Specific Overclocking Help Request

[philsymonds]

I have what I think is now a reasonably good setup, with potential for OC.

I have searched this and many other places looking for help, but most reviews etc are either too advanced, too simple, or very non specific.

Is anyone willing to give me some help to overclock my pc?

I can't seem to find how to match the RAM to CPU for one.

The BIOS allows % increases of CPU speed, but I know that's only half the story.

Dougal

Specs Below:
PSU: Enermax 465W
M/B: Asus P4C800-E-Deluxe
CPU: P4 3.2Ghz 800FSB (with high spec cooler)
RAM: 1Gb (2x512 Dual) Kingmax DDR500
Video: nVidia FX5900
HDD: 120Gb SATA x2

[congo]

Intel Overclocking is done by increasing the front side bus speed (FSB). When you overclock the FSB, the RAM speed increases proportionately........ you get so far and the RAM will not work anymore or become highly unstable resulting in system crashes. The RAM can also be damaged by overheating.

The PC may fail to boot after an overclock for at least one of the following three reasons.

1. the ram can't cope
2. the CPU cant cope
3. the OP sys doesn't like it.

If the PC fails to boot after increasing the FSB speed, you may have to reset CMOS using a mainboard jumper cap as outlined in your manual. So, it's best to familiarise yourself completely with your BIOS setup before starting, so you can restore it to its current settings.

Let's say, (as I don't know enough about your system), that your FSB is clocked normally at 800mhz, and your RAM is running at the normal 400mhz speed for your mainboard.

If you bump the FSB speed up to 1000mhz (a 20% increase) then the RAM speed will now be proportionately increased up to 500mhz, which matches your RAM's theoretical maximum speed.

If your RAM was already running at 500mhz, (doubtful), then you would be prudent to de-clock the ram prior to overclocking the FSB, so that when the FSB reaches 1000mhz, your ram is running at its rated 500mhz.

CPU temperature should be carefully monitored after an increase in FSB speed, also and not so easily done, the mainboard's general temperature should be watched, as it may be damaged as well. The Northbridge chip may require extra cooling in severe cases.

Accurate CPU temperature monitoring is essential, and before and after readings need to be compared, at idle and max load as well, taking care to make accurate tests and comparisons.

Sound understanding of the overclocking principle, Simple mathematics and familiarity with bios settings are all you need.

Always understand there is a risk involved that you could damage your hardware in the process of overclocking, and be prepared to shell out some cash if the worst happens.

[philsymonds]

Thanks for that Congo.

I note i've accidentally posted this in the wrong section, guess it should have gone in 'Overclocking'. Sorry

I am familiar with my BIOS.  I have also made many small changes to both mine, and other home built PCs.

I have a very stable machine, with excellent cooling and many fans.  All, I beleive pushing & pulling in the right direction.  My usual O/C from the BIOS is just 10%, and I set the 'throttle' to 'turbo', and my CPU never goes above 48C, however hard I work it  The M/B temp usually sits between 25C & 31C, depending on many variants & fan controls etc.  I tend to use several different monitoring apps, as I don't like to put my trust in just one.

I wasn't aware that the RAM stepped up in sync with this.  What about RAM timings..... Are these not adjusted separatly somewhere?  Although I can see nothing specific for this in the BIOS, I could well be looking at the wrong names.

I know my system MUST be capable of considerably more, as the temps are so good.

Dougal

[congo]

You need to switch off TURBO and go to the manual settings, this should enable other settings including your RAM timings.

RAM timings are usually set by the bios and SPD module on the RAM chips themselves when SPD is enabled by bios setting. Disabling SPD should allow manual timing settings.

Fooling around with RAM timings will probably cause boot freezes and CMOS resets until you find the ideal settings. You can check the effect of your timing settings by using the system bandwidth benchmarks in SiSoftSandra, AIDA32 or Everest software. Everest is small and fine and free and as good as the others. (also free).

Generally, the lower the ram timings, the faster the system, but when the system is pushed hard, overclocked etc. ...... the timings may need to be slackened off for stability or even to boot at all.

There are many combinations of ram timings possible, using the benchmarks will help you optimise them.

[congo]

One more thing, I have a I865PE chipset similar to yours on a very nice Gigabyte mainboard, but bought it some time ago and put a 2.4ghz CPU in it.

I overclocked the FSB to 1ghz and even though the CPU temp stayed nice and low, the mainboard became alarmingly hot after the PC ran for any length of time.

The Northbridge chip has active cooling on my board, yet the heat emitted seemed excessive, I wouldn't leave the case covers on during an overclock on that machine.

[philsymonds]

Will have another look at my BIOS

I have the facility (daft as it sounds), to place my PC in an air conditioned case.  Means I can keep the ambient temps waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down

Makes a massive difference to MB temps, though strangley, not much help for CPU temps.

It also keeps the air dry.  Always a help

[congo]

Wow! what a luxury!

IT probably doesnt effect the cpu temp as much because it is taken near the core, where the heat is being produced.

I noticed 2 things:

1. when the (AMD) CPU gets used for almost anything, the temp leaps up almost instantly, and then dies back down almost as quickly after the process.

2. the ambient room temp has a great effect on CPU temp. It reaches +40C in my room in summer and 10C in winter. When it's very hot here, It's possible for the CPU temp to reach a critical "meltdown" point where it just will keep rising, it simply doesn't dissipate.

A friend of mine reported several PC fires in Western Australia last summer.