Are we crazy to overclock past 1.2ghz?

[supraway]

I went from a Duron 800@1028 MHZ straight to a T-Bird 1.33 non overclocked. I honestly haven't noticed much of a difference so far. I do video editing, gaming, and watch movies, but even in multiple hour encodings, I don't see a huge increase in speed. Are we just crazy? I really think unless you are doing CAD/CAM or some very intensive video editing, there is no need for a processor over 1.1 or 1.2 ghz. You may get a few more 3dMarks, or you may be able to run more units in Seti, but really, what is the point? I have seen people spending literally hundreds of dollars overclocking their Duron 600 to 1.1 ghz, where they could have spent the $150 and just bought a T-bird 1.33. It boggles my mind. I was originally someone who was planning on doing Watercooling and maybe even peltiers, but now I am not too sure why I was going to. I can stand an extra 15 minutes waiting for a movie to encode, I would not like to worry about the water level in my evaporative cooler, I would rather not have to worry about my pump or pelts failing, I would just rather have my computer run how fast it wants and be safe with that. Like I say, is it really worth the effort besides it being a hobby? I'll leave it up to you to decide. Please don't take this as an offensive post, I don't intend it to be, but I do want people's replies. IS IT REALLY WORTH THE HASSLE TO YOU???

[proze]

i think you have a point, in that it can be taken a bit past extreme. as you pointed out, though, it is a hobby, and some people spend a lot more money doing much more pointless things.

for me, personally, the crazy peltier experiments, the water cooling, and all the drilling, glueing, sanding, etc, etc that goes with it is what overclocking is about. it isn't about getting the 1.5ghz processor, or higher 3dmarks. the hobby for me lies in the actual overclocking... the modding.. the cooling. anyone can get a xx-ghz processor by buying one, but no one can get one like mine!

[chaosdriven]

I totally agree, it's all for fun!

From dictionary.com: hob·by1 (hb) - An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

I like the idea of getting the most "bang-for-the-buck".

[Rob Cork]

No offence taken. Some people see overclocking as a way of simply getting more MHz and performance for their money, other (like myself, and Proze and Chaosdriven above) aren't too bothered about performance increases or benchmarks, but just enjoy the more 'practical' side - like case modding. I'm working on a new watercooling system, it's going to have cost about 200 quid when I'm done and I'll have been working on it for a month or so. I won't be too disappointed if the 1.33gig AYHJA I want to get won't go much past 1.33 with that setup - obviously I'd like 2gigs, but I really do it for the modding :D

[dgk]

I think that everyone is a little nuts. That's what makes the world fun. I've collected (and traded) concert tapes as a hobby for 25 years. I have more Grateful Dead and Springsteen tapes than I can ever possibly listen to. And tons of other groups. But if I see a show that I don't have one someone's list, I want to get it. I mean, it's just more magnitized iron of some sort. I figure that I'm creating a huge problem for whoever gets to clean out my house when I'm dead. And of course, there are some tasty things in those piles of iron.

I haven't really pushed overclocking too much for just the reason that you mentioned. I have a 1.2 Athlon that is as fast as I need it to be. I will push it a bit once the weather cools down a little, just for fun. I have a 900 also and that will get boosted also. Mostly I love overclockers.com because of the amount of knowledge that I can pick up on all sorts of computer related areas.

[killem1x1]

As I'm and oldskewl cpu freek-speed-geek, I'm new to O'cing, but I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I am in a position to buy any mobo, case, cpu, mem pretty much open buying power (through my job), but I chose a $50.00 case, 3 mobos, and 2 1.4 birds (one for backup).
Why did I do this instead of a dual 'bird, or quad xeon?
Because, this seemed like a much more fun way to get in the scene, learn a little, without wasting money.
Water / Pelt, has been an enormous learning experience. I only thought I was good before. ;)
Now, I know I'm OK, but getting stronger every-day!

[diehrd]

I mean no offense but there has to be a noticable difference from that oced duron to a 1.33 athlon.

I have built the slot a systems the duron systems and the socket athlon systems.And the difference in speed is something i can feel.

My current system is a 1.2 AXIA set to 145x10,,Huge difference in system speed and it is more crisp in opening a window or a program then when it is set to 133x9.

I guess if you see or feel no increase in speed from 1028mhz and a small cache to the 1333 and a large cache you may have a problem on the mother board,Or be caught in a time warp that that causes the brain to function at a single speed LMAO{I am being funny so do not be offended please}

And as for ocing it is like the days of the fast car,My burning rubber is that cpu math test were I have hit 36 seconds to complete it.And like the days of the muscle cars a lot of people ask WHY,, lol the answer is simple {IT IS A HIGH TO HIT THE NEXT STABLE CLOCK SPEED}

[supraway]

I take that back about not feeling an increase in speed. The computer is much faster. It is just that I can't "Feel" the increase in speed from 1028mhz to 1333 mhz as much as when I went from a 500 P3 to a Duron 800. It was like night and day. And yes, I do agree about overclocking being a hobby, I just never thought of it as that.