Overclocking Procedure Summary

[LoserXLeet]

Ok, so I recently finished reading a guide to overclocking, and I wrote out the basic steps to accomplish a good overclock in the most efficient way to make sure I didn't miss(understand) anything. I don't actually have my new system up and running yet, so this isn't first hand information. It's more of a summary of what the different guides have said to do. I'm looking for any step I might have misplaced, or missed out on. Any help with this would be great. I want to be totally prepared to do this when the rest of my system arrives, so I hope to hear some feedback soon. Thanks for the help!

Finding RAM Limit
--------------------------
Drop CPU multiplier down 2 spots (opti 146 goes from 10x to 8x)
Set PCI/AGP to 33/66 respectively (No idea what this means)
Turn off CoolNQuiet
Boot into windows
Download Clockgen for NF4 chipset (my board is the dfi expert)
Increase mem speeds 5mhz at a time with clockgen until windows crashes (is a reboot needed after every increase, or can I apply in windows?)
Reboot, download memtest86 (floppy/cd), change mem speed back to last working mhz
Reboot and insert memtest floppy/cd
Let memtest run one pass (~20 mins)
If there are errors, lower mhz by 1 and apply, then rerun memtest until no errors occur
If there aren't errors, increase mhz by 1 and apply, then rerun memtest until an error occurs. When one occurs, back down 1mhz

Finding CPU Limit
--------------------------
Change CPU miltiplier back to normal
Increase HTT 5mhz from stock (200mhz turns into 205mhz)
Reboot windows and play a game for 20 minutes to test for errors
If it's stable, reboot and increase +5mhz. Rinse and repeat until system becomes unstable
When system becomes unstable, lower HTT to last working mhz
Reboot and let memtest86 run overnight
After a stable overclock is found, boot into windows and run Prime95 for 12 hours
If errors occur, increase CPU voltage by 0.05v and run prime's "Small FFT Test"
Keep bumping vcore by 0.05v until system is stable

- Don't excede 60c CPU temp
- Don't increase voltage more than 0.25v (5 increases)


Here's what I don't get. When does lowering the multiplier to acheive a higher overclock enter the scenario? Also, when I do lower the multiplier, should I approach increasing the voltage in a different way? A better question might be, what additional steps come with lowering the multiplier?

 

[homersapien]

When does lowering the multiplier to acheive a higher overclock enter the scenario? Also, when I do lower the multiplier, should I approach increasing the voltage in a different way?

1. When one is looking to fine tune the RAM speed. Example: run 300x8 (as opposed to 26_x9) so that a divder puts the ram almost at exactly 200mhz.

2. Lowering the multi to use a higher HTT/FSB might require more chipset voltage. A decent NF4 board should be able to to 300HTT at stock voltage though.

 

[LoserXLeet]

So this procedure is correct? Nothing is out of order or missing?

 

[LoserXLeet]

Not much longer until I need to actually do this. Input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[taqueso]

clockgen doesn't require a reboot

Your procedure looks pretty good, definately good enough to get you rolling along. I think once you start trying things out you will start to get the hang of it. Download cpu-z so you can see how fast your ram is running with the dividers and check your math.

 

[Darkala]

yeah that information ought to get you started. looks alright