The only way you can oc an Intel cpu is by raising the fsb. But this also affects the mobo, cause the fsb is the speed of the signal the mobo communicates with the other components with. So when raising the fsb you oc the whole system, that includes Video Card (AGP Port on most new systems) Sound card (PCI), network card (PCI), RAM, HDD's +++
But then we have a smart thing called dividers.
AGP =2/3
PCI =1/3 or 1/4 or is locked
RAM =varies
So when running the fsb at 100mhz, the AGP bus is running 66mhz, and the PCI (with a 1/3 divider) at 33mhz. If the RAM divider is 1/1 the RAM will run 100mhz. But to 1,6GHZ CPU to 2,4GHZ, you will have to raise the fsb cause the Intel has a locked divider (in you're case it's 16, because of "16" 00 mhz (usually fsb on intel systems are 100mhz)).
So let's take you're example:
To oc the 1,6@2,4 you will need this raise
x=2400/16
x=150
Now, "x" is your fsb. You will be needed to run at 150mhz fsb to reach 2,4GHZ. But what does this have to say about the RAM, PCI bus, and AGP bus??
As said, the AGP divider is 2/3, and PCI is 1/3. But when you reach the speed of 133mhz fsb, most mobos changes the PCI divider to 1/4. But this only goes from 0-133mhz, each raise above that will be with 1/3 divider. Let's say the RAM divider is still 1/1.
Then these numbers are what you will get:
AGP = (133*2/4)+((150-133)*2/3)
AGP = 78mhz
PCI = (133*1/4)+((150-133)*1/3)
PCI = 39mhz
RAM = 150mhz
This is why sound cards (PCI) and Video cards (PCI) might limit the oc. But you're ram is only running 150mhz!! While pc3000 should run 187,5mhz....
So you change the RAM divider to f. instance 5/4, and then you get
RAM speed=150*5/4
RAM speed=187,5mhz (I was not sure this was gonna hit this good
)
So you can change the dividers for oc the RAM. To reach those speeds you might need to upper the votage a bit, yes.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Not all mobo's have these dividers, these are all in general. They might not fit all mobos. Some Epox cards have a locked PCI bus, I'm not sure about what other cards that have these.
elysium