First steps through OC-ing... some (maybe stupid) questions

[decephalus]

Well guys... I still think i'm dreamin'... Just did my first OC-ing!!! Got a 650 Duron blue core, put it on an Abit KT7. I use an Acorp HSF (anyone heard of it?) and now my Duron runs at 824 (103x8), Vcore=1,7. The problem is that it boots in Win98 ok, but when I tried to install Office97 it freezed right at end of installing (when "Updating system settings"). Twice.
My own oppinion is that that's because of my PSU (235W only). What do you think?

And I should mention the CPU in standby has a temp of 27 C, while during Office install, reached 41C. The system monitor was indicating full load for the CPU.

Well, and not to forget, I had the idea (think others had it too) of applying a tiny spot of thermal grease on the CPU temp sensor (in the socket)

I'm waiting for your comments about the above things.

[Shep]

I recently had the same problem installing office 2000 on my k6-2 500@600 so I turned it down after that the install went just fine so I turned it back up. The power supply could be part of the problem these amd chip like power and IMHO 235w is not near enough for an overclocked system.

[Tachyon]

I agree...the PSU may be an issue, but try running at normal speed to do the install then crank it back up.

Welcome to overclocking :)

[TechnoFile]

I think a 235 may be alright to use, depending on what other stuff your comp is running. I'f you've got alot of fans, drives and pci cards, it will probably be too small. But if yo've got a One HDD, one CDRom, One floppy system with basic cooling and an older video card, a good 235w PS should be able to cut it just fine. I ran my A7V and Duron 600@800 off a 165w PS. The only problem I ran into was adding a GeForce2 card.... I upgraded to a 300w PS and solved the problem.

[kat]

bending the thermistor up a little and putting a smig of thermal grease on it will give you a more accurate temp reading the under side of your chip is a secondary heat source and is not very good place to take a reading

when I install or uninstall programs I unclock my system

definitely upgrade to a 300w psu (or higher)

[decephalus]

He...he... guys! Got it at 866 (8.5 * 103) - that's what WCPUID shows. VCore 1.75V, went for about 10 hours at full load (stability test) at 46C. doesn't want to boot at 8.5 * 105 or at 9 * 100. Didn't raise the VCore (afraid of high temps). Think I'll go soon for a 300W PSU and a bigger HSF.

Anyway, if CPU is idle, the System Monitor shows me a 50 - 60% CPU load. Why that? No DOS drivers, at Ctrl-Alt-Del there are only Explorer, Systray, Rundll and Internat. So, no TSR!!!

[Rob Cork]

46C max is fine for a socket A chip - 50C is well within safe limits, so you can increase the vcore to 1.85 without fear of hurting your chip. I've been running 2.2V through mine (did the volt mod) for over a month now, no ill effects. Going from 1.75 to 1.85 will definitely get you over 900, probably close to 950 (higher if you're really lucky). Try it - trust me, you can safely stay in the low 50's without killing your chip, many run close to 60 with stock cooling. You may need to wait for the new psu to run 1.85V, but just try it and see :-)

[Tomsawyer]

i start panicking when my system climbs over 40C but then again maybe Im just paranoid heheh. Seriously though its very easy to overload a 235w powersupply, esp on boot up. Thunderchickens and hardrives take alot of initial power till they reach winblows, then they stabilize.