1.6v safe for e6600?

[nealh]

I run my E6600 at 3.6ghz with 1.53 Vcore ? on water load never over 50C.. I purchased another conroe, it was one of the newer batches and it did not overclock well so I am happy with what I have now

whats your water cooling setup and ambients...I got 53C at full load via coretemp, lower on TAT, slightly higher on SG..during 26 hrs of blend prime95(ambients were 23/24C..cool for me..in the summer my ambients will be 26C..so temps will be higher)

doesnt really matter .. even 1.45v during full load = 1.5+v set in bios can degrade ur CPU over months ... say 3 to 6 months ...

many people have report that their CPU was stable orthos 24hrs when they bought it , but 4,5 months later it isnt.... after 1.45+v 24/7 ...

it depends on ur cooling as well .. keep the temp below 50C or near 50C helps it degrade slower .. i guess

and yes water do allow a bit higher vcore compare to air such that the 2 degrades the same in the same period

so i dunno ... if u upgrade often say 3 months cycle .. go for 1.6v as it prolly wont matter after 3 months .. might degrade a bit

thats jsut my experience ... i did changed bios and stuff though ... for a couple months i did ran it on 975XBX with 1.59v set in bios , too. then i changed back to DS3

chances r if u set 1.6v in bios ur getting 1.57v idle , 1.55v load .... and from my experience.. it WILL degrade ,

but ummm ... well as long as u keep ur temps below 70C @ load i think ur good ... i think its safe to say that any vcore above default WILL degrade ur CPU, the difference is how long.

First nobody knows if the issues are mobo related..in all cases we are pushing the mobo fsb 40%-50% or much higher over stock with increased NB voltages

Second, I still have no seen the reports where people were 24 hr P95 stable and saw degradation....dont forget anything you install can and may affect stability...

But with that said Intel's papers are clear 1.55v is max vcore and will lead to damage over time if used, not sure how long and if and when you return to spec(?? again not sure if there refer to stock voltage or some lower increased value) stock speeds maybe not be stable)

I do believe there will be a slow death to all processors even at stock(esp if you see some of the temps on the stock coolers) but when is the question...

does my setup with watercooling get 3mo, 6mo, 1yr..etc who knows...my setup is on 18hrs/a day on weekend, 12hrs on weekdays...max

Run the speed you want at the vcore you feel is safe for how long you want the processor....I think I good cooling staying under 1.55v will shorten life..

safe 1.45v(about 10%) should give you years...I used to believe 15%(maybe 20%) or less although some feel the smaller die size means this rule may no longer hold true

Intel papers..pdf file
http://developer.intel.com/design/pr...hts/313278.htm

Intel Core 2 Duo Desktop Processor E6000 Sequence – Datasheet
http://developer.intel.com/design/pr...hts/313278.htm

2.6.1 Absolute Maximum and Minimum Ratings

Table 4 specifies absolute maximum and minimum ratings only and lie outside the functional limits of the processor. Within functional operation limits, functionality and long-term reliability can be expected.
At conditions outside functional operation condition limits, but within absolute maximum and minimum ratings, neither functionality nor long-term reliability can be expected. If a device is returned to conditions within functional operation limits after having been subjected to conditions outside these limits, but within the absolute maximum and minimum ratings, the device may be functional, but with its lifetime degraded depending on exposure to conditions exceeding the functional operation condition limits.
At conditions exceeding absolute maximum and minimum ratings, neither functionality nor long-term reliability can be expected. Moreover, if a device is subjected to these conditions for any length of time then, when returned to conditions within the functional operating condition limits, it will either not function, or its reliability will be severely degraded.
Although the processor contains protective circuitry to resist damage from static electric discharge, precautions should always be taken to avoid high static voltages or electric fields.

Table 4. Absolute Maximum and Minimum Ratings
VCC (Core voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.55V (Min/Max)
VTT (FSB termination voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.55V (Min/Max)

Notes:
For functional operation, all processor electrical, signal quality, mechanical and thermal specifications must be satisfied.
Excessive overshoot or undershoot on any signal will likely result in permanent damage to the processor.

2.6.2 DC Voltage and Current Specification

Table 5. Voltage and Current Specifications
VID (Range of VID) 0.8500V / - / 1.5V (Min/Typ/Max)
VCC (Supply Voltage) - / - / 1.5V (Min/Typ/Max)
VTT (FSB termination voltage) 1.14V / 1.20V / 1.26V (Min/Typ/Max)

Notes:
Adherence to the voltage specifications for the processor are required to ensure reliable processor operation.
Each processor is programmed with a maximum valid voltage identification value (VID), which is set at manufacturing and can not be altered. Individual maximum VID values are calibrated during manufacturing such that two processors at the same frequency may have different settings within the VID range.



Intel 965 Express Chipset Family - Datasheet
http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets...hts/313053.htm


11.1 Absolute Minimum and Maximum Ratings

Table 10-1. Absolute Minimum and Maximum Ratings
VCC (1.5 V Core voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.375V (Min/Max)
VTT (System Bus Input Voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.32V (Min/Max)

11.3.1 I/O Buffer Supply Voltage

Table 11.4 I/O Buffer Supply Voltage
VCC (MCH Core Supply Voltage) 1.188V / 1.25V / 1.313V (Min/Typ/Max)
VTT (System Bus Input Supply Voltage) 1.14V / 1.20V / 1.26V (Min/Typ/Max)



Intel 975X Express Chipset MCH - Datasheet
http://developer.intel.com/design/ch...hts/310158.htm

10.1 Absolute Minimum and Maximum Ratings

Table 10-1. Absolute Minimum and Maximum Ratings
VCC (1.5 V Core voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.65V (Min/Max)
VTT (System Bus Input Voltage with respect to VSS) –0.3V / 1.65V (Min/Max)

10.4 DC Characteristics

Table 10-5. DC Characteristics
VCC (MCH Core Supply Voltage) 1.425V / 1.50V / 1.575V (Min/Typ/Max)
VTT (System Bus Input Supply Voltage) 1.14V / 1.20V / 1.26V (Min/Typ/Max)


the notes for absolute minimum and maximum ratings on top of this post, holds true for chipset voltages also!