Advice on overclocking my system please =)

[Tesla1483]

I'm writing because I am interested in oc'ing my computer and am a little rusty on the concept. I know a little bit (I've read the faqs/tutorials and such) but I'm certainly no guru. My motherboard is pretty nice and definitely designed with overclocking in mind. So, without further ado, here are the specs:

CPU: AMD 5600+ X2 (Windsor core, 1 MB L2 cache per core)
Motherboard: MSI K9N2 SLI Platinum (750a chipset)
Memory: 3 GB Corsair DDR2 @ 400 MHz
Video card: eVGA 9600 GT 512 MB (675 MHz core and 900 MHz memory)
PSU: 550W Antec
Stock cpu fan
OS: MS Windows XP Pro SP3

If you have any more questions please ask. I can also make an HTML dump of my CPUz info if that would help. Also, my case has quite a few fans and is well ventilated, it idols at around 28 C.

So, if anyone can give me some advice on how to go about doing this, I would appreciate it a great deal. Thanks!

 

[roush2fast]

I would just raise the FSB to 214 and run stress tests to make sure it's stable. I wouldn't mess with the voltage on that chip. Get it to 3.0 and leave it alone. Make sure to keep an eye on your temp under load. You need to get an aftermarket fan
.

 

[Tesla1483]

Any suggestions on what type of stress test? The only one I know that I have is the one for Half Life 2's lost coast add-on, but that one seems kind of old now.

 

[roush2fast]

Well since were not dealing with an extreme oc here I would say 3dmark 06 should suffice. You can get it free at www.futuremark.com. I say leave it at 3.0 but that chips seems to oc to 3.2 without too much trouble. I just wouldn't raise vcore until you have a better fan.

3d mark will tax your CPU on two tests so if you make it through that with acceptable temperatures I would say you are ok. Don't worry about the 0-2 fps during CPU test 1 & 2 , it's normal. I would also run the program prior to oc to get a good benchmark. .This will give you a good comparison of the delta after oc vs. stability/heat issues. Make sure to have real temp running minimized while testing to record max core temps. Get to work , have fun and post back after.

 

[roush2fast]

Oh yeah , make sure you know where the CMOS is on your board. If you get a BSOD or do not post at any point you will need to reset.

 

[AKM880]

Any suggestions on what type of stress test? The only one I know that I have is the one for Half Life 2's lost coast add-on, but that one seems kind of old now.

Prime95/Orthos or O.C.C.T are my favourite stress test tools. Don't use a game for stress testing.

 

[Tesla1483]

I ran 3DMark06 and got 9664 under standard clock speeds. When I tried setting the FSB to 214 MHz it failed to boot...fortunately the mobo realized this somehow and automatically restored settings to default so I didn't have to open it up and clear the cmos myself.

 

[roush2fast]

I will look up your MB and try to help later bro.

 

[AKM880]

Go slow don't raise the FSB a large amount. What was the stock FSB speed?

 

[roush2fast]

open up cpuz and tell me what your vcore is

 

[Tesla1483]

Sorry for the delayed response. My vcore is around 1.37V and FSB is 200 MHz (multiplier at 14x.) Oh, and what type of cpu cooler would you recommend? I'm on a pretty tight budget right now and can't really afford to spend much on something that is a bit on the non-essential side.

 

[aceadam]

Get Coretemp and run Prime95 and tell me your temps after 1 hour. Thanks

 

[roush2fast]

Hey Tesla , sorry I did not respond. I was out of town. Do you still need help ?

 

[AKM880]

Sorry for the delayed response. My vcore is around 1.37V and FSB is 200 MHz (multiplier at 14x.) Oh, and what type of cpu cooler would you recommend? I'm on a pretty tight budget right now and can't really afford to spend much on something that is a bit on the non-essential side.

A Scythe Mugen II is a great cooler. Also the Xigmatek S1283