Introduction
Things you should know
What are the benefits?
What are the risks?
What is clock speed for
of processor?
How CPU manufacturers
determine the clock
speed of a processor?
How to set the clock
speed of a processor?
What is
Overclocking?
How is Overclocking
done?
Step 1: Getting
Started
Step 2: BIOS
Step 3: Begin
Overclocking
Recommended
Settings
Bus and Processor speed
Remember for reference
More on
Overclocking?
Does it reach BIOS
setup?
Does it reach a full
working operating
system?
How to improve changes
for a successful
Overclock
Additional Cooling
Processor Life and
Market
Final Thoughts
Some important
factors for
successful
overclocking
Monitoring Software
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Introduction
When “fast is not
enough” gamers and
hobbyists find and
devise new and
intriguing ways of
taking their hardware to
the max. Even with these
fastest chips available,
most users still demand
more and say that the
speed from even the
fastest chips aren’t
fast enough, or they
just blatantly just want
more. This is where
overclocking comes into
the equation; by which
users make their
processor run faster
than the default
recommended speed
setting. Overclocking
has become common with
all of the newest
hardware devices having
the ability to reach
overclocked speeds of
over 50%.
Q.
If a processor can
achieve higher speeds
why don’t manufactures
increase them?
A.
To regulate the market,
making one processor
that can range from 1.6
to 2.4 and just regulate
speed is easier than
making a different one
for each speed.
Things
you should know
The following you should
know before and to
successfully overclock a
your AMD or Pentium: an
overclockable processor,
an overclocking friendly
motherboard, and a plan
for a great thermal
solutions including heat
sink and extra system
cooling fans. Check your
system for extra fan
locations, later in this
text will be detailed
info on how to configure
them.
• If you plan to
overclock you system
then be sure to
select your hardware
wisely. There are
always overclocking
opportunities. Intel
and AMD produce
processors that are
overclockable.
• Some motherboards
are more
overclocking-friendly
than the others, I
suggest Asus or
Epox. Select a
motherboard that has
good reviews, don’t
experiment or settle
for one that’s not
reputable because
the motherboard is
the heart of you
overclocking
project. Do you
homework!
• Once you’ve become
an experienced
overclocker, you
know to keep the
processor and the
entire system cool
to ensure stability,
select a case that
can handle many fans
for optimal airflow.
Your number one
enemy for
overclocking is
heat.
o Add additional
system coolers
in the front and
back of the case
to generate an
air flow pattern
coming in from
the front and
exiting at the
back.
o Make sure the
cooling fans for
the power supply
sucks hot air
out of your
system box.
o Use thermal
compound (do not
substitute)
between a good
and strong heat
sink and the
processor to
ensure great
thermal contact
and thus optimal
heat
dissipation.
What are
the benefits of
Overclocking?
• The increased
performance with
minimum cost
• Satisfaction from
achieving it, then
later tweaking it.
What are
the risks of
Overclocking?
• Overclocking may
void your system
warranty.
• Overclocking may
reduce the life-time
of your system.
• Overclocking may
cause system less
stable. If you find
your system unstable
at higher speeds,
proper testing is
the key to a
successful
overclock.
What is
clock speed for of
processor?
The clock speed of a
processor is the main
factor that determines
the computing power of a
computer, measured in
MHz or GHz. To better
understand the concept,
imagine your car drives
at fixed speed of 1 to
60 mph, although the
optimal speed is 50,
nothing prevents it from
going faster or slower.
You want to run at
higher speeds only at
favorable conditions.
How CPU
manufacturers determine
the clock speed of a
processor?
The manufacturer decides
on what speed to stamp
on the processor based
on the following
factors:
• Core, design, and
capabilities of the
processor itself.
• The thermal
stability and
characteristics of
the processor.
• The most
advantageous market
conditions.
From the above it is
clear that given the
right conditions, a
processor can be either
underclocked or
overclocked. An 900MHz
processor can be
overclocked to run at
800 or 500MHz as long as
the motherboard allows,
or overclocking to
1200MHz.
How to
set the clock speed of a
processor?
The actual clock speed
of a processor is set by
the motherboard. There
are two ways to do this.
Hardware jumpers. You
can change the jumpers
to get different
combinations of basic
BUS speeds and
multipliers. This method
is used for most brands
of motherboards. It is
however inconvenient
since you need to
actually open the case
to access the
motherboard and to know
what your doing. So if
your looking for a
motherboard that
overclocks easily, look
for “jumper free”
overclockable
motherboards.
