AuA
04-28-01, 07:31 PM
This topic is meant as some sort of guide (or something like that) for new overclockers. Hopefully somebody can learn from my mistakes and experiences.
First, let me inform about my computer:
Celeron 600 MHz
128 MB 133 MHz SDRAM
MSI 6153 motherboard
3dfx Voodoo3 "screencard" (or what you call it in english)
8x DVD-ROM (unknown brand)
20GB IBM 75GXP harddrive
10/100 MB/s ethernet-card
1 cheap soundcard
1 PCTV Studio TV-card
I had this computer custom made, after my spesifications. I told my seller what I wanted the computer to be able to do, and as cheap as possible. I payd 12 000 NOK, around 1350 USD I think for it, inclusive colorprinter, monitor, a good infrared mouse and a ergonomic keyboard.
I mainly use my computer for work, mp3s and movies. And it was the movies that made me want to overclock my computer. It normally worked just fine, but in scenes with much movement, it often "hanged". So I decided to do something about that, cheapest possible (of course).
But, to my dissappointment, my chances of clocking the computer were limited. I was happy to find that my CPU was a good choice for overclocking. But my motherboard wasn't. My only choices were choosing between 66 MHz, 75MHz and 83MHz FSB. And I could only adjust the voltage in three steps: 1.65V, 1.60V and 1.55V. And it was set on 1.65V before I did something. So, I had no other choice but to adjust the FSB up to 75MHz to clock my system. Worked fine! Then set it to 83MHz. The CPU then ran at 750 MHz. Also worked fine! For some days... Then it became unstable. Set it back to 75 MHz. CPU at 667 MHz. Well, I thought, better than nothing!
Some weeks ago, though, I made a new try at 750 MHz. It works fine! Sometimes it needs some tries to boot up, but stable when finished booting. And I haven't even changed the fan! The CPU temperature is at ca 40 degrees C. And my movies run just fine. So, basicly, I have the processing power I need! Of course, it would be fun to run it at speeds like 1 GHz, but then again: I have payed absoulutely no money for my overclocking experiment, my standard fan runs very quietly, and all is swell!
I'm satisfied...
But! (always a but) If I knew better, I probably would have bought a Abit motherboard and an Athlon CPU, or something like that. At least, I would never have bought my MSI motherboard! It must be the least overclocking-friendly motherboard there is! Let this be a little piece of advice to you out there, wondering about what cind of computer to buy, and thinking about overclocking: Check around, read topics and beginners guides at overclockers.com and topics in newsgroups. Do your research!
The moral, maybe?
If you want to get the full potential out of your CPU, don't make my mistake and buy the cheapes motherboard you can get your hands on. But, if you already have, or didn't have the money for a better one: remember I clocked my computer 25%, for free! Seems theres hope for evrybody...
AuA, Norway.
First, let me inform about my computer:
Celeron 600 MHz
128 MB 133 MHz SDRAM
MSI 6153 motherboard
3dfx Voodoo3 "screencard" (or what you call it in english)
8x DVD-ROM (unknown brand)
20GB IBM 75GXP harddrive
10/100 MB/s ethernet-card
1 cheap soundcard
1 PCTV Studio TV-card
I had this computer custom made, after my spesifications. I told my seller what I wanted the computer to be able to do, and as cheap as possible. I payd 12 000 NOK, around 1350 USD I think for it, inclusive colorprinter, monitor, a good infrared mouse and a ergonomic keyboard.
I mainly use my computer for work, mp3s and movies. And it was the movies that made me want to overclock my computer. It normally worked just fine, but in scenes with much movement, it often "hanged". So I decided to do something about that, cheapest possible (of course).
But, to my dissappointment, my chances of clocking the computer were limited. I was happy to find that my CPU was a good choice for overclocking. But my motherboard wasn't. My only choices were choosing between 66 MHz, 75MHz and 83MHz FSB. And I could only adjust the voltage in three steps: 1.65V, 1.60V and 1.55V. And it was set on 1.65V before I did something. So, I had no other choice but to adjust the FSB up to 75MHz to clock my system. Worked fine! Then set it to 83MHz. The CPU then ran at 750 MHz. Also worked fine! For some days... Then it became unstable. Set it back to 75 MHz. CPU at 667 MHz. Well, I thought, better than nothing!
Some weeks ago, though, I made a new try at 750 MHz. It works fine! Sometimes it needs some tries to boot up, but stable when finished booting. And I haven't even changed the fan! The CPU temperature is at ca 40 degrees C. And my movies run just fine. So, basicly, I have the processing power I need! Of course, it would be fun to run it at speeds like 1 GHz, but then again: I have payed absoulutely no money for my overclocking experiment, my standard fan runs very quietly, and all is swell!
I'm satisfied...
But! (always a but) If I knew better, I probably would have bought a Abit motherboard and an Athlon CPU, or something like that. At least, I would never have bought my MSI motherboard! It must be the least overclocking-friendly motherboard there is! Let this be a little piece of advice to you out there, wondering about what cind of computer to buy, and thinking about overclocking: Check around, read topics and beginners guides at overclockers.com and topics in newsgroups. Do your research!
The moral, maybe?
If you want to get the full potential out of your CPU, don't make my mistake and buy the cheapes motherboard you can get your hands on. But, if you already have, or didn't have the money for a better one: remember I clocked my computer 25%, for free! Seems theres hope for evrybody...
AuA, Norway.