Hello, recently in this forum I have learned a lot about Overclocking. I have tried many things with my system and I want to know what is better to OC, the CPU freq of the FSB Freq. I have had some scenarios under the forum titled "ASUS A7V8X Memory problem 333mhz B.S.O.D 266mhz fine". Mike S. and I have been trying to figure out what is better.

My system: Asus A7V8X, XP 2200+ and PC-2700 RAM

Here is one scenario we tinkered around with:
CPU Freq at 145, Multiple at 13.5, V-Core at 1.7V (93F)
My system would run 1.96G @ 290 FSB
I scored 5588 on PCMark and 5403/2722 on Sandra.

Here is the other scenario:
CPU Freq at 166, Multiple at 11.5, V-core at 1.65V (87F)
My system would run 1.92G @ 333 FSB
I scored 5585 on PCMark and 5291/2676 on Sandra.

So the question is, is it better to have a high multiple and lower Freq or a maxed out Freq and lower multiple? Do the benchmarks care what your FSB is? Should I compromise and find a good in between, say 12.5 X 160 or 13 X 154? I don't want to raise by V-core to a level were my Temp will be over 95F.

Ray...with your concern about the true speed of a system and benchmark; no matter how you set up your system, the final test of how fast its running are the benchmark. The higher the benchmark the faster your system is running, configuration is errelavent. If you can get higher benchmarks without running at 333 FBS then still with the higher benchmarks. Having DDR2700 ram doen't mean you'll be getting the best performance running only at 333 FSB. The best speed of your system will be when all the various componants are balanced in harmony. So far we've been getting good results by increasing the FBS and leaving the multiplier alone. Leaving you multiplier alone is better then having very fast FSB; at least for your system configuration. Stick with what the benchmarks are telling! Those represent the true speed of your system.
-So... how high are you willing to go. And also give me the idle cpu temps at various FBS setting.

One more thought. I think it would be a great idea to make a chart of various FSB speeds, Vcore setting, Frequencies, and their corresponding benchmarks. I'm thinking we could make a nice little overclocking manual. It could help out some people with their problems. What do you think, and how to do it. I'm thinking a private way until we're done.

I tried doing all the combinations to achieve 2G (148 X 13.5) (154 X 13) and (160 X 12.5) and I set the V-Core to 1.75V with temps around 93F. I don't think I am willing to go higher than 1.8V. I tried (12 X 166) once at 1.8V, it ran fine for about ten minutes, I even got to run Sandra with a score of 5521/2764, but then my computer randomly restarted. I was getting temps of around 100F. I have it set back the way it was (11.5 X 166) and it got the same score on PCMark as it did at (13.5 X 145) but it runs cooler.

The next step I will take is running all these combos again but at 1.8V instead. If I'm going to be doing this much benchmarking, I'll stick with Sandra since it is much faster to test.

Ray... 100F is a very cool temperature. Using a AthlonXP cpu, you don't have to worry about overheating till around 140F. The max temp according to AMD is 185F/85C. If your system is stable and under 140F/60C your doing fine!

Well i tried (148 X 13.5 @1.8V) it passed Sandra 5515/2733, but it froze durring PCMark, and (166 X 12 @ 1.8V) Sandra 5521/2764, but restarted on PCMark. If 100 is cool I "guess" I could go higher. With my old case at 1.65 I was getting 115F and I was worried. But this new case gives me <90 always and I like that. Hmm, what to try next? I guess I have to keep raising the V-core huh?

Can you set your Vcore to 1.75 If so try 143x14=2002 also try this setting with Vcore 1.8 and or higher. Also what are your idle temps on these setting. Plus is there anyway you could get a full load temp on those settings.

All I can say about overclocking is "job security".

Thanks guys, you keep smokin'em and I'll keep makin'em.

I'm not trying to offend anyone, I'm just very bias about the whole OC thing. I like my Intels running right where there at. 28c- 40c

When I get ready for a faster pc, I'll build it.

But if tweakin makes you guys happy, then I'm all for it.

Later guys, and good luck.

-DNA

Why the obsession with overclocking just to get a few more points on a damn benchmark?? Are the few extra points worth cooking your CPU?? Some people really need to get over the obsession with how your computer scores and just focus on the things that matter....running the programs you want to run flawlessly, staying cool, and having a reliable stable machine you can depend on.

