Preparing for my first OC - still have some questions after reading guides

868 Views 22 Replies 10 Participants Last post by jonoo, Dec 4, 2006

jonoo

Discussion Starter · Dec 3, 2006

Hi all. I'd like some help (in the way of advice or links to other sources) on my first overclocking attempt. I've read through numerous forums and guides.

Here is my hardware:
G. Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800 F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231087
Abit AB9-Pro Socket T Intel P965 Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127004
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Processor Stock Cooling http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005
Hiper 580w power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817128001

My other hardware that probably doesn't matter:
XFX Geforce 8800 GTS 640MB Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150204
Soundblaster X-Fi XtremeGamer http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102006
Samsung Spinpoint P 250GB hard drives (2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152025
Wireless ethernet card (sorry no link)

Help with any of these questions would be very appreciated:
An overclocking guide that uses my mobo (AB9-Pro)
An idea from people with similar setups of what settings worked for them
Some good values to start with
An idea of what NOT to do
What range to play with voltage on the CPU and the memory (I gather that is the easiest way to fry things)
One guide I read recommends rebooting as a fast way to figure out if a setting is worth testing more, ABit has a windows based overclocking utility. What's the equivalent way to perform a fast (not 2 hour) test as I change settings?
Any preference on using the uGuru windows utility over using the bios?
Should I be worried about affecting my other PCI cards?

Here are some of my thoughts after reading up on this:
I shouldn't try timings other than 4-4-4-12 on my memory, they won't work.
I should raise settings and then boot windows over and over to get an idea of what I can achieve.
Only after I have a setting that boots should I try running more rigorous tests.
I'm planning on overclocking my videocard only after getting the CPU/Memory in order (I'll head over to the videocard forum for that I guess). If you have any good links for that I'd still love to see them....

Thanks for any and all help or suggestions,
Jonoo

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1 - 20 of 23 Posts

IcedEarth

· #2 · Dec 3, 2006

I dont have much info on intel OC'ing, however i think you should invest in a new psu before you OC. 580w would be a bit risky for an OC especially with that beast. Iced

Silver Surfer

· #3 · Dec 3, 2006

You'll most likely need better then stock cooling. Look at the Scythe Ninja, Tunic Tower, Zalman 9700, they are all good value performers.

Reactions: 1

jonoo

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 3, 2006

First, thanks for the immediate suggestions.

Do other people think I need a bigger power supply? I'm buying this one to upgrade from my 430w antec truepower. This one has 38 amps on the 12 volt rail (that's where the MB pulls from right?), which is way more than my video card recommends (400w power supply with 26a on 12v). I am obviously not going SLI with this MB.

How much performance increase would you project by investing $60 in one of those heat sinks? I've read about people getting decent results with stock (2.8ghz at 60c load). <---- Not my result, I havn't set this up yet.

lessthanjake1241

· #5 · Dec 3, 2006

i think that psu will be fine. and 60c is a bit hot for that chip, try and get it below 50 by investing in some better cooling.

OCZedd

· #6 · Dec 3, 2006

Thats PSU is probably more than enough for a C2D rig, I think you should get one of the heatsinks mentioned above instead.

Oh and where did you get the power/amp specification for that GPU?

Fatal05

· #7 · Dec 3, 2006

For, $90, you can get a better powersupply. Hiper has never really struck me as a quality company....decent, but there are better options for your dollar.

Ernemax Noisetaker 485W

Quiet and efficient. I'd trust this over that Hyper...even with the less amounts of wattage.

Sun Beam NUO

A proven PSU. Solid, yet inefficient.

Reactions: 1

Sideburns

· #8 · Dec 3, 2006

the PSU is fine. But, get a scythe infinity and then think about overclocking.

Reactions: 1

jonoo

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 3, 2006

Just to clarify, power/amp specification is the recommendation for the entire system (not just the video card). I can't find my original source, here is a link with power requirements for the evga 8800 gts (should be very similar). Note even the GTX only recommends 30a.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/413/6/

jonoo

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 3, 2006

..

CWell1337

· #11 · Dec 3, 2006

I don't know all that much about intel, sorry, just wanted to welcome ANOTHER NEW Conroe build to OCN. Have fun with it and good luck.

jonoo

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 3, 2006

OK I'll buy a heatsink. It will be interesting to test because my friend is buying essentially the same setup (with a 7950gt graphics card) with stock cooling and we'll see how much more OC I can get with my heatsink.

Zalman 9700 and Scythe are basically the same price after "instant rebate." Any preference?

CWell1337

· #13 · Dec 3, 2006

I'm getting a Zalman 9700 cause a scythe is heavier and I have window fans that won't allow the gigantic size of the scythe. The rounded top of the 9700 allows me to install that.

Niko-Time

· #14 · Dec 3, 2006

Get the tuniq tower if you can afford it

CWell1337

· #15 · Dec 3, 2006

I agree, Tuniq seems like the best air cooler these days. Just make sure you have space in your case for it!

jonoo

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 4, 2006

Well, I'd buy a tuniq but they are out of stock everywhere.....I suppose I could wait until it is available and have an OC part 2 if it is that good...I'm also not sure how much clearance I need in my case.

CWell1337

· #17 · Dec 4, 2006

If I remember correctly, the tuniq is like 15cm tall? So If you have that much room from the top of your processor to the side of your case you should be alright.

Reactions: 1

Sideburns

· #18 · Dec 4, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWell1337

View Post

I'm getting a Zalman 9700 cause a scythe is heavier and I have window fans that won't allow the gigantic size of the scythe. The rounded top of the 9700 allows me to install that.

hmm...you sure it can't fit? the scythe really does pwn it lol

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Silver Surfer

· #19 · Dec 4, 2006

I recommend the Ninja, as long as your case doesnt have a side window. I have one myself and it's great, except installation is a bit of a pain as you must remove the mobo to install the backplate.
I understand that the ninja & tunic are all out performance, whereas the zalman is aimed at quietness and compactness....

Your PSU should be fine.

Remember don't be put out if you cant OC as high as your Buddy - every chip is different!

Luck 2 u

Reactions: 1

Arsenic0

· #20 · Dec 4, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Surfer

View Post

I recommend the Ninja, as long as your case doesnt have a side window. I have one myself and it's great, except installation is a bit of a pain as you must remove the mobo to install the backplate.
I understand that the ninja & tunic are all out performance, whereas the zalman is aimed at quietness and compactness....

Your PSU should be fine.

Remember don't be put out if you cant OC as high as your Buddy - every chip is different!

Luck 2 u

Not true necessarily.

The Ninja version B(or something like that) which most sites sell now adays do es not use the backplate. Its just a plastic punch through and rotate like the standard heatsink.

The problem for the 8800 isnt the amps, its the watts. A 8800GTX pulls something like 330W of power under full load. Like 200 something idle.

580W would probably be good though, hard to say..

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