PCA Forums

First, I'd like to say hello to everyone since this is offically my first post :

I am not a nOOb to the computer world, but I am a greenhorn when it comes to overclocking them. The computer I have now, I built from scratch (long live Newegg!!). It's and AMD rig and has run like a charm since the first time I fired it up.

I have read several forums and several articles about overclocking, but the more I read the more I get confused.. so to speak.

The thing that has me concerned the most is the CPU voltage.. I mean, how do I know when I need to turn it up.. and.or how do I know when I turned it up to far? (yeah, I know.. when it starts smokin )

As I mentioned before, my CPU is an AMD XP2800+ Barton @ 333Mhz. It is currently set at 12.5x166mhz= 2075mhz (stock) and is set at 1.65v.

I know that noone can tell me what I can OC it too, or tell me exactly how to set up my BIOS.. But can anyone offer any input on my voltage question(s)?

Too bad, but the 2800 is a locked processor. the 12.5 will not move. I got mine up to 12.5x185 before it started to get Iffy, but ran a 12.5x180 sweet at 1.75 cvolt, with the stock HS/f combo, it would run at about 50-52c at full load.
Only thing that I can tell you is take it slow as you pump the FSB up, and be prepared to reset the bios

Good luck.

So, basically leave the multiplier at 12.5 and increase the CPU frequency.. slowly? How will I know when I've reached the upper limits, will it become unstable/reboot, no post.. all that good shizz?

My CPU is supposed to be 1.65v, but in the hardware monitor (in BIOS) it says 1.68v.. How do I know when I need to adjust the voltage? Should I just bump it to 1.70v or 1.75v and hope for the best?

Thanks for the reply ShibasScotch, much appreciated!!!

well, you actually CANT change the multiplier, you can go head and change the numbers, but it wont do anything. As far as the cpu frequency ( I assume you mean the FSB) which would default on that processor be a 166 number, then yes, increase it slowly, I do it by like 5 or 10 at a time, it wont post or will crash if it is not stable, and you know that you have gone too far. As far as the voltage, up that as little as possible, for as you go higher it incresaes the heat of the processor, and will also make it less stable, so...

Right now your FSB should be set to 166 by default. which according to you it is. so, for example, set it to 175-176 for starters. boot up if you can, run some tests, with prime95 and memtest86, you can google both those to get the free programs. if it isnt stable, first try to up the voltage a little bit, but watch the heat on the processor. If it starts to get too hot, you may need to get somemore ventilation, or turn the stuff back down. If the computer doenst post, depending on the mainboard, you will probably have to reset the bios. Some boards will default back to their settings, after it wont post once. most boards, you will have to reset the bios jumper, or in the case of new gigabyte boards, and possibly some other boards, you will have to short the jumper with a wire or something metal.