Q6600, Dell, and Jesus - Overclock.net

jcettison · 09-19-08

I have a Dell XPS 410 with a Q6600 *B3 model?* (I believe the 2.4 Quad-Core?), an obviously proprietary motherboard/bios of some sort, an 8600 GTS 256mb and 4GB of I think DDR2? RAM.

Now, I got bored one day, and under the privilege of a four year warranty with no-questions-asked replacement coverage, tried a BSEL2/Tape Mod on my machine. Of course, with the tape on, the computer wouldn't even boot past the bios (which, without further experience, I've assumed is due to a lack of voltage requirements being met?). I've since alcohol'd off any tape residue and put my machine back together. It still works, but I'm noticing some odd behavior -it's taking an exceptionally long time to boot after the initial bios load until the windows log-in screen. From there, performance seems standard. Minus the fact that my CPU is still operating on SpeedStep (dropping to 1600mhz on idle) despite it being turned off in the BIOS.

I've read that this might be a telltale sign of frying your motherboard, but that the CPU is probably unharmed? Is this true, or does anyone have a better hypothesis on what I've particularly screwed up; minus your soul with my ignorance. =(

Going from there, if that is the case, would I be looking for a new motherboard? Would I be able to use the Q6600 from my DELL machine in a new board (non-proprietary) and overclock it?

I'd also like to mention, the reason I'm considering a new board (and hoping that that's what I blew up) is because I'm also considering an upgrade to an 4870 X2 and I believe my mobo may only have a PCI-E 16x v1.0 which I've read might bottleneck that card; also, not being able to OC my CPU might also bottleneck the card. So, kill two birds with one stone with a Mobo upgrade, OC to 3.2~3.6 depending what kind of cooling you guys can suggest to me and upgrade to a PCI-E 2.0 two-card setup (allowing for future SLI/Crossfire when a single 4870X2 becomes obsolete).

Can anyone confirm my thoughts might be legitmate and my plan is sound or am I in way over my head?

alwaysAMD · 09-19-08

There should be a fast boot option or something similar in the BIOS that may have reset.

That Q6600 is the same one you buy off the shelves, although it may be an older revision, meaning it can be overclocked to a certain extent.

As for cooling, get a xigmatek HDT1238 and don't look back.

I'm not familiar with intel boards so i'll let someone else handle that.

jcettison · 09-19-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysAMD

There should be a fast boot option or something similar in the BIOS that may have reset.

That Q6600 is the same one you buy off the shelves, although it may be an older revision, meaning it can be overclocked to a certain extent.

As for cooling, get a xigmatek HDT1238 and don't look back.

I'm not familiar with intel boards so i'll let someone else handle that.

I'm going to reboot now for a double check, but I'm 99% sure I've already enabled Fast Resume and Fast Boot options. I reset BIOS settings to factory after noticing the slow-down, and I'd like to mention the lag seems to come as soon as the DELL BIOS screen is gone, even if I'm trying to enter BIOS Setup, I must sustain a 2~4minute wait simply to enter BIOS settings. Anything past the loading bar begins the wait, be it booting to CD, BIOS settings or to Windows from the HD.

Good to know my Q6600 isn't useless -one step forward, assuming I didn't mess it up at all. I'm sure the fact I'm typing this is a good sign.

jcettison · 09-20-08

Bump?

Sorry, I really need some anwsers.

_Marvin_ · 09-20-08

sorry for not being helpful, but what is a tape mod ? I'm really curious

ericeod · 09-20-08

Here is a BSEL mod (Tape mod):

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericeod

I've done the 266 BSEL mod on a handful of Dells. The nice thing about this mod is it is completly reversible. And if it doesnt work, it wont damage the system. I have tested this mod out on E4X00, E6X00 and E21X0 series chips with great success. It works on Dell and Intel built boards.

I did the 333 BSEL mod on my E6600 to test it out. I used copper tape used for motherboard trace repair, which I picked up at Frys.

Note to the OP: I have the tape, so PM me if you need an inch or 2 of it. I can mail it to you at no charge!

ericeod · 09-20-08

Jcettison, does your board look like this?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To answer your question, yes you can buy a new motherboard (recommend a P35, P45, X38 or X48) and overclock your Q6600.

Here is a really good article on the Dell XPS 410 at Anadtech:

Dell XPS 410: Core 2 Duo for the Masses

One major disadvantage I can see you having is that the case only supports BTX boards (you wont find any decent OCing boards in the BTX form factor). So you will have to buy a new case as well as a new board.

But all your other components should work, even the PSU.

Quote:

That brings up another point that's important to mention. In the past, Dell has been somewhat notorious for including proprietary power connectors and motherboard designs. Starting about a year ago, all motherboards should now be using a standard 24-pin ATX power connector with an additional 4-pin ATX 12V connector. It was possible to get adapters in the past that would allow the use of a generic power supply, but this is now unnecessary. If you decide that you want something better than the standard 375W power supply in the future, it should not be at all difficult to replace the power supply. It would still be better to get a higher capacity power supply in the first place, especially given the price of the system, but as stated the 375W power supply should be sufficient for the vast majority of users.

_Marvin_ · 09-20-08

thanks ericeod that tape mod looks insane, but I am generally afraid of any physical mods so I may be wrong

ericeod · 09-20-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Marvin_

thanks ericeod that tape mod looks insane, but I am generally afraid of any physical mods so I may be wrong

Its not a physical mod in a way that it cant be undone. I have never heard of it damaging a PC before. I have done it to a handful of Dells for firends with a lot of success. its only really needed for OEMs. I tried it on my 680i and P5E to see if it helped with OCing, but it doesnt at all.

jcettison · 09-20-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericeod

Jcettison, does your board look like this?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To answer your question, yes you can buy a new motherboard (recommend a P35, P45, X38 or X48) and overclock your Q6600.

Here is a really good article on the Dell XPS 410 at Anadtech:

Dell XPS 410: Core 2 Duo for the Masses

One major disadvantage I can see you having is that the case only supports BTX boards (you wont find any decent OCing boards in the BTX form factor). So you will have to buy a new case as well as a new board.

But all your other components should work, even the PSU.

Off the top of my head, I'm pretty sure that's it exactly. You've helped me out a great deal, actually.

Now, with the 4870X2 Crossfire and Q6600 in mind, might you have a recommendation towards a Case and Power Supply?

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Q6600, Dell, and Jesus

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