Can I overclock?
- Thread starter GamingGod
- Start date
Allargando
New member
I'd think the clocking procedure for AM2 should be similar to s939 clocking (I've done 939 clocking...so I might be able to help.)
I've downloaded the manual for your mobo, so here's a crash course on OCing (though I really would consider not clocking given your current temps, this may not be 100% accurate since I doubt the bios version for the manual is the same as your bios version)
Restart your computer and enter the bios (for my asus board, I press delete to enter the bios)
-go to the advanced tab
-go into JumperFree Configuration
-change CPU overclocking to manual
^this might open up more options for you...but I don't know since I don't have the board
-somewhere around the advanced tab you should find cpu frequency, increasing this is one part of overclocking. It's best to increase in small steps (1-2MHz is recommended but I find myself jumping in 5MHz increments until I get close to my final value)
-The frequency multiplier is multiplied with the cpu frequency to give you your actual clock (so 300MHz cpu and 9.0x multiplier gives you 2.7GHz)
increasing this increases your clock (if it's not already at its maximum)
-change dram timing mode and memory clock mode to manual
this should open up ram timings and the memory divider
-you can tighten the ram timings to increase performance somewhat
a higher memory divider makes the ram operate at a faster frequency
the most important ram timings are Tcl (CAS Latency), Trcd, Trp, Tras and the command rate (1T or 2T)
lower numbers = tighter timings
higher numbers = looser timings
I've read somewhere (couldn't tell you where though) that Tras should be at Trcd+Trp at a minimum
and that's the basics, now for some stability tips
-Increase the processor voltage if your overclock isn't stable (though you shouldn't exceed 1.5V)
*you need to be mindful of your temps, as more voltage = more heat
-Another thing you can try when you start increasing the cpu frequency is to increase the Northbridge voltage
-Hyper Transport Speed...I'm used to having an HTT multiplier, so I don't know how this affects stability, try keeping it at 1GHz (or if that doesn't work, lower it)
-If your OC isn't stable, try loosening your ram timings (going to 2T command rate might do the trick)
-If you want your ram timings to stay the same, increase the ram voltage a bit
-You can also lower the memory divider (ie, from 400MHz to 333MHz)
I don't really understand why this isn't just 1:1 or 5:6 etc...but your ram frequency should be cpu frequency * 2 * memory divider/400
(300MHz*2*533/400 = 800MHz)
the best way to do things is by only changing one setting at a time
if you go to the power tab and enter HW monitor configuration you can see your cpu temp (which is more reliable than things like coretemp and speedfan)
I've downloaded the manual for your mobo, so here's a crash course on OCing (though I really would consider not clocking given your current temps, this may not be 100% accurate since I doubt the bios version for the manual is the same as your bios version)
Restart your computer and enter the bios (for my asus board, I press delete to enter the bios)
-go to the advanced tab
-go into JumperFree Configuration
-change CPU overclocking to manual
^this might open up more options for you...but I don't know since I don't have the board
-somewhere around the advanced tab you should find cpu frequency, increasing this is one part of overclocking. It's best to increase in small steps (1-2MHz is recommended but I find myself jumping in 5MHz increments until I get close to my final value)
-The frequency multiplier is multiplied with the cpu frequency to give you your actual clock (so 300MHz cpu and 9.0x multiplier gives you 2.7GHz)
increasing this increases your clock (if it's not already at its maximum)
-change dram timing mode and memory clock mode to manual
this should open up ram timings and the memory divider
-you can tighten the ram timings to increase performance somewhat
a higher memory divider makes the ram operate at a faster frequency
the most important ram timings are Tcl (CAS Latency), Trcd, Trp, Tras and the command rate (1T or 2T)
lower numbers = tighter timings
higher numbers = looser timings
I've read somewhere (couldn't tell you where though) that Tras should be at Trcd+Trp at a minimum
and that's the basics, now for some stability tips
-Increase the processor voltage if your overclock isn't stable (though you shouldn't exceed 1.5V)
*you need to be mindful of your temps, as more voltage = more heat
-Another thing you can try when you start increasing the cpu frequency is to increase the Northbridge voltage
-Hyper Transport Speed...I'm used to having an HTT multiplier, so I don't know how this affects stability, try keeping it at 1GHz (or if that doesn't work, lower it)
-If your OC isn't stable, try loosening your ram timings (going to 2T command rate might do the trick)
-If you want your ram timings to stay the same, increase the ram voltage a bit
-You can also lower the memory divider (ie, from 400MHz to 333MHz)
I don't really understand why this isn't just 1:1 or 5:6 etc...but your ram frequency should be cpu frequency * 2 * memory divider/400
(300MHz*2*533/400 = 800MHz)
the best way to do things is by only changing one setting at a time
if you go to the power tab and enter HW monitor configuration you can see your cpu temp (which is more reliable than things like coretemp and speedfan)
Allargando
New member
sounds like that's a good position for it (though at 4500rpm that must be a noisy bugger)
135MHz isn't too much, but it's a good start (then again, I only have a 450MHz OC at the moment)
did you just increase the cpu frequency (without increasing cpu voltage)?
what are your temps at now?