With software "jumpers"
or “jumper free”
motherboards, you change
the clock speeds (and
the core voltage) of a
processor using software
embedded in the
motherboard BIOS. Most
overclockers like this
option.
What is
Overclocking?
This is the process of
running the device
faster than it is
specified to do.
Overclocking is an old
process that just
recently has gone
mainstream. Overclocks
can range in the 30-50%
range with some creative
cooling, if not air
cooled then liquid
(Water or Nitrogen).
Overclocking achieved by
increasing the frequency
at which the processor
is multiplied or bus
speed.
With a successful
overclock, the system
will run stable and
exactly the same as it
did at the default
factory set frequency,
just faster. This often
requires more cooling
than stock and
increasing voltage on
processors improving the
speed of devices,
internal and external,
and performance improves
in accordance to how
much the device is
overclocked. If not
properly overclocked,
usually from
overclocking too much,
performance can actually
degrade, as the
processor or is over
stressed beyond optimal
frequency settings.
Overclocking generally
refers to running your
CPU, and these days your
video card too, at
higher internal CPU
clock and bus speeds
than the manufacturer's
specs for achieving
better system
performance at little or
no cost. In the past,
overclocking was simply
changing your
motherboard's settings
for the next higher CPU
Multiplier. It's not as
simple anymore, since
both Intel and AMD have
locked the multipliers
in their CPU's. As a
result, in today's world
the bus speed is usually
the only easy way to
overclock and achieve
CPU speeds that don't
officially exist. Bus
speed, as opposed to CPU
overclocking changes
your whole motherboard's
BUS, affecting PCI, AGP
(with all the components
attached to them) as
well as Memory speed, so
in effect you are
overclocking everything!
Because of the fact you
are overclocking your
whole system and every
component connected to
it, one of the necessary
requirements is to have
good quality components.
You have a better chance
of reaching higher
speeds and still running
a stable system with
good quality brand name
components instead of
cheap hardware. Some
brands/models of
hardware overclock
better then others, some
don't overclock very
well at all, so it's a
good idea to already
have a rock stable
system with good quality
hardware before you
attempt overclocking,
since overclocking
essentially pushes your
system beyond the
manufacturer's specs,
adding heat to the
equation.
How to
Overclock
Overclocking is
accomplished by
adjusting the frequency
of either the CPU
multiplier or FSB (front
side bus) speed in the
Bios of the motherboard.
All common day
processors have a
multiplier locked,
meaning that the rate at
which the speed is
multiplied by the front
side bus is not
adjustable. Therefore to
overclock these
processors one must
adjust the bus speed.
FSB speeds are an
important aspect of
Overclocking because it
influences the speed at
which all devices
connected to the
motherboard operate.
There are usually three
default front side bus
settings, 66MHz, 100MHz,
and 133MHz. The slowest
of the three, 66MHz, and
133MHz the highest, was
used by Pentium II
processors slower than
350MHz and all previous
processors starting with
the original Pentium
line. Today’s Celerons
run at this 100MHz FSB,
which is one reason why
the Celeron lags so much
behind its older Pentium
III brother. 133MHz FSB
is which PIII processors
run today, P4 processors
depending on the level
you have, can range from
400MHz to even 533MHz
and up operate at this
frequency.
Pentium IV processors
can be overclocked with
103MHz and 112MHz front
side bus speeds easily.
Of course, anyone can
overclock this easily,
but most often than not,
something else will be
required to get an
overclock to be
successful. More often
than not, voltage
adjustment will be
required. Increasing the
amount of power that the
processor receives will
give it the little extra
power to get the
processor to be
successfully
overclocked. Remember
that when overclocking,
always move up in the
smallest increments
allowable. Doing
otherwise could be
harmful for the system
Steps to Overclocking
(AMD X1 and X2 Coming)
Step 1: On a
blank sheet of paper
draw various vertical
lines spacing them
approximately 1 inch
apart, and about 4
horizontal lines spaced
2 inches apart. This is
the grid you’ll be using
to test for optimal
configuration. Label the
chart from left to
right, FSB or Front Side
Bus, Crashed, Voltage,
leaving the far right
box for whatever you
wish.
For some reason higher
cache, such as a 1.8a
512K 400MHz FBS Pentium
4’s are more
successfully overclocked
than a 1.8 256K 400MHz
FSB Pentium 4’s. So if
you have not yet
purchased your
processor, the “a”
higher 512K 400MHz FSB
processor should be on
your list. If you’re
building a system from
scratch, use EPOX or
ASUS brands, all their
boards are very
versatile in respect to
overclocking.
