How much work/money to start OCing?

[roomwithamoose]

I recently finished my first build (specs on my signature). Everything went great, it's all stable and everything. I would like to start experimenting with OCing. I've been reading a lot on these and others forums, and its sounds easy enough and like a lot of fun. Could someone tell me how well my CPU will do in OCing, and if it's even worth it. I'm eventually going to build another rig, just for the hell of it. If this one won't do too well, then I will build something especially for OCing. But that won't be for a while.

One more thing: when it comes to OCing, should I go to 1024 mb RAM, or would I notice a difference of going all the way up to 1.5gb?

[Panama Red]

The multiplier is most likely locked on that cpu so you're limited to fsb changes only. Take a look at the stickied thread of ric449's about how to oc. The amount of memory doesn't make a difference to an oc. It's only important to the type of work you do with the computer. Heavy graphics work or high end gaming would lean toward the 1Gb range but for everyday use 512 is plenty.

[kram 2.0]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=107883

kram

[roomwithamoose]

And there is nothing to do about a locked multiplier, right? I know my FSB tops out at 200mhz, is it possible to go past that even though it shows no other options? Also, after reading through all the threads posted in the stickies above, no one really explained the idea behind memory timings. Could someone point me towards a thread or link, or explain it briefly? Thanks!

[Tin]

if your motherboard is anything like the original NF7-S, you should have Softmenu in the BIOS. under softmenu, where it says CPU Type, or soemthing like it...there should be a setting that says "user define". once you enable user define, you should have more FSB options other than 100/133/200. also, which kind of heatsink are you using? stock AMD heatsinks are pretty craptacular for OCing.

[Redfallon]

Originally Posted by Panama Red The amount of memory doesn't make a difference to an oc. It's only important to the type of work you do with the computer.

Actually, the amount of RAM doesn't effect the OC, you're correct. But the number of sticks of RAM can. Although I've never done any personal testing regarding this, I've heard if you have a single stick of RAM you can often go higher on your OC than with 2+ sticks. Something to do with the memory controller if I recall. Maybe a 64 with the onchip memory controller would solve this problem, ehh?

[roomwithamoose]

Hmmmm, interesting on that thing about the number of memory sticks. I'll have to play with that.

At this point, I would have to invest in some serious cooling. I only have the stock HSF on the CPU, and the stock 120 mm exhaust fan on the case. Can anyone recommend a better HSF for the CPU? Also, I plan on putting another 120mm fan on the front of the case, and the punching a hole on the side and putting a 80mm fan there. Do you think that would be enough cooling?

[Redfallon]

2 120MM's and one 80MM should be adequate for case cooling. Thermalright HS's are the best, couple one of those with a hi CFM fan and you'll be all set.

[roomwithamoose]

This is the HSF that AMD recommends for the CPU I have on their website.
http://pcmech.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=2267006/search=A1671 Would this do the trick?

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

This is one of the best, IMO, for overclocking: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...109-011&depa=0 (it's out of stock though, and very expensive.)

[Brown Hornet]

here ya go and alot cheaper than newegg

http://svc.com/thslcl.html

this is what i use paired with a 80mm tornado

[mb26]

'if your motherboard is anything like the original NF7-S'
its not in short. its not an OC board like the original, its a budget board...

No CAS 2.0 option in BIOS (to be resolved).
Voltage in BIOS limited to 114% of default at the moment.
No multiplier options in BIOS (by design & won't be changed)

perhaps u can still OC the fsb and with this hardware none of the above should be a problem for low-level OCing.

personally i wouldn't bother buying a new shiny HSF, atleast not unless its compatible with a64s for future use.. its not great hardware for OCing and your not going to get a massive OC with that CPU as its at the edges of the architecture as it is.. i'd just try on the stock HSF how far u can go, monitoring the temps as you go. if your chip/ram seems to go well then u might want to invest in a new HS to run it like that all the time, but it depends if u think ~200mhz is worth it or not. its agueable weather you'd notice it or not..
getting a new heatsink would also give quieter operation so if your interested in that then perhaps that would justify getting a new HSF which would also aid in OCing.

also what PSU do u have?

'I've heard if you have a single stick of RAM you can often go higher on your OC than with 2+ sticks.'
thats only relevant on very high OCs, and even then only with certain circumstances.

[roomwithamoose]

I went with the NF7-S2 instead of the NF7-S because the the NF7-S2 has a higher FSB (400MHZ) which I thought would be more important. I'm thinking now that the FSB and multiplier on the NF7-S isn't locked, which is which it's a touch more expensive. That did puzzle me when I was deciding which one to puchse, why the newer one was cheaper. Maybe that's why.

I have the stock PSU on the Antec SLK3700-BQE. It's only 350 watts. Should I consider a better one?

[Redfallon]

Originally Posted by mb26 thats only relevant on very high OCs, and even then only with certain circumstances.

There's such a thing as not a very high OC? You mean some people OC a little bit and say "that's enough, I can do no more?" That take's some will power

[roomwithamoose]

No, it's more like what's going on in my situation. I have a locked multiplier, and my FSB won't go much higher. Since both the cpu and mobo are at nearly their architecutural limits, I won't be able to OC very much.

Can anyone tell me how much I could get out of my setup, and if there's any way to get more?

[mb26]

'There's such a thing as not a very high OC? You mean some people OC a little bit and say "that's enough, I can do no more?" That take's some will power'
no, for a very high OC i mean u need a prommy or such, and to go voltmodding your DFI (for SoA).. 3+ghz for AMD or 4+ghz for Intel. no one on this forum has a very high OC IMO (yours is probably one of the best). also as this guy says, he has a locked multiplier, and a very high OC would require more than '114% of default' voltage (1.88).

'I went with the NF7-S2 instead of the NF7-S because the the NF7-S2 has a higher FSB (400MHZ) which I thought would be more important.' the NF7-S's can reach 460fsb. it supports 400fsb natively, if it wasn't listed on newegg as such then it was in error. shame u picked some hardware which isn't too OC friendly, but we live and learn.. and u should still be able to get a couple of 100 mhz more out of it... like i say, try OCing with the stock cooler first then buy a new one if u think its worth it and want to run all of the time OCed

PSU is fine no need to change it.

[Tin]

Originally Posted by mb26 no, for a very high OC i mean u need a prommy or such, and to go voltmodding your DFI

you have to realize though, a prommie or a vapochill is a very expensive unit, some costing as much as a complete system. good air cooling or good watercooling will get the most speed from your system, whereas a vapochill or prommie will only get you another 100MHz to 300MHz above your max on air or water. you have to ask yourself this; does that small increase in speed justify spending $800 on such a setup?

[roomwithamoose]

SO, is it my cpu or my mobo that's limiting my OC capabilities? It sound like it's both of them. What mobo would be the best for what I have? I plan on building a computer for my sister pretty soon, and maybe I'll put this mobo in it and get a new one for me.

[Tin]

first thing, check your memory...i see you have Kingston Value RAM PC3200. do me a favor and read the numbers EXACTLY as they appear on the memory CHIPS...not the stick, but the chips themselves. post them here. some of the Value RAM PC3200 uses the exact same chips as the fancy memory like Kingston Hyper X. if youre has Hynix or Micron chips, ytou have some good memory on your hands. as for a processor, get a mobile 2400+/2500+/2600+, theyre by far the best socket A processors available for OCing. as for a motherboard, get an NF7-S or a DFI Infinity. the Infinty is my choice because it gives you more control over your system than any other board i have messed with. DFI is harder to stabilize, but it clocks alot higher than the Abit. youll also need some good cooling, look into the thermalright line of heatsinks.

[roomwithamoose]

What is the main difference between the NF7-S and the NF7-S2? I thought that with the 400mhz FSB, the NF7-S2 was the better choice? Is it my cpu or the mobo that has locked multiplier?

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

Its the CPU that has the multipler locked. I don't know much about the boards you are comparing, but from this thread it seems that the difference is that the -S can give higher voltages etc. Also there is no multipler option, so if your multipler was unlocked you couldn't change it.

[Tin]

the NF7-S2 is a very new motherboard, and Abit hasnt had much time to make a good BIOS for it. in other words, the NF7-S2 has a few bugs, as does the AN7. i have an NF7-S, and am currently in the process of building another system out of spare parts.

[mb26]

Originally Posted by Tin Canary you have to realize though, a prommie or a vapochill is a very expensive unit, some costing as much as a complete system. good air cooling or good watercooling will get the most speed from your system, whereas a vapochill or prommie will only get you another 100MHz to 300MHz above your max on air or water. you have to ask yourself this; does that small increase in speed justify spending $800 on such a setup?

please read the post carefully!! i at no point suggested he buy a prommie. this was an example of a 'very high OC' (in relation to singular ram sticks OCing better) which i was saying this would not be. unless u strive to be on the cutting edge of technology 100% of the time it doesn't justify the cost atall, i wasn't suggesting it.

-- back to the post.. --

neither the board or the processor are good for overclocking, however they are both good at stock speeds and may handle a little OC. i still wouldn't bother getting an XP-M since you have already brought a 3200+, and at stock your 3200+ is still fast. your only going to get 200mhz at the most more, and you'd have to buy a new CPU *and* motherboard *and* HSF and possibly even ram if u wanted a high FSB.. it would have been a better buying option at the time, but since you have brought stuff already, its not worth it.
*just try overclocking it a little as your hardware stands now*. perhaps get a cheap new HS, i'd recommend a speeze falconrock, ~$10. you shoud get atleast 100-200mhz more out of it, if ur ram can handle a tiny bit of an OC (<20mhz), which most pc3200 ram should, atleast given a little more voltage. ric i think did a guide to OCing which is stickied somewhere IIRC, i haven't read it but i'm sure it will suffice for begginers.

[roomwithamoose]

Thanks for the help guys! At the time (last month) when I started researching building a computer, I didn't know anything about OCing, so it was intimidating and I wanted to avoid it. But now that I know what and how OCing is, and how easy computers really are, I wanted to try. So I'll just see what I can accomplish with what I already bought, then someday put together a lean OC machine. As you said, the XP 3200+ is already pretty fast, and it's fast enough to do anything I want. Thanks again!

[cuog]

actually amd processors (athlons) are able to be overclocked using the multiplier. tweaktown.com has an article on it that is quite good