First-time OC advice

[KaiserWarrior]

I've spent some time reading up, both here and on other websites through some mild Googling, about overclocking CPU/RAM speeds. Looking into buying a new machine, and I'd like to try squeezing some better clock speeds out of it. I'm not trying to break any records by any stretch of the imagination. I'm looking for some advice to make sure I understand the process, and perhaps get some information on good starting values from those that have already done it. For reference, the equipment I'm looking into would be:

Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale (3.13ghz stock, 1333 FSB)
DDR3 2000 RAM
Asus Striker II Extreme

Cooling-wise:
Antec 300 case (Comes with a 120mm rear fan and 140mm top fan)
2 120mm fans (one more intake and one more exhaust to add to the standard)
Arctic freezer 7 pro CPU HSF


Yes, I know, everyone thinks DDR3/Striker II is a waste of money. That's another debate for another thread; I'm solely interested in the OCing process here.

As I understand it, Wolfdales supposedly hit 4ghz very easily on air, and while I'd like to achieve that, I understand it might be difficult for a first-timer. To check my understanding of this, I've assembled a list of a few points that I'd appreciate any checking, pointers, or advice on.

0. As I understand it, the Striker II's "auto-overclocking" features are pretty much garbage and it all needs to be done by hand anyway?

1. I believe that the 2000mhz rating on the RAM can only be achieved with a 500 FSB? Even though the RAM is EPP2.0, FSB still has to be adjusted to reach this speed, yes?

2. As a corollary to 1, I believe the reason that 500 FSB gives 2000mhz DDR3 speed is because of DDR3 memory using a 1:2 divider natively?

3. At 500 FSB, bumping the CPU multiplier down to 8 (from the stock 9.5) yields the desired 4.0ghz?

4. Voltages will need to be played with to make the system stable at the above settings?

5. If 1-4 are correct and set up properly, the system gets a 4.0ghz E8500 with DDR3 RAM operating at 2000mhz (its rated capacity); thus getting the full advertised performance out of the RAM and a 27.8% OC out of the CPU?


Given all that, is there anyone that has experience with getting a Wolfdale at or near these speeds? Can someone recommend some ballpark voltages? I know each chip is unique and varies a little, but knowing in general where to start looking would be quite nice. Yes, I've read the sticky about this process and properly testing it. Also, general tips or indications of what I'm not understanding would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[KaiserWarrior]

Anyone?

One can only glean so much from reading. Having a little live feedback and sanity checking eases the process; can't double-check with a text document to see if you 'get it'.

 

[KaiserWarrior]

Giving this another shot. 85 views and no response is saddening. Nobody with any sort of advice or sanity check?

 

[Ocellaris]

0. As I understand it, the Striker II's "auto-overclocking" features are pretty much garbage and it all needs to be done by hand anyway?

Correct. Most anything that says auto is a moderately bad idea. Its best to know what you are adjusting and why.

1. I believe that the 2000mhz rating on the RAM can only be achieved with a 500 FSB? Even though the RAM is EPP2.0, FSB still has to be adjusted to reach this speed, yes?

Correct.

2. As a corollary to 1, I believe the reason that 500 FSB gives 2000mhz DDR3 speed is because of DDR3 memory using a 1:2 divider natively?

Yes. However keep in mind that getting to 500 FSB is not a slam dunk easy task. Actually on a Striker II Ex I've seen some people have a downright impossible task of trying to reach 500.

3. At 500 FSB, bumping the CPU multiplier down to 8 (from the stock 9.5) yields the desired 4.0ghz?

Yep, however I would not count on that happening (see above)

4. Voltages will need to be played with to make the system stable at the above settings?

Well a lot of people are going to tell you that OCing DDR3 and a board like that can be an absolute bitch. Suffice to say if you manage to hit your goal you will have gained intimate knowledge of your BIOS and voltage settings

5. If 1-4 are correct and set up properly, the system gets a 4.0ghz E8500 with DDR3 RAM operating at 2000mhz (its rated capacity); thus getting the full advertised performance out of the RAM and a 27.8% OC out of the CPU?

Yep, though again, do not get your hopes up. Something like 9x450 (4.05GHz) or 8.5x475 is better goal to set for yourself, and still might take a lot of work to get it to pass some serious stress testing (like the new IntelBurnTest). Then push for 500 once you get all that ironed out.

 

[KaiserWarrior]

Those were the kind of answers I was looking for. As I said in the OP, I do realize that it will be no simple task, and one doesn't hit those kinds of numbers right out of the gate. But at least now I know I have the theory down; from here it's a slew of tests, slowly bumping up clocks and voltages and seeing at what point things stop being stable, then adjusting again. Should be fun =D

 

[Ocellaris]

Those were the kind of answers I was looking for. As I said in the OP, I do realize that it will be no simple task, and one doesn't hit those kinds of numbers right out of the gate. But at least now I know I have the theory down; from here it's a slew of tests, slowly bumping up clocks and voltages and seeing at what point things stop being stable, then adjusting again. Should be fun =D

Yeah you got the general concept down and the right attitude to start with. I think you are gonna do fine