Overclocking a Q6600

[reyeme]

I'm building my son a starter computer from old parts I had lying around, it did originally have a E7400 which had been overclocked from 2.8GHz to 3.6GHz since around 2008/9 but I decided to swap it out for a Q6600 as there was one in a local PC shop for £12, bargain! I was wondering how well these CPU's overclock and how voltage hungry they are considering their TDP is 40 Watts higher than the Core2Duo? So far I've pushed it from stock (2.4GHz) to 3GHz outside of a case on it's stock voltage but I'm reluctant to push it further as it's voltage is sitting around 1.325-1.357 Volts on load. I am also keeping the downclocking/downvoltage capabilities available as well as the overheat protection to hopefully make the CPU last a bit longer which I know can effect overclocks that are only just stable.

The important specs of the machine are:
CPU: Core2Quad Q6600 @ 3GHz
CPU Cooler: OCZ Vendetta 2
RAM: 4GB Generic DDR2 @ 800 Mhz
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L
GPU: Asus DirectCU2 560Ti 1GB

If I'm remembering the overclocked settings correctly I had the FSB on 333MHz and a multiplier of 9, a system memory multiplier that give me 800MHz and 'normal'/stock voltage on everything. 

If anyone has a similar system could they post their settings/speeds/voltages please so I can get an idea of how far I can push it, how low I can get away with setting the voltage and how much voltage is considered safe with this CPU? I have very little experience with Core2Quads and no prior experience overclocking them, although I imagine them to be similar to Core2Duos but more than likely needing higher voltages due to the higher TDP.

[themctipers]

i am pretty sure it can overclock to 3ghz easily, you might be able to push it to 3.2 or maybe 3.5 if you're lucky

max temps I would look for is around 75c, and max voltage would be 1.4v.

[reyeme]

Okay I think I'll stick with the 3GHz overclock then and see how it goes, it's my son's first PC and I don't want to push the CPU so hard it fries itself lol. Thanks for the info.

[JakeNTech]

Just try to see how far you can go, if an over clock fails you can reset the BIOS. 

1 minute ago, reyeme said:

Okay I think I'll stick with the 3GHz overclock then and see how it goes, it's my son's first PC and I don't want to push the CPU so hard it fries itself lol. Thanks for the info.

You are unlikely to fry that chip, I believe the max temp is 90-100C. It will thermal throttle first and then should turn its self off before doing any damage. 

[intender]

Most of them should hit 3.2 under 1.4v.  Mine would hit 3.2 @ stock voltage and I pushed it as high as 3.8.  I ran it for about 8 years @ 3.5 @ 1.45v.  With a q6600 you will probably be heat limited with that cooler more than anything.  I would say 3.2 to 3.4 before you temps get too high.