Page 1 of Overclocking My PC - Where Do I Start - Advice Please?

I`ve got an Abit Sis-661 mobo (bus clock 200 megahertz) and a P4 3.06 (FSB 800), memory is 1x 512mb DDR PC 2700 & 1x 512mb DDR PC 3200, the graphics card is going to be replaced (once funds become available) to a 9800 Pro from a FX5200.

I have one extraction fan (rear) and aluminium (heat sinks) covers on the DDR memory at present.

I like to tinker and so i thought i`d try overclocking my PC in order to get a little more performance from it than at present but to be honest i`m not entirely sure where to start despite having had a look on google. I`m not bothered doing anything to the graphics card (due to a forthcoming replacement as mentioned above) unless i have to as a result of other modifications made.

Is there a piece of software that will help me with my particular set up or if not where should i start?

M.

try here m8 for starters

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/index.php?

Be VERY careful mate-it doesn`t take long (or much) to reduce a perectly functioning PC to an overhated mess that needs chucking in the bin. I tried it a while ago now with an old Celeron based PC, and I fried the chip-AND I followed the instructions too!!

Of course, there are people successfully overclocking on a regular basis, but if you don`t need to, why risk it? (Or at least, that`s my motto!!)

I don`t think the P4 can be overclocked by much. It will probably involve setting FSB speeds. You won`t be able to take the P4 much faster as it will become unstable but it`s unlikely damage will be done - I think a P4 can even run without a fan but will slow to a crawl (of course, don`t try it)!

When adjusting the FSB speeds or clock multipliers (in the case of Athlons) this must be done in small incrememnts until you reach a stage of instability. This will be the threshold at which your PC can run reliably but I would install heat monitoring software for your motherboard. Your CPU should run reliably up to about 60 degrees C.

Also you can overclock the graphics card too and once again use the same process of using small increments till it reaches instability. Then lower the speed at the last point the PC was stable.

As Emily said, I really don`t recommend overclocking PCs, even Athlon PCs because the processors are easily fast enough. I can`t see the point of reducing the life of the processor for a small increase in performance.

This item was edited on Tuesday, 9th August 2005, 17:45

The thing with over clocking, is that every motherboard, chip, ram and air circulation is different.

In the end the amount you can spend on getting the right fns etc you might as well just wait and buy the next higher processor when it drops in price.

This space for sale





. <--- Except this bit, its mine.

Quote:
I would install heat monitoring software for your motherboard

MikeElliot can you recommend me any such "free" software that would work with my Abit mobo?

I thought i might be able to get say an extra 10% out of the CPU much less and i guess it`s not entirely worthwhile, i`ll certainly be looking into oc`ing the graphics card when i can afford one that is...

M.

Hi Bob,

Can you tell me the model number of the board? I think Sis-661 is the chipset and not the model number. Alternatively you can try www.abit.com.tw

Quote:
I`ve got an Abit Sis-661 mobo (bus clock 200 megahertz) and a P4 3.06 (FSB 800),

FFS talk about "The grass is always greener" :D

A 3Gig CPU, f***, I cream ma drawers thinking about having a chip that fast :D

Seriously though, prior to overclocking get yourself the highest rated CPU fan/heatsink available. It really is surprising how hot a chip can get when clocked so better safe than sorry etc. Then phanny about with the CMOS settings.

That said why not simply get a stick of memory, that always helps a good bit so stepping up to 1 Gig should make a difference. While the difference will not be as dramatic as going from say 256 Meg to 512 Meg you should still see/notice the difference with the added benefit the CPU will not be stressed.

Choagy FFCUK the SPL :)

Quote:
Can you tell me the model number of the board?

Mike, I think it`s an SG-72 if that makes sense :/ Is there a definite way of finding out this info and i can confirm 100%, i can`t for the life of me remember where i got this info from, i think it might have been on the cover of a PDF document that i downloaded once. I`m sure Belarc advisor just calls it an SiS-661 (i`m at work so i can`t check right now, i really should get a wireless card for this work PC and ultra VNC set up on it, but then i`d never get any work done at all ;) )

Choagy, I`ve already got a Gig of RAM (2 x 512mb) only got two slots sadly and i can`t justify the cost of a 1gb stick of RAM (or even two 1gb sticks) at present so that`s as far as that side of things will go for now as i`m saving for a graphics card foremost at present. I`d recommend 1gb RAM to anyone though there is a noticeable difference over just 512mb in my opinion.

M.

Question is can you justify the purchase of a new system if you blow the cpu.
I`m dubious about overclocking a system based on a SIS chipset as they tend to be for budget motherboards with integrated sound and video