Overclocking Quad Core Q6600 Guide
Good afternoon folks,
I decided to write this page in dedication to getting something for nothing. The notion itself is something of an illusion, especially on the internet, but if you own a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 PC you will fall into this group.
First a overview ... your Intel Core 2 Quad comes stock at the 2.4GHZ setting. This is the speed at which the processor operates across all 4 individual cores. This core is part of a small group of two processors @ 65nm and essentially the first generation of quad core from Intel. The Q6600 and Q6700 respectfully both have 8MB of L2 cache memory and both operate on a 1066mhz bus. The purpose of this article is to walk you through on getting more from the Q6600 specifically, by doing a simple modification to the processor to alter its speed.
This modification will change the front side bus from 1066 to 1333mhz. Due to the processors clock rating a Q6600 will move from 2.4ghz to 3.0ghz (2,996mhz effectively)
This will result in a direct 20 to 30% increase on performance from your computer. This figure is a proven quantitative measure with results posted below.
To perform the adjustment you will need:
· Painters tape or electrical tape
· Small razor blade to cut very thin strips of the aforementioned tape
· Phillips Screw Driver (to remove your case door and/or remove your heatsink fan combo)
This modification will work with ANY Q6600 motherboard/CPU combo. This includes standard off the shelf Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Costco, direct ship or mail order computers. Any vendor, and configuration as long as the processor you have is a Q6600 or Q6700 (much more success with the Q6600)
I have personally modified over 30 individual Q6600 configurations with this modification with perfect results of 3.0ghz from the 2.4ghz processor. Air cooled (fan on a standard heatsink) works perfectly fine in this modification. There is no need for additional modification or new heatsink/fan combos. Just make sure when you’re taking your heatsink/fan combo off you CLEAN out the fan from any dirt/dust built up ... these fans require a clean environment to work efficient like any other product.
Now on to the business of getting that processor overclocked.
1. Open your computer up, removing the side panel (consult your manual or online how to for your specific model to remove the side panel)
2. Locate your heatsink/fan combo that is over your processor (again, locate a manual on your PC or a how to remove, this will be different for everyone, depending what type heatsink/fan combo you have) - Dells normally have 4 screws around the corners that you have to unscrew then lift off the processor (unplug the fan cable too)
3. Once the Heatsink/Fan removed, use the tension bar to remove the metal casing that holds the processor in the slot. This will be a small bar you press down and over to release the tension, then lift up the latch holding the processor in the space.
Cutting small strips
Post Report
This article is gauged to intrigue your interest on getting more on a product you paid for. This modification is VERY simple and at most with the most novices user would take 20-30min.
Important notes. I would suggest downloading "Soft Sandra" ...just Google it; take the free trial and give it a benchmark your current setup PRIOR to making any changes. Do the analysis yourself and post evaluation on your results.
You will be highly impressed with the changes and the effect it has on your computer. A direct 30% increase in computing operations per sec gives you a tangible net result... meaning when you’re doing normal internet surfin', downloading, playing games... you will physically notice the increase of speed.
I have heard of other processor types, such as the E6600 and 6400+ series working with this modification, but I cannot confirm that officially as I have not tried this modification on them. What sets this modification apart vs. other overclocking is the fact you do NOTHING with the bios, settings, windows configuration. This change is purely a hardware modification that is increasing the FRONT SIDE BUS, from 1066mhz to 1333mhz, which inherently overclocks the processor.
I have successfully completed this on the following computer/company models of computers:
· IBM Lenovo desktop Q6600 series PC's
· Dell Inspiron 530 & 537 series PC /w Q6600
· HP Pavilion Series d /w Q6600 & Q6700
· Dell Optiplex 755 /w Q6600 (note, i tried 1 of the Q6700 and it did NOT work)
· Gateway FX series /w Q6600
· Falcon Northwest /w Q6600
· Alienware Area 51 /w Q6600
· Sony Studio Series /w Q6600
Please post your comments and results to this. I know some individuals may think this is to good to be true or have had adverse results when trying this. All i can tell you as a closing is I have done this modification over 100 times on 30 separate configurations (lots of dell 530's) and only ONE time I had an issue where it did not work..and that was with a Q6700 in a Dell Optiplex 755.
Using a six sigma train of thought, 1 out of 100 is 99% success rate and a great medium of positive results.
Thanks again,
Carter
Follow (4)Comments 53 comments
Do you need to provide extra thermal paste when reinstalling the heatsink?
So you think there will be no problem with this mod on a Dell Vostro 400 mini tower?
Vostro 400 mini tower should have no issue, I use a very light cover of Artic Silver 5. do a small dab and spread on the CPU, then put stock cooler back on.
This worked like a charm on my Dell OptiPlex 755 small form factor. Thank you so much for the tips and pictures
Very very very nice.