135MHz isn't too much, but it's a good start (then again, I only have a 450MHz OC at the moment)
did you just increase the cpu frequency (without increasing cpu voltage)?
what are your temps at now?
but worth itAllargando
New member
The first test is being able to boot into windows
next, run something like OCCT or prime95
if you can make it through a run of OCCT or an hour of prime95 then your settings are pretty stable
If you start getting lots of BSODs (1 may be a fluke, if you restart and get another one then your first suspect should be your overclock) or if your computer locks up then your settings aren't stable
Hotter temperatures reduce the lifespan of your processor, so if you're planning to use your overclock for everyday use it's a good idea to stay a fair bit away from that max safe temp
I'm not really on any instant messenger a lot (busy with classes among other things)
next, run something like OCCT or prime95
if you can make it through a run of OCCT or an hour of prime95 then your settings are pretty stable
If you start getting lots of BSODs (1 may be a fluke, if you restart and get another one then your first suspect should be your overclock) or if your computer locks up then your settings aren't stable
Hotter temperatures reduce the lifespan of your processor, so if you're planning to use your overclock for everyday use it's a good idea to stay a fair bit away from that max safe temp
I'm not really on any instant messenger a lot (busy with classes among other things)
Allargando
New member
BSOD = blue screen of death
when windows crashes, you get a bsod. What you will see when (and if) you get one is a blue screen telling you that windows detected something and has shut down to prevent damage to your computer
If you're stable at a voltage, then you don't need to increase it
in fact, you can try decreasing it to lower temps (or just leave it as is)
58*C is a bit toasty imho, but if you're comfortable with 58*C then it's all good
I'd personally stop once my load got to about 51...but that's just me
when windows crashes, you get a bsod. What you will see when (and if) you get one is a blue screen telling you that windows detected something and has shut down to prevent damage to your computer
If you're stable at a voltage, then you don't need to increase it
in fact, you can try decreasing it to lower temps (or just leave it as is)
58*C is a bit toasty imho, but if you're comfortable with 58*C then it's all good
I'd personally stop once my load got to about 51...but that's just me
You know, occt is rediculous lol. The most power hungry game I play is cod4 and that is only 60% usage i mean occt is 100%. I am now clocked up to 2.97 ghz and am running at 53 degrees. This should be about 50 running cod4 maxed out. I dont know if this o/c made a difference yet.
I did increase my voltage my 50, will relower it
Oh and I am also about to add a 1/2 gig of ram to my pc.
I did increase my voltage my 50, will relower it
Oh and I am also about to add a 1/2 gig of ram to my pc.
Allargando
New member
OCCT is used for stability testing and burn-in. Most times, when you apply or re-apply thermal paste you need to let it run for a certain amount of time or put it through several thermal cycles (letting the processor get hot, then letting it cool down) before it works the best it can.
Also, if you overclock and use 60% load temps to judge whether you should push the cpu a bit more or not you can end up exceeding the max safe temp should you fully load your cpu for any significant amount of time (which isn't that hard to do)
If you're looking for extra fps in games you'll want to overclock your gpu. You actually won't notice much improvement in fps by overclocking your cpu.
Also, if you overclock and use 60% load temps to judge whether you should push the cpu a bit more or not you can end up exceeding the max safe temp should you fully load your cpu for any significant amount of time (which isn't that hard to do)
If you're looking for extra fps in games you'll want to overclock your gpu. You actually won't notice much improvement in fps by overclocking your cpu.
Allargando
New member
you did it for the bragging rights and because you are curious about the inner machinations of your computer
for gpu overclocking, I'd get rivatuner
be sure to watch your gpu temps as well
increase the clocks in small increments
if your screen goes blank, wait a while (gpu might automatically recover) and if it doesn't recover you restart
if you start to see artifacts (pixels that look funny, or not the way they're supposed to) then you back off your overclock a bit
to OC in rivatuner:
in the main tab look for the word "customize" and click the triangle thingy next to it
click the picture that looks like a video card
and that'l bring you to the clock and memory settings screen
for gpu overclocking, I'd get rivatuner
be sure to watch your gpu temps as well
increase the clocks in small increments
if your screen goes blank, wait a while (gpu might automatically recover) and if it doesn't recover you restart
if you start to see artifacts (pixels that look funny, or not the way they're supposed to) then you back off your overclock a bit
to OC in rivatuner:
in the main tab look for the word "customize" and click the triangle thingy next to it
click the picture that looks like a video card
and that'l bring you to the clock and memory settings screen
lol learn to use the edit button/be a bit more patient
we dont all just sit on the forums all day
First step would be to google
"how to overclock *replace with motherboard model*"
"how to overclock *replace with gpu model*"
or just look through our slightly dated stickies - youd get the general drift
when you run into problems give us a shout
we dont all just sit on the forums all day
First step would be to google
"how to overclock *replace with motherboard model*"
"how to overclock *replace with gpu model*"
or just look through our slightly dated stickies - youd get the general drift
when you run into problems give us a shout
