[Monkey23]

I have a P4 @2.4GHz, 512MB RAM DDR400 PC3200 on an ASUS P4P800S-X.
I have read all the guides for overclocking I could find in here but since this
is the first time it gets a bit confusing.
I found within the BIOS an option which overclocks automatically by certain % increments. I have reached 10% (I haven't tried more yet) without any problems , which comes to 2.65GHz.
I use Speedfan which says the CPU is at ~52-54C at idle and the vcore is at 1.42V (I think my CPU is a Prescott

)

Is it better to overclock manually rather than the current automatic mode? How further it can go and how?

Any contributions and suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advace guys.

 

[Snip3rWarrior]

Ouch!... watch those temps.. I dont reccomend you use that overclock untill you get some decent cooling (Big Typhoon)!!! You should be at 52 Full Load

By the way, try reading peoples post (overclock Posts) its better to use the manual function than use the Ai Booster

Imo

 

[MustangPanda]

Help us help you by filling out your user profile. Click on user cp on the main bar then click edit system specs.

What ram are you using?

It is better to overclock manually.

If you are not sure what core your cpu is download cpu-z. If that is a northwood then your running dangerously high on the temps but if its a prescott that is fairly normal for the stock cooler.

 

[CanadaGradeEh]

It's better to overclock manually if you think you have enough knowledge. Any questions you have, obviously just ask here! That's why the forums here!
Anyway, it's better because you can push your system higher by adjusting each factor seperately to ensure a better overall clock. When using the overclock option in the BIOS it's doing all the factors as a whole, limiting your overclock because it pushes all at once and stops all at once depending on if a single factor encounters a stability issue. Uh, sorry if that's confusing but atleast I'm trying to explain

PreScott's are known to be really hot running processors. Are you using a stock heatsink fan (came with the CPU when you bought it)?

Anyway, I'm running AMD, and I've always run AMD, so I can't really tell you how far you can push your processor, but depending on the core I have seen a lot of those processors clocked to 2.8 GHz. Hopefully an Intel guy will come in soon and help. Good luck!

 

[CanadaGradeEh]

Holy moly, I can't believe I've contributed the most help in a post! That's a first

Makes me happy since I'm pretty new to overclocking as well lol.
*tears well up in eyes* Happy, happy! joy, joy!

 

[Monkey23]

Thanks for all the replies until now.
Yes I am using the stock heatsink.
The temps were at the same level before I tried to overclock it, I did not see any changes at all. And that is why I said I think it's a Prescott and therefore the temps are normal.
All I have for cooling at the moment is the Thermaltake PSU with dual fans and I am about to get a 12cm fan as well. I will try to find out if it's a Prescott indeed.

The Ram is an Elixir PC3200 DDR400.

--Thanks for letting me know about the user profile, I will do that right now.

 

[Snip3rWarrior]

That 12 cm is a good idea. Even though its a prescott, your temps shouldnt be that high...

My 3.0 prescott runs @ 41-44 idle and 52-54 Full Load (Dual Prime)

 

[jrabb1920]

You should be able to get better temps with the typhoon mine 33c. idle, 42c. loaded folding 24/7 at 4.4ghz.

 

[Snip3rWarrior]

I know... I have crap case fans... My mobo temp is 33

 

[CanadaGradeEh]

Ok, here's what you do Monkey:
Download CPU-Z ( www.cpuid.com ). It should tell you what core you are running, as well as other overclocking info you can monitor from your operating system such as your motherboard specs and RAM timings.

Second, get a new heatsink/fan like Mr Typhoon fan said earlier

heh
Always look into a copper heatsink. They're the best for transfering heat.

 

[Monkey23]

That little thing is awesome. Thanks a lot dude!
So it is indeed a Prescott.
Can someone guide me as to how I proceed from now on?

 

[CanadaGradeEh]

I seroiusly wish I could help you further, but I only know the basics of overclocking, and I've only done it on my AMD system. I can find you some good FAQs and guides though. Hold on, BRB lol. It's easier to link you to the FAQs than explain myself. If you have any specific questions though, ask and we will help.

*EDIT* Here are the guide's and FAQs:

Overclocking for Intel
RAM timings - This one may be a bit confusing, but in the long run it will help you better understand once you learn more.
Overclocking Acronyms - Not definitions, but should help you understand a bit better if you're confused what "CAS" or "vcore" is

PS - Feel free to +rep me lol. I hate to ask but rep is starting to become like a sort of money to me (or cocaine haha)

 

[Monkey23]

I see what happens now more clearly. Thank you all for the help.

 

[CanadaGradeEh]

And thank YOU for the experience

 

[Monkey23]

OK guys I think I good use some advice now.

I have reached almost 3.2GHz with vcore 1.424 and temp at idle ~52C (which btw will shoot right up to 60-62 within a minute if the CPU works at 100%).
My FSB

RAM is 4:5 which I can't figure out what to do with it. I have read the all the guides but I still can't say if this is "bad" or could be better performance wise:withstupi
The FSB is 177.
Let me know what information you also need for that.

Oh and Speedfan seems to have one measured temp which is all over the place each time I reboot. It was 55C now it's -4C! I could have short circuit something..

 

[Ropey]

I would use a better heatsink/fan unit to help cool down that Prescott.

If you are not comfortable with removing the motherboard then a Zalman CNPS7000cu will do the trick and will install in five minutes. Buy some arctic silver thermal paste and clean the processor, apply a rice sized piece of it in the middle of the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) and install the sink/fan.

Run CPU-Z and tell us what stepping that Prescott is please. If it is a D(0) then it will run pretty hot no matter what and if it is an E(0) then it will handle the heat transfer better.

R

 

[Monkey23]

Thanks Ropey. The stepping is 1, revision E0.
How about the memory?
It's at 221.3MHz and the timing is 2.5-3-3-7 according to CPU-Z.

 

[TheShehanigan]

Monkey;

I have the same Motherboard as you, the same DRAM, the same Proccessor, and I can reccommend you to buy a Big Typhoon + AS5 combination pronto! It will help you on the long run and make overclocking on air a great experience.

I think having your CPU/RAM Ratio running at 4:5 would be better, as Taeric told me in a post I had. I see it great that you went past 160-MHz without problem on 4:3, a feat I cannot do. I have to run my DRAM at 1:1 for it to process effectively and become stable!

Regarding your overclock, I would download Prime95 and run it on a Torture Rest to see your *true* load temperature. If anything is above 60C, I would slowly decrease the External Clock Speed to achieve a better temperature.

I wish you all luck, and I will be slowly watching your progress! Good luck!

 

[Ropey]

Rather than change the divider I would download an ISO from Memtest.org

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

and burn the ISO to CD. Then reboot and set the boot to the CD. Memtest will immediately boot and begin to run. It will test your system's memory at that fsb speed. If you run two full tests without error then your dram can take that speed.

I agree that it is good ram if value based dram to make it to that fsb. There is no use just dropping the divider if the dram will perform at that speed stabily though. As a general rule of thumb the divider is necessary as most value dram will not come close to that speed or timing.

What is the make and model of your dram?

R

 

[Monkey23]

It is an Elixir PC3200DDR400. It was the cheapest one in the store. I 'm surprised it's that good.

Edit: Oh and I didn't mesh with the timing at all.