Yet Another... Precision 390 CPU Upgrade Question

Thanks kindly. I just got my q6600. The sSpec number printed on the chip is SLACR ("slacker" hehe), which is indeed the G0 stepping version. Awesome.

One thing I'd asked and am still curious about is how often you need to reapply Arctic Silver compound? I guess that would be the one and only advantage to leaving the thermal pad as is - it never needs maintenance.

Thanks again GoHack.

And keep us posted on the p8016!

So it's done!

I changed out my e6300 for the q6600. Ended up having to remove the thermal pad, because half of it was stuck to the heatsink, the other half to the e6300. I cleaned the heatsink of the compound, cleaned the q6600 heatspreader surface with isopropyl, then applied Arctic Silver exactly as per the instructions. Reseating the q6600 took a lot more force than I'd imagined, but it was apparently seated properly.

My q6600 is indeed a SLACR, G0 stepping chip. I see the 4 cores running, with Core Temps of 43, 43, 36, 40 C at idle. Task Manager shows 4 cpus. The BIOS 2.4.0 and XP Pro identify the q6600 and everything seems happy.

However, there may be a problem based on what I see in CPU-Z. Cpu-Z version 1.41 shows my Core Speed at 1596.5, and a multiplier of x6. SpeedStep is turned off in the BIOS.

Edited:
I noticed that when the processor loads, i.e. when I drag a window around with the mouse, CPU-Z changes to show an x9 multiplier and Core Speed 2394.3. When I release the window and thus stop loading the processor, it drops back to x6 and 1596.

Is there a bug with CPU-Z, or is this normal behavior?

Message Edited by metrolens on 09-12-2007 06:04 PM

Honestly, you were an enormous help. I would probably have blown something up without your guidance.

Interesting, that Rightmark CPU Clock Utility. But is it even preferable to be running at the full 2.4 at all times? I mean, isn't the EISE actually doing a good thing, by saving power and keeping my core temps down? As long as the extra clock speed kicks in immediately when it's needed, why have it cycling at 2.4 when nothing is happening?

btw my temps at idle (only a Mozilla browser with 10 tabs open) seem to have gone down a little. Now they're 40, 40, 35, 39. Maybe the Arctic Silver is beginning to "break in," as described in the instructions. Or maybe it's because the ambient temp is lower in here since it's night. Or both.

Message Edited by GoHack on 09-13-2007 09:06 AM

Message Edited by GoHack on 09-13-2007 09:09 AM

That is very impressive.

Did you order your p8016 from Dell Spare Parts?

And, when you installed the new heatsink, did you put a new application of Arctic Silver on the q6600? Did you have to remove the processor to do so, or can it be done while seated?