Q9300 Overclock

Introduction and Preparation

The second in a series of overclock articles will focus on the Q9300 CPU. Initially released for the same price as the Q6600, the Q9300 is based on the Yorkfield core, and will thus be a bit more efficient clock for clock than the Q6600 based on the Kentsfield core. However, the maximum CPU multiplier of the Q6600 is 9, whereas the maximum CPU multiplier of the Q9300 is only 7.5. What this means is while the Q9300 is faster clock for clock, it also requires higher FSB to achieve the same resulting clock speed. Which will prove to have better overclocking capabilities? Well let's take a look.

The system in use will have the following hardware:

---------

CPU: Intel Q9300

Motherboard: DFI P35 BloodIron

Memory: G.SKILL PC2-8000 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-15

Power Supply: PC Power and Cooling 750Watt Silencer Quad

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 500GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB Buffer

Video Card: Diamond Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5

Case: Coolermaster CM 690 Mid Tower Black ATX Case

Cooler: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme

---------

Parts on display

Diamond HD 4870

Cooler Mounted

That's a tall cooler!

In the case

In use will be the DFI Bloodirion motherboard. It's a great board with a lot of overclocking options, and decent on price. It does have it's quirks too though. One example of this is the guide book, specifically the front panel pins are horribly labeled in the instruction guide, and not labeled descriptively on the board at all. Through trial and error it's all up and running fine now, but it was with effort. My advice is to keep at it, and you'll figure out what the proper configuration is. The process would be easier if DFI offered the quick connect adapter like Asus does.

Also installed is the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme. This cooler is renowned for it's great performance and design. Installation was easy enough. It is securely held with pressure screws and a backplate. Add a High CFM 120mm fan and you are set. If you have a case fan installed over the CPU, the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme is too tall to fit with the fan on the side of the case. You may have to remove it.

Once you get the system up and running and the OS installed it's time to get into the BIOS and start tweaking.

Next->