Step 2: Starting
up your system holding
down the “DEL” delete
key will bring the
system into the BIOS.
Once in the BIOS browse
around using the
left/right arrows to
change categories, and
up/down arrows to browse
the current selection…
take a few minutes doing
this, familiarize
yourself.
At
the frequency screen set
the frequency adjustment
to manual, this
unlocking the FBS
multiplier usually on
the far top of the
screen. The frequency
adjustment also usually
has the clock speed
reading as hundreds or
thousands. Example, 1.8,
would read 1800, and 2.0
would read 2000. Some
manufacturers have
preset settings to
automatically overclock
the system, ASUS is one.
I would recommend this
but know how to reset
the CMOS of the
motherboard first,
usually by a jumper or
holding contacts
together to reset it. If
you purchased the
motherboard new, then it
should come with a
semantic, or locate the
model and type it into
any search engine in a
hunt for more info.
Step 3: Using you
handy chart write on the
next available block the
number of the next
frequency level. So if
the first frequency
level is 133, if you
using a Pentium 4 it is,
then the next frequency
level would be 134, then
135, and so on. For
every upgrade to the
frequency setting
restart the computer
noting if the startup
was successful. If yes,
then follow the same
instruction to raise the
level again. If not then
raise the voltage of the
processor in the
smallest increments
available. Restart again
and note if it was
successful or not.
Ideally you should not
raise the voltage of the
processor more than .2,
if you do then you MUST
invest in better cooling
such as liquid filled
heat sinks. Once you
have raised the
frequency till it
crashes and voltage no
more than .2 then retain
the previous successful
frequency, and raise the
voltage another .05 to
add stability. Restart
and run an application
such as Si-Sandra to
monitor the temperature
of the processor,
running the application
for several hours at
full stress. If the
temperature rises more
than 20% then enter the
BIOS and drop the
voltage and frequency.
Repeat the process until
your processor
temperature is within
the 20% threshold.
Recommended Settings
There are no unique best
settings for every
system; however I'll try
to give you a basic
guideline for a
successful overclocking.
If your Motherboard
doesn't support the
higher bus speeds than
133, you can still try
the rest, get a
calculator and figure
out the possible
combinations yourself
remember its Multiplier
x FSB = Internal CPU
speed.
Bus and Processor speed
The internal clock speed
refers to the actual
speed that the CPU is
operating at. When you
go to the store or look
up system specs you will
see, for example,
Pentium 4 2.4Ghz. The
2.4Ghz part refers to
the internal operating
frequency of the CPU in
question. To make this
easy just know that is
the speed of the
processor, 2.4 Giga
-Hertz in this case. The
higher internal clock of
the processor is the
faster it processes
information and the more
you can do with your
computer.
The bus speed refers to
the actual motherboard
and its components. They
too run in Giga-Hertz
(Mhz) and run together
at different dividers,
or fractions of the CPU
speed. Your motherboard
has traces on it, if you
look down at a
motherboard and you see
all those long lines
running all through it
to different components
that are the bus of the
motherboard, data paths
to all the components.
The Front Side Bus (FSB)
by definition is the bus
that connects the
processor (CPU) and the
main Memory (RAM). The
PCI bus is the bus that
connects all the PCI
devices (connected to
the PCI expansion
slots), as well as the
Controller for your Hard
Drive and CD-ROM. These
are the main buses you
have to worry about when
overclocking. How this
all fits together: It
takes the FSB speed
(which is also the RAM
speed don't forget)
multiplied by the CPU
Multiplier to create the
Internal Clock speed.
For example a FSB speed
of 100 MHz times a
multiplier of 24 will
equal 2400Mhz or 2.4
GHz. In order to get
other bus speeds and try
to get different
Internal CPU speeds,
your motherboard needs
to have more FSB option
settings. Keep in mind
when you do overclock
the FSB you are
overclocking your memory
(RAM) so if you have
some modules of some
slow cheap pieces of
memory they may not like
to be overclocked at
all. If you buy good
brand name memory like
Kingston, Micron, you
will have a much better
chance at overclocking
your FSB.
Again, when increasing
your FSB speed, you'll
also have to consider
all the other devices in
your system. Just
because the CPU runs
stable at the higher
speed settings doesn't
mean you have
overclocked
successfully. Any of the
other devices can stop
functioning or start
causing problems. You
might need to edit your
CMOS and lower some of
the settings for the RAM
and/or Hard Drives to
get your system
functioning without
problems.
