I am running it at 1248:1248

had issues booting at 1248:1333 so I did the 1248:1248 and its solid so far. DO I really need to run those temp and monitoring tools?

You don't need to but if your trying to see how high you can get it then you'll need to test it somehow. Plus if you start having some issues in games you won't know if it's an OC issue without further testing. OCCT is a great tool for that. You can also try Everest which has a stress test built in also.

Downloaded CPU-z and its prurring like a kitten at 2.8Ghz

Wonder why it didn't run at 1333:1333

I got OCCT, how long do I need to test it for? 20 min? The default is one hour...

The longer the better. I normally stop it after 20 minutes.

I ran OCCT for 36 minutes with no problems with just my FSB at 1333 so I should be ok right? Thanks bro!!!

No voltage option with the current version of the M17x BIOS. Maybe with a future release. The M15x has memory voltage options in the BIOS.

Yes. Sounds like you could probably push it further if you wanted to.

NWGuru is so all over this not much room to squeeze in. His advice is 100% top notch. NW clearly knows this notebook I do not. That said let me throw in a little input mostly for Turmoil as having a little issue. Moonstone you seem to going OK at this point.

A maybe stupid observation I might be a dick but what NW is calling a divisor (and it is) is also called the fsb:RAM "ratio".

NW pointed out this system likes a certain ratio. Guessing integer based? And as NW said do not work with two variables (CPU and RAM) at the same time. That stops you from identifying the problem.

Nothing wrong with downclocking your RAM 1066Mhz to see if your CPU can do 1333Mhz=3Ghz OC. That would be a 5:8 ratio. I think 5:8 is a ratio that NW might think is good. This is just to see if any benefit. The mixing does affect. Your inability to get 1333:1333 (333:666/1:2)) does indicate the CPU has the issue. But test to see.

Thermal monitoring is critical. You want to know how hot your baby runs. If you cannot keep thermal range within certain limits you must consider downclocking. Even if passes stress test. Heat kills and not always right away.

Getting way too deep and I believe a other application needed. If your CPU can't go above 2.8Ghz? How about if your RAM can handle faster than 1333Mhz. How about you change the CPU multiplier from x9 to x8? So 350Mhz would put your CPU at 2.8Ghz and RAM at 1400Mhz w/5:8 ratio.

This OC'ing is a jigsaw puzzle. You have voltage options correct? RAM only or CPU?

If RAM only you should be able to go above 1400Mhz, and if so a 2.8Ghz and 1500Mhz RAM is better than 2.8Ghz w/1333Mhz. See what I mean?

I stress test with orthos myself. But on occt you should have option to stress CPU or CPU and memory. As far as time goes? I would stress until temp stops rising then 10 minutes. If stable use your notebook for a while gaming or what not. If stable cool. There are so many silly opinions and what is enough.

Best of luck!

For whatever reason, Vista Service Pack 2 is not showing up... I think there is a problem. Any ideas?

you know ive done all the updates an haven't seen a service pack 2. no ideas. i got windows 7 coming for F-vista i always hated it. lol.. bye bye vista soon as win 7 comes in.

Be patient, M$ takes sometimes after the new comp arrives to put up the SP2 for the machine. It can take up to a month. In the mean times, pick up any updates that are being made available via WU.

cheers ...

Wait, fsb at 1333? On the p8600, what would 1333 clock it at?

Because I am running at 1248:1248 with no problems. Ran occt reg and extreme test for 30 min one after the other and no problems.

Looks like I should roll the 1333:1333? Thoughts?

I got my FSB set at 1333 and im 3GHZ with windows 7 score 6.5

That's hot Moon. You are my inspiration for pushing my bad boy to 3Ghz since u and I have the same processors. I don't plan on taking the Windows 7 dive until they release the first service pack. That and I have to wait for my Dell gift cards to get my SSD.

Windows 7 Pro upgrade coupon sitting in my office at work

wow a ssd i wish. some day they will drop. i haven't done anything on windows 7 yet. just got installed like 30 minutes ago an ran my score tests which is:

6.5
5.9
6.0
6.0
5.9

man yours will be way up there. looks like 7.9 is the top out for now. let me know how it goes with your?