Newbie Question :(

[klorm]

Dear all,

I really am curious about over clocking my AMD athlonXP 2400+ that runs at 2GHZ originally....I dont know the propername but the box said it was made in 2003...
I live in Eastern Australia which has a temperature of +-35 Celcius in Summer and less than 15 degrees in winter. I want to overclock my system to around 2.4GHz without adding extra cooling...(I only have the cpu fan and an additional sidepanel fan on + the power supply fan which doesnt count ) is that possible?... My motherboard is a Kobian KT266a FDSX, can someone tell me the settings and the steps required to overclock my processor? Thanx heaps!

[klorm]

BTW I really want to be in a safe side...if it's going to drastically decrease my cpu's lifespan or if it's going to heat up my system too much I'll forget about this overclocking idea...thx!

[JohnE.]

Try this site for info: Overclockers.com

Use some good thermal paste: Subzero PC

If that's not enough info, try a Google search for "overclocking".

Good Luck!

[LeftCoast]

Do a search on www.google.com for "overclocking amd cpu" and you'll have more than enough info to get you started.

Most people who overclock don't use the stock cpu fans, they get bigger, louder ones to move more air. Your mobo needs to support OCing as well.

OCing is kind of "exceeding mechanical limits" of the cpu, so it's reasonable to assume the life of the unit will probably be diminished (also, quite easy to fry it, if you're not careful).

The question to ask yourself is, "Are any possible benefits to doing this worth the risk of damaging/destroying my cpu/mobo?"

[RamonGTP]

I believe the correct train of thought to use when overclocking is: "If you can't afford to replace it, don't overclock it"

[klorm]

Ok thanx...my bios has option to do it but i guess ill just forget the idea...I was just curious if i can overclock my cpu safely without adding anything else....what about AGP's?Ive got an nvidia geforcefx 5600xt and i know its not a high-preformance one...does nvidia have an overclocking program like ATi?or can anyone tell me the safest overclocking third party software thats free posibly lol ...thanx alot!I know that this question belongs to the graphics card section but i dont want to start a new thread just for one little question...sorry..

[tecy]

Ok first thing is in order to gain another 400mhz you need a better Heat sink and Fan (HSF) The SLK 900 is a goos start but has no fan so your need to choose one. I have the Volcano Extreem 12 and highly recomend this for quiet performance.

You need to up both your fsb and multiplyer and being that your motherboard is only 266fsb your going to run your chipset hot without additional cooling.

I would not recomend aiming so high for a 400mhz gain.

Here are some questions.

1) what memory do you have?
2) What PSU do you have?
3) Why dont you want extra cooling?

Do this at your own risk!

Underclock the Multiplyer a little. Start overclcoking your FSB only small amounts at a time. Keep doing this untill your system dont boot. Now if your pc dont post boot you need to reset the Cmos on the motherboard and set things back up again. Take up the Vcore untill it boots, this increases your cpu temp.

boot into windows and test the stability in sisoftsandra 2004 on the burn test at all times you must keep a eye on the system temp. I test for a good 30min. you can if you like continue to put up the fsb and vcore but you know when the temp is getting too high and it seems unstable. I would then clock the the fsb down a few steps and start putting the multiplyer up, again watch the temp and if crashes up the vcore. Keep doing this untill you have reached a stable pc and not running to hot.

Here is my pc at default then overclocked so you get a idear how far I pushed mine.

Default:

12.5 x 166 so thats 12.5 multiplyer 166fsb which is 333mhz

Memory DDR 400.

Now:

11.5 x 200

Iv now matched my memorys default speed so they run in sync.

Remember bios shows the FSB half its actual value so 200hmz is actualy 400mhz.

The above is only a general guide use the links thats been posted and be sure you know what your doing at every step.

Good luck.

[JohnE.]

does nvidia have an overclocking program like ATi?

Do a Google search for "coolbits" or "coolbits.reg" - easiest way to OC an nVidia card... no software to install, just a simple registry hack.

Actually... here's a good page with info on how to use it as well: Coolbits