It
is a fact that by
overclocking you
increase the chances of
system faults, crashes
and overall instability,
so if avoiding a crash
is crucial, consider
buying faster Processor
or components, rather
than overclocking.
Remember for reference:
PCI Bus = 33Mhz
AGP Bus = 66Mhz
FSB x Multiplier = CPU
Internal Clock Speed
FSB x Divider = PCI or
AGP Bus Speed
More on overclocking?
Some processors are
tricky, because versions
were released with both
66 and 100 MHz versions.
This shouldn't be a
problem though, because
most resellers/stores
will let you know what
the bus speed the CPU
is.
Dangers
In
order to overclock your
system successfully, you
need the understand the
most important issue
involved – Cooling.
Proper Cooling is the
MOST important factor in
successful overclocking,
running a stable system
and keeping your CPU in
good shape. If your
overclocked CPU operates
at a higher than specs
temperature, it will
shorten its life. Other
side effects of
overheating can be
random crashes and
unstable system.
Generally, today's
processors are designed
to work between 85 and
200 degrees Fahrenheit
and anything outside the
temperature range would
result in more unstable
system and possible
damaging of the CPU.
Keep this in mind,
cooler is better, try to
cool your CPU as much as
you can, put a big fat
heatsink on it with a
big fan to help. Just
remember the better
cooling solution you
choose, the better
chances for successful
overclocking you have.
Things to remember:
Note: Don't put the
panel back onto your PC
until your done testing
the stability of your
system.
Turn off and unplug the
computer, take off the
case, get your
motherboard manual.
Check the current clock
speed and multiplier
jumper settings on your
motherboard, compare
them with your manual,
and write them down in
the motherboard manual.
Most manuals have an
area for notes so use
it. Check the supply
voltage jumper settings
on your motherboard,
compare them with manual
and your CPU marking,
and write it down.
Change the jumper
settings for clock speed
and/or multiplier
according to your manual
for the next CPU speed
up from the settings
currently used. Double
check to make sure
everything is ok, and
that no jumpers have
been forgotten about or
bumped off.
Start computer.
Does it reach BIOS
setup?
If
yes, test the system
further and work your PC
hard as possible.
No, Turn off computer
and change jumper to
higher supply voltage
according to manual, if
possible.
If
you still shouldn't
reach BIOS setup, forget
about overclocking to
this speed.
Does it reach full
working operation
system?
If
yes, start your test run
by running it for at
least a hour. A PC
reaches its maximum temp
within about 30 min.
It's better to occur
crashes or lock ups now,
than coming across them
when it counts!
If
no, try another setting
or check your cooling,
you also can try some
more conservative memory
timings in the BIOS
setup. This means
increasing the wait
states or the read/write
cycles; but don't forget
to check later if you
gained speed by trying
some benchmarks, cause
there's no point in
overclocking if your
memory access is getting
slower.
If
everything works well -
congrats, if not, try
another setting, check
cooling.
Don't change supply
voltage unless you have
to. It only makes the
chip hotter.
Don't ever forget:
cooling is most
important key to
Overclocking!
HOW TO
IMPROVE CHANCES FOR A
SUCCESSFUL OVERCLOCKING
Additional Cooling
The number one problem
with most Overclocks is
that the processor is
generating too much heat
and that is what is
causing the processor to
be unstable. It is VERY
important that you
monitor temperature
levels, mainly the
processor. That is why
extra cooling with
larger heatsinks, more
fans, and better airflow
is always imperative.
Since increasing the
voltage of processors
greatly increases
chances in overclocking,
and increasing voltage
creates more heat,
therefore cooling the
processor creates higher
chances for
overclocking. The best
way to start is by
getting a larger
heatsink for the
processor. Adding more
fans inside the case
will help keep
everything cool and will
greatly improve chances
of overclocking.
Processor Life and
Market
As
newer products come out,
more heat will be
generated because of the
higher speed that these
products achieve. And to
counteract the heat,
manufacturers shift
manufacturing processes
to a smaller micron
size. The smaller sizes
of dies create much less
heat, in conversely,
faster and more advanced
designs. As processors
get older, so do their
ability to be
Overclocked and
withstand higher clock
speeds. After several
processor revisions,
processors tend to get
more stable, produce
less heat, and have
higher clockspeeds.
Customarily once a newer
processor is released
that processor takes the
highest price than its
predecessor. When the
newest processor is
released, the new
stepping is given to the
slower processors;
therefore the processor
will have a better
theoretical speed it can
reach.
