Epox 8k3a + XP1800 + crucialDDR = Potential...tell me how please

[beau_safken]

Howdy Y'all,

Ok I have my beast on the way. It will be a XP 1800+ with a Epox 8k3a for a home with a stick of Crucial 256 2100 DDR ram. It will be housed in a Mid-Tower with a 400watt PSU with the usuals...CDrom, Floppy, etc etc. The question that I have is HOW can I overclock this CPU using this motherboard. I have read a ton of posts in the Epox forum and cooling forums. But no one ever gives a process for clocking up these parts. I am trying to stay away from unlocking the XP chip until I can afford to replace it. Right now I have a nice aircooling systems set up in the case and It will be pushing 200+ CFM thru this case EASY. Although I will be using the Stock HSF and Heatsink...Im using Arctic Silver 3 instead of the cooking pad it comes with. So if I am going to hell in a handbasket for using a Stock HSF at least I picked the right compound right :). My question to Y'all is: What would be the best way for me to overclock given my current setup?

:D Thank you for reading this :D

[SpoonMaN]

wow 200cfm? that alot man
anyway with the stock sink on there and PC2100 u could prolly get to 1650Mhz on the 145Mhz bus
but that is good ram so maybe more with a better sink
btw i have that same mobo and i love it

[RnPgrosz]

First off, I'm using the epox 8k3a+ and you made a wise choice because this is a great board. You will overclock your cpu through the BIOS (del to enter when you are booting). All the important options for overclocking your cpu will be in Frequency and Voltage Control. You can manually change the fsb, adjust the vcore as well as the vdimm. Start by increasing the fsb by 3-4 mhz at a time. When it becomes unstable at a certain point increase the vcore. You may also have to increase the vdimm depending on how high the fsb is and consequently how fast your memory runs. You really won't be able to overclock with the stock hsf, I'm not even sure I would venture as far as saying its acceptable for XPs running at stock speed. I'd strongly recommend you invest in a better HSF before you start overclocking. The AX-7 is only around $20 and is a very good performer, the SLK800 is the best performing heatsink currently but is a bit more expensive at $45. They both can be found at www.svcompucycle.com. Also, with the 8k3a you may experience problems with the fsb in the 140-160 range and possibly a little higher. Before you play with any of the BIOS settings I would recommend flashing the newest BIOS. I believe it is 2619. Good luck. :D

[beau_safken]

1.645 ghz...Cool. Is that with or without unlocking the chip thou? Heres a pic of my computer layout....This is why it's about 200 cfm...

http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~safken/computerpic-new.jpg

Thanks again

[Emericana]

listen dude. if you are getting 200cfm you owe it to yourself to get a SLK800 or atleast a AX7

with either of those and a 8k3a you will be able to get 1900-2000mhz if you have a decent stepping