What is my overclock potential?

[techtre2003]

Will it be worth it to overclock with my current set up? This is my "everyday" PC so I don't want to burn anything up. There are some overclocking options in my MB BIOS, but I don't want to mess with them if I won't gain very much. Anyone have experience with a similar rig? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[RichPLS]

first thing is add another ram chip, that will feel like a overclock of up to 20%.
you should be able to raise the FSP up to 15% at timings you are running now. That will get your feet wet, while you take your time and research your system.

 

[techtre2003]

I plan on getting another RAM chip when I get a spare $100 I have messed with the front side bus speeds before and have posted all the way up to 4.1? Ghz. However I didn't even try to boot to Windows as I was afraid I would fry the processor. Is it possible to harm the processor just by increasing the bus speed or do you have to increase the voltage to do damage? Sorry if these questions have been answered before, but there is SO much information it is hard to find exactly what I am looking for.

 

[RichPLS]

Only if it gets too hot.

 

[techtre2003]

I've got it at 3.67 Ghz now. It runs idle at 42-44C. I ran a stress test and it got up to 60C. I have the "Smart Temp" in BIOS to shut the system down at 65C. Hopefully this is o.k. Now I need to find a good benchmark prog. to see if I am getting anywhere. I tried the "limited" version of 3Dmark06 but the default screen resolution is too high for my LCD TV I am using as my monitor and I can't change it. I have used Sandra, but from what I have read about that, you can't really trust those numbers.

 

[gomerpile]

Your are safe to oc to the point of freeze up the system monitor will shut down if you are too hot. I would like to point out to everyone that when you crank up the volts to the cpu you are in risk of coil burn depending on the type of coils. I will show a pic of my coils, which are darkend from the 2volts and intense mhz I pushed the cpu too.

I still am running at 2 volts but dont even try this unless you have some wicked air passage for the transformer coils. In bios enable cpu heat monitor and the system will shut down for ya and save your processor.

 

[chuckshissle]

Get more ram. If your system is running with air cooling then do not exceed over 10% of overclock. You get more potential with water cooling system. Always watch out for cpu temperature.

 

[techtre2003]

I don't have the money to drop on water cooling, but what about a zalman or some other air solution? Are these worth the extra money? Also, I had my processor up to 3.91. I only had to time to run Prime95 for about 30 minutes but it still only got up to 60C. I'll run some more tests this weekend. Thanks for everyone's feedback!

 

[gomerpile]

I have a good air system which can be made, its an airbox, each side of airbox has blow holes, the size of fans AC depends on your needs and this is attachable by mounting bolts. This air system is absolutely the best source of cooling by air I have seen yet, this is a good combination with a water system as well, eliminates moisture; air is filtered and cools down the regulators, coils, and transformers. Increase of voltages is not a problem
THEBLOWERBOX will do the job dudes.

 

[techtre2003]

Hey Gomer, do you have a picture of your case? My case has the hole in the side with the plastic tube that sucks in air directly onto the CPU heatsink. Is that what you mean by blowholes? Are you using a stock HSF?

 

[luminaris]

Yes, you have an Intel chip and they are know to be good overclockers. Just take things one step at a time and test the machine after each step.

 

[gomerpile]

expand the pic any look at the 2 coils you can see how they are black and the other you can slightly see is shiny this is what too much volts does.

 

[unsmart]

Wow!! Dumpster dive much gomer :lol:.

 

[gomerpile]

I know I'm a junk man, the one fan is 3 speed moter, on high the air just blasts through I tell ya. I only use the high for benchmarking.THEBLOWERBOX

 

[techtre2003]

Well you probably won't win any awards for good looks, but it looks like a pretty good idea with the fans.

 

[gomerpile]

Yes its not good looking at all but the performance is awesome, considering the
Materials I had to work with its not too bad. The wood came from the walls I ripped out in the basement the 2X4’s were twisted bowed and very splintery, the skill saw blade is 3 years old and it has cut every type of solid material I can think of this is including rocks. I scattered about my junk box for any kind of nail or screw to fasten this box together, the jig saw is one speed only full speed, it sounded like a jack hammer cutting the finer holes and the drill was a hand jobber.
The box works good 14 degrees C is the case temps room is 25.