Hi all. I've done searching on this forum and other forums, and I realize there's already information out there on overclocking the Intel Q9450 processor, but, could I get somewhat of a step-by-step tutorial on it from someone who knows all the precise details? From things I've read, the Q9450 seems to be an easily overclockable processor. Basically, from some things I've read, you just seem to have to up the FSB in the BIOS to get the speed to where you'd like it (stock for the Q9450 is 2.66GHz; I'd like about 3 or 3.2GHz). I've tried doing the FSB adjustment, but when I play an intense 3D application (like the game of Crysis or Grid Racecar Driver), my game will freeze up and then the system will crash out and reboot. My graphics card can handle things (it's a GeForce 9800 GX2). Also have a solid PSU, a Corsair TX750. And Corsair RAM, Twin 2 x 4096-6, 6400C5DHX, Speed 800MHz. And also, when I've tried adjusting things in my BIOS (I have a Gigabyte EP35C-DS3R which has something called an M.I.T. Intelligent Tweaker), I sometimes can't get past the Windows XP Pro booting screen (with that little crawling "blue caterpillar" ); that Win XP screen starts to fade in and then freezes there, and then I have to hard boot and go back into the BIOS and undo what I just did just so I can boot to my desktop. First, check out this screenshot of CPU-Z: http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/... Do you see down where it has the "Clocks (Core #0)" section? It says "Multiplier x 6.0". I read somewhere on the 'Net that it should be "x 8.0"; is this true? Because right above that "Multiplier" it says "Core Speed" and it's reading "2000.0MHz"; shouldn't it be reading something like "2.666MHz", like what my Q9450 is supposed to be rated at stock? I think this instability I've been getting when trying to attempt to overclock may have something to do with voltages. Yes? No? Possible? On the CPU-Z screenshot I provided, it reads Core Voltage 1.104. I've read that sometimes when overclocking that it sometimes becomes necessary to raise the voltage. If this is true in my case (so I won't get stuck at the Win XP boot screen, or, get crashed out of games like Crysis into a system reboot), could I please get a precise step-by-step on exactly how much to raise the voltage? Things like how many increments? I don't want to overdo or underdo anything and harm or fry my processor. So.....if anyone out there could give me some step-by-step to squeeze more speed out of this processor, I'd surely appreciate it!!! Thanks! Pez

"It says "Multiplier x 6.0". I read somewhere on the 'Net that it should be "x 8.0"" You Have SpeedStep enabled. Your CPU is supposed to run at 2.66GHz (8 x 333MHz). If you wanna increase the speed to 3.2GHz, you have to disable SpeedStep, increase the CPU frequency to 400MHz (1600MHz FSB) & tweak a few other settings. Try these: Under Advanced BIOS Features: CPU EIST Function = Disabled Under MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.): Robust Graphics Booster = Auto CPU Clock Ratio = 8.0 CPU Host Clock Control = Enabled CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) = 400MHz PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) = 100MHz C.I.A.2 = Disabled Performance Enhance = Standard System Memory Multiplier = 2.0 "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction

Hi jam; thanks for the reply. I've actually already tried a lot of the settings you suggested (except for the System Memory Multiplier to 2.0; I'll have to give that a shot). But how about voltage? When I've made the changes in the BIOS (like the ones you have listed above), I'll be able to boot into my desktop but frequently crash out the system and automatic reboot during intense 3D apps like the game Crysis. Do you have a "number" I could try as far as voltages go? In my BIOS, voltage setting is on "Auto", and I get crashes from this after changing the rest of the settings (like the ones you have above). Thanks, Pez

"I've actually already tried a lot of the settings you suggested (except for the System Memory Multiplier to 2.0" That's very likely why it didn't work. "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction