C2D specs. (CPU highest default multi, stock speed, cache, highest factory Vid, default FSB)
E4300 9X 1.800MHz 2MB 1.325V 200MHz
E4400 10x 2.000MHz 2MB 1.325V 200MHz
E6300 7X 1.866MHz 2MB 1.325V 266MHz
E6320 7x 1.866 MHz 4MB 1.325V 266MHz
E6400 8X 2.133MHz 2MB 1.325V 266MHz
E6420 8x 2.133MHz 4MB 1.325V 266MHz
E6600 9X 2.400MHz 4MB 1.3525V 266MHz
E6700 10X 2.667MHz 4MB 1.3525V 266MHz
X6800 11x 2.933MHz 4MB 1.3525V 266MHz
Q6600 9x 2.400MHz 4MB 1.372V 266MHz
QX6700 10X 2.667MHz 4MB 1.372V 266MHz
MCH default voltage is 1.25V
VCC 1.25 V Core Supply Voltage with respect to VSS - 1.375 V max (.15 deta default to max.)
What is the performance difference between 2MB and 4MB of cache?
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...o-e6420_3.html
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=2795&p=4
On first boot everything powered up, it POSTed, but my CPU fan was not turning!
With all the thermal stuff enabled and the cpu fan on auto, the C2Ds at stock settings on a cold boot run so cool (and the HS is cold too) that it takes a few seconds to warm up enough (15-30 seconds) to signal that the fan needs to turn. Give it 30 sec and if it does not start by then you may need to look at your build. The bios guide has settings to force the fan to 100% from the word go. The CPU has internal temp trip that will prevent you from killing it no matter how hard you try.
Sometimes when I make changes in the BIOS the machine powers off , is this normal ?
Yes, it depends on what you changed but sometimes the board determines a need to power off and reboot, with other changes it just reboots. With a radical change it might even go through several cycles of powering down and rebooting, this usually means it is having trouble with your new settings. After the 3rd try it should reset basic items to defaults and reboot in basically a non-overclocked configuration. Occasionally it gets "stuck" in the power off, reboot cycle and all you can do is switch the power off and reset the CMOS.
Does upping the PCI-express clock really make a difference?
Absolutely maybe, but I am not sure. Here is my take on it from the reply to GPUCommando. I welcome comments. This was mainly a fix for earlier DS3's with bad stability issues. I believe it is probably fixed in the bios by now. But several posts over at XS (they have a HUGE DS3 and some DQ6 thread BTW if you got a week to read it) indicated anecdotally it helped quite a few people back when things were in really bad shape BIOS wise. So I have taken the same conservative approach as I have in the entire guide. Basic reasoning is, eliminate any concern the PCI lock might not be working by putting in something other than [auto] and give a a few MHz that any decent video card can handle just in case it helps with stability. Pretty poor answer I am afraid. I have never had an issue on my DQ6 and all I can say for sure is that on my board the only thing it does is freak out my ATI at about 112, no help on CPU overclock.
What software should I use for monitoring my temperatures ?
The temp readings in the bios should immediately be looked at the second your machine boots up for the first time. After that first use to make sure you didnt put the heatsink on upside down, its worthless. Once you have windows up and running there are several to pick from, I did a comparison for accuracy. Here is what I found on my DQ6:
http://mysite.verizon.net/ressdxka/id5.html
There are reports that EasyTune5 may be more accurate on DS-3s compared to what I found on my version 1.0 DQ6, I welcome input but need to know exactly what you compared (program version numbers) and your exact board model and version and bios. I recommend TAT for stress and temp readings while testing, Coretemp for constant monitoring because of the temp readings in the tray. Both read the internal CPU diode and are accurate. EasyTune reads something else and constantly reads lower temps. Be aware that TAT does not correctly support Quad core CPUs and perhaps some newer C2Ds, the issue is that the TCC (temp at which the core shutsdown to protect itself) has been raised on some cpus from the 85C that was standard to 100C.
My temps are very high, I am using the stock heatsink. Is it really that bad ?
No, it should be fine up to 2.8GHz maybe even 3.0GHz depending on your processor model. See the Hardware section.
(A common error with the Intel stock HS is that the push pins are not seated well, or after pushing were rotated/turned in error. The pins are rotated only to remove the heatsink. Correct procedure is to make sure they are in the insert/install position and pressing VERY hard, so hard it will hurt your thumb, until you hear a distinct click. Press them in with a "X" pattern, do NOT go around in order. So much pressure is required that I do not recommend doing this with the board mounted in the case because it flexes the board to an alarming degree. The heat sink should be firmly attached if done properly. If it moves with minor "wiggle" force, something may be wrong. )
VISTA
If your install is freezeing at some point or you are having random crashes during the Vista installation then try this.
Integrated Peripherals
SATA AHCI Mode__________ [Disabled]
SATA Port0-3 Native Mode [Disabled]
...
Onboard SATA/IDE Device_ [Enabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode [ACHI]
Connect your HDD to the jmicron/Onboard controller - Purple ports.
It should Installm afterwards you can move it to the yellow ports controlled by the Intel ICH if you like.
Regardless I strongly recommend you install the Jmicron F6 pre-install driver during OS install its hard to install it later.
ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb36x/Win2k_xp_Vista/
Hardware Modifications.
(You will need regular hand tools and thermal paste before proceeding with most of these "improvements". Make sure your board has been booted and run at least overnight to ensure everything is OK before you try any of them, your warranty could be affected.)
Two primary considerations will limit your ability to overclock.
The CPU Heatsink.
The MCH (Memory Controller Hub) previously know as the Northbridge.
Put a fan on it, asap !
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.ph...7&postcount=10
In short, the MCH is being just as OCed as your CPU and it needs the same or more attention to cooling as the CPU. See Heatpipe improvements.
.
Heatpipe improvements . (MCH is the major benefactor)
(this is a quickie, more detailed instructions soon, I hope, but its very easy to do, needle nose are nice for squeezing the pins on the backside and then the darn thing will fall right off. Take it easy on the push pins if you intend to reuse them. )
Rework the Heatpipe assembly by removing it, the little push-pins are easy to remove from the back of the board, and clean the heatsinks and the chips with alcohol and and apply good HS thermal compound to the chips. The chip is the square black or gray thing in the middle
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/p965/p965.jpg you do not want HS grease on any of the "little bits" just a thin layer on the large thing in the middle. I suggest replacing the push-pins with 4-40 nylon screws washers and nuts found at Lowe's in the specialty hardware drawers. Remove the thin sheet metal "bling" cover off of the MCH heatsink and hot melt glue a 40 or 50mm fan on. Cooling the NB is the critical key to stable OC's on this motherboard. This was discovered early on and its a problem now that the knowledge has been buried under all the posts about the board since. I think its the heart of most users frustrations with the board. Spend an hour and tweak that Heatpipe out and I think you will be very surprised and pleased with the results.
Case Airflow.