AjuntaPall316

Ok... I'm trying to figure this out and I have read many, many threads, but I just can't figure this out without actually being able to try do it yet I guess.

I was doing OK figuring this stuff out (I thought) and then I got stuck on the whole RAM OCing thing. And now I'm all screwed up.

I have a AMD 4200, 200Mhz X 11 , with 2GB of DDR 400 Ram.

My motherboard will not OC. I found that out a while ago, and my processor is REALLY showing it's age. So I am going to upgrade, but that just doesn't seem right with the possibility of OCing it. At least, yet. So, tomorrow I'm going to get a new (fairly cheap) motherboard (if I can), install it, and OC it.
In order to get me by for a few months, until I can really get a good set up. (Asus Crossfire, AMD 6400, 2Gb DDR2 Ram maybe more,we'll see.) So this is my "Practice" OC, I really don't care how much I fry the thing, as long as nothing but the board and CPU are in danger. So any help would be great, I'm obviously not afraid of trying things.

250 FSB + More power X 11 = 2.75GHz and Much better. Basic concept I have, even if that particular scenario is impossible. Try to keep it under 55 C. As long as it doesn't get too hot, explode, and kill me.

If someone could please go into how Ram is affected by this, and what to do, I would appreciate it. A lot.
My Ram can't be overclocked correct?(2GB DDR 400) Which means I have to slow it down to 166Mhz, how would I do that? Then the FSB effects this in order to speed it back up? Is this all in the BIOS too, once I change my motherboard? Thanks.

billbartuska

Overclocking 101:
Set a low multiplier and set a low divider.
Then when you raise the FSB you know that the CPU and the memory will be below their limits. When you can't raise the FSB any more you will know that you have hit the liit of the motherboard for FSB (and not the limit of the CPU or the memory).

Then go back to FSB 200 with the stock multiplier (keeping the low divider) and start raising the FSB again. When that overclock fails you know the limit of the CPU.

Then set FSB to 200 again with the stock divider (1:1 or 200 depending on what you BIOS calls it) and a low multiplier. When that overclock fails, you will know you are at the limit of the memory.

Then, knowing the max FSB of the motherboard, the max Ghz of the CPU and the max Mhz of the memory, use FSB, multiplie, and divider to get them all as high as possible, but still under their maximums.

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The Duke

With an OCable MB, you should get a good kick in the performance.
As far as the 166 setting on the RAM you mentioned...
1. With that divider, the RAM will increase in speed about 83% of the CPU OC. So dependent on the overall CPU bus speed, the RAM may return to or possibly excede its default speed. There are other variables though, like RAM timings and voltage increases. RAM may or may not increase at the exact amount you might expect, that is because the CPU's multiplier may have an effect on the overall speed.
Basically and an example: Lets say you get the CPU to 250, that 83% or .83x250 =207.5 (again, that is not always the exact result dependent on the CPU multiplier)
That would likely get your RAM slightly OCed and not likely need any extra voltage. Beyond that you may need to increase your RAM's voltage (or vdimm) a little.

2. OCing will likely require an improvement in your CPU cooling, so if and when you get a better HSF, consider its ability to also be used in your future upgrade.

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AjuntaPall316

Thanks for your help guys.

I finally got it pretty good... I think. Installing the Motherboard was a chore though. It helps if you get one that fits. Damn Gateway... but I'm creative . Overclocking was easy by comparison, assuming I did OK.

I moved the power up .05, and the FSB up to 236 giving me 2.59 Ghz. (according to CPU Z and PC wizard)
I still have no idea about my ram, but I moved it down to 166 and set it 3 3 3 5 11. CPU Z says its at 185mhz.

Mass Effect gives me a few more FPS now, so I think its working alright. More time will tell.

I'm a little unsure about the temp though. Using PC wizard, the temp is about 37-43 idle, I leave it on, then after playing a game for about 20 min, I exit out and it says 59 then 1 second later drops to about 50 then slowly drops from there. I figure that it just needs a sec to get an accurate temp, is this right? Or is 59 correct? If the temp is 49-50 would increasing the voltage to + .10 give a better boost? Or just over do it?

Edit: Just used Prime 95 to test and it got up to about 64 C. I know people around here said "above 55 was bad"... but how bad? Is it a bit much, or can it take it?

billbartuska

236 x an 11 multiplier = 2.59ghz
235 x 166/200 divider = 185mhz
(Yes, the simple 236 x 166/200 doesn't work all the time. 185 is correct)

As for temps, you're in a range at which I wouldn't be comfortable.
You can look up the max temp for your CPU on AMD's website.

__________________
EDGE ...if you're not on it, you're taking up too much space.

AjuntaPall316

Thanks. I slowed it down a little. I lowered the voltage to stock and slowed it to 229 FSB which gives 2.52 Ghz. Which works at about 56 C fully stressed. I can live with that. Thanks guys. As for the ram, it won't work at 200 so it is good enough I guess. Overall, it seems to be working better then before, so I'm happy for now.