Intel Core 2 Q6600 G0 Stepping: Cheap Quad Core Just Got Better
by Anand Lal Shimpi on August 16, 2007 11:53 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
Overclocking: A Speedy SLACR?
When we previewed Intel's Core 2 Duo E6750 we were quite impressed by how well the new G0 stepping was able to overclock at stock voltage settings. We managed 3.68GHz out of the 2.66GHz processor without even increasing the core voltage, but would the same hold true about the quad-core Q6600?
With more transistors to worry about, we already knew that we wouldn't be able to overclock as high as the dual-core E6750. But would G0 prove to be a tremendous improvement over the B3 stepping chips?
Our B3 Core 2 Quad Q6600 was able to run at 3.33GHz with a 1480MHz FSB and a 9.0x multiplier at 1.312V, we couldn't get the system stable at anything faster.
Our G0 Q6600, surprisingly enough, couldn't really get much higher. While the same 3.33GHz overclock was possible at a lower voltage, our max was 3.51GHz (390 x 9.0) without resorting to improved cooling. Even at our max, the system wasn't always 100% stable, we suspect that our G0 chip would end up somewhere around 3.4GHz and fully stable in the long run.
It's clear that the G0 Q6600 was able to get a slightly better overclock, as our B3 sample wouldn't post at 3.51GHz, but the improvement isn't earth shattering. We have heard of much better overclocks with G0 cores, so your mileage may vary of course.
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comc100 - Monday, December 31, 2007 - link
hi i have q6600 g0 and geforce 6600 gt. do i have to upgrade my psu because mine is 305 wattsDrew Martell - Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - link
I have a Q6600 and a 300 watt PSU. I overclocked to 3GHz and still running fine with stock cooling and the 300 watts :Dk8fox - Friday, August 6, 2010 - link
Are you still using your Q6600? I would like to overclock mine but have no idea where to start as I have never done this. Suggestions?sheeple - Monday, October 19, 2015 - link
The Q6600 stands as Intel's greatest CPU EVER, due to it being FIRST, it's the Garagov of Cpu's!tjaisv - Thursday, August 23, 2007 - link
So what are the temp differences? Thxlemonadesoda - Sunday, August 19, 2007 - link
The system power draw is a very interesting statistic.But for CPU power comparisons I suggest some other analysis. Since so much of the system power is drawn by all anciliary components, the % improvement calculations show overall system improvement BUT NOT the CPU improvement. The CPU improvement is really the more interesting figure.
Can you isolate the system power draw excl. the CPU? Perhaps the best way to do this would be to put a ULV low clock CPU into the socket and use that as the "base line" for the system draw. Alternatively, write a utility to put the CPU into "deep sleep HALT" and check the power in this condition. Use this as the baseline.
You will probably see the baseline around 100W, so the difference betweem say 150W and 160W would be calculated as (160-100)/(150-100)-100%=20% and not the very small figures as article currently shows.
iamezza - Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - link
I agree.Considering this article was all about a core stepping the claimed better power consumption, I think they totally underplayed the power improvements. A reduction in total system power of 5-7% soley from a CPU stepping is very impressive. This works out to around 20% for the CPU alone. And it only gets better when it's overclocked.
Also its wrong to write off an entire stepping for overclocking potential when you have only tested 1 CPU and only used stock cooling at that.
cdrsft - Sunday, August 19, 2007 - link
In the article, the author asks,I'm not sure I fully understand the answer. IF you are doing some media encoding, the Q6600 is a better value. What about regular desktop usage? For the average person, which of these is the better value?
VapoChill - Saturday, August 18, 2007 - link
Why you not use the lastest Intel driver ?*********************************************
* Product: Intel(R) Chipset Device Software
* Release: Production Version
* Version: 8.3.0.1013
* Target Chipset#: Q33/G33/G31/P35
* Date: March 05 2007
*********************************************
Blacklash - Friday, August 17, 2007 - link
go back and try working from an 8x multi. A lot of overclockers seem to be doing well with that approach.