Power supply Amperage?

Question

I am overclocking my Q6600 and have hit a wall staying stable at 4Ghz.

I can run stable at 3.6Ghz , but anything over that, the system will boot into windows up to 4Ghz, but any attempt to run Prime95 the pc restarts automatically.

Now I am thinking the issue is with my PSU. I currently have the Antec Phantom 500, it has 2x 12v rails.
12v1 = 17amps
12v2 = 18amps
for a total of 35amps.

I know the cpu is using 1 of the rails to itself.
Now is it possible that the cpu is trying to pull in more than 17 or 18 amps when overclocked above 3.6Ghz , and since the rails are capped at 20amps the cpu isn't getting the amps it requires, hence causing the restarts?

This msg. is for Bert H.

Obviously you have no clue about what I'm talking about so why did you answer?

The Q6600 runs at 2.4Ghz stock,
so my overclock is almost 50% from stock, an increase of 1.6Ghz and not .4Ghz.

So your answer is ridiculous haha!

Answer 1

I don't think you have a problem with the power supply. You could be at the limit of your processor's capability. You already have a great overclock. Others are not so lucky even on the G-zero stepping:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3066&p=3
The next level might require volt modding or sub-zero cooling.

Answer 2

According to the magazine "PC Gamer" of June 2007, some CPU's have a safety feature built-in to prevent overheating.

The article is "Learn how to SAFELY overclock your PC.

If you are stable at 3.6Ghz and me being a dummy, I don't see the benefit of "fiddling" with the clock speed (an increase of .4 Ghz)???

I'm not familiar with Prime95, that wouldn't be "You're at your prime at age 95 would it?"

Rails are for trains, Amperage (amps) are for the term "War Amps" correct?

How would you feel if your CPU was burnt to a crisp for a lousy .4 Ghz speed gain?

Keep crisping, er burning.
;-)