How FAR and how HOT can I push a T-Bird 1,33?

[NeoVibe]

hi How FAR and how HOT can I push a T-Bird 1,33?

I have an Athlon Thunderbird (NOT XP!!!) 1,33Ghz (266bus) model with an asus a7v133 mainboard (via kt133 chip). The 256Mb Ram is PC133.
For cooling I use a SPIRE full copper cooler.
This mainboard allows overclocking by simply selecting multipicator (up to x12.5 in 0.5 steps) and fsb (up to 143Mhz in 1Mhz increments) settings in the BIOS.
The utility that came with the mainboard (asus pc probe) reports cpu temperatures:
at the 1,33Ghz standard speed it reports 51/2ºC if I'm using any 'normal' application and goes up to 55/6ºC in 3D games or CAD software with real time 3D renderings (using a geforce 3 card).
At ~1.45Ghz (12.5x111) the 'normal' apps temp goes up to 55/6ºC and 60ºC in the rest.


My questions:
-How should I use fsb&multiplicator settings?
I mean, should I always use 12.5x and then simply ajust the fsb?
Should I do it otherwise or should I balance it?

-What is the maximum ***SAFE*** operating temperature for this CPU?
How far can I **SAFELY** push it?

-The mainboard manual says that the REAL CPU temp. can be higher than the reported one.
How much higher can it be?

Thank you VERY much for . . . anything.

 

[Buz2b]

You'll need to play a bit to find the "sweet spot" for your CPU. You can do some basic overclocking with just the FSB. Try moving that to around 138-142, then reboot and watch your temps for a bit. If your temps start to climb then you can start by lowering the multiplier a (small) bit. Then try moving the FSB up a bit more. What you will achieve is going to be the result of a combination of your cooling, quality of the RAM, quality of your other components, and the CPU itself. Some chips will only go so far.
Read this article and then look for a "stepping guide" for the Athlon. I can't seem to find my link for that right now and will share it later if I find it. Basically it will tell you what you can expect from your CPU.

EDIT: OK, I found the steppings. You will just put in your info on this page. That will give you an idea of how far you can/might go. Also, as to your other question concerning the temps; don't push it. Keep things in the low 50's C as a MAXIMUM temp. If you get much higher you will be pushing things a bit. However, the Athlon is rated OK to about 90 C.