Thinking about overclocking

[Tigger29]

I have an old ASRock Dual-Vsta motherboard with an E6300 (1.86ghz) Core-duo processor, 2GB DDR2 ram, and 7900GS PCI-e video card.  Even though the PCI-e on this motherboard is limited to 4X, I still manage to pull on average 50-75 fps (75 refresh rate for monitor) running 1024 textures with hi-res, and all settings maxed.

I do however occasionally see a drop to 25-30fps during heavy combat and fire/smoke in the background, and was wondering if a mild overclock might help with this.  I've tried turning AA off, and also 2X and 4X AA, and see virtually no difference in framerates so this leads me to think i may be slightly processor limited rather than video limited.

My temperatures always stay very low, so I'm not afraid to push it up just a bit, however I've never messed with overclocking and really don't know where to start.  Think anyone can help?

I should add I am running XP Pro (fresh install less than a month old) and can get it down to 24 processes before loading AH.

[Getback]

I know some things but it is limited. I'll await until Tildeath arrives.

[TilDeath]

I know some things but it is limited. I'll await until Tildeath arrives.

Ta Da 

[TilDeath]

First off you need to set your memory Voltage and Timings manually in the BIOS.  You can get the settings from the malers website.  Then the easiest thing to do is to push the FSB up a little at a time (800 to 850 and so on) until your not stable (BSOD) then back it down until stable.  Increase the Voltage to the processor a little  and upp the FSB again check CPU Temps under stress using OCCP let it run at least 20 mins ( 60+ to be absolutely sure) if the temps are within acceptable range up the FSB some more until unstable, back off check temps and settings maybe more voltage (check with the voltage reguirements for your processor) going over a little is ok (i.e. 1.3 spec and pushing to 1.38 but depends on your processor)  Search for E8400 Overclock settings (replace the E8400 with your processor) this will give you an idea of voltage ranges, FSB achievements etc.  I am thinking you should be able to get into the high mid to mid 2's  I DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSABILITY FOR YOUR OCing your PROCESSOR.  DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK

[BaldEagl]

It's easy enough to do as long as your motherboard supports it but you need a couple of tools first.  Go download either Orthos or Prime95.  You'll also need a temperature monitoring program.  I've got an eVGA motherboard and use their system monitor to monitor temperatures, voltages, etc.

Once you have your tools downloaded go into the BIOS and set the CPU voltage manually to the current auto setting, then, as TilDeath stated, bump your FSB slightly (about 50 MHz at a time) then boot the computer.  Keep doing this until either the computer won't boot or windows won't load, then back it down to the last successful setting.

Now boot up and run Orthos or Prime95 for at least 15 minutes, monitoring CPU temps the entire time.  If the CPU temps run too high then you'll have to back it back down and consider another CPU or case cooler.  If the temps are OK but the program reports errors or shuts down you'll need to bump voltage to the vcore slightly (3 settings max) then try again.  If it's stable try setting the voltage back a notch and try again.  Do this until you are unstable then set it back up one notch.

Now you get to start over.  Bump the FSB again then test.  Bump the voltage if you need to and run Prime/Orthos.  Get stable and back down the voltage again.

You'll finally reach a point where the voltages will be heating the CPU noticeably.  After researching your CPU you'll have to decide what's comfortable (for me I don't like to exceed 60C under full load on both cores which is well below spec for any Intel processor... mine runs 45C at full load with a 20% OC) and find the settings that give you the most performance at a comfortable CPU temp.  Also keep in mind that for most people their CPUs will run cooler in the winter than in the summer so leave a margin for error.

A mild overclock (10-20%) should go pretty easily as long as you have decent cooling.  If you push the limits you may exceed your RAM speed at which time you're not really gaining anything unless you OC the RAM or buy faster RAM.

Hope that helps.  BTW, take this advice at your own risk.

[Tigger29]

Great advice guys!  Time to start playing.

I'm not looking to see how far I can go... just hoping to bump it up a bit (maybe to 2.25ghz) just to see if I notice any game performance increases.  Otherwise, this system is more than enough for my needs.

Also... I just ordered a TrackIR today!

[Fulmar]

If your DDR2 memory is 800mhz, the most you can OC w/o OCing your ram is 2.8ghz (which is your FSB is now 400mhz and the E6300 multiplie is 7 IIRC, 7x400=2800mhz, also, this is a 1:1 FSB/DRAM ratio).

If you DDR2 is 667mhz, the most you ca OC w/o OCing your ram is 2.33ghz.

If you DDR2 is 533mhz, cannot overclock your CPU without OCing your memory. 

With 2x1gb DDR2 800mhz costing about $20-$25 and 2x2gb DDR2 800mhz costing $40-$50, this would be an easy upgrade to allow you to overclock to a higher speed.

Programs you'll need (Google them for downloading):
Prime95 - Stress tests your computer.  It is best to let this program run for 8+ hours and make sure it doesn't fail the tests in order to prove a system stable.
CPU-Z - Lets you check your current CPU speed and fsb/RAM speed and timings/CPU Voltage/etc easily in Windows
Speedfan - Check CPU/Core/System Temps along with fan speeds

An essential guide to Overclocking.  I highly recommend reading through this before proceeding:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

An essential guide to CPU/Core Temperatures.  Highly recommend reading this as well.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-29-core-quad-temperature-guide

My computer is an E6400.  Stock its 2.13ghz.  I have it mildly OC'd to 2.66ghz.  My limiting factor is my DDR2 speed, which is 667mhz.  I did see a nice boost in performance, even from only a 500mhz increase in speed.  Right now as I type I have 45 processes running, which includes a number of applications open.  At idle, my processor sits at 35C and the cores are 43 and 44 respectively.  On full load, the cores may touch the 51C-52C at most.  I use an Arctic Freezer 7 Heatsink, along with Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound.  I know some guys probably have lower temps for their OC'd C2D's, but I attribute my temps to have a lot of stuff in my case.  Mainly cables, expansion cards etc.

[Getback]

Ta Da 

 

Well, I know how to get it some of the way and that is about it. Right now I'm at 3.5 and that is plenty.

[Tigger29]

Well my motherboard is very limited to what I can overclock.  The only option in the Bios that is adjustable (as far as this is concerned) is the FSB.  It DOES have an 'overclocking protection' feature which does a quick stress test and if that fails, it will refuse to boot until you re-enter bios and select a stable speed.

The highest stable speed (using the MB's self test) I can achieve is 295X7... reporting just over 2.06GHz with no noticeable increase in temperature. (Stock CPU cooler, two case fans, 'blower' style video cooler installed under card)

So that's roughly a 10-12% increase in performance.

I was in Aces High for several hours (and watching movies awhile after) and did not experience one single hiccup.  It does seem that I can definitely notice the speed increase... everything seemed to flow more smoothly.

I've pretty much conceded to the fact that this is the best I'm going to do with this current motherboard.  Thanks for your help guys!

[Speed55]

I have the same motherboard, and am using an ati 3870 card.

I also played around with the idea of overclocking, and might give it a try after hearing your results,  but i think it's better to just get a newer motherboard that supports pcie x16 2.0, uses faster ram, has a faster front side bus, and doesn't use a via chip.