First Time OC...any advice?

[TubeTote]

I have been using this machine for my main computer for about a year now, and I'm ready to try an overclock for the first time. The e5200 is currently at its stock 2.5GHz, and it stays nice and cool; wanting to keep it that way. I don't want to be too aggressive for the first time, and would like to avoid changing any voltages unless absolutely necessary. From what I have read in some of the theads here, this processor should be able to do 3GHz without changing voltages or anything else for that matter? My mobo came with Asus AI software for overclocking, but I have seen in many forums including here that it is better to do this in the BIOS? Are there any other things I should consider for a simple small first time OC?

 

[fffblackmage]

Have you read the sticky?

That should tell you everything you need to know.

The only software I've tried for overclocking was ntune, but that was quite a while ago, so I'm not sure how good overclocking tools are today.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Should be able to just up the FSB to 240 from 200, and make sure that your RAM multi is set to as low as possible so you don't overclock your RAM any more than necessary.
Should give you 3Ghz easy. Test with Prime95 newest version or OCCT for a while to make sure that it's stable.

 

[loafbred]

If you have burning software capable of burning ISO images, Google "UBCD", and download the ISO to burn on a CD or DVD. Boot from that while doing preliminary testing, using the stability tests that it contains. It's best to disconnect your HDD to avoid corruption. I don't think the utilities on UBCD can load both cores, but you can test one core and memory.

If you're using the Intel cooler, it's going to run warmer at higher clock, even with same voltage. I haven't tried an E5200, and it may go pretty high before it overwhelms the stock cooler. Try lowering the core voltage below its default setting... it's common for lower voltage to work as well or better up to a certain point. I have a Q9550 which is rated 1.275v, and it requires ~1.32v to run at 3.4GHz (I run it at default settings for f@h). I have another Q9550 which is rated at 1.250v, and it runs at 3.6 GHz with 1.20v.

 

[TubeTote]

If you have burning software capable of burning ISO images, Google "UBCD", and download the ISO to burn on a CD or DVD. Boot from that while doing preliminary testing, using the stability tests that it contains. It's best to disconnect your HDD to avoid corruption.

Thanks for that, I do have ISO capabilities so I will try doing this.

I am using a Zalman 88mm cooler on my CPU. It is running very cool but it is absurdly noisy. I am hoping to be able to control this fan via the mobo (fan xpert) but can't seem to make it work right. Enabling or disabling Q fan in the bios also has no effect!