Overclocking

[pryomancer]

I was wondering, could I get away with overclocking my cpu, without improving any other hardware such as fans etc?

 

 

 

I'm not talking much, but would it be possible to overclock by a small amount without causing any damage to my system?

 

Is it even worth it?

 

 

 

Also, how does one overclock? I know more or less nothing about the actual process of overclocking.

 

I always had this image in my head of opening up the case and getting one of those 6ft monkey wrenches like they use in off-shore oil rigs to turn the cogs up. :lol:

 

 

 

Would a new case fan be of any use, they're very cheap from what I've seen, would it make a difference, temperature-wise?

 

 

 

I'm not sure what pc info is needed, so just ask and I'll try get it.

 

 

 

Here's some basic info:

 

CPU: 2.8GHz Intel Pentium D

 

Vista Home Premium

 

2GB DDR2 RAM

 

Integrated Intel graphics chipset

 

roughly 300w PSU (I think, give or take)

 

 

 

Thanks in advance.

[Nadril]

Not to be rude but, with a system like that, I don't really see a point in overclocking for you. Not sure how well the Pentium D's OC as well (my guess is not that great).

 

 

 

 

 

To overclock, however, does depend on the processor. For the Core2duo line, for example, you do it through the bios (all CPU's will be like this) and you adjust the FSB. So my base FSB on my processor was 800 @1.8ghz speed. When I turned it up to 1200 FSB it became 2.7ghz. Usually it's safest to do overclocks in increments of 50 or so, although when I did mine I started by boosting to 1000 then going up about 50 from there.

[JoeDaStudd]

Personally I would not overclock that processor, as they get very hot without overclocking them.

 

It this a prebuilt?

 

If so your going to have issues as the bios will most likely be locked, making overclocking very, very tricky.

 

 

 

If its not a prebuild download and install speedfan.

 

Check your cpu temperature.

 

If its high then I would get an after market HSF before continuing.

 

 

 

If your ok with the temperature, reboot and go into the bios.

 

Now slightly adjust the FSB, only do it slightly as the clock speed is the multiplier times the FSB.

 

Once your reached 100mhz clock speed.

 

Boot windows and check the temps.

 

You can keep repeating the above steps until you have to adjust the voltage, your cpu gets to hot or your system becomes unstable.

 

 

 

I would google your cpu model and overclock before you overclock too much to ensure your not risking damaging your system too much.

[pryomancer]

Yes my pc is prebuilt, got it about 2 years ago.

 

 

 

What's the optimum practical temperature I should aim for, and what's the maximum?

 

 

 

My CPU is actually a 2.8GHz, my mistake. :)

[Nadril]

I would say that 45C would be about the maximum you'd want to get your processor, full load. Mine idles @ 35C and is Full load @ 43C.

[pryomancer]

Here's my speedfan readout:

 

 

 

 

Does that look relatively normal?

[OldJoe]

I must agree, I don't really see a point in overcloking the Pentium.

 

I have seen them at 3.4 - 4ghz, so it's possible, yes.

 

 

 

A custom fan (including using a new thermal paste, such as artic silver 5) would make the tempratures drop 5-10C (more or less).

 

But i personally wouldn't invest in a fan for this socket, unless it's also compatible with 775 or AM2/+.

 

 

 

Some good programs:

 

Core Temp, accurate readings and logging possibilities: http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

 

CPU-Z, displays information about your cpu and ram: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

 

Memtest86+, if you think there's something wrong with ram: http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

 

Orthos, to test if your clock is stable on the cpu (and memories, depending on what test you run). 8h is atleast recommended, it will usually prove (if a problem haven't occured) that the clock is stable, some run it for 24h for more assurance: http://sp2004.fre3.com/beta/beta2.htm

 

(there's also Prime95 - http://www.wprime.net/ , 2 other stress testing programs)

 

 

 

I'm not going to write a guide (because that would mean i need to translate a 4000 word swedish guide) but here's some links on overclocking:

 

Beginner - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showth ... t=17612922

 

(C2D/Q) - http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/240 ... uals-guide

 

 

 

The principals are the same, but maybe if you search for "guide overclocking pentium d" or something you might find a more streamlined guide on how-to.

 

 

 

EDIT: @JoeDaStudd - It's often recommended you go 5-50mhz per overclock and then run a stress test (checking temps will show you the temp, not if the clock is stable or not).

