FIrst overclock,few questions

[craigmci]

ok,ive got a xp2500,locked,a7n8x-x,pc3200(says infineon on each chip)
1.I am wondering if i want to run at 200fsb,what to set my,memory at optimal or aggresive?
2,and what timings?,optimal,aggresive, or user defined?
3,and if there is anything else i should change from default for more stability
i have just a cheapy 7000 rpm copper hsf now,waiting for pc shop to open tomorrow and see what i can get,for now i can use stock amd or this t-bird extreme.
This is my first time overclocking,so just learning the basics still.Like to start with a modderate overclock that is good and stable as well.any help would be apprieciatted.
I am constantly browsing through forums and getting information,but i am still not sure about everything yet.
ANd maybee should i update my bios first ,will this increase my chance for stability?
Thanks before hand,

 

[c627627]

user defined, then
1. Active (to) Precharge Delay (aka Tras, tRAS) - usually 5 or 6 or 7, smaller the better

2. RAS to CAS Delay (aka Trcd, tRCD) - 2 is good, 3 is OK

3. RAS Precharge Delay (aka Trp, tRP, Precharge to Active) - 2 is good, 3 is OK

4. CAS Latency (aka CAS) - use 2 whenever possible

5. Cmd Rate (you may not have this option) - 1T is better than 2T


You may need to increase Vdimm RAM voltage and Vcore voltage, temps go up when you do so watch them.

If your version of BIOS is a lot older than the most recent version for your mobo, then yes update it.

Ask lots of concrete questions right here in this thread.

Read mobo manual and something like this
http://www.ocforums.com/vb/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=207088

Hit space after commas (,) and (.). Use paragraphs.

To test the stability of overclocked CPU, download the latest bug fixed version of Prime95:
http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm

Double click on PRIME95.EXE to start the program.

Just Stress Testing (if prompted) > OK >
Options > Torture Test > Blend (if prompted) > OK


The program should not give any errors.
It may be necessary to run the program 12-24 hours to make sure an overclocked system is stable (no program errors displayed).


If you get errors only after several hours, this is a result of slight instability because the system is running with little or no margin. It's stable enough to boot and to be moderately stressed, but as soon as the system is under enough load to go over that critical point, it will freeze. To be 100% stable, Prime95 should run 12-24 hours without any errors.

The point of testing is to see if you get errors or not thus testing the stability. The meaning of errors themselves is not as important.


Running Prime95 Torture Test for 5 to 30 minutes is enough to get a feeling about general stability. If it seems to be stable, increase the FSB (with 0.025V Vcore increase if needed), or increase the multiplier by 0.5.

Reboot and run Prime95 Torture Test for 5 to 30 minutes and repeat this until the Program displays errors.
It's then time to back down and repeat the Torture Test until there are no errors for at least 12 hours.

It's OK to use the computer while Prime95 Torture Test is running in the background.


After finding your stable point you may want to then retest by going to the Advanced section, setting the password to 9876 and then setting Priority to 10. (You won't be able to use your computer while Priority 10 Prime95 Torture Test is running, but it'll confirm your system stability.)

Use 3DMark to test video card stability.

 

[craigmci]

yeah i do post in kind of a jumbled mess,i am going to work on that,thanks for the help.I edited it , does it look any better?

 

[c627627]

Yeah, I do post in kind of a jumbled mess. I am going to work on that, thanks for the help. I edited it, does it look any better?

yeah i do post in kind of a jumbled mess,i am going to work on that,thanks for the help.I edited it , does it look any better?

Don't worry about it, good luck with overclocking.

 

[craigmci]

LOL,i need to take an English class

 

[Axis]

no u r ok. Freedom of thought and creativity are tops IMHO. Like the robert frost poem... "road less travelled by".

 

[c627627]

Yeah but when I have kids, not reading a book or two, cover to cover, before the age of 12, is a freedom they won't have.

 

[craigmci]

I need some more help now i think.
Since my first overclocking experience started yesterday,I have had to repair windows because cmos jumper wouldnt help my boot problem.So i did this but it got corrupted a couple more times!!I didnt install asus drivers so this may have caused my problems once(dummy).
Anyway i repaired windows,i have been able to boot but sometimes it hangs on at the end of windows logo,when it should go to desktop.Sometimes it will go to desk top after a minute of black screen.Its like the moniter powers down while this is happening because the led starts flashing.
Does this mean that windows repair was not sufficient and i may need to do a complete OS install.I ran torture test for an hour or at stock speed when i finally got booted again,with no errors.So i seem to be running ok at stock.
Thanks

 

[craigmci]

ok since yesterday ive made a few changes to help my overclocking adventure.Ive added a k7 volcano 11+ with air duct,1 tornado case fan ,and a nexus fan controller.I also used artic 3.
just testing to make sure temps are ok.Ive got vcore at 1.75 ,fans cranked(loud,thank god for the speed control!)just at stock fsb,and im running 39deg on the diode,38 case and 24 mobo,on prime95 torture test.Much better than in the high 50's with stock cooling last nite.
Where should i start with my voltage before i turn up fsb?

 

[Axis]

Yeah but when I have kids, not reading a book or two, cover to cover, before the age of 12, is a freedom they won't have.

Lol

I have a 7.5 month old son and you know you ARE right!

 

[c627627]

craigmci, overclocking can cause registry problems.
Also, all versions of Windows break down after a while, it's just the way it is. I would strongly suggest figuring out how to do something like this:
http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=214369

 

[craigmci]

excellent,yes i should learn how to do this.Would i have to start with a fresh install of windows to stsrt doing this or could i do it how i stand now?