A worthwhile overclock - XPS720 Q6600 @ 3.0ghz

Yep you could also use finger nail polish so I've read.  I didn't have the metalic paint or the defogger stuff.  Figured I could just use stuff I had lying around the garage.

I found a picture for those who want to try this.

I need to issue a warning.  If you have shaky hands or don't have thermal paste or just aren't capable of performing basic surgury on a computer have someone do it with you or for you.  I offer no warranties! :)

I've done a few XPS 420's and just finished a XPS 720 for a friend, and it's the cheapest "QX6850-like" upgrade you'll ever see!  :smileyhappy:

The mods work great, and so far, I've not had any problems!  I did, though, use the "defogger repair paint" method instead of the tape.  I wasn't sure that the pin in the socket would not poke through the tape....especially over time as the tape gets old...

But, overall, it's a quick and easy OC!

Do you see a performance boost? Also did you have to reinstall Vista after modding your chip. Buddy has been wanting to do it for a while, Just don't have the hands to do it.

He is a nice walk through. dont know who made it though.

http://home.austin.rr.com/waterdogs2/xps420.htm

Make sure you guys have good thermal paste and don't use too much of it.

Also be very careful not to tape over other pads or have the pad fall off before you stick the chip back in the socket.

Download CPUZ and Core Temp to make sure you didn't botch everything up.  The bios will report the CHIP at 2.4ghz but the FSB @ 1333.  When the system boots into vista you'll see what i posted in the pictures, Q6600 @ 2.4 3.0.  You'll also see it speedstep between 2.0 and 3.0.

Good luck and post your shots!

Thanks!! We are going to give it a try tonight. Will post back with results.

Thanks Again!

Robio

Great walkthrough.

One thing to consider here is that the window repair kit paint is different than the pad mod.  For some people the pad mod doesn't work and they have to link two of the pins together with metalic paint or foil.

In my case the pad worked just fine.

Performance boost?  YES.

Vista reinstall?  NO.

Vista came right up, detected the new settings and said it wanted to reboot.  It rebooted just fine.

So here are the system specs:

XPS720 A05 BIOS

8GB GSkill PC2-8000 memory

4x Raptors (2xRaid0 one for boot one for program files)

2x EVGA 8800GTS SuperClock 640MB (running 575mhz)

On the E6700 here were some basic results:

3DMARK06 - ~10000, high 9000s with stock clocks on the 8800s, a hair over 10k with the clock bump.

HalfLife2 Lost Coast Stress Test - 79fps with everything maxed at 1680x1050

Halflife2 Counter Strike Stress Test - 210 with everything maxed at 1680x1050

On the Q6600 @ 3.0:

3DMARK06 - ~14500

HL2 LC - ~120

HL2 CS - ~260

I couldn't be happier, my E6700 is going up on ebay in the next couple days.

Will this work on C2D E6600?

My friend tried and only his FSB increased to 1333. But Cpu speeds stayed the same. And his multiplier is only 6. Would his ram be the culprit? He's using stock Dell ram at 800mhz.

Just want to note:

This will void your warranty with Dell

Yes, you are correct. Just did it with my old Q6600. Here's my screenshot:

My friend just called and his is working also. I'll probably sell my QX6850 now, I could use the money for a newer proc.

Thanks again!

Yep the bios won't report CPU speed, just the identifier.  Once you see that 1333mhz fsb you're in business.

CPUZ will report properly.

M

The multipler is 6-9.

Meaning at IDLE the system will run at 2000mhz.

Open a DOS window at C:\> and type dir /s

While that is running watch CPU-Z, you'll see the multipler go to 9 and show 2999-3000mhz

Also what does it say under My Computer -> Properties?  It should say its running at 3.0.

Get a screenshot of CPU-Z while its running like trying to compress something big. or doing an operation that will continuously run.