New here, and Overclocking a Duron

[sangram]

Hi

First off, this place is really great. I am simply amazed by the kind of knowledge base that's available and all you guys seem so helpful and friendly. I'm a casual overclocker, and I'm attempting my first major OC, and not doing too well. I saw another post with a topic very similar to mine a few posts down and I guess I would've normally put this there, but I'm not sure about the protocol. Also I'm not sure this is a good place to post as opposed to the 'General Discussion' or 'AMD motherboards'. If I need to post elsewhere, please feel free to tick me off.

I have a Duron 750 that I want to OC. This is on an Asus AVL-VM (economy MB, using the KL133 and an onboard ProSavage AGP which isn't so great but I mostly do audio editing so that's cool) with 256MB PC 133 generic SDRAM (which doesn't run well at 133 Mhz, refusing to work beyond 126 Mhz which involves underclocking the FSB to 95 Mhz). Current CPU temps as reported by the Asus probe are 52 C active@750 and 57 C active @825.

825 is the highest speed I can get on the board without any effort at all. I'm using a cheapo Chinese heatsink. You don't get brand name coolers or RAM in this country. I'm getting a cooler made using a heatsink originally meant for a 400w MOSFET Power amp. Of course, I can't use the whole thing without having to design a new MB as well, but I would still be looking at a .2 C/W kind of transfer. I'll have to buy some PC 166 RAM soon if I need to get full speed on the RAM as well.

Here's the kicker, my BIOS doesn't have multiplier settings, nor does the board. There are no switches for multiplier, only for FSB from 90-110, both adjustable either in BIOS or the board. Even the manual doesn't have a single screen showing a screen with multiplier. If I unlock the processor (which I'm not sure is locked, I'm gonna have to check), how am I going to set a multiplier? BTW, the FSB only goes to 110. I don't think it goes to 133, maybe the chipset doesn't support it (I'm not sure this is an 'Official" thingy)

Do I have do mod the MB? I remember reading about it on AnandTech but I'm not ready to do it unless there's no other way out. My MB is too precious to me. Or connect some other trace routes in some other combinations? Or will the board ask for a multiplier when it detects an unlocked processor? Or do I have to emigrate to another country? Please help me.

Sangram

Duron 750 @750 Mhz or 825 depending mostly on my mood
PC133 SDRAM generic, 256 MB
Asus AVL-VM
2x20GB UATA

K6-400 @500 Mhz
PC100 SDRAM generic, 96 MB
Red Fox MB (no clue about model number)
8.6GB ATA33

[n2]

first.. read here...
http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/00q3/000711/index.html

post back and tell me what you think, k

[Rob Cork]

First off, welcome to the forum! Thanks for the kind comments, we all love this place too :)

I think there's only so much you can do with a mobo like yours. As n2 pointed out, you'll have to cut and join bridges on the cpu to change the multiplier. That's pretty delicate stuff, and can be a right pain because whenever you oc you really have to keep changing multiplier and fsb combinations to find what is stable - and changing the multiplier with this method is not easy. I think the best way to do it would be open all the bridges, and then close some with a graphite pencil to try different multipliers. When you find the one that works best, you can join the necessary bridges with a more permanent solution, like conductive paint. I'm not sure how you'd open the bridges though - I've heard of lots of people asking how it's done, but never actually known anyone do it.

Without a mobo upgrade I think you'll have to stick to fsb ocing, which won't get you very far. Just make sure when you finally do upgrade your mobo that you go for one with overclocking options, if you decide you'd like to oc.

[sangram]

ACK! Thanks, n2.

It looks like really delicate work. I probably need a watchmaker to do this for me. No kidding. I used to smoke for over ten years (I gave up a few weeks back). My hands shake a lot. Will give it a little more time before I try.

On a side note, how's SoftFSB work? Will it help me? is there any danger of it killing my MB/CPU?

And can you open L1 bridges with PCB etching solution? To etch PCB's, I have used only sulphuric acid so far. I used to laugh at the idea, too, until I realised what a good one it was. I'm pretty sure it will kill a CPU instantly, tho'.

Nice site, Rob. Liked your take on the L1 bridges. I can find my way around 90% of hi-fis with a soldering iron. Nothing more delicate than that is good for me...

Thanks for the inputs. I'm saving up the TH article for reference.

Ciao

Sang

[n2]

really... theres only one "simple" answer... a proper O/C'ers board.
but, i know it isn't the perfect answer.
they should explain how to cut em' in the article??
i never did it, and never would have a reason to.
acid does not sound like a good idea tho!!

so either 1, be happy with the board and chip stock
or 2, sell off the board, or a cheap system even...

email me a price on the board should you want to off it.

ECS has better options on cheaper boards, that can still be overclocked, and some do have video on-board also.

i never used SoftFSB or any such software... so i cannot tell you a thing about it... i make sure the hardware i buy has exactly what I personally need.
but i suspect the FSB on that mobo wont go over 110 maybe..
due to the chipset's limitations... which would probably explain why the jumper options are missing ;)

you could try it, just be willing and ready to reinstall windoze should you get scrambled up, ok

[n2]

i have an idea.......

Riefler files! i think thats the spelling..
very thin, long, almost looks like a dental pick...
you feasibly could file thru.. but you need a very thin edge, which you can get... probably Sears would have em'...

its better than acid lol

i in no way know for certain that you could manage to do this so i am in no way responsible!

the chips <durons> are cheap enough tho... maybe worth the chance... but, if it does'nt boot.. you have to use pencil/conductive pen to reconnect...

see, it's really complex, and a given setting may or may not work on any given chip, so it's not science, it's luck... sorry to say

[sangram]

Thanks a ton for your help, n2. I'm not gonna do it. I'm running at 825 which is ok for me, but considering I was OC'ing a K6-2 at 100 MHz over rated speed, 75 MHz on a Duron seems a pathetic overclock. I'm sure the chip is capable of more. I guess I'll wait till I can save up for an A7V or something, 'cause ECS isn't available in this part of the world. Only Asus, DFI, and now Gigabyte.

And thanks for the offer on the board. I'm sure shipping it to you will cost more than the board, :D