New Build.. New to OC'ing.. AMD Clock Software

[compbrainiac]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if I did this the right way.. I used AMD Overclock that came with my processor.. Upped the Ram voltage to 2.0 and I did the CPU volt to 1.3 but didnt see a difference in speed.. Then I did stability test with AMD overdrive and it hit 60c... I guess i should just bring voltage down since it didnt make a difference? I also have my bios OC to "V6" which is 3.5ghz.. runs 29-30c idle

 

thanks for help!

[insan3]

most people OC by using the bios not overdrive; some info about your rig would help to figure out your problem.

Edited December 6, 2009 by insan3

[compbrainiac]

most people OC by using the bios not overdrive; some info about your rig would help to figure out your problem.

 

 

sorry its a biostar TA790GX 128M with a x2 550 BE 3.1ghz processor

4gb skill ddr2-1066 ram and a XFX 1gb ddr2 radeon 4670 card

Edited December 6, 2009 by compbrainiac

[sack_patrol]

Wohoo...hold on there cowboy...you don't just go around increasing . like that. Gotta take it slow. Read some guides on overclocking. I suggest Dolk's Guide on overclocking Phenom II BE's. The original is on TechReaction.

 

Also you might wanna loose all the noob software. OC only with bios...anything else is not a real overclock.

 

Here is a guide I made for some other users that were new to overclocking...it's nothing really special...just some basics that would help you, before you move on to reading the complicated stuff.

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BALLIST1X' "SCRATCH THE SURFACE" GUIDE TO OVERCLOCKING

 

Setup

1.1- Get new cooler.

Suggestions:

Prolimatech Megahalems (no fans included, around 100$ great value)

Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer 4 (120mm fan included with new technology for quieter and faster fans)

Scythe Ninja 2 (120mm fan included)

Zalman 9700 with integrated fan (LED's on certain models, comes with big useless control module thingy)

Coolermaster V8 (overkill, expensive, not much better than the others though some prefer it...I don't know why.)

 

1.2- Get thermal paste...something like Arctic Silver 5. I find it to be quite good.

 

Overclocking

2.1 - Read guides for overclocking the Black editions.

Suggestions:

Dolk's Guide on overclocking Phenom II's : http://www.techreaction.net/forums/showthread.php?t=367

 

2.2 - I guess I won't really tell you anything new that won't be said in the guide but it might be helpful for the start.

 

2.2.1- Look on AMD's website for your CPU's specs and what max temperatures are. So that you know when it's getting too hot to move forward (it will most probably be somewhere around 60C.)

 

2.2.2- Black Editions overclock using multiplier mostly. FSB can also be used but it's gonna overclock your ram and you NB as well as the CPU so a little

more to consider when using it.

 

2.2.3- When you start the overclock,the first thing to do is to disable the Cool 'n' Quite Feature in your Bios which will let you overclock. simply increase the multiplier in your BIOS by .5 or 1 and test after each increase. (look in testing software) After you start getting bsod, crashes or other abnormalities it's time to increase the voltage a little. Then try again, test, watch temps, repeat. You should probably back off when you reach around 1.5 voltage.

 

2.2.4- Simply increase the multiplier in your BIOS by .5 or 1 and test after each increase. (look in testing software) After you start getting bsod, crashes or other abnormalities it's time to increase the voltage a little. Then try again, test, watch temps, repeat. You should probably back off when you reach around 1.5 voltage.

 

2.2.5- After only increasing the voltage no longer works, if you want to try and push the CPU further, try increasing the CPU-NB Frequency. (stock multi is at x10 and 1.1V) Don't push it too much as well. No more than x13. If overclock doesn't work on x13 or x12 then you've probably reached the maximum for your CPU. If you still want to overclock there might be a way but it's pretty advanced stuff which you will learn through time.

 

2.2.6- After you are satisfied with your overclock you will need to test for 24 hourse for stability. If you do not achieve it, you will need to tinker with the bios a bit more. For example, ram could affect stability, tighten the timings or loosen them up. Either could increase stability, but it is up to you to decide if it's worth it. If not then try increasing a bit the CPU voltage and test again. If it still doesn't work. Then you will need to back of by .5 on the CPU multi, but leave the voltage, then it will probably be stable.

 

Testing

3.1 - Download some software that will help you monitor the temperatures and status of your PC as well as stress it to test for stability.

Suggestions:

CPU-Z (most known and usefull program for system specs)

Everest (excellent for monitoring everything!)

Core Temp (specifically for temperature monitoring)

Hardware Monitor (yet another useful program for monitoring voltages, fan speeds etc.)

 

3.2 - Benchmarking and Stress Testing Software:

Suggestions:

OCCT (very good program for testing for stability. 15 minutes should be enough for testing stability WHILE overclocking. 12 hours for final overclock - minimum.)

Prime95 (also a good program for testing. You will need to read so that you can understand how it works and be able to set it to priority 10 for maximum stress)

LinX (Run 30 times with memory usage set to "ALL" and you should have an idea if the overclock is stable.)

Intel Burn Test (Don't worry, it works for AMD too, but you need the latest version. It should quickly tell you if your overclock is stable an hour is enough I've heard.)

 

 

Warnings and additional tips:

1: Always watch the temp and voltage as it could damage the CPU greatly.

2: Know your limits. When the CPU reaches the wall, then accept it. (I learned that the hard way)

3: Learn your bios and settings, set them all or as much as possible to manual so you know that whatever you have set it, then that's what it is. No secrets.

4: If for some reason you can no longer get into the BIOS due to an overclock gone horribly bad, just reset CMOS. That will set bios settings to default and you will be able to continue your work.

5: Update bios! It can help when overclocking. (be careful though as a bios update could go very wrong and have serious consequences if don't wrong)

6: Some small tricks for calculating:

CPU SPEED: CPU Multiplier x FSB = CPU SPEED (lets take my 550 for example.: x15.5x200=3.100Ghz)

NB SPEED: Almost the same as above: NB multi x FSB = NB Freq. (it's all tied to the FSB but it's not necessary to use it when overclocking a Black Edition. Makes you life easier.)

7: If your CPU is stable but you still want, you could tighten ram timings for a few more drops of speed. Guide on timings: http://www.overclock.net/faqs/26706-info-r...gs-dummies.html

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I don't really know if this guide is actually helping anyone (i hope it is)...I'd like to expand on it and make my own guide...not unless this is any good though. Anyway...I do hope this kinda cleared some stuff up.

 

Just a little note I wanna slip here: My 550 BE gets to 3.9Ghz with a max temp of no more than 40C on load...I think...right now it's not overclocked as I'm experimenting with other stuff, but thats just to say that the 550 is a great cpu and is capable of good overclocks if done right...and also a little luck is needed to get a good CPU chip.

Edited December 6, 2009 by ballist1x

[compbrainiac]

Thanks a lot for all that info.. But I have another question now.. In my bios theres no Multiplyer.. Just a OC setting where I can chose between V6 V8 V12.. v6 brings me to 3.5 v8 is 3.7 and v8 is 3.8ish... I have a biostar bios.. anyone here familiar with the bios i have?

[sack_patrol]

...This can't be. There must be a multiplier. Maybe it's locked or something. Sorry but I am not familiar with Biostar bios so I can't be of much help here. Though if it is an AMD motherboard...there MUST be a multi somewhere....and also it should be unlocked as this cpu is a Black Edition.

You might want to update the bios...if you haven't...that might bring up some new options or even a clearer multiplier. ( I guess) Updating bios is a very dangerous process though. You should know that if you wish to update them...be sure that you check everything before you begin...make sure you have the right mobo model, right bios model etc. Also you have to be sure that the power won't go out suddenly as if it does during the bios update...your mobo will most probably be rendered useless.

[compbrainiac]

...This can't be. There must be a multiplier. Maybe it's locked or something. Sorry but I am not familiar with Biostar bios so I can't be of much help here. Though if it is an AMD motherboard...there MUST be a multi somewhere....and also it should be unlocked as this cpu is a Black Edition.

You might want to update the bios...if you haven't...that might bring up some new options or even a clearer multiplier. ( I guess) Updating bios is a very dangerous process though. You should know that if you wish to update them...be sure that you check everything before you begin...make sure you have the right mobo model, right bios model etc. Also you have to be sure that the power won't go out suddenly as if it does during the bios update...your mobo will most probably be rendered useless.

 

Thats the problem, I already updated bios a few days ago.. Heres a pic of the options I have for OCing in Bios

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3982/b790gxb01hq9.jpg

[insan3]

cpu config ? if not u u just need to look around in your bios.

[sack_patrol]

Ok look in the CPU FID/VID Control...look for something that might be a multi. Post screen if you feel like it. Though I think that should be the multi.

If it is, then you're all set to oc the cpu correctly.

Edited December 6, 2009 by ballist1x

[compbrainiac]

Ok look in the CPU FID/VID Control...look for something that might be a multi. Post screen if you feel like it. Though I think that should be the multi.

If it is, then you're all set to oc the cpu correctly.

 

 

The V6 V8 and V12 is my multiplyer i think.. thees no other options with x2 x4 x5 etc in any of my bios..Ive seen the multiplyer before on other computers..

[sack_patrol]

Ok what's inside the CPU FID/VID Control?

[compbrainiac]

The V6 V8 and V12 is my multiplyer i think.. thees no other options with x2 x4 x5 etc in any of my bios..Ive seen the multiplyer before on other computers..

 

http://www.ocer.net/article/a_upload/200809/20080926-B2.jpg

 

mines disabled.. is the first one there it? if so, should i not use the v6 v8v 12 options? those seemed to work good too while keeping temps low

 

BTW what does VID/FID mean

Edited December 6, 2009 by compbrainiac