New overclocker questions

[rigasg]

A couple questions to be sure I'm doing the right thing...
I've just overclocked my P3 450MHz to 550MHz and seems to work fine for the last 3 days.

1) As it is now my CPU temp will rearly go above 41-42C (usually working between 30-36C) and a case temp of 35-36C. Is that OK? At what temp should I start worrying? Note that I probably won't push it more than that, I don't want my CPU to be a freezer and I don't want to extend its life forever, since I will probably get a new one next year. I just want it to run within acceptable limits.

2) I'm currently using Amn Refrigerator software to keep the temp low, and it certainly works. The question here is: Is it OK to use software, or I am compromising speed? Should I add a big CPU cooler and forget about software?

3) When I'm changing my CPU cooler, I just replace the cooler or I have to put any weird cooling liquids (don't laugh if I'm being stupid here) between the chip and the cooler?

4) My FSB speed was 100MHz (now is 122MHz). I saw some tables in a magazine, saying that with a multiplier 4.5, the next value I should give it is 133MHz. Is that right?

That's all I think...
Rigas

 

[William]

rigasg (Mar 17, 2001 11:09 a.m.):
A couple questions to be sure I'm doing the right thing...
I've just overclocked my P3 450MHz to 550MHz and seems to work fine for the last 3 days.

1) As it is now my CPU temp will rearly go above 41-42C (usually working between 30-36C) and a case temp of 35-36C. Is that OK? At what temp should I start worrying? Note that I probably won't push it more than that, I don't want my CPU to be a freezer and I don't want to extend its life forever, since I will probably get a new one next year. I just want it to run within acceptable limits.

***Don't let the CPU get beyond 50C. Ideally, it will be under 40.

2) I'm currently using Amn Refrigerator software to keep the temp low, and it certainly works. The question here is: Is it OK to use software, or I am compromising speed? Should I add a big CPU cooler and forget about software?

***Adding a big cooler will lower the temps extending the life of your CPU. Don't know about the speed issue though.

3) When I'm changing my CPU cooler, I just replace the cooler or I have to put any weird cooling liquids (don't laugh if I'm being stupid here) between the chip and the cooler?

***You need to put some sort of thermal compound between the CPU and the Heatsink. Arctic Silver makes the best stuff, but you can also get decent stuff for cheap at the shack.

4) My FSB speed was 100MHz (now is 122MHz). I saw some tables in a magazine, saying that with a multiplier 4.5, the next value I should give it is 133MHz. Is that right?

***Your computer runs the most stabillt at 66,100,133,166(theoreticly), 200, 233. 200 and 233 are only for DDR and I don't know of anyone running at 166. You can stay in between the values, but that messes up your AGP and PCI bus speed and it may or might now work. But yes, I would try for 133.
That's all I think...
Rigas

 

[William]

oh, you should downloading folding@home and fold proteins for www.overclockers.com, we are 30th in the world, and close to 29. We need more cruchers, and you have a nice system to run it on. Doesn;t take up many resources, and is for a great cause. Head over to the folding@home board to find out more!

 

[dasouthernocer]

40-41C is slighty on the warm side, but as long as it's stable I think you can run it like that. And the liqudy stuff is thermal grease you can get it @ http://www.millisec.com for a fairly cheap price. If you can move the bus speed up slowly, but if 133 is the next jump you can try it. You may need to raise the voltage to get there though. Hope that helps.

-dasouthernocer =)