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Overclocking

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  • 04-05-2003 6:12pm
    #1
    50Cent
    Closed Accounts Posts: 630 ✭✭✭


    How does one overclock a processor? Is it done with jumpers or all software?


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    #2
    Hyzepher
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,664 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hyzepher


    There is no one solution to overclocking. Generally by upping the core FSB on your system you will up the speed that the cpu runs at - also the memory, graphics card etc. With the right mobo & cpu you can get good results by simply upping the FSB and maybe increasing the cpu core voltage.

    To really overclock you will need to adust the cpu multiplier. Each cpu has a multiplier locked into it to arrive at its core speed - a cpu with a 15x multiplier will give you about 2Ghz (15 x 133fsb = 1995). By a combination of adjusting the multiplier and the core FSB you can increase the cpu speed - you can only do this until the cpu becomes unstable.

    Overclocking requires additional cooling to keep the system stable

    Hyzepher


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    #3
    Gerry
    Registered Users Posts: 4,432 ✭✭✭Gerry


    These days a lot of it can be done with software, by adjusting the fsb speed in the bios setup, and changing voltages and memory timings in there also.
    To change the multiplier ( AMD machines only ), you will usually have to do a little work on the cpu, by joining some contacts with a pencil or conductive ink. Not for the faint hearted, and not always necessary.

    I'd disagree that "real" overclocking needs you to change your multiplier. The p4 series are multiplier locked, but overclocks of 50-60% are not uncommon. By taking a chip which has a default fsb of 100/400mhz, ( The Northwood "A" chips ), you can raise this to 133/533 to raise the chip speed by 33%.

    For example, P4 Northwood 2.0ghz "A" 100/400mhz bus. Multiplier of 20, so chip speed is given by 20 * 100 = 2000.
    An easy overclock raises this 100 to 133, and you get

    20 * 133 = 2666.

    You can carry this as far as you want, you may be able to get 30-40% overclock without even uprating the cooling, ( do make sure that you have case fans though ). Voltage increases are not generally a good idea with stock cooling either.

    As you get closer to the absolute limit of the chip, you need more and more cooling and voltage for less and less return in extra speed. This is the law of diminishing returns. Its not helped by increased voltage driving up the heat output of the chip.


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