Need Tips for Overclocking

[Shortman]

I need some help with overclocking the system shown in my signature. I haven't yet unlocked the bridges on my CPU, but I tried to manipulate the FSB. Unfortunately, I can't get beyone 140/36 without crashing my computer. Also, my 3dmark2001 score is only around 3300. My CPU temps reach 48-49 degrees C after running 3dmark2001 and my ambient is around 32. (MBM temps)

First of all, I need suggestions of cooling options. I don't have the tools to mod my case, so should I get better 80mm fans? Will that make much difference? I'm thinking of getting the Glaciator, I know I need to replace my Coolermaster POS.

Another question...even when I only increase the CPU FSB instead of the system FSB, my system still is unstable. I don't know if this is also a RAM problem or not. I'm thinking of getting some Crucial PC133 RAM, is this good for overclocking to 150+?

I also tried overclocking my video card (standard 400/200) to 420/220. I got an extra 100 points in 3dmark2001, but when I touched the video card it was almost too hot to touch. What could I use to cool my AGP card? And when I overclock my RAM, should I get a RAM cooling kit?

One more factor...I'm a little strapped for cash at the moment, I'm also purchasing a DVD-ROM drive and a router at the moment, so I have maybe $200 to work with.

 

[William]

ok, $200 is extremely workable. I think your RAM is ok for now, no need to change that yet. The Glaciator is the first thing you need, that will be around $55 with S&H. Now $10 for some AS2 to use between the Glaciator and the CPU. You can use really any old pentium hsf or something like that for that card, that will help your heat problem out. You need nothing for the RAM, those coolers are not needed. I think your abit fan thing on the northbridge is fine. $10 for something to unlock the cpu with. Now, if you don't want to mod the case you should get some better 80mm fans. Millisec.com has some panaflows that move 47cfm of air at 37dba for $14 a piece. so get a pair of those so thats another $35. I think you are good to go there for a total of $125 which is a tad high but I think my S&H estimates are probably low. Hope that helps. And anyone else may feel free to change this, ammend, or ear it appart with whatever you deem appropriate. Its late so I may be missing something here.

 

[Shortman]

Yea, I do have some AS2 already...I scraped that thermal tape crap off the Coolermaster and used AS2. Also, when cooling the AGP card, do i need to get a fan that fits in a PCI bay to cool the entire card or do I need to get something to cool a specific part? I want to overclock both the core and the RAM on the video card.

 

[CSaddict]

The Glaciator is great I have one and it help ALOT! You also need air flow. Intake needs exhaust to be productive.

 

[Shortman]

What is this about removing the Glaciator before moving your computer? I'll be going to LAN parties often, so I need to know about this! I have one 80mm intake and one 80mm exhaust along with the PSU exhaust, fyi. Also, anyone who wants to give their opinion on cooling my system and overclocking and such please do! I need lots of suggestions here! (Read 1st post)

 

[Shortman]

Ok, this is what I'm thinking of buying for my system...
80mm Mesh Filter $ 2.50
Geforce 3 / GTS-64 Cooling Kit $ 20.00
Thermaltake Memory Cooling Kit $ 10.00
Sunon Extreme Output 80mm Fan $ 9.00 (front intake)
Sunon 80mm 3 Pin Fan $ 8.00 (exhaust)
Super Slot Cooler $ 10.00

I got a lower cfm fan for the exhaust b/c I will have that fan, the PSU fan, and the Slot Cooler exhausting...will that imbalance my airflow? and does the slot cooler exhaust? I couldn't tell from the description. Also, can my 300W power supply run all this? I got the prices from http://www.2cooltek.com

 

[Shortman]

hello?

 

[William]

howdy, looks like a good plan except for the memory cooling kit, those are a waste of money right now. They are not needed. Everything else looks good though!

It would be a good idea to use some zip ties to help secure the glaciator to the socket. Those things have come off and they do/will wreck havoc once that happens.

 

[Shortman]

Could you tell me exactly how to secure the Glaciator? I REALLY don't wanna ruin my computer! Also, if it's not the RAM temperature, why is my system not stable at anything abover 136mhz? The CPU isn't getting THAT hot.

 

[Shortman]

...

 

[Shortman]

Are these stupid questions? What's the deal here? Please! I need advice from anyone who will give it! I'm sure I'm just an annoying newbie, but still...

 

[Flash]

It could be your ram, or it could be that you just don't have a very overclockable cpu, or it could be that your mobo isn't reporting accurate temperatures. Have you tried slower ram settings to see if that helps? Also try moving your dimms to different slots. Did you raise the cpu voltage as high as it will go?

 

[cjtune]

Shortman (Jul 12, 2001 10:43 p.m.):
Could you tell me exactly how to secure the Glaciator? I REALLY don't wanna ruin my computer! Also, if it's not the RAM temperature, why is my system not stable at anything abover 136mhz? The CPU isn't getting THAT hot.

C'mon, c'mon, Glaciator owners! Newbie needs help! Some ppl use shims but I think you can just use spongy double-sided tape as extra pads to stop heavy HSFs from rocking over your CPU core during transport.

 

[DarkFire55]

"Another question...even when I only increase the CPU FSB instead of the system FSB, my system still is unstable"

The FSB you are changing in the bios IS the SYSTEM FSB. If you have a ddr fsb capable motherboard than the CPU FSB= 2X SYSTEM FSB.

After increasing the system fsb beyond 133 many things can cause instabilities (ie ram, hard drives).

The safest way to overclock is by using the multiplier first and then crank in a few more mhz by upping the system fsb slightly.

 

[Shortman]

Well, there's an option on the kt7a for "cpu fsb plus" that goes up to 28 or something like that. Anyway, can anyone else besides William who's provided good advice so far give me any suggestions on cooling or if I need to modify what I should buy from the list in one of my earlier posts.