Final Thoughts
Some important factors
for successful
overclocking
CPU Cooling - Your CPU
Heatsink/Fan might do
the trick, but it's very
likely you'll need a top
quality combo. Another,
often overlooked fact is
that a simple Thermal
Compound (from Radio
Shack) applied between
the heatsink and the CPU
can provide for much
better heat transfer and
cooler Processor.
Case Cooling - The
temperature inside the
case will also increase,
as a result of
overclocking, heating
all of the devices and
possibly increasing the
chance of a crash. For
ATX cases, I'd recommend
an additional intake fan
and exhaust fan. The
size of the case as well
as the placement of the
cables inside will also
affect its cooling, get
rounded cables if you
can for best air flow in
the case and use air
filters in front of the
intake fans and vents,
keep your case cover on
for correct airflow and
to reduce dust buildup
(dust is an important
enemy, it acts as an
insulator keeping your
hardware even warmer).
For proper airflow, a
simple rule might help
reduce heat in your case
even further, just
install one more exhaust
fan than your intake
fans - it's more
important to remove warm
air from the case, than
to blow cold air in.
Quality Components -
RAM, Hard Disks, Video
Cards all can stop
functioning at higher
bus speeds, quality
components are of course
less susceptible to
failure under stress.
Also, well built, brand
name motherboards can
definitely make the
difference between
success and failure.
Asus and Epox are two
well known very
overclockable, easy and
friendly motherboards.
Monitoring Software
There are certain
software packages out
there that help you
monitor CPU &
motherboard temperature,
as well as fan speed.
These software utilities
can either show readings
on demand, or they can
be left running in your
system tray, displaying
temperatures and
warnings... These
utilities rely on new
motherboards with
Temperature sensors
built into the
motherboard. Most
high-end motherboards
manufactured in the last
few years have this
capability, some even
have the temperature and
fan speed readings in
the BIOS as well.
Motherboard Monitor
-Motherboard Monitor
(MBM) is a tool that
will display information
from the sensor chip on
your motherboard in your
Windows system tray. MBM
supports a wide range of
Chipsets & Sensor Chip
combinations.
WCPUID - WCPUID is a
program that displays
detailed information
about the CPU in your
system.
This overview guide is
just that, an overview
guide to introduce you
to the concept of
overclocking. Nowadays
overclocking is almost a
science, there is so
much to it, I could get
very detailed on all
these topics I've
brought up, and there
are even some others I
haven't mentioned. Good
Luck!
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crashes
-
overclocking fsb
pentium
-
overclocking fbs
-
overclocking fbs not
available
-
overclock tutorial
pentium 4
-
overclocked processor
slower than original
speed
-
overclock processors
tutorial
-
overclock reset
-
overclocking 350mhz
pentium
-
overclocking a
processor
-
overclocking "how to"
pentium 4 1.6
-
overclocking fsb
tutorial
-
overclocking pentium 4
400mhz 133mhz jumper
-
overclocking pentium 4
by multiplier and fsb
-
overclocking pentium 2
350mhz
-
overclocking pentium 4
-
overclocking pentium s
100mhz
-
overclocking pentium
tutorial
-
overclocking pentium
400mhz
-
overclocking pentium
iv
-
overclocking optimal
airflow
-
overclocking p4 1.8
-
overclocking level
voltage fsb multiplier
-
overclocking locked
processors 1.8
-
overclocking p4
celeron
-
overclocking p4
tutorial asus
-
overclocking p4 2.0
-
overclocking p4 2.4
-
tutorial overclock
-
tutorial overclock
celeron
-
tutorial on front side
bus speeds
-
tutorial on overclocking the
processor
-
tutorial p4 overclocking or
overclocked or overclock
-
tutorial pentium 3
overclock
-
tutorial overclock p4
-
tutorial overclocking
-
tutorial how to set
the multiplier on a p4
-
system was crashed by overclocking
-
temperature when overclocking pentium iv
2.4
-
setting clock speeds
for pentium 4 1.8
-
system bus speed
tutorial, front side bus
-
tutorial front side
bus speeds
-
tutorial fsb
-
tutorial for processor
fans
-
tutorial front side
bus
-
tutorial to front side
bus
-
water cooling overclocking tutorial
-
water cooling tutorial overclocking
-
unlocking the pentium
iv for overclocking
-
voltage overclock
pentium 1.8
-
when set to fbs 133
system unstable
-
xp crashed from
overclocking
For more info or advice
on how this overclocking
tutorial can be better
please check
Wikipedia Article on
Overclocking.
