Duron 800 overclockability...

PlunX

Golden Member
May 26, 2000
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I have a week 40 Duron 800MHz and I'm wondering how high I could probably get it and at what voltage.. I've heard that they don't overclock as well as 600s. About how high could I get my 800 at with an FOP38?
 

jinsonxu

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2000
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Only real way to tell is to test it yourself. Do post your results!

By the way PlunX, you seem to be in possession of a great number of Durons! Ever considered running RC5 on them for TeamAnandTech?
 

PlunX

Golden Member
May 26, 2000
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Actually.. Something -very- strange happened to my Duron 600 (and my 650). I finally unlocked my 600MHz after five tries with the pencil trick and then eventually buying some defogging resin and applying it.. I tried 800MHz, 900MHz, 950MHz, and finally 990MHz (hottest temp. was 36 C.) (it was a week 36 Duron and I was using 1.85v).. Decided to go a bit higher with a 105MHz bus speed and 9.5 ratio.. Monitor turned off when I reset and the motherboard beeped a bunch of times, stopped, and then beeped non-stop after that. Checked the Smart-LED chart and the lights that were on showed that my RAM was bad.. Messed around a bit, then eventually bought a 32MB stick at Best Buy.. Stuck it in, same exact problem. Called a guy to come and check it out.. While I was waiting for him to come, I managed to mysteriously get it working again. Got into Windows at 600MHz without any problems at all. Eventually had to reset.. The beeping problems occured again. The guy finally arrived with a new Duron 800MHz.. Stuck it in and the thing worked (or works) perfectly. I have no idea what happened to the Duron 600MHz. So.. I payed $70 for the Duron 800MHz, but I really don't want to fly off the handle and start overclocking it due to lack of money to buy a new one if I mess this one up as well.

I sold my Duron 650MHz to a friend of mine for $40.. So, I don't have that anymore. I've been hearing a lot about RC5, but I don't know what it is.. What is it?
 

jinsonxu

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2000
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PlunX, you had to clear your MB's bios. That problem is common when the overclock is too high.

Here's my introduction.

Introduction to RC5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Might i introduce you to the concept of Distributed Computing. It's a form of data-processing whereby the data analysis is of a huge project is shared by many different computers. Thereby, using the internet, we're getting to utilize the enormous processing power of the many different computers on Earth which are connected to the internet.

Because of this method of tapping computing power, we're able to process complicated projects like the deciphering of the influnza virus, the coding of genomes, etc. Many researchers are turning to this method of data processing to save them the cost of installing dozens of expensive supercomputers and the maintainance cost.

Therefore, i'm suggesting that you take up one of the projects by Distributed.Net www.distributed.net/
called RC5 www.distributed.net/rc5/

What are the benefits of RC5? Well, first of all, you're proving that distributed computing works. The objective of RC5 is also to prove that 64Bit encryption on the internet is insufficent.

Besides the official reasons, running the RC5 client program continously is a very good test of your CPU and network systems. It gives your CPU something useful to do when idle. An example of an idle CPU is when you're reading mail, surfing the web or typing a letter. On an 800Mhz Cpu, even playing MP3s don't take up more than 10% of your CPU time. That means that 90% or more of your CPU cycles are being wasted!!

Would using these CPU cycles shorten your CPU's life? NO! WHY?
Because Windows 9X notes when the CPU is idle and instructs it to process looping 'garbage' instructions. Therefore, if you install RC5, you're finally making the most of your CPU! This is maximising on the investment you made in buying your computer!

Would running this program make my other programs slower? The answer is NO! Because the RC5 client is set to run on the lowest priority. Meaning that if another program starts, CPU time is automatically given to it. RC5 only takes up your IDLE and SPARE CPU cycles. It also only rquires a memory space of 2MB. I checked my own system for the information.

The other benefits are as follows. This program burnins your CPU, making sure that your processor is stable at it's running speed. Therefore any potential problems are identified and corrected before any instability in your system causes you any inconvenience. The output keyrate of RC5 also gives you info on which programs are CPU demanding and lets you identify other badly written CPU hogging programs.

Another point to note is that with current modern CPUs, motherboards and operating systems, thermal cycling becomes a problem as processor idle times cause the CPU to enter a low power mode. While this enables a certain minimal amount of power saving, the long term effects are to cause potential electronic pathway degradation of your CPU due to the constant temperature changes wihin the core.

The temperature changes of your CPU also affect the ambient temperature within your casing. As temperature changes, the components in your system expend and ontract. Constant expansion and contraction also lead to premature failure. Therefore, Install and run RC5 today! RC5 will prevent these problems by letting your CPU run at a constant temperature and avoid all those nasty temperature swings!!


Consider also reading this thread here, What is RC5 asked by HappyFace

After you've read up on what RC5 is, would you like to consider joining my mini-team? If is, i'll pm you for more info.
 

jinsonxu

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2000
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My mini-team is cracking for TeamAnandTech.

Would you like to join us by giving help back to AT which site and forums have been of consistent assistance to you in the tech area?

TA is currently ranked 1st overall out of 10,000 plus teams in the RC5 competition! But we need your help to keep in 1st place because we've strong competition from another team called the DPCs.

Not only can you help TA out by joining RC5. RC5 has benefits for your own computer too! Check out my intorduction to RC5 above.
 

PlunX

Golden Member
May 26, 2000
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I removed the CMOS jumper, took the battery out, even unplugged every cord connected to the motherboard after the beeping started.. No luck.

I'm interested in joining your team. Please PM me with more info. Thanks.