What is considered simple OCing?

[finity]

I have 5 tools that I know of which came with my hardware. I can alter graphics, performance, fan speed, voltage, ratios. I don't need a "smokin' OC super computer", but I want to tinker with it before I upgrade.

AI Suite II (which doesn't detect my VGA card yet, about to download ASUS SmartDocor), TurboV EVO, EPU, Fan Xpert, Probe II, CPU-Z, Nvidia control panel, the actual in game options, or ASUS boot setting 1.00.09 (it also has presets and tweaks in the BIOS)

ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 mobo
Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2 1600MHz it says only 3.92GB usable in My Computer. I also changed the default 1333MHz to 1600MHz in the BIOS, but recently it says ~1400MHz with other numbers.
AMD Phenom II x4 965 3.4GHz, I OC to 3.6GHz just by upping the modifier, but I guess I hit default settings.
ASUS Monitor VS247H-P Black 23.6"
CORSAIR CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC
NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower
WD Blue HD
BIOS ver 1503 or 04.06.05 (says that in DXdiag), I haven't upgraded it yet
WIN 7 home premium SP1 (not sure why it's not SP3)

I heard the heat sink and fans are usually added first, but then what? A power supply or UPS? I just want to see how fast/efficient it can be without upgrading (or overheating). All I do is play warcraft, sometimes steam games, but basic internet stuff. Tweaking these settings looks fun and creative, but I don't know where to start. Bios, TurboV EVO, or Nvidia control panel?

 

[T_T]

WIth this CPU, I would say simple OC-ing is what you've already done - OC by increase of mulitiplier.

I successfully got mine (when I was using it) t0 4.1 GHz by a combination of mulitplier, BUS, North Bridge, and voltage increases.

Keep in mind, OC requires good RAM, too, as increasing the FSB increases the RAM speed/frequency, too.

 

[finity]

I have very sad news. I burnt my mobo and don't have any clue how. All I did was mess with the presets, never touched voltage. It actually wasn't even set to an OC state when it turned off. One of the P4 pins got burnt badly. I may have plugged in the wrong cable because there are 2 ways of plugging in that connector. I didn't force it in, there are literally 2 different ways to plug into it.

I have 2 other possible explanations... my keyboard button got stuck and the constant pressing of several buttons (i've spilled a few drinks over months), while trying to run programs and internet.

Or the 13 amp "heavy duty" extension cable I used pushed too much power through. But it was also plugged into a cheap power strip. Don't those things have fuses that are supposed to pop?

If I try and turn it on a green LED turns on, the fans spin for a second, then nothing.

 

[T_T]

The P4 connector was the problem. There aren't two ways to connect it. The motherboards for this CPU only reqiure a 4-pin connector, but your PSU has an 8-pin connector.

If you haven't already done so, clear CMOS:

1. Disconnect/unplug the P1 connector and the power cable from the back of th PSU.
2. Look for CLR_CMOS on your mobo, and then move the jumper from the 1_2 position to the 2_3 position. Leave it for about 5-10 seconds.
3. Move the CMOS jumper back to its original position.

Before reconnecting anything, remove the mobo from the case, and then put it on cardboard or newspaper, or anything non-conductive.

With your mobo out of the case, rebuild your PC. To turn on, use a metal object to jump the PWR_SW pins.

 

[finity]

The P4 connector was the problem. There aren't two ways to connect it. The motherboards for this CPU only reqiure a 4-pin connector, but your PSU has an 8-pin connector.

If you haven't already done so, clear CMOS:

1. Disconnect/unplug the P1 connector and the power cable from the back of th PSU.
2. Look for CLR_CMOS on your mobo, and then move the jumper from the 1_2 position to the 2_3 position. Leave it for about 5-10 seconds.
3. Move the CMOS jumper back to its original position.

Before reconnecting anything, remove the mobo from the case, and then put it on cardboard or newspaper, or anything non-conductive.

With your mobo out of the case, rebuild your PC. To turn on, use a metal object to jump the PWR_SW pins.

thank you so much, i'm going to try this tomorrow. I wish i had a camera to show you the p4 connector. On my mobo it has 2 flanges for a connector to clip onto (flange on top and on the right of the square).. One 4 pin fits one way, the other fits the other way. It doesn't even mention it in the manual, but trust me it slide in perfect and clicked.