 

I'm not sure if i'd recommend changing the voltage on this hardware, as it gets hot extremely quickly and even more quickly with an old Pentium.

[pryomancer]

Thanks very much for all of your help!

 

 

 

I probably don't need to overclock it, I should concentrate on improving the other parts of my pc such as the video card.

 

I'd like to overclock in the future though, probably to something like 3.2GHz.

 

 

 

Thanks again. :

[Arixe]

I have a Pentium D 830 in this PC and it runs HOT at 3Ghz (With Zalman 9500 and great airflow). You also might not be able to OC due to it being a prebuilt, since its normally built into the BIOs

 

 

 

I'd check to see if the motherboard is compatible for a Core 2 Duo

[sloter]

I have a Pentium D 830 in this PC and it runs HOT at 3Ghz (With Zalman 9500 and great airflow). You also might not be able to OC due to it being a prebuilt, since its normally built into the BIOs

 

 

 

I'd check to see if the motherboard is compatible for a Core 2 Duo

 

Yes, was about to say that. Depending on who manufactured your computer, Dell for instance. Dell uses mostly there own hardware as do a lot of other PC manufactures so it is hard to find and trust custom BIOSs. I suppose you could google around but i wouldn't risk it to over clock that CPU to be honest with you. I mean if you did screw it up you could pry get a new CMOS chip or try resetting it. Again i don't think it is really worth screwing it. If your computer manufacture didn't use there own hardware and used something you could find a BIOS for i would try that but this is always open to big issues messing with something like this.

 

 

 

EDIT: I do remember an application that you could get that would over clock but i completely forget what it was.

[Nadril]

The big thing is just that overclocking a Pentium D period seems like a waste, especially with an integrated card. :)

[Bauke]

Pentium D's are terrible in terms of temperature. Heard really bad stuff about it. I wouldn't recommend it. Playing with the FSB probably wouldn't hurt, and you could be able to squeeze a bit more out of your cpu, but you haven't exactly picked the best platform for it.

 

 

 

Being a prebuild doesn't really matter by the way. Just check the bios for the settings in which you can adjust the FSB. Just move it up a few ticks and see if it boots, and keep an eye on the temperature. After that, just run some stress tests and check if it stays stable.

 

 

 

Anyways, what do you want to achieve with overclocking? More speed in games? Won't help you, since the integrated graphics greatly limit you in improving the performance.

 

 

 

I have a Pentium D 830 in this PC and it runs HOT at 3Ghz (With Zalman 9500 and great airflow). You also might not be able to OC due to it being a prebuilt, since its normally built into the BIOs

 

 

 

I'd check to see if the motherboard is compatible for a Core 2 Duo

 

Yes, was about to say that. Depending on who manufactured your computer, Dell for instance. Dell uses mostly there own hardware as do a lot of other PC manufactures so it is hard to find and trust custom BIOSs. I suppose you could google around but i wouldn't risk it to over clock that CPU to be honest with you. I mean if you did screw it up you could pry get a new CMOS chip or try resetting it. Again i don't think it is really worth screwing it. If your computer manufacture didn't use there own hardware and used something you could find a BIOS for i would try that but this is always open to big issues messing with something like this.

 

 

 

EDIT: I do remember an application that you could get that would over clock but i completely forget what it was.

 

Dell doesn't use their own hardware. They use standard hardware, like Intel processors or ATI graphic cards. They do customize, yeah, but the hardware is pretty much the same (and that's also why Dell is such a rip), and overclocking is still possible. Usually it's possible to change the FSB speeds and such. Very basic overclocking.

 

 

 

You can't really screw much up if you handle it with care. Just up the FSB with small increments and keep an eye on the temperature. If you set the FSB too high, your pc will probably crash, and you can then reset the settings in the bios.

[sloter]

Pentium D's are terrible in terms of temperature. Heard really bad stuff about it. I wouldn't recommend it. Playing with the FSB probably wouldn't hurt, and you could be able to squeeze a bit more out of your cpu, but you haven't exactly picked the best platform for it.

 

 

 

Being a prebuild doesn't really matter by the way. Just check the bios for the settings in which you can adjust the FSB. Just move it up a few ticks and see if it boots, and keep an eye on the temperature. After that, just run some stress tests and check if it stays stable.

 

 

 

Anyways, what do you want to achieve with overclocking? More speed in games? Won't help you, since the integrated graphics greatly limit you in improving the performance.

