N00b question: Can I overclock only the CPU?

[mads_spazz]

Hey..
I'm new to OC,and I've been wondering if it is possible tooverclock the cpu, and nothing else?
Doesn't it run to well, or.. ?
I've seen people say that they couldn't OC their CPU anymore, because of their ram..
So if I have a CPU with 200mhz FSB and pc3200 ram, I guess they run 1:1, but how much does this mean?
Can I overclock the CPU without touching RAM?
Thanks.

 

[AdamBomb42]

The clock speed of the processor is determined by the fsb x cpu multiplier. For example my P4 2.4c has a stock base clock of 200 and a multiplier of 12 (200x12=2400). I have it running at 267 fsb (267x12=3200). So the two ways to overclock is by changing the fsb or the mulitplier. Unfortunately the multiplier is locked on most of today processors, so we mostly overclock using the fsb. Memory runs at ratios to the fsb, 1:1 200:200 (these are base clocks not effective clocks). You can change the multiplier to reduce or increase the speed of your memory, for example: 5:4, 3:2, and so on. I hope this helps