Long time PC builder - New Overclocker

[franktank]

Hi all,

I've been building PC's for some time but haven't done anything when it comes to operating outside of the default spec from the manufacturer. My latest build is based on the AMD 64 3000+ and an EPoX EP-9npa+ Ultra. I have 4 sticks of 512 mb DDR 400 gigaram. I've also got a 256 MB Powercolor X800 GT PCI-E video card. I have the lates bios and am running the Omega Drivers for the ATI card.

My question... What should I do? What should I cange? Where do I start?

I've toyed with running up the CPU Frequency and it seems to give a small boost but nothing breathtaking. Should I also increase the PCI-E clock?

Any info would be helpful....

Remember I'm a noob at this OC stuff so please keep your replies on that level.

Thanks for the help,
Frank the Tank

 

[supastar1568]

yea, i have 4 sticks of RAM as well with my 3200+ setup.

there is a good overclocking guide stickied at the top of this catagory. There is also a nice newbie guide to overclocking somewhere are here just search for "newbie overclocking" . if you have not yet read those.

Memory is most likely running at 333 effective with your AMD 64 3000+ instead of the 400 its rated at. I had the same problem and ended up tweaking it to reach 400 effective

 

[Pyrokinetic]

The Quick 'n Dirty A64 Overclocking guide is probably your best resource:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1497607&enterthread=y

DO NOT change the PCI or PCIE clocks. You will have unpleasant results.

Your chip will have a default CPU multiplier of 9, which is fine. With your setup, I would try to go for 2.2Ghz, so you can set your CPU frequency to 245 (245x9=2205).

Now, a good idea would be to keep your memory running at DDR400, and I will give you a quick primer on how memory speed is calculated, using my setup:

I use the 3700+ stock multiplier of 11
My CPU clock is set at 255
I use the 166 (DDR333) memory divider = (5/6)

255 x 11 = 2805

Now, to figure out the actual memory speed, you divide the multiplier by the memory divider: 11/(5/6) = 13.2

Now the 13.2 needs to be a whole number and using something called the CEIL function, you round up to the whole value thus 13.2 = 14. To get this, always round up. Thus values such as 12.1 and 12.9 would both equal 13.

Now take the CEIL value and divide the clock speed: 2805/14 = 200.35 (essentially DDR400).

The HT frequency multiplier must always keep the value below 1050. I use the 5x (1Ghz) setting: 200.35 x 5 = 1001. (Default on most boards is 4x or 800Mhz, however, use the one that keeps the value below 1050; so if using a memory divider like I do, the 5x or 1Ghz setting is just fine)

On your setup, if you chose not to use the memory divider -- (if using the stock 200 memory divider (DDR400) which is 1:1) -- you would have 245 x 9 = 2205; 9/(1/1) = 9; 2205/9 = 245 (DDR490). DDR490 would probably require you to really loosen up your memory timings, and mess with voltage, so it is probably better to use the memory divider and maintain stock DDR400 settings.

If you have the memory setting above DDR400, you are effectively making your memory speed faster (thus making the CEIL value lower versus higher). Thus at stock CPU speeds (200 x 11 = 2200) you are dividing by 9 or 10 versus 11. 2200/10 = 220 (DDR440) or 2200