Newbie questions on tweaking

J

JD1978

n00b
Joined
May 4, 2007
Messages
4
Good morning everyone I’m new to the forum but not too new to tinkering. I just recently upgraded my computer from an ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe and AMD XP 2800 with an ATI X700 video card and 1 MB of ram to an ASUS A5N-E SLI MB and E6600 processor (stock cooling) and an MSI 8600 GTS video card and 1MB of Super Talent memory. I also upgraded my 350 watt PSU to 600 PSU. I’m not a big time gamer but I do enjoy an occasional bout of Call of Duty II. :) I’ve seen some improvement in my system but I guess I was expecting a little more. I’ve been reading how this board and the E6600 are over clocker friendly. I wanted to wait until I get another stick of ram before messing with it. I’m not looking to break any records, but if I could get a little more performance out it that would be great. I think I have adequate cooling. I have a Wave Master case, 2 80MM in front, one in the rear with additional fan mounted on the top as well a large on the PSU. Forgive me for rambling on so much…newbie. Is it safe to tinker or should I wait for the other stick of ram. I noticed the MB has a few built in OC settings just apprehensive about messing with it. Thanks again.

Jim
 
Buy all means you should start messing with it. Update to the latest bios and read the manual section on the bios until you completely understand the FSB and memory divider settings. Then go for it.

As a starter, leave memory on auto, and memory on 1:1 ratio and raise the FSB. As you cannot raise the cpu mulitplier (you can lower it but unless testing the limits of your memory that is typically not usefull for OCing) its all about raising the FSB on these boards.

You did not mention what speed your memory was rated for, if it is PC6400 (800MHz) you should be able to do this:

Your cpu has a 9x mulitplier
Run in linked mode (cpu and memory share FSB base clock) cpu runs at 4x FSB and memory runs at 2x FSB if memory ratio is kept at 1:1

Raise the FSB to 310MHz this should give you a CPU speed of about 2.8GHz and a memory speed of 620Mhz.

Check your temps using coretemp.

If you replace the stock heatsink/fan with a decent aftermarket cooler you should easiliy be able to do 3.2GHz (355 FSB) with no reduction in stability or reliability if your memory or board can do it, you might have to raise the cpu voltage a bit. 1.4V or less is perfectly safe.

I dont want to rewrite a guide here, its pretty easy to OC but you do need to use a rational method, record you results and look at it as a system of memory cpu and motherboard.

Acually you will probally be able to acheive higher OCs with just the one stick, but get another when you can, running dual channel will more than make up for the minor decrease in OCing ability 2 sticks of memory usually impose.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top