Simviation Forums

Hello all,
           I have no idea what overclocking is can anybody explain ? And if so........How do I overclock my p.c

             Thanks, ace

Overclocking allows you to speed up your computer at expense of its life (shortening it).  If you upgrade the cooling it won't affect the life (depending how much you o/c by).

I will use the processor as an example.  If you were to change the fsb (front side bus) speed say by 5MHz you would get an increase in the MHz of your processor by the multiplier*fsb increase.  The multiplier is set by the motherboard and changes from processor to processor.  At a point you will find the increase in MHz will cause the system to become unstable, to remedy this an increase of the voltage input into the CPU is required.  This is the VCore voltage.  This stabilises the processor.  However this causes an increase in heat.  Without adequate cooling the CPU will burn up and not recover (affectively dead).  If you were to up the fsb of the CPU it may do it but the RAM may not, assuming the RAM is in-sync with the CPU (say the fsb is 333 and RAM is 333 for it to be in-sync).  RAM is very reluctant to go further than it's stock setting is.  RAM burns up very easily.  Keeping the RAM in-sync with the CPU is vital to prevent any bottle necking affects that can happen.  Often new RAM is required in-order to o/c the processor.

You can use software to do o/c'ing but i would not use it.  They are very un-reliable and often mess up your system.  Using the bios to o/c the system works much better and i would recommend using that if you were to o/c.  However i don't recommend o/c'ing the system unless you are prepared to pay the money to replace the part/ live without a computer for however long it takes for you to replace it.  

In addition to o/c'ing you may need to upgrade the PSU so to cope with the increase in power usage.  If you don't it may burn up itself and take your mobo with it.  

Graphics card o/c'ing is done using a program.  There are many available on the net.  RivaTuner is just one of them.  Again i recommend upgrading the cooling before trying this.

I don't recommend o/c'ing.  I feel that if you want more performance it is better to upgrade, or get a new system depending on what your current setup is now.

o/c = overclock
mobo=motherboard.

Thanks for that Hi-D ! I learnt alot of useful info

No problem!

What are your current specs right now? Or the specs of the system you are considering o/c'ing?

There are some reasons people overclock Ace.

One of them is the shear challenge of getting your system pumped up to it's maximum performance, it's like any hobby, one seeks perfection.

Another use is to possibly put off buying the next greatest hardware if you need more speed to run your latest software on. Some people may benefit here who aren't in a  financial position to upgrade yet.

A dubious use of overclocking on Dad's old PC to run your latest Sim on would be a temptation for a percentage of keen young minds.  :o

As computers and components lose their technological "edge" in the market place, their price drops, sometimes dramatically. Certain components are known to be "good overclockers" and they can be assembled into quite powerful machines at big discounts compared to the latest gear. This is about where I am in the scheme of things, and I like messing around with it of course!

You can learn a lot by overclocking, but you need the time and interest. A lot of research needs to be done before you attempt anything, unless you have a large funds reserve for replacing dead hardware! It can be surprisingly easy to destroy PC components with electricity and heat! (not to mention physical damage while messing about with the parts).

If you think you might like to try it, you should always ask yourself one question before you start. "Am I prepared to destroy this, and can I replace it?" If the answer is yes, then You're in!  

[quote]
 Queries

My philosophy has always been to upgrade my computer when necessary, to keep up to date with hardware, without the need to risk damaging my computer by overclocking.
I started off with a Pentium 486 DX 100 some ten years ago and gradually built my system up bit by bit, over time, with little expense incurred each time, to the system I have now.... ...!
I have always had great respect for all the bits of precious hardware in my desktop case, and providing my system hardware runs perfectly happily with my installed programs, I leave fiddlin' about with voltages, etc, to a minimum.... ....!
I have always thought that it was safe to overclock processors/cards/ etc, that manufacturers would have built them to that specification in the first place.... ...!

It's a bit like my motor-bikes: Why over-bore my cylinders and super-charge my engine, risking blowing the whole plot up, when all I need to do is get a bigger flippin' bike... ...LOL...!
Sorted... ...!

What do I need next...?
The most processor/graphics card intensive software I have at the moment is my FS 2002/FS 2004, but as they run at 30-60 FPS, I don't need to fiddle around...and what I've got at the moment I'm perfectly happy with.. for a while......!
LOL...!

Cheers all... ...!

Paul.
Congo...all this over-clocking malarky will only end in tears...trust me... ... ... ...Cheers sport..!

...the only clock I ever alter is the one on my wall... ...!
LOL...!

A dubious use of overclocking on Dad's old PC to run your latest Sim on would be a temptation for a percentage of keen young minds.

Oi! I take offence! (not - lol...) Thats exactly what ive done, exept minus the dubious bit. (I think - whats that burning smell!)
Dan G  ;D  ;D

OMG!

Now I see your system specs Ace.........  

Go on O-clock it  ;D Im sure you can gain some more performance  ;D U know you want tooooo  ;D

Thanks to all for replying to my overclocking post. Lot of useful stuff here  :)
       
               Takecare, Ace

    p.s sorry i replied so late !!