 

Actually a lot of manufactures don't put that option in there BIOS.

[Vidi]

I would say that 45C would be about the maximum you'd want to get your processor, full load. Mine idles @ 35C and is Full load @ 43C.

 

 

 

Not really. Though, lower the better obviously. Fine getting up to the high 50's. Mine is sitting at 48c atm, small over clock (AMD 4800+ X2). I'd like it cooler, but that'd be nit picking really. Will problly pick up a case fan soon though (stock cooling).

 

 

 

As for a program you can use to overclock your CPU. I belive Clockgen allows you to do that, but Clockgen has been removed from the CPUID website for some time now.

[halo2_rocks7]

Pryo if you have any questions on overclocking talk to me on Skype or msn. I can explain what you need and what you should and shouldn't do. You don't wanna fry your cpu by accident. :lol:

[sloter]

Pentium D's are terrible in terms of temperature. Heard really bad stuff about it. I wouldn't recommend it. Playing with the FSB probably wouldn't hurt, and you could be able to squeeze a bit more out of your cpu, but you haven't exactly picked the best platform for it.

 

 

 

Being a prebuild doesn't really matter by the way. Just check the bios for the settings in which you can adjust the FSB. Just move it up a few ticks and see if it boots, and keep an eye on the temperature. After that, just run some stress tests and check if it stays stable.

 

 

 

Anyways, what do you want to achieve with overclocking? More speed in games? Won't help you, since the integrated graphics greatly limit you in improving the performance.

 

 

 

I have a Pentium D 830 in this PC and it runs HOT at 3Ghz (With Zalman 9500 and great airflow). You also might not be able to OC due to it being a prebuilt, since its normally built into the BIOs

 

 

 

I'd check to see if the motherboard is compatible for a Core 2 Duo

 

Yes, was about to say that. Depending on who manufactured your computer, Dell for instance. Dell uses mostly there own hardware as do a lot of other PC manufactures so it is hard to find and trust custom BIOSs. I suppose you could google around but i wouldn't risk it to over clock that CPU to be honest with you. I mean if you did screw it up you could pry get a new CMOS chip or try resetting it. Again i don't think it is really worth screwing it. If your computer manufacture didn't use there own hardware and used something you could find a BIOS for i would try that but this is always open to big issues messing with something like this.

 

 

 

EDIT: I do remember an application that you could get that would over clock but i completely forget what it was.

 

Dell doesn't use their own hardware. They use standard hardware, like Intel processors or ATI graphic cards. They do customize, yeah, but the hardware is pretty much the same (and that's also why Dell is such a rip), and overclocking is still possible. Usually it's possible to change the FSB speeds and such. Very basic overclocking.

 

 

 

You can't really screw much up if you handle it with care. Just up the FSB with small increments and keep an eye on the temperature. If you set the FSB too high, your pc will probably crash, and you can then reset the settings in the bios.

 

 

 

Dell makes there own mother boards on a lot of there models. Your right on processors and cards of that nature for sure but they make alot of there mother boards.

[JohnPax]

In my opinion, remember this is how I feel on the subject, Overclocking is extremely overrated and pointless. You void the warrenty of the product eg Processor or GPU, It can add instability to the system and if done wrong can go very bad very fast.

 

 

 

If you must do it i recommend taking it to a computer store as they would be responsible if something goes wrong during the process and they may offer a warrenty on the job, replacing the original product warranty.

 

 

 

Good luck :)

[eggzs]

In my opinion, remember this is how I feel on the subject, Overclocking is extremely overrated and pointless. You void the warrenty of the product eg Processor or GPU, It can add instability to the system and if done wrong can go very bad very fast.

 

 

 

If you must do it i recommend taking it to a computer store as they would be responsible if something goes wrong during the process and they may offer a warrenty on the job, replacing the original product warranty.

 

 

 

Good luck :)

 

 

 

It is not overrated and pointless and if you go to a computer shop to ask them to overclock, they might as well just spit into your face.

[JohnPax]

'Into my face'...k.. :lol:

[Vidi]

Overclocking is not over rated... It can be suprisingly safe and can be pretty easy if you know what to do. Always up the FSB in small increments, never jump up by 200 or so unless you know what you're doing, otherwise, small increases, running a stress test (OCCT, for example) every change for abit. After you think you've found a good stable speed, run OCCT or any other CPU stress test all night (8 hours or so) to be sure it is stable.