Maybe I should clock it up a bit

[BriSleep]

I have an AMD XP 2500+, I've been running it at stock speed for 3 or 4 years now and never had a problem. The thing is this mobo can take an XP 2800+, I've determined that each notch of the multiplier takes it up a 100+, so right now it's at 11x and that makes it a 2500+. If I move it to 12.5 it will be running at 2800+ speeds. I've never OC'ed before but now I have this vid card, BFG 7800 GS OC, and it's slightly OC'ed and runs beautifully. I've always had a high performance Alpha cooler on the processor and it does a wonderful job, plus I have the ASUS probe always checking to make sure it doesn't overheat.

I've read the sticky on OC'ing and I wouldn't want to reduce the life of my processor but I only need it to last a year or two more. Would OC'ing it really cut down on it's lifeline or should I just do it and check the temps and all and make sure things are where they should be?
TIA

 

[BriSleep]

Oh, forgot one thing. Does anyone maybe have a website reference that shows that clocking an XP of this speed is a good (or bad) idea? It would be appreciated.

 

[reddhaus]

My rule of thumb is oc it until it either starts reaching too high of temps or it becomes too unstable to run Prime95 for an extended period of time.

I try to make sure my temps don't go over 55 deg. maximum.

If I can run Prime95 for 12 hours with no errors I call it good.

I don't know if you can find any numbers to show if it shortens lifespan. I guess it would in theory but it isn't something I have ever worried about. I figure as long as I keep the temps safe I don't have anything to worry about.

 

[JonnyRial]

Don't quote me on this but I remember reading on some other post that I believe at stock everything CPUs are designed to last at least 10 years barring any defects or outside issues. It was also stated that obviously overclocking the processor creates more stress and so on so you can figure that the life span is probably cut in 1/2. Now for most enthusiasts you tend to upgrade at around that time if not sooner. That is not to say that I don't still have my 486 DX2 in the basement and my PIII 500mhtz still kicking around for some reason, but again this is just an average and more of hypothetical situation I believe.

 

[sculelos]

Don't quote me on this but I remember reading on some other post that I believe at stock everything CPUs are designed to last at least 10 years barring any defects or outside issues. It was also stated that obviously overclocking the processor creates more stress and so on so you can figure that the life span is probably cut in 1/2. Now for most enthusiasts you tend to upgrade at around that time if not sooner. That is not to say that I don't still have my 486 DX2 in the basement and my PIII 500mhtz still kicking around for some reason, but again this is just an average and more of hypothetical situation I believe.

Old computers are still running cause thier load is light and thier use is low, thats why they still work, under 24/7 operating conditions everything clocked at stock with proper cooling should last 5-10years, overclocking in itself might reduce the lifespan a very little amount, but if you start raising voltages and stuff the lifespan can be cut in half or more.

 

[BriSleep]

overclocking in itself might reduce the lifespan a very little amount, but if you start raising voltages and stuff the lifespan can be cut in half or more.

Ok, well, our computer is usually on less than 12 hours a day. On and off cycles sometimes seem that they may kill this thing before over usage. If I overclock it will be by increasing the multiplier in the bios, right now it's at 11x, I would like to see if it would go to 12.5x. Does this mean I would be increasing the voltages?
Also, what ever happened to the idea that processors inherintly have a bit of extra speed in them and they are just set to the recommended clock speed because that's what that particular batch turned out to be? Was this ever really true? Also, if I only overclock to say, play Oblivion, then set it back down each time, does that (theoretically) make it a safer overclock? Hopefully by next year I'll have a dual core mobo and proc but we're both disabled here and never know when we can or can't save money to buy computer stuff.