What is Overclocking? Anyone Plz Help

[OnEsolution]

Hi,

I'm quite new. Learn through time. Can anyone explain to me what is overclocking? Is this very important thing to know or do? I just bought Asus P3V4X with P3 733Mhz and other basic needs for a pc. Do I need to worry about overclocking? Please advise. Thanks.

OnEsolution

[HAL9000]

Overclocking is when you clock your processor to a speed higher than it is rated for in an attempt to maximize your performance and minimize your expense. For example, I currently have a 533Mhz Celeron that I have changed the motherboard bus speed from 66Mhz (which is standard for a Celeron) to 144Mhz. The result, my 533Mhz processor is now running at 912Mhz. My Celeron 533 more than likely cost quite a bit less than your 733Mhz PIII, but at 912Mhz, I'm sure that I am outperforming it. Your 733Mhz PIII is using a 133Mhz system bus. If you motherboard supports it, you might be able to clock the processor higher, but the 133Mhz FSB processors don't overclock that well to begin with.

Do you need to worry about overclocking, not really, unless you want to get more out of what you have now. One of the biggest considerations to overclocking, is cooling. You MUST have adequate cooling on an overclocked processor, or permanent damage to the processor may occur.

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If it ain't broke, you're not pushing hard enough!

[Toaster]

Hey there,
Hal is in the ball park here, but i`ll put things in plain english just to keep you informed.
Overclocking in its simplest form is setting up the system CPU (or other peripherals) to speeds unsupported and undocumented by its manufacturer. Going to a mfgrs site and searching the term "overclocking" usually results in a warning from that manufacturer that all warranties and performance specs will become null and void.
Simply, it`s asking a device (CPU for instance) to function ABOVE rated speed specs. Overclocking intails some risk however. This risk is relative to both hardware and installed software.
If done without certain safeguards, overclocking can damage hardware and render hard-disk data existing on the drive unusable and unretrievable.
While the rewards can be vary from a 1-5% boost to well over 50% boost in performance and usability.
Where one stands to achieve 50%+ returns is WHY folks overclock. This is very much the reason why "Hal" overclocked his system and me mine.
My personal motto is this:
"Intel CPU speed ratings are only RECOMMENDED MINIMUMS and anything above spec is gravy"
It is not uncommon for Intel based CPUs to perform at 100%+ of rated spec but at an additional cost and great aforethought.

For instance:
A Celeron 300a is rated at 300mhz by Intel.
When overclocked, most reach 450mhz without undue risk and minimal cost. Some have reached 500mhz+. This CPU is a "classic" overclocker and put "overclocking" on the map so to speak. This gave a nearly 2 fold performance increase for the cost of only the CPU and perhaps better cooling. Total cost about 60 bucks (us). Again, there are risks involved and research is well advized before one jumpes in with both feet. Most everyone on this board uses overclocking to some degree and we all can help guide you should this be appealing to you and you understand the risks invilved.

[OnEsolution]

Very interesting indeed. If I wanted to overclock my current cpu, Pentium lll 733Mhz 133FSB, how can I do so and how far it can take me in terms of speed and performance. I'm a risk taker and that is my middle name. I do understand now what the purposed of overclocking. Tell me, would be a wise idea to overclock my pentium? If so, how? Please share some thoughts. Thanks.

OnEsolution

[Linus]

To toaster and hal,

How long will a overclocked cel last? as in its lifespan, roughly. 90mhz fsb, 1.60V ?

[HAL9000]

I couldn't give a definite time on how long my Celeron 533@912Mhz is going to last, but it is running at the standard voltage of 1.5v and I'm running the standard heat sink running at about 42-44C which is only about 1C higher than my other Celeron which is not overclocked. Since I am not running any higher voltage or running the temp up higher, I can't see it shortening the life span by any noticable amount. I'm sure I will have upgraded my CPU long before it wears out.

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If it ain't broke, you're not pushing hard enough!

[This message has been edited by HAL90001 (edited 08-13-2000).]

[Toaster]

Hi again folks,
How long a CPU will remain functional under overclocking conditions is moot. Intel for instance rates their CPUs to last 10+ years at rated speeds. I still see working 8088`s and these old puppies are in excess of 20 years old and still working.
So long as you dont exceed temp ratings or get over anxious with voltages, I don`t see a shortened life span. The reason is quite simple, the CPU lasts only as long as it`s used. As Hal suggests, most folks upgrade far earlier then a possible CPU lifespan. In other words, you have no worries about a short lived CPU.

As far as the P-III-EB 733 CPU, the biggest drawback is its "current" FSB requirement. At 133mhz FSB, many system boards become unstable above these speeds. There are NO overclocker friendly "Intel" system boards.
That is, if your system board was made by Intel proper, stop now and only dream. Only NON-Intel system boards overclock or have the options to do so. Remember, I mean system boards that were made "BY" Intel proper. Many system boards utilize Intel "chipsets" but are NOT built by Intel proper.
Example: Asus, Abit, and other system boards use "Intel" chipsets and are overclocker friendly.
The PIII-E CPU (copper-mine and Cel-mine) are the overclockers friend because they REQUIRE either a 100mhz or 66mhz CPU clock.
In my system for example, I have a PIII-E 700 which is clocked for 140mhz FSB which yields about 975mhz. This is a 275+mhz boost. I also have a Cel-Mine 600 that zipps merrily along at 933mhz. Thats a 333mhz increase. So...if you wished to overclock your particular CPU, your "target speeds" would be: 770 at 140FSB and 825 at 150FSB. Anything above 140FSB is risky and the number of "successful" attempts begin to dwindle rather rapidly because of high memory speeds and PCI bus speeds.
Bottom line, yes you "might" be able to O/C your CPU but your returns will be reduced before instabilities occur. The 66 or 100mhz units are the "target" CPUs because they offer better options and higher reliability under overclocking conditions.
Look at it this way, Intel offers a CPU with both a 100FSB and 133mhz FSB. They both come off the same assembly line. Why not just "crank-up" a 100mhz unit to 133mhz FSB?
Get the point?

[OnEsolution]

Thanks for the tips toaster. I guess I just stay at what I have now. Since many peoplee not really suggest to take the risk on 733 133mhz. Anyway, thanks a lot and I'm looking forward to learn more about overclocking. Who knows, I might get a new system or upgrade an old system for overclocking. http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks.


OnEsolution

[LawyerRon]

Hey OnE,
If "Risk Taker" is your middle name, then "Overclocking" will be your game.

Some CPUs are better overclockers than others. Like Toaster said, the 300a Celeron is legendary.

I have a Celeron 500 that runs all day at 572, but won't go higher.

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"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves"

[Toaster]

Your welcome.
We are all here to learn, teach and most of all "listen".
Many have made an error you need not repeat because the outcome rarely changes. However, some folks do have better luck because of enhanced "understanding".
This understanding comes with trial, patience ,questions and research. Overclocking is not new or rare. Its as old as computers and probably will never cease.
As we stated, there are fundimentals and rules of common sence. With perseverance one shall prosper and eagerly await the next challenge. With failure one learns.
Like the age old cartoon of the little field mouse to soon become a feast for a bird of prey, the mose knowing all is lost but still manages to "flip-off" the bird. In a word the mose was saying: "the next day shall be mine".