Overclocking a Pentium???

[dorimon81]

I got an old P90 system and I was wondering if there is some way to overclock it. I know that there wouldn't be a significant change in speed, but I want to learn how to do it because I want to see how fast I can get the thing. Does anybody know how to overclock a Pentium?

 

[dorimon81]

Has anybody ever overclocked a Pentium before?????

 

[Startech]

I think you are going to need to familiarize yourself with the motherboard you have. You need to learn the jumper setting options.
I believe the P90 runs in a 60MHz bus with a 1.5 multiplier. Check your motherboard for possible settings in bus frequency, like 66, 75, 100... Another variable to play with is the multiplier...
Run a search in google for "overclock P90".
This is a site that seems good for an intro.

Another alternative to explore is if the motherboard will accept a faster pentium. You will have to research what are the core voltage options it has. It may be possible to install a 120, 133, 150 or 166 MHz. If that is the case, you can get one of those for nothing... In fact I probably have one laying around that I'll be glad to pass you.

 

[dorimon81]

See, the system I'm using is a notebook and I'm not sure that I can upgrade the CPU. I don't know if the mobile Pentium and the regular Pentiums are the same size. I just wanted to know whether there was a software which I could overclock or even with the BIOS. But thanks for your help Startech.

 

[Tech]

I don't think that any notebooks can be overclocked. Looks like your out of luck.

 

[jimstandard]

i woudnt try to overclock a laptop if i could, because you have to take into consideration the heat, the heat in laptops has to be very calculated and maintained because its such a small space i dont think thats there is much room for a varying temp

 

[DaWiper]

If there are jumpers on the mobo for the multiplier than you can oc. The old pentium are easy to overclock. I have tried several times. Didn't try to increase the voltage at any point
P75 to 100 stable. Tried 133 but it got unstable.
p166 to 200 stable. Didn't try 233.
All in all you can easily gain 25-30% oc... If you find the multiplier-jumper.

Do the old pentium notebooks use ordinary pentiums or are there a mobileversion?

 

[Startech]

i woudnt try to overclock a laptop if i could, because you have to take into consideration the heat, the heat in laptops has to be very calculated and maintained because its such a small space i dont think thats there is much room for a varying temp

Very true, but I am sure dorimon81 is aware that his P90 laptop is not worth that much, so may want to play with it...

I would run searches on google and then get the thing opened.

 

[Startech]

When you get done post the details... May be the mods should make the thread a sticky for posterity

 

[batboy]

Never tried overclocking laptops before, but it's the same principle as overclocking a desktop. I have O/Ced plenty of old Pentiums in my day. The old Pentium mobos would not have any BIOS settings. A few of the later super socket 7 mobos did, but anything that originally come with a P-90 won't. It's probably a socket 5 mobo anyway.

If it's possible even O/C at all, it'll have to be done with jumpers on the mobo (or dip switches). You need to see if there are jumpers for the multiplier and FSB (usually called frequency on those old mobos). Sometimes the mobo will have the jumper tables silk screened right on the mobo. Other times you'll have to research and find a manual.

The P-90 runs default at 1.5X60=90 MHz. I really doubt you'll have many options... if you have any at all. If you have a 66 FSB jumper, then this will give you 1.5X66=100 MHz. If you luck out and have a 2X jumper, then 2X60=120 MHz (but you will probably need better cooling if that works at all).

 

[dorimon81]

Now, does it make a difference if the chip is a certain age? I heard that once a CPU is past 6 months, you wont get maximum overclocking ability. Is this true?

 

[batboy]

I've never heard that. I've actually had a tiny bit better luck overclocking used "seasoned" CPUs that have been broken in. The exception would be if the CPU has been exposed to long term excessive heat. But, the average CPU should be fine. Sometimes the thermal compound will "cook" down to a dry paste which will reduce your cooling and cause you to lose some overclocking abilities, but once you clean it back up and reapply the thermal grease, you're fine. But, it's unlikely an old Pentium will even have thermal paste. Stuff like lapping the heatsink, installing a more powerful fan, and using Arctic Silver would all help lower temps and improve your overclocking success.