Author Topic: CPU Cooling, Overclocking, and Memory Speeds (Read 1237 times)

Flash3 · « **on:** August 12, 2004, 08:05:13 PM »

Hey Guys,

Got the FX5200 PCI on the way as we speak so I will finially be able to play this game again. Was trying to get a decent deal on ebay, (around fifty bucks), but my girlfriend decided to suprise me and spend seventy. Oh well, its only money right? Right??
Got a couple of questions. First off, I've been hearing all kinds of talk about overclocking this and that, and since I have just recently decided to conquer the computer world, would I want to do it?, does it give you that much more of a gain?, I'm I going to burn the house down? I know bits and pieces of how it works but is it really worth it with a 2.7 Celeron? And if it is, how hot can I make the thing before it melts? I checked out Intel's website and found that max operating temp. is 85 degrees C. Seems a bit high to me, but I am kinda new to this stuff. How 'bout overclocking memory? How does that work?
Next question, checked out the stats for my memory on the HP website and it is telling me that I have "pc2100 and pc2700 messages at pc2100". Will someone please tell me what "pc2700 messages at pc2100" means? Memory type is DDR SDRAM. And why is it that the sticker on the memory stick in my computer says 333mhz if I have pc2100. I have one 256mb stick in the computer right now and I just won another 256mb stick out of a Compaq on Ebay. Any suggestions on how much I should have? About the only game I play online is Aces High, is 512mb gonna do me good on AH2?
Thats about all I got for now, but dont worry, I'll keep thinkin of more stuff to bore you guys with.

Thanks Guys

P.S. 400mhz FSB and an 845 chipst if that helps any?!?

FOGOLD · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2004, 01:47:18 AM »

You have 2700 (333Mhz) Ram in your machine running at 2100 (266 Mhz). This is not a problem. Good that you are getting another 256. That will be enough for AH and most other games. Just make sure it is the same speed (2700 ).

With that ram you will be able to overclock a little. Check out various websites about this before you try. It's not for the uninitiated.

PERSONALLY I am a skeptic about overclocking and don't think it is worth the worry and hassle. A stable machine is far more important.

Your machine should run AHII fine although it will not be the fastest. That extra 512 Mb of RAM is the best move you can make.

What OS are you using?

boxboy28 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2004, 03:50:01 AM »

dude goto OC forums look up your Mobo, the chip set, CPU and graphic card and see what people are doing with them ! READ READ READ before even starting!

http://www.ocforums.com/vb/

Schutt · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2004, 03:56:26 AM »

When you Oc and it does not work you can loose data on your hard disk. The problem is you often dont notice that it does not work till to late.

Maybe you damage some of your equipment, but mostly it goes unharmed.

Flash3 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2004, 04:42:01 PM »

OH WELL! The memory that I got off of Ebay is pc2100! Will it still work since the pc2700 in the machine is only running at 266mhz? Or would I be better off getting a stick of pc2700? What would be the effects of installing the pc2100 along side the pc2700?

Rasker · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2004, 01:06:36 AM »

running the 2100 stick alongside the 2700 would mean that the limiting factor in terms of overclocking would be the 2100, so the ram might cause the system to stop running where it otherwise would have kept running, Getting another stick of PC2700 would avoid that, and probably allow you to run the ram at a higher speed, in step with the front side bus speed, or separately.

Dextry · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2004, 04:02:54 AM »

Hey Flash I just got a Chaintech FX5200 (PCI) video card a little over a week ago and needless to say it runs better then I expected. I get stable frame rates 37 in the tower and on the runway and as soon as I get in the air 60 and 75, works perfect for me:aok I heard of them burning up if they dont have a fan on them so watch out.

Flash3 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2004, 03:32:00 PM »

Yeah, I seen one that just had the heat sink on it. Had a nice low price on it too, but I got a PNY with the fan on it. I am installing it as soon as I get done typing this so I will see you guys in the air in no time!!!

Flash3 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2004, 07:14:59 PM »

The card works great. Frame rates are around 50 in the tower and around 60 in the air with a few people in front of me. I have never seen it drop below 30, although it probably has at some point.
I do have a problem with color. Sometimes the screen will get a complete blue, red, or white tint to it. You can still see what you are doing but the screen is different shades of one color. Usually happens when there is an explosion in front of me or something like that.
Where can I get the latest drivers for this card? I went to the Nvidia website but cant find a driver just for an fx5200. There was a driver for a 6800, but nothing for me. Not sure if that is the latest driver for all cards or just the 6800.

Morpheus · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2004, 09:27:33 PM »

Overclocking is not for the amatures. I dont want to offend you but thats just the way it is. Learning how to OC comes in the form of baby steps. If you go too far you can really screw yourself and worse, your machine.

Like one other said, data is also lost often due to a bad OC. Trust me I know, I've been there. Its a real pain in the arse.

We've OC'd 1.8 GHz machines up to almost 3 GHz. Much of it has to do with finding the right combination between hardware and your settings. Your ram is very important, if not the most important. It more often than not determine how much you can OC a machine. The quality of the memory, the amount used ect. all determine what your end result will be in your OC and the limits that will be in place.

I STRONGLY suggest you spend a month or so before you start messing around in your BIOS and puttzing around with things you dont know about and read until you are blue in the face. Compare what you have to what others have and what they are getting out of their OC's. Learn what OC'ing actually is and what the fist steps you can take in OCing.

You think 50 bucks is alot. Its going to suck (god forbid) if you fry your CPU. Altho they are getting cheaper money is still money like you said.

ebgb · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2004, 10:11:17 PM »

mismatching memory modules is a crapshoot. generic modules will run but generally only at stock speeds and are quite often unable to overclock. furthermore, mismatching memory modules
(modules of different manufacture, different speed ratings)
can lead to random ctd's and other anomolies. if you plan to overclock, don't buy generic ram. buy good quality ram matched and paired from the same manufacturer.

g

ebgb · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2004, 10:12:52 PM »

RE: Drivers

Nvidia uses an Unified driver, one driver for all their video cards.
Find the latest Detonator drivers and you'll be fine.

Morpheus · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2004, 06:52:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by FOGOLD
PERSONALLY I am a skeptic about overclocking and don't think it is worth the worry and hassle. A stable machine is far more important.

What FOGOLD said here is very important to keep in mind.

What good is your machine if you are replacing burnt parts every month?

Flash3 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2004, 05:30:54 PM »

I went ahead and installed the pc2100 memory and as luck would have it, it works fine. My downloads have gone from about 3kb to 4kb up around 5kb to 6kb. I am guessing this means that it is OK for now. I still plan on getting the right stick, but I plan on leaving it in until then.

Thanks for the advice MoRphEuS. Thats what the question was all about in the first place. Dont know if overclocking is for me, yet, but I am looking for all the information I can get before I try. Figured this would be a good place to start because I know that there are alot of people in here that do know what they are doing. And maybe some that dont, but so far everyone has been helpful.

Anybody have any ideas on that color problem of mine? It only happens every once in a while. If I exit and restart the game it is fine again.?.

P.S. I will update on frame rates with new memory as soon as I get to play again.