can't chnge my FSB Frequencies directly

[pricecd]

Quick question guys. I'm using an MSI P6n SLI mobo and I'm trying to overclock. Int he BIOS, the FSB and DRAM Frequencies are grayed out and I can't change them directly. Blow they are displayed in mhz, the 1066/533 respectively. I can edit those, however. All the tutorials I am reading are written so that you change the frequencies yourself so I wasn't sure what I should do. I'm using an e4500.

 

[myocardia]

You should read your manual, so you can find out what keys to press, to enable you to change the FSB directly. On my motherboard, it's Ctrl + F1.

 

[JustaGeek]

By changing the 1066 to ex. 1200, you are directly changing the "basic" FSB speed to 300MHz.

Just remember that you are changing the "quad pumped" FSB value ( 4 x 266.6 to 4 x 300MHz).

That's the simplicity of the 650i chipset: you just change the "quad pumped" FSB and the final Memory Frequency - the "Memory:FSB" ratio is adjusted in the background, so you don't have to "do the math" to figure out the memory multiplier.

All that with "Manual' overclocking option in BIOS, of course.

 

[pricecd]

im using the live update for MSI and it states there a 2.4 version of my bios and im using the 2.1 at the moment. Do you think I should use the live update to flash my bior just keep it as it is. The update may allow me to direct edit the FSB, but I don't want to risk the update failing and screwing up my mobo.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm not familiar with MSI motherboards and BIOS's.

But I WILL tell you about a hair-raising, heart-stopping panic I went through last summer, and you'd best listen before proceeding.

Keep in mind, I've been flashing BIOS's on PCs since 1993. I can't COUNT the number of times I've done it; and I've done it several times each for a variety of machines. In those days, you had a "flash" program and a "bin" file containing the new BIOS -- which you prepared on a 3.5" floppy with DOS MsDos.sys and Command.com to boot from floppy. It was always a cinch.

I have ASUS motherboards now. There are three ways to flash the BIOS.

1) From a floppy similar to the method already described
2) Within the BIOS, there is a sub-menu item for a feature called "EZ_Flash." you still need the "bin" file on a floppy.
3) ASUS Update -- a Windows program

I only started testing the water with Asus Update a couple years ago, and several times, it worked just fine. But the prevailing wisdom on the street says "don't do it . . . don't . . . . do . . . . it!!"

Last summer, I forgot to clear the CMOS before flashing, and what's worse, by flashing from the Windows program. I could never get the system to boot; I tried every trick I know of. The symptoms pointed to a corrupted BIOS.

When that happens, and before arranging an RMA under warranty for your motherboard, go to BIOS MAN .

$25 buys a year's subscription for subsequent flashes. They'll send you the correct PLCC BIOS chip for your machine, with the BIOS version you requested via your on-line order. They communicate very well by e-mail. Very nice.

Otherwise, ALWAYS clear the CMOS (with computer unplugged, turned off), and ALWAYS use the more primitive method for flashing.

 

[JustaGeek]

Changing FSB of 1066 to another value, like 1200, is a "direct" change, and nothing else will be available - at least it is not on my ASUS 650i board.

If you want to update BIOS, I would strongly recommend NOT to use "live" updates of BIOS - the chances of something going wrong are very high, and they may render the MB unoperable.

If you decide to update, use the AWARD flash described here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=y&keyword1=award+bios

Good luck!