That's great, Jason. We don't want PC P&C to fall into abyss. Maybe your professionally crafted correspondence will accomplish this. Or, maybe the Captain is right and it's already too late. However, note this - I sent a set of OCZ flex memory back about a week ago, and they shipped the RMA out next day without my even requesting it.

Also - really nice looking build!

Do consider the very real possibility that "Bob" may have gotten burned a few times doing this.

Everyone out there isnt as "stand up" and honest as the group of folks we have here.

Here is what I wrote to Consumer Relations Manager for OCZ Technology, Andy Talamantez:

Hi Andy,

A brief follow-up and concern:

Bob notified me this morning that PC P&C would need to debit my credit card for the full amount of the replacement PSU – as if it were a new purchase – before sending out the RMA unit. He explained this was due to new RMA policy implementation. It’s difficult not to speculate that this new policy originated with OCZ.

In my 20+ years building computers, I’ve never come across such a stringent policy, bordering on punitive. I fully understand the need to have a credit card on file to secure a transaction. This typically involves checking the account to ensure availability of funds; sometimes (infrequently in my experience), placing a hold on funds; never, however, have I had a card debited up front as if purchasing a new product. This seems excessive. To date there is unanimous concurrence on the tech forum I moderate as to the deleterious effect of said policy (where this incident is being chronicled).

I was curious as to your thoughts on the matter. I felt you should have an opportunity to respond.

Having a history with PC Power & Cooling, there exists a trust level, and I was amenable – but not pleased – having them debit my account. I doubt first time customers will be as receptive to this new policy. It just seems bad business.

Sincere regards,

Jason Kays

I know that has been the case, Tim, because James in tech support has raised the issue. I'm not quibbling with OCZ's right to secure an RMA transaction with an end user's credit card -- even placing a hold on funds. I still maintain that charging a card for a new PSU is excessive and wrong.

I think most of us are in agreement PC Power & Cooling is one of the more reputable outfits out there -- that isn't at issue. I would like to see them retain that status.

OCZ responded, in effect, that this policy was implemented after OCZ suffered a five figure hit due to end users failing to return claimed defective products. I quoted his response in full here, but he requested that I paraphrase, as it creates a carfuffle with management.

dude, put plastic bowls that you throw away after using them

i use carboard cups, bowls, anything that's big enough to fit under the hole i'm cutting/sanding/dremeling.

tape it up nice and tight and all the metal dust falles into the cup/bowl.

don't do it outside , wind is your enemy.
i do my cutting inside next to a big air cleaner we have for the house .




anyway, dell tech support has 24/7 free phone help and i'm gunna make some shiteeheads night a biatch!


let him remote control my rig and either get vista to ummm, right click the mouse and show menus, or.... winxp and the crap drivers they have working.

ohhours and hours of fun.....lol!

gunna try and get this Smell running cherry and just use it.
then pick soe parts to keep and make a play around with rig...

Oh dont get me wrong Jason....I was certainly not disagreeing with you.
I was simply speculating on reasons for the harsh change in their policy.

I should have been more clear, but posted in a rush on my way out the door

Understood. I know you wouldn't dare to disagree after banishing me to the deserted isle with Raymond Raptor and his parade of horribles.

Great idea, Captain. I'll definitely keep that in mind for future mods.

I spent a few hours overclocking the Q6600 tonight. Very impressive overclocker: I was hitting speeds reached with the QX6700.

3.995 GHz:


3.82 GHz


3.77 GHz SuperPi Results:


These speeds, of course, were not Orthos stable. At 3.995 GHz, the 6600 wouldn't run PI.

3.60 GHz seems fairly stable and runs at decent temperatures, even under load. I'm running Orthos now and will update this post with results shortly.

Awesome results Jason. I've seen people report good stablility at 4.0 by going just a click or two high with vcore.

Wow - nice! Impressive.

Welllll . . . that didn't work for me, my friend. I had both CPU and NB voltages up to 1.70 and unable to boot at 4.0 GHz. I was happy hitting 3.995, but it was hella unstable.

Here are the BIOS settings:
FSB 444 MHz; CPU 1.625v (anything higher left system more unstable); CPU Reference 0.63x; CPU Damper, Enabled; CPU PLL 1.70; NB 1.40v; NB Reference 0.61x; FSB Termination 1.30v; SB 1.20v; RAM 2.25v

Running the processor at 3.82 GHz with Orthos, temps started to hit 77C, so I stopped the torture -*test*-('") immediately.

At 3.60 GHz, I was able to run system stably with both CPU and NB at 1.40v. This brought temps down markedly -- 38-40C at idle, 60C running Orthos. BIOS setting identical to above with the exception of CPU PLL, Auto; DRAM 2.0v; FSB Termination Auto; SB, Auto

Great results and temps Jason. Mine seems pretty solid and relatively cool running at 3600MHz as well. Ungodly fast at encoding at that freq.

Agreed. Personally, it's difficult for me to go back to two cores after spending six months with the Quad.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how the QX6850 will overclock. I'm not expecting the huge overclocks of the 6600, but would be nice if I can get it running stable at 3.80. If not, I'll sell it and buy a second Q6600.

I won't be seeing 4.0 either. BSOD at 1.675v. Playing with RAM right now. Have it at 480MHz 2.2v 44410 2T on P95 blend.