Overclocking Foxconn GMX45

[Vipinven1987]

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 2.53Ghz,
3GB DDR2 667 RAM

Just trying to over clock my Foxconn GMX45 a little and thought of running it around 3GHz if possible, but when i went it to Phoenix Award Bios V6, i don't see an option to over clock it, does it mean i would have to update to latest version of its BIOS ?
Has any one tried it ?
BTW i did try to make some changes with the FSB and increased voltage to a minimum from default and tried booting it, i get check Disk error and it doesn't boot ... 🙁 Need help

 

[Unolocogringo]

Your board is not really designed for overclocking in small increments. The rest of the busses get overclocked along with the FSB.
The best you could do is to go straight for 1333 fsb. This will keep all of the other busses at their default speed.
your overclock would be around 3.16ghz. You may or may not need to raise the voltage to be stable. If you do, do not exceed 1.4volts. the stock cooler can not handle it.
Overclocking is a risk. I nor Toms hardware can not be held responsible if you damage your computer when attempting to overclock.

On your other thread.
The GT 210 is better than the integrated graphics you have. But not a lot. So do not expect to play AAA title games with it.
It will be fine for movies, youtube, flash games, internet games etc.

 

[Vipinven1987]

Thanks for the reply Unolocogringo, I needed the GT210 just because the VGA port on the MOBO kinda started behaving strange, hence hoping the GT210 would be better used for graphics as well for the replacement VGA port, Hope it better's the Integrated Intel graphics.

and more over for overclocking this is my first try after reading all the articles online and watching 100's of video's and screenshot's and by the time i end up going to my BIOS i was completely disappointing with the lack of settings / options. Let me try as you have mentioned, but one thing i have noticed when i tried previously its that while trying to increase the FSB and load it the RAM Mhz too rose with it as now you have updated ( rest of the busses get overclocked along with the FSB ), seems i dont have other options than that. MY question here is will it fix or add more options if i upgrade my BIOS ?
Also the max listed under BIOS for RAM is only 667 and goes below that, but under foxconn it shows it can go upto 1333 / 1066. As i am new to this OC may be either am not explaining right or no idea on what i am typing, if you had any experience using this BIOS, please let me know how

 

[Unolocogringo]

I have never used a Foxcon board.
What I stated earlier is from information available online.
The ram is confusing to most people.
DDR stands for double data rate. meaning under perfect conditions it can 2 bits of data per clock cycle.
In your case 667 ram is rated at 1333. 667mhz x 2bits =1333. The numbers are rounded and not exact.
Your processor has a quad pumped FSB meaning it can send 4 instructions per cycle.
So it actually runs at a much slower rate.
If you set your FSB to 1333. 1333/4=333.25mhz.
The motherboard has different dividers for FSB -memory speeds.
With the FSB set to 1333 or 333.25 MHz a memory divider of 1:2 would be set.
Giving you a 666.50mhz memory speed. which is rounded up to 667mhz.
Then 666.5mhz speed x2bits =1333 memory speed.
So setting your FSB to 1333 would be a perfect match for your memory and the dividers would change to bring the rest of the busses back to stock speeds. That way the only thing that is overclocked is the processor.

Upgrading the bios is a very risky process. It normally only adds support for newer processors or newer memory.
Most times it does not add additional bios options.
A bad or failed bios flash will render your motherboard dead and useless. With no chance of recovery.
I looked online and the bios updates for your board are only for newer memory and CPUs so I suggest not to attempt a flash.
I am looking at the motherboard manual now to see what bios options you have available for overclocking.
Will post back in a few minutes.

 

[Unolocogringo]

Your options are limited but OK.
Set your CPU Clock to 333 from the default of 266. Give it a try. If it fails and is unstable Increase the voltage one step and try again. If unstable continue raising it one step at a tine until you reach 1.4volts.
If it is still unstable you will need to reduce the CPU Clock Ratio.
Set the voltage back to default and change the clock ratio to 9. Down from 9.5. This will result in 3.0ghz speed.
Test and see if it is stable. If not raise the voltage one step.
If unstable repeat until you reach 1.4volts again.Do not go straight to 1.4. we want to find the lowest voltage that it is stable at. For heat and cooling reasons.
Overclocking is not an exact sience. Every piece of silicone if different ,so each processor will need different setting to reach maximum overclock and stability.
You will have to keep trying until you find what works.
Just make one small change at a time and test.
If you find the setting will not let you back into the bios you will need to do a Clear CMOS. Or unplug the power supply. hit the start button to clear the charge in the capacitors and remove the motherboard battery for 30 seconds. This will reset the bios to defaults.
Replace the battery and Start again.
It may take a while to get a good overclock.

once your overclock boots to windows check temperatures with CoreTemp or other monitoring software and run Prime95 stress test to check for stability.
Have fun it could be a short or long process.

 

[Vipinven1987]

Thank you so much for all the knowledge above, cant wait to give a try and will update you back ... ! also now facing another problem,i just wiped the dust of my MOBO to put it inside my new case, also added a new Intel stock cooler,the prob is my system boots up, but the USB 2.0 ports (4) of them at the back panel doesn't work,My keyboard,Mouse, Webcam could not be connected nor i cannot login after the system boots up as all inputs are disabled.

Only option seems to be buying a PCI USB card at the moment like this one - http://www.zebronics.com/products/add-on-cards/zeb-p5u12-41-usb-card

Also the Case's front panel ports are USB3.0 for which i am yet to get an adapter Usb2.0 mobo to Usb 3.0 adapter cable .... Hence is there a way to solve the USB ports problem on the motherboard ...? pls help