Is this like another form of my *icks bigger than yours????

some people paint, some people play sports and some people upgrade tweak and overclock computers it's a hobby just like anything else and there's no reason to lash out at some one for having different likes/dislikes than you. if you don't like it you don't have to read it

Seems I'm not the only one who "lashes out." Just don't see how it's anything more than bragging rights and a good way to cost yourself some money. But if you're like me and don't have a lot of it to throw away, why risk it?? And if you do have money to burn, why not buy the fastest chip out and leave it alone? Either way makes no sense to overclock.

People...overclocking is not about braggin rights. Overclocking is about seeing how far you can safely take a cpu. We all the risks. We all know it voids warrenties. Its fun. It's about experimenting. The overclocking Ray and I are doing is just to see how far we can take a cpu. Anyone who has read our conversation sees he's worried about overheating, and I constanlty ask about it. We're not trying to see how hot we can get a cpu, we're trying to see how fast we can get the whole system. Heat is the killer, not speed. If your cpu is not running hot, then overclocking won't harm it. Even if your computer is crashing all the time because of overclocking, as long as the cpu is not getting to hot its safe. Of course there are exceptions to everything.
Anyway... we're just experimenting. And even if some people overclock for braggin rights, so what? they're not hurting anyone, they're just excited they could do somethings others can't. Pure, simple, competition. Competition is what runs the computer world. Which company can make the fastest, easiest, best whatever.

I understand what you're saying.....everyone has their interests and I respect that if that's the only reason you do it. I'm only commenting on the obsession with the benchmarks. Why is it always a contest?? Can't people just learn to be happy with what they have instead of comparing themselves to everyone else?? I scored this so that makes my computer better than that guys. What a bunch of macho posturing BS. Who cares what you scored.....Do it for yourself, not so you can compare yourself to everyone else and measure your success by what someone else did. (or didn't do)

Want to overclock, more power to you. But get over the "My computer is better than yours crap." That's gradeschool mentality my friend.

We dont go into your business or hobby telling you its pointless. Did you come here to start an argue? because I know I didnt. Dont Read it if you dont Like it.


I dont know why but when I changed my FSB higher I got better results.

Heres my setup well my cpu 13.5x 145 and the voltage is 1.756 Pretty stable but my CPU is running at 51C on full load. Not TOO bad. BUt could be lower. Oh I have the Athlon XP 2200 and the GA-7VAXP and Love it so far.

Personally I think there should be a Overclocking Section on this Forum.

Hey, you know what they say about opinions....just like @ssholes, everyone's got one.

As you say.....don't like it don't read it.

IF you say so.

ok fine im gonna follow you around postin my opinions about your opinions, how would you like that? I dont appreciate you postin that. Just because you can actually gain something out of overclocking than other crap even if you risk losing a cpu or mobo. USUALLy It doesnt FRY RIGHT AWAY. Only if your stupid. It usually will just lock up or restart. OH WAIT you Dont CARE. ITs a waste of time mybad.

LOL!!

Thanks Ben, Wyatt and Mike! Man, when I ask for some opinions or advice I didn't think I would get ridiculed. How many of you "I hate overclocking" people out there can say they run a FSB 67MHz and CPU 120MHz faster than what is "recommended" at less than 90F? Yeah, that is what I thought. Your systems at stock run hotter than that, don't they? So I don't see what the big deal is. I've been running over clocked for over three weeks now without a single incident and with my temperatures always staying below 90F. I didn't post this discussion so a bunch of insecure "computer masters" can tell me I'm stupid for wanting to play around on "MY" computer, I just wanted some advice from someone who has some experience on how to overclock safely. If I wanted your crude comments, my post would have read, "Hey I'm a stupid idiot who wants to cook my CPU, how can I do this as fast as possible?" Like stated before, if you don't like it, don't read it thank you very much!

See what I mean. Prick waving!!!! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!!! You've proved to me you're a greater man than I, for my feeble brain and general disregard for your obviously superior intellect has left me wanting. I will concede defeat for you must be the genius you so obviously claim to be. I bow down humbly at your feet and beg for forgiveness, and for you to bless with me with the knowledge of your overclocking wizardry.

Gimme a break!! You just proved what I was saying all along. You do it to brag about your skills and attempt to show everyone how great you are. I bet you drive a lifted truck with 35" swampers too right??? Nothin' but macho bull.