Programs you should have before overclocking. - Overclock.net

tylerand · 01-03-06

This is sort of like a FAQ, but since I didnt know how to post in the faq section I put it in here.

The first thing I am going to discuss will be CPU overclocking:

Temperature:
One of the most important programs you will need to overclock your cpu will be either one or more monitoring programs. Now these programs are good BUT speedfan takes up far less resources than all the others although CPUcool has more options.
Speedfan can be found here
CPUcool can be found here
Everest which can be found here

Stability testing:
The second program you should always have will be a stability testing program, these programs can be used to test the stability of your CPU and RAM overclock. You should always check with one of the temperature monitors to make sure your temps dont get too high, if they do and the stability testing program doesnt automaticly stop you should stop it yourself. The three programs I would recommend to you are as listed:
CPU Killer wich can be found: here.
Memtest which can be found here
Prime95, which can be found here
OCCT (my favorite) which can be found here
and if you still dont think your system is stable, run Folding@Home for a little bit it only likes really stable CPU's, also dont forget to fold for team 37726 aka www.overclock.net team.

Overclocking programs:
There are 2 ways to overclock, with programs, or in the bios. Although it is recommended to overclock in the bios this is a faq on PROGRAMS you should have so I will still mention some. There are only two programs I like and am going to recommend they are as listed:
ClockGen which can be found here
Soft FSB which can be found here

Benchmarking programs:
These can be used to compair your stock settings to your overclocked settings. There are many many benchmarking programs out there, I am only going to mention a few of them. Note: Some benchmarking programs are not compatible with older/newer hardware. Note2: These are all demos you will have to pay for the full versions, but these will still tell you your score.
3dMark06 which can be found here
3dMark05 which can be found here
3dMark03 which can be found here
3dMark01se which can be found here
SiSoft Sandra lite which can be found here
AquaMark3 which can be found here
PCMark04 which can be found here
Super PI which can be found here
FutureMark05 basic which can be found here

If you think I should add/remove anything then just PM me please dont post here (about things I should add/remove that is).

Here are the programs you should have if overclocking your video card:

Overclocking programs:
Unlike CPU's you need to overclock video cards with programs (as far as I know). Here here are some programs I recommend for overclocking any ATI or NVidia graphics card. Note: ATItool can also act as sort of a stability testing program for graphic cards.
ATItool which can be found here
Coolbits which can be found here Note: Only for Nvidia cards.
Ntune which can be found here Note: Only for Nvidia cards.
ATI Tray Tools wich can be found Here

Benchmarking programs:
You will need almost the same programs for benchmarking graphic cards that you do CPU's. You will want/need the following programs:
3dMark06 which can be found here
3dMark05 which can be found here
3dMark03 which can be found here
3dMark01se which can be found here

Radlinker program:
If you want to keep the core and memory speed that you got in ATItool without having to run ATItool you should get radlinker from here. It is a program that takes up little or no resouces and can be acessed when at desktop and you right click on your mouse. Note: When using radlinker you will still have to reset your clocks everytime you restart the computer

If you have anything you want me to add/remove then pm me, dont post here please (about things you want me too change that is).

Here are some good FREE utility's everybody should have weather they are over clocking or not.

Defragment Utility's:
There are both memory defraggers and harddrive defraggers. You should always run both type of utilitys about once or twice every two months. I have listed several good defragmentation programs.

Memory defragging:
Fast Defrag Standard which can be found here
FreeRAM XP Pro which can be found here
MPower which can be found here

Harddrive defraggers:
Disk Idle Optomizer which can be found here
Fragdown which can be found here
O&O Defrag 2000 Freeware Edition which can be found here
SpeeDfrag which can be found here

Dual Boot Utilitys:
These programs are used when you are using more than one operating system on your computer. Ie: Windows and Linux. The following are free programs that change which OS too boot into.

Boot Swicher which can be found here
Ranish Partition Manager which can be found here

Spyware Removal and Prevention Utilitys:
These programs are necassary for any system that wants to last a any amount of time without spyware when having an internet connection. Note: Some of these programs remove spyware, and some of them prevent it. Discription in the links.

Ad-Aware SE Personal which can be found here
Arovax Shield which can be found here
Assassin which can be found here
Browser Hijack Blaster which can be found here (really nice program)
Hijack This which can be found here
PC Anti-Hijacker which can be found here
SpyBot search and destroy which can be found here
Microsoft antispyware which can be found here

FireWalls and Anti-Virus Utilitys:
These are one of those "You need one of these or your going to have to formatt your computer" type of things. They prevent most viruses from coming in and making there self at home inside your pc. The following are some nice firewall programs.

Firewall:
Zone Alarm free which can be found here

Anti-Virus:
AVG free addition which can be found here
Norton AntiVirus Rnav2003 which can be found here (can be hard to use)

Random processor apps
These are some random processor programs that dont really fit in anywhere else. Some of them are used to play old games, and some are used to monitor your CPU Usage.

Active CPU 1.1 lets you graphically veiw your CPU usage
Amd power monitor monitors your Frequencys, Voltages, Utilisation, and Power savings of each core.
CPU speed adjuster slows down the speed of your CPU for older games.
CPU Info 2.13 shows in depth info about your processor.
CPUsage 1.0 shows the cpu usage next to your clock.
Intel thermal analysis tool wich can be found here.

FPS monitoring application
Fraps is the best one i know of, it will be the only one you need anyway. It can also take screenshots and short videos: clicky!

Comments are welcome, also note that these arent every program you should have, there are many many more this is just a little something to get you started.

**pjlietz** · 01-04-06

Good post, I'm sure if you pm a mod they can move it to the FAQ section.

The Bartender Paradox · 01-04-06

For free firewall I strongly recomend Sygate personal firewall. Sygate no longer exists but you can find that most d/l sites have it. Google it.

dex100 · 01-04-06

this a pretty good idea and bartender you ow me a cookie

Congradulations! You have found the secret text! You get a cookie.

tylerand · 01-04-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjlietz

Good post, I'm sure if you pm a mod they can move it to the FAQ section.

Well its stickied at the moment so that is good enough for me

.

TylerBello · 01-04-06

Nice guide.

A few things that really stand out though.

Hard drive defrag,did you neglect to add Executive softwares Diskeeper? Its the best defrag program ive ever used also.

Avast Antivirus

-and-

Bit defender

-and-

Aquamark

-and-

PcMark

-and-

CPUz

Just assisting in making it a little more comprehensive.