Overclocking Q6600 …doesn't work

Question

Maybe this is a really generic question but I found no answer, and Q6600 is a really popular CPU.

I've tried the HOWTOs on Google, all the stuff I could find.
However, once I set some higher FSB (can't set spread spectrum.. it won't let me), the PC won't boot, have to reset bios. I could set the CPU voltage to +0.125 ..but with only that, I'm at the same place just with more voltage.

My mainboard: http://eu.msi.com/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1373&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&cat3_no=2

Any ideas?
(Why would I overclock?
1) Q6600 is a CPU made for overclocking. At least a lot of people use it on 3.0+ ghz.
2) CPU speed is the only bottleneck for me and it's very annoying.
3) Have no money for a full i7 upgrade. :/)

I know , Superuser is for Software related questions.. mostly. This is ..well ... kinda connected to software. If you disagree, please point me to the right "Expers exchange site". Thanks.

Answer 1

If even the slightest overclocking does not work, maybe you have a buggy BIOS version.

On some boards you may need to disable SpeedStep to achieve stable overclocking (which unfortunately results in higher CPU temperature); however, my ABIT IP35 Pro does not have this problem ;)

Also try to decrease RAM frequency before trying to set higher FSB — increasing the FSB frequency without switching the FSB:RAM ratio may push RAM over its limit (especially if using some cheap RAM).

Overclocking Q6600 with a box cooler is also problematic due to overheating issues, but this usually results in instability under load, not in a completely unbootable system.