How to overclock, for dummies, and super dummies...

[yagga]

Hey everyone, I am starting to get experience in this whole computer business, but I have yet to overclock. I am wondering exactly how to do it. I know it is pretty simple if you have the right stuff, but there are still certain steps that must be taken in order to not kill my system. Just treat me like I don't know anything, since I have never actually done this it makes perfect sense. Step by step.

Info would be useful for:

***P4C800 E-Deluxe motherboard (very easy overclocker I think?)
***Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz 800fsb HT w/upgrade humongous hsf 92mm SILENT
***512 MB corsair ddr 400 Mhz
***550 Watt True Power Antec <530 watt load> (PLENTY of juice)
~~~~~~~~~~I think this is all neccessary...

Everything is stock right now.
Would updating bios be a possibility at all as of now too? How would that be done exactly, need floppies? Would this help in anyway at this moment?


Also, is there a way to oc the memory?



Thank you for all your expert advice.

[Nebulous]

Ahhhh, how I luv to corrupt young minds :D

Well looks like you've got some nice parts there. Now I noticed you posted: "***512 MB corsair ddr 400 Mhz"

Is this 1-512mb stick or 2-256mb sticks? Also I need to know if it's the black label XMS or the silver label Platinum series. This will give me a rough estimate on high an overclock you can more or less expect.

[yagga]

oops, sorry for posting in the wrong area.

Well, it is the Platinum XMS series ( the best they made last August, not the new Ultra or something like that Platinum XMS series that is very new)

It is one stick. I always like the best stuff.

[Nebulous]

Originally posted by yagga
oops, sorry for posting in the wrong area.

That's ok, just take a look at each section of the forum before you post, it'll make my job easier ;)

[yagga]

That was so quick, you didn't even give me 1 minute to edit that "Oops" post with the other info, thats where the memory info is, just incase you missed the edit.

[Nebulous]

lol, well, platinum is the way to go!

Ok, this is what you want: Go to "Jumperfree Configuration" in the advance setup bios. Change the "standard" setting to manual. You'll get all the seeting to overclock in there ;)

Just raise the fsb(Cpu xternal feq) by 5's at a time

Dram freq- 320Mhz ( 5:4 ratio)

Agp/Pci- 66/33

now i'm sure you know about the cpu voltage and the ram voltage. Also refer to your mobo's manual. remember take baby steps. If it fails to boot, don't panic! Just unplug the pc from the back of the power supply and give it like 5-10 minutes. It will revert back to the stock stettings.

Also do a google search for more info and research. All mobos and parts are different so just because 2 ppl could have the same setup, doesn't mean they will both have uber overclocks.

[yagga]

well, what about those voltages, take one .05 increase or whatever is smallest only when system fails? or what. remember "for super dummies"
and what about the multiplier?

Also, can doing this in baby steps cause the motherboard to get hurt? I think I changed a setting at one time and it messed it up, i can't remember, though.

[Nebulous]

lol, no. Just raise the voltages a notch if needed. ie: lock up or bsod, blue screen of death.

No taking baby steps will not mess up the board.

[yagga]

so i should never increase the voltage unless a problem occurs firist correct. What about those multipliers?

[Nebulous]

You won't be able to change multiplers. The intel chips are locked.

Only raise the voltages when needed.

[yagga]

so that is what locked means, just the multipliers being froze, are there any chips like the amds that are unlocked, and how does it work with the multipliers and fsb then? I also have a 1300 Mhz Duron in my old Compaq that I upgraded from 750Mhz (amazingly big speed boost) I think the fsb is 200 on the 1300, but maybe that was for the 750, well thats not important yet, anyway. I quess I am yadda ing on so I will stop now.

How high a voltage increase is still safe usually?

Also, I have a heat sensor with my Thermal Take Xaser III v2000, the best spot for that on the processor would I assume just sticking as deep into the heat sink as possible right? And should I glue it or something onto a fin?

[versello]

Here's a nice article if you wanna have a read: http://www.icrontic.com/index.php?module=articles&&id=765

[yagga]

It is a pretty nice article. Are all the AMD chips unlocked/unlockable so that the multiplier and fsb can change? I am especially referring to the 64 bit editions.

[Nebulous]

Yes if the board can support them.

[yagga]

obviously my compaq can not, but if I ever upgrade that board to a better chepie (its got 100/133 sd ram memory, 3 pci, 4x agp MAX (only a 4 mb card with 1x agp on it currently) , pretty basic stuff) I will give it a shot on that 1300 duron which I am quite happy with since it saved me a lot more time in waiting, and was only 39 bucks full retail! w/ free second day FedEx through New Egg. You know, I am very confused why they have been selling this one for so long at about this price, but they sell duron 1000's 900's 1100's or whatever for like twice the price. Do they know what they're doing? I may never know.