AMD 950TB, just another O/C question.

[PLWTN]

I have read tons of posts concerning O/Cing on this forum but never really came across my current setup. Would just like to get some feedback on O/Cing.
1. Can I change the FSB to 133 without having to unlock the processor.
2. Is it still a good idea to unlock the processor?
3. Does anyone know very much about the AZ11E motherboard? Likes, Dislikes?
Current System:
Motherboard = FIC AZ11E running FSB at 100.
CPU = 950 TBird at modifier of 9.5.
Ram = 256megs P133
Video = ATI Radeon 64 DDR
Sound = Sound Blaster Live
I am new at this O/Cing business and would just like input from the people that have been there done that.
Any and all comments will be greatly appreciated.

[oc jason]

That is a FIC board right. yes the board supports 133FSB so you should be able to get it without unlocking the processor, and yes if you do it right unlocking the processor is a great idea-thats a good chip should get 1100+mhz with a decent OC. You have Good ram and plenty of it. also a good video card. But yes you can get 133 without unlocking-do it in the BIOS, if ya get to 133 and its stable, then try higher till it wont boot, then go down 1 notch, then up the multiplier till it wont boot again, then down 1 notch. you should have a good OC like 10.5x133=1396mhz-maybe you cant get that maybe youll get higher-ID STILL UNLOCK THE PROCESSOR-thats a good system to have

[Hoot]

Don't just settle for the ability to get Windows running as a sign of a stable OC setup. Run a CPU stressing program and one that puts a high demand upon its I/O and memory functionality. It you can run Prime95 Torture until the core temperature has stabilized for about 10 minutes and make it through 3D Mark 2001 (Mad Onion), chances are you have an OC setup that will handle any program you care to throw at it.

Hoot

[Bovon]

Ummmmm, Maybe I'm missing something here...so, forgive me if I am.

All of the earlier Tbirds and Durons came locked. That is to say, some of the bridges were cut with a laser after they were manufactured. This limited the cpu to 100 mhz fsb. At that time, the boards only offered a 100 mhz fsb. Now that the boards offer 133 mhz fsb, the overclockers are unlocking the processors by doing what is known as the 'pencil trick' (which many do not like for permanence...using conductive ink instead). It will be necessary to unlock those processors that came with the bridges cut to use them on a board running at 133 mhz fsb.

Check the following links for the how toos...


http://www1.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1345&p=3

http://www.athlonoc.com/unlocking.htm

http://home.epix.net/~yaffy/howto/silverpen/spen.html

http://www.pusateri.org/cruft/images/thunder.html

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/articles/amd_oc_10-00/

[Hoot]

Not quite right Bob. The laser cuts lock how much the motherboard specified frequency will be multiplied. Basically, the L1 bridges are 4 binary bits that specify a number from 1 to 15 that the selected (100, 101, 102...133...) speed is multiplied by, inside the cpu. Most, if not all cpus from the 200 mhz (2x100)days will run at some faster clock. rate. CPUs designated 266 mhz (2x133) have been tested and certified to run at least as high as 133 Mhz on the FSB. I hope I didn't cloud this any more than before you read it.

Hoot

[PLWTN]

Thanks fort he information youall. I really do appreciate it. Nice to find out a little about my system instead of just reading about someone elses. Bovon the sites you posted were great information thanks for that.