How will it work on a E4500 CPU on a dell optiplex 755? is it the same two spots on the cpu?
Worked like a charm on a Vostro 400 Q6600 with one piece of tape only on the bottom pin, you don't need to do the one above. I did the cpu test with Passmark and it scored higher
GTL pins- hmmm
Not working in my pc with mobo Gigabyte GA-EP 45 UD3P.
Continuous Short Beep !!!
what's so wrong???
Just did this, Dell Inspiron 530 with Q6600 (2.4Ghz quad), worked just fine. I went from a 7.1 to a 7.3 in both processor/RAM scores in Windows Experience Index... didn't get a chance to bench previous speed with other software, but verified with CPUz that FSB and CPU speed increased!
Thank you for this awesome tip. I was just wondering how to overclock my Q8360, but was concerned over cooling issues. To repeat a previous question, how does covering up the pin increase performance?
Covering the pin's forces the processor from 800mhz to 1066mhz, effectively taking that x the clock factor from 2.4ghz to 3.0ghz
The above poster was almost right, in this case it takes the native 1066mhz speed and makes it 1333mhz
but would effectively do the same to an 800mhz processor to 1066mhz
The 2.4GHZ Q6600 is an 1066mhz processor; so at 3.0ghz its running at 1333mhz;
This is a HARDWARE forced overclock, not a software (bios) overclock, which is very nice for users that have Q6600 in OEM dell/hp systems that have no software overclock tools
do you think it will work on a e6600 also ?
Worked perfect thank you :-))
Worked for me and that's in an Inspiron with the 350w PSU powering a Radeon HD 6770 and second hard drive.
This has worked perfectly for me too on a Q6600 (Dell XPS 420). I only taped the lower pin. I've even managed to push the FSB speed up a little furthur using the SetFSB utility. I have achieved a stable 3.2ghz.
well, did this this morning - blue screen of death- quickly removed tape and booted up - blue screen, repeated itself 10-15 times then back to normal- so decided to try again, and worked perfectly!! - any ideas to what happened, but at least it now works!!!! at 3GHz!!!! :)
I wonder if this mod would enhance chip overclock ability on regular motherboard with overclock feature?
is shortening processor's life this overcloking, and become more ustable when you open more programs simultaneously.
Did you ever think why Intel did NOT isolate those 2 pins from factory, and sell the q6600 at this price with 3 Ghz power speed? Because they know .
So... The running of more programs has nothing to do with shortening the lifespan. Utilization (100%) stressing and exsessive heat however does, and this can be done running one task intensive program for a long period of time.
Overclocking does not stress the chip anymore than leaving it at default clock; the additional heat generated can create damage if exceeding 100+ Celsius over long periods of time; likewise Overclocking and increasing the voltage amplifys the danger expotentially...
This Overclocking of the q6600 is nothing more of adjusting the fsb via hardware tweak, leaving the voltage untampered and the default clock speed the same; all that happens is a slight increase to the tempature by 15 degrees on average (45c to 60c); well within tolerance
Exactly.
That`s why people like me use water-cooling, at the pike of the summer, the temperature, playing a game for instance, rarely exceeds 40º Celsius..
Nice coolers + fans and e nice Motherboard makes the rest..
This mod reminds me when i transform a AMD 1900 to 2000, with the almost same method..
Good Overclocking`s everybody!
hi i followed this article about the tape and im happy to say mine worked went from 2.4ghz to 3.0ghz on a intel core 2 quad q6600 thank u can i go any further with overclocking as my heat is only 52 which i can squeeze abit more i cant overclock with bios as its locked and fsb only works while my com is turned on any suggestions
Anyone have tried the procedure on a dimension 9200?
thx!
shifteroth give the tape trick a try it may work for you just remember to put some thermal paste on the chip before u put the chip back in
I tried without any luck. Look like the dell modo doesnt adjust the core voltage or whatever...
All I get is a beeping sounds without any heartbeat :(
any recommendation?
thx!
your getting the beeping noise hey did you put thermal paste on the chip after putting the tape on remember to just cover the 1st and third dot
It really works. Unbelievable. Will post if anything goes awry.
Sorry, I should have described my system. Dell XPS720. Wah-wah-waaaaaah! So, despite reading about how awesome Q6600s were for OC'ing, I couldn't do it, thanks to Dell OEM locking it up. Then I found this two year old posting. Skeptical, yet after reading follow up posts from others who have done it, I went ahead and used painter's tape and 20 minutes of my time.
It works. Wow. Thanks for enhancing the lifespan of this system by another year or two!
Do we need to replace ddr3 1333mhz memory instead? Thank you!! I will ask my boyfriend to fix it for me.
can someone confirm if it works on Dell C27VV Optiplex 780 Motherboard Model: 0C27VV INTEL ?
and.. some say the max fsb on this MB is 1066 .. if i do this Hardware oc 1333 to my Cpu , will the MB handle this ?
thx i will do it asap after i get some thermal paste :D, looking forward after failing with all softwares out there
Q6600 2.4Gz- 1067Fsb
Dell optiplex 780
Mobo:0C27VV chip Q45,ICH10
ram:Kingston1333 runing at 1067 -7.7.7.20.27
after this Hardware OC, my Cpu is now at 3Gz!!!!!!!!!! (up from 2.4Gz)
my memory is still at 1067 though-was hoping for that to go up as well but i guess it's limited by my mobo. any sugestions for ram Mr. Alumar ?
it seems that i won some more performance on memory also.
I can now say the system is stable, temps are ok . Thank you Alumar.
"but if you own a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 PC you will fall into this group." I have now joined this group :D
Will this work on pentium dual core e6600 wolfdale?
Hi there, I have done as you show in your pictures fired up the machine, resets on its own before post screen then restarts with no problem, boot in win7 x64 and by running sisoft and cpu-z my MHz were 2400....
I am loosing sth here....?
It worked for me, thank you very much ^^
very nice.
thanx
Worked!
I thought: No, this isn't gonna work, I'm just getting desperate...
*boots up computer*
*looks at core speed and fsb speed*
HOLY COW IT REALLY WOOOORKS!!!!!!!!!
After i added the tape, windows would not start, but i tried a couple more times and it worked! AVG told me my computer boosted by 40 percent its now 2.99 ghz
does this work on the Q6600 in a dell vostro 420.
i read on another site it dose not work on the cpu when it is in certain motherboards
This works well with my Q6600 in an HP Pavilion (2009 model ). However, I tried the same thing with my Q6700 and the system refused to boot up......it kept wanting to repair my C drive and showed errors. I removed the tape and the Q6700 worked as normal and the system booted right up. Any suggestions?
Worked and booted up first try. Max temperatures under full stress was 80C with the stock cooler, which isnt good but not bad. Took me a while to put on the tap absolutely perfectly. Just take all the time you need, theres no rush. Make sure its completely covering the pins, and no other pins, and is perfectly flat, and do no disturb it at all when putting the cpu into the socket. I used very small slivers of frog tape and used a lot less then the pictures above. Dont have have it long enough that you need to fold it over the edge like in the picture above, i fidn that makes it harder and it will peel off easily. Good luck!
I have tried 3 very careful times with my Q6600 Quad and will not work on my Dell Optiplex 745. I used small strips of painters tape just like picture. Power on button goes yellow and no video. Is there something thinner perhaps?
Works like a charm !
First try, took me 3 minutes.
tested on 2 computers HP from 2009, and a Dell from 2006.
Both are with a used Q6600 bougth on market,
2.4ghz to 3.0ghz it really works !!!
Now i can play my games and record at same times with less lags, better FPS in some games too without recording, BF3 i was 30-50 fps, now its 50-80, thanks you for this, now to get more overcloking i need to buy a new mother board. .
MY QUESTION =
Can i overclock from the bios after doing this ?
so i can get double overcloked
Wow, so glad I stumbled upon this page! Count another 755 Optiplex as hacked, 2.4 to 3.0 Ghz thanks to a couple slivers of electrical tape :-)
Thank you so much for having taken the time to write this up, even if it's from several years ago...look at all the happy people you've made!
Wow, Wow, Wow.....It really works!! my Dell Optiplex 755 Q6600 is now jumped from 2.4Ghz to 2.99Ghz!!
Such an old thread but gave new life to my old Q6600.
Thank you so much!!!
Although old, this is still worth it! Thanks for this! I had a bunch of old parts lying around and got a free Dell Optiplex 755 with a C2D. Threw down 8gb (4x2gb) of 800mhz Adata DDR2, Q6600 3.0ghz with this tape mod, 30GB ssd (OS) and a GTX 750ti. I couldn't be happier! 7 year old system can still play current gen games at 1080P @high settings. Crysis 3, Battlefield 4 etc etc
Another dell 755 with q6600 over clocked to 2.99ghz fsb 1333
bought an SH xw4600 with q6600 and a friend gave me HD7870
my sound went crazy went crazy and went online for solutions
bumped into "OC your q6600 or it will be bottle-necked" but the HP guys blocked this option in BIOS.
after some time I've bumped into this post and tried it - ABSOLUTELY GORGEUS !
all I must do next is to save for an SSD and I would not need at all any DDR3 for some time !
THANK YOU !
It works perfect! unexpected!
Tested on a Gateway GT4222m
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Last updated on February 17, 2010



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jmena 4 years ago
How the hell does two pieces of tape change the speed like that!?