Quote Originally Posted by WhiteFireDragon View Post
i'm at 495fsb with a q9650 but i just can't get the last 5mhz. every time i do, the system locks up and freezes everything. even pressing the reset button will take about 3-5 seconds before it actually restarts. what is causing this type of freeze instability? i'm suspecting it's my memory. i'm writing down my settings right now and i'll post it in a bit

edit: here's my bios settings that i tuned myself:


Code:
Processor:  q9650
OC From Memory Level Up: Auto
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
FSB Frequency: 500
Ratio CMOS Setting: 6
CPU Clock Skew: -200ps
NB Clock Skew: -100ps
FSB Strap to North Bridge:  333 MHz
DRAM Frequency: 1601 MHz

DRAM Timing Control: Manual
1st Information: 9-9-9-28 (all other subtimings on auto)

DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Read Training: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister: Auto
Ai Transaction Booster: Auto

EPU II Phase Control: Auto

PCIE Frequency: 101

CPU Voltage: 1.34375
Load-Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.55081
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.39166
North Bridge Voltage:  1.51097
DRAM Voltage: 2.00131
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage:  1.55081
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.10014 

CPU GTL Reference (0): +60mV
CPU GTL Reference (1): +20mV
CPU GTL Reference (2): +60mV
CPU GTL Reference (3): +20mV
NB GTL Reference:  +40mV
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
Exactly what's happening to me when I'm playing with this Quad core.
Try upping CPU clock skew to 300ps and see if it improves.