Alienware Area 51 - New to overclocking

[Scott_Of_Arabia]

Hello,

 

I have recently flashed the BIOS of my motherboard (BIOS version EVGA P10) on an 2008 Alienware Area 51 desktop. Unfortunately I didnt take a note of the old BIOS settings and now im not sure if the PC is running as fast as it could. Im sure Alienware would be overclocking this unit.

 

Summary

=======

CPU = Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

MOBO = nforce 790i ultra SLI

RAM = 2x Patriot DDR3 2GB sticks.

 

I have nvidia performance tools which I understand can be used to overclock components. Should overclocking be done in BIOS only?

 

Can anybody advise what I can overclock the CPU and other compenents? Im new to overclocking so aplogies for my poor terminology/understanding.

 

I have attached CPU-Z dump for reference.

 

Thanks again for any help/guidance which can be given

SCOTT-PC.txt

[monkeybones]

All chips and all boards are different depending on their set ups. The right way to OC your chip is to increase the FSB by 5 in increments and start it up and see if it is stable and keep going until you hit instability. This is when you start to mess with the voltages. I'll give you a run down of what my settings are, but I'm running a P45 Intel chip set and you are running an AMD chip set. At the least it will be an outline for you and your OC. I'm also running DDR2 v your DDR3 memory and you'll have to check out the manufactures specs for what they recommend. I'm running a TUNIQ Extreme 120 to keep temps in check and you will want to make sure you do this with the CPUz Hardware monitor software. You don't want your chip to melt. Other than that be aware that it will take time. Also take the time and write your settings down as you go it will be easier to map where things were good and where things went bad.

 

FSB: 375

CPU Multiplier: 10.5

Ram: 1:1.5 which is 1125

CPU voltage: 1.3625

Ram: 2.100, yours is going to be different because it is DDR3.

MCH: 1.304

FSB VTT: 1.34

ICH: 1.64

 

Hopefully this helps you start down the path of speed.