Overclocking E5200 on Gigabyte G31M-S2L with 1.25GB RAM

[ajay12131]

Hello everyone! I am an absolute newbi to overclocking. I have a Dual Core E5200 @ 2.50GHz on Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L motherboard with two DDR 2 RAMs, one being 1 GB (5300) and the other being 256 MB (3200). I've read in a few forums that E5200 is capable of stable overclocking and in the BIOS, I can see the frequency multiplier and all. But since this is my very first time overclocking, I have no idea as to what frequency will be the best for me. Please guide me (step by step) if possible. By the way, I'm using Windows 8.1 Pro (WMC) Build 9600, if it helps.

Additionally, I've generated the following CPU-Z result :

http://s28.postimg.org/gz6aigh6l/specs.jpg

If anything else is required, please let me know.
Thanks and regards.

 

[rehed21]

You will need to overclock by increasing the "cpu host frequency" in BIOS. Your memory will cause you problems since it will also increase the memory frequency. If you do a search for "GA-G31M-S2L overclocking" there is a youtube video and other information regarding your motherboard.

 

[ajay12131]

Thanks for that quick and helpful reply rehed21. I looked for 'GA-G31M-S2L overclocking' on YouTube, but found only the results for GA-G31M-ES2L and not S2L. However, I further researched on Google for my mobo, and after reading not one but several tutorials and forums, and testing several clock speeds for stability, finally overclocked my E2500 @ 2.50GHz to 3.33GHz and the system is running stably since the last 4 days and haven't faced any problem of any sort yet.

 

[ajay12131]

Its been 7 days since I overclocked my E5200 to 3.33GHz and the system seems to be running perfectly well till date. However I've read in certain posts that overclocking reduces the lifespan of the processor. Since I'm using just my stock cooler, will it affect my processor badly? I researched for this as well, and read in several forums that E5200 can easily and stably be overclocked to 3.33GHz at stock cooling. Going further beyond 3.33GHz however requires an advanced cooling system for sure. So my question is, can I run my processor at 3.33GHz without additional cooling system, or will it harm my hardware? Should I set my CPU's frequency back to default, or can I continue using the same overclocked one fearlessly? Please advise.
P.S. :- I am not willing to buy new cooler for now.

 

[rehed21]

Its been 7 days since I overclocked my E5200 to 3.33GHz and the system seems to be running perfectly well till date. However I've read in certain posts that overclocking reduces the lifespan of the processor. Since I'm using just my stock cooler, will it affect my processor badly? I researched for this as well, and read in several forums that E5200 can easily and stably be overclocked to 3.33GHz at stock cooling. Going further beyond 3.33GHz however requires an advanced cooling system for sure. So my question is, can I run my processor at 3.33GHz without additional cooling system, or will it harm my hardware? Should I set my CPU's frequency back to default, or can I continue using the same overclocked one fearlessly? Please advise.
P.S. :- I am not willing to buy new cooler for now.

 

[rehed21]

What are your temperatures (CPU and core) with the overclock under load? It is the very high temperatures and high voltage which can cause damage to the cpu. You can go higher, but I would make sure that the temperatures do not go over 62 celcius. What voltage are you using? CPUID HWMonitor is a free useful programs to check temperatures and voltage.

 

[ajay12131]

Thanks for the tool (hwmonitor) rehed21. I generated the following reports using it:

(1) Before overclocking (default) @2.50GHz:- http://s30.postimg.org/sref5c5wf/2_50.jpg

(2) After overclocking @3.33GHz:- http://s22.postimg.org/kttr136cv/3_33.jpg

note:- These reports are generated on almost idle computer (only firefox running). There's no other load on the processor other than the windows 8.1 itself.

now as you already know that I'm an absolute newbie to overclocking, I need your help here once again to understand the temperature limits.

by the way, when I enabled the manual frequency multiplier in BIOS, a warning appeared stating that I must set the voltage controller to automatic or the over-voltage may harm my hardware.
so i set the voltage controller to automatic in order to avoid problems. please guide me further.

 

[rehed21]

It is important to know what the maximum temperature is under load. Prime95 is a free program to run your CPU at 100% to determine stability. From what I have read about your CPU, you do not want the Core Temp to go above 70 degrees Celsius while the CPU is at 100%. Run Prime95 and pick "Small FFT" for a minimum of one pass unless your temperature goes above 70 or if you get errors. Many people run Prime95 overnight (around 8 hours) to ensure a stable overclock. Your voltage is within safe limits, Intel does not recommend over 1.35 volts. You may be able to lower your voltage at 3.33 and keep a stable overclock with slightly lower temperatures, but try what you have first.

 

[ajay12131]

Thanks for yet another tool (prime95). I tested my overclocked pc the way you directed. I started the test selecting Small FFT and monitored the temperatures on hwmonitor and noticed the core temperatures crossed 70 degree celsius within just 25-30 sec and reached up to 76 degree celsius within 45 sec. So I stopped the test there and then without even bothering to note the other temps.

I guess it would be wise for me to switch back to the default cpu frequency in order to avoid my hardware breakdown. Please provide your final advice regarding this particular topic. As for now, i've already set the default values for my cpu. thanks and regards.

 

[rehed21]

If you are using the Intel CPU cooler you can lower your temperatures by using an aftermarket cooler such as the Cooler Master Hyper 212. Higher voltage causes higher temperatures which is why I suggested trying to lower your voltage a little bit. You could also try lowering your overclock to 3 GHz or to a point where the temperature does not get too high.

 

[ajay12131]

I tried different frequencies starting from 2.60GHz to 3.33GHz and found only 3.33GHz working for me. Anything other than 3.33GHz won't show up in Windows System Information and always shows E5200 2.50GHz @ 2.50GHz. However, the POST screen shows the frequency to be whatever I set it to (example: 3.00GHz) , system information will show only 2.50GHz. Only setting it to 3.33GHz is being displayed in the system information as well (E5200 2.50GHz @ 3.33GHz).

 

[rehed21]

I would not worry about what is showing in Windows System Information. Most important is the POST screen, and in Windows you can use CPU-Z to monitor the frequency.