the XBX2 bios doesn't seem as straightforward as other bios settings i've seen

http://download.intel.com/support/mothe ... nu_v07.pdf

This is a problem for me. This manual come no where close to the BIOS that I have. The menus are arranged completely differently and much of the terminology is different. What the heck?

[CMcguire]

It shows all possible options available on intel boards not just XBX2 (i think something along those lines) but basically it may help you understand the options you do have...

[nphield]

I have been poking around online looking at some of the published guides for overclocking.......id like to get my q6600 up to 3.0, however i can't find any guides for overclocking the D975XBX2. Any of you have stable bios settings out there that you'd be nice enough to share?


I C we have the same hardware configurations. Could you share your bios settings that u used to get your chip up to 3.0?

Thanks in advance

Nick

[Smob100]

I am really having a hard time getting past FSB=270. I have set the PCI-E refq to the lowest setting (~101). I have tried FSB=280, RF=333, MF=667, and FSB=280, RF=266, MF=533. All I get are POST errors.

Any suggestions?

[Sparky]

Have you gone in to BIOS and disabled 'watchdog'. I wasn't able to do much OCing until I disabled it either. Power down, move BIOS jumper and reboot. This will show you an additional BIOS screen where you can disable watchdog. Power down, move jumper back to normal, see if it boots ok, then reboot, go in to BIOS and try another OC.

I don't mess with the PCI-E settings in BIOS.

[kenc51]

Don't set the "reference Frequency" to 266, leave this at 333. This is the northbridge (975X chip set) "Strap". Using the 333 setting loosens internal timings and allows you to OC more, 266 is very stressfull on the chip set.
You should try adding more voltage to the chipset (might be called MCH voltage) 1.55v should be a good start, but watch the temps if you go higher, the 975X chip set has no internal temp safety diode like your CPU and too much heat can damage it.

Also disable the "watchdog" as previously mentioned.

[Smob100]

You guys hit what I needed! I would have never known how to turn off the watchdog without your help. The documentation that comes with the board never mentioned it. I've seen it mentioned in discussion groups, but could never find it.

I now have, with only one failed attempt, S=3.06 GHz, MCH=1.55V, FSB=340, RF=333, MF=667. I am just over my DDR2 speed of 667 (at 682). The failure was when I attempted a DDR2 speed of 692. My next step is to move to FSB=350, but that will take my DDR2 speed to 702. Should I lower the memory frequency to 533, or raise the memory voltage?

The fan that I have is keep the CPU at 30C, but it is having to work a little harder.

[Smob100]

On the PCI-E frequency, someone told me to keep it low so that is why I did it. Is it not necessary?

[Blacklash]

Disable EIST and kill C1E plus Watchdog in the config jumper position save and exit. You can turn C1E and EIST back on later after you get your OC stable. Once you move the jumper back to its default position enter the BIOS and beging changing the other settings. Enhanced Power Slope should be enabled.

Your FSB settings, voltages and Enhanced Power Slope are under Performance-Processor Overrides. You will want to set you host clock frequency to manual, target the value, hit enter then run it up or down with + and - on your keyboard. The memory override settings are also accessed from the Performance tab in the BIOS. You have to adjust Tras, or the last memory value like the FSB. You target it, enter, then run it up or down.

If you want safe easy and stable while tuning, set your ram to 333|667 5-5-5-15. You may tighten the timings later after you get your FSB where you want it to be.

If you want to try for max FSB try 1.375 vFSB, 1.7 MCH, and ram @ 333|667. I can run up to 3.8 on a 266 ref freq and need to shift to 333|667 for 3.9. You may back down on the voltages til your rig is unstable. Don't expect a high FSB with default vFSB and MCH. If you want 3.6GHz or higher I am guessing you will need 1.4vcore or greater to be Orthos blend stable.

My E6600 is capable of 3.95GHz for benching and it requires greater than 1.6v which the BX2 can not provide.

Old results:

3.9 GHz, Highest I've been on 1.6v. Disregard the ram speed I am 333|667 here which is 1:1. CPU-z reports it incorrectly.


3.8


3.7:


http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc?id=172866

I run 3.6GHz because I am on air cooling and it only requires 1.45v to be Orthos blend stable. 3.7 takes 1.55v and of course generates much more heat.

[Smob100]

Just to let you know that you are helping this rookie allot, I have now made it to 3.24 GHz. My setting are FSBv=1.375, MCHv=1.6, FSB=360, REF=333, MF=533, MemV=1.84, DDR2=576. My CPU temp is holding at about 31.

I am moving slowly as I want to make sure that I have long term stability with the applications that I am running (largely video compositing).

My plan is to move up at these voltage setting until I get instability, then back off the frequency multiplier to see if I am having memory or processor problems. Is that a good plan?

[northernpal]

Another newbie to the D975XBX2 and starting to OC.
I don't see (or understand) where to set the "REF" as described in the post above. I can see where to set the "FSB" under CPU section and I can see where to set the "MF" in the Memory section but I don't get all this talk about setting the Reference Frequency. Could someone please enlighten me.
Thanks

EDIT:
Ok, I am a noob and I my eyes are now working properly, I found it in Memory section.

[TomTom1]

I'm using the Fan that came with my Q6600 CPU. Am currently OC to 2.66 from the Bios.(D975XBX2)

Just wondering how high can I go with the regular Fan I got, without buying any other cooling system?

Oh, by the way, in case you like to know. This is my case with barely anything in it.

Thanks

[Kim]

Hi
Im having trouble OC my intel d975xbx2 with an E6600 2,4 Ghz and 4 Gb Kinston Hyper X 8500 5-5-5-18 2,2V
I cant set the strap to 333 and my system wont boot. If i leave the NB strap by default i can OC my board.
Is the default strap 333? and if i leave my mem at 800 and oc from there is that advisable?

So far im at 2700mhz and mem at 900
I have with my older memory kingston HX 6400 been able to oc my system to 3.4 Ghz with NB strap set to 333 why is it not posible with faster RAM.
That is the only change to my sysytem.

Help needed.

[Sparky]

Try this and see if it helps.

http://www.peakin.com/xbx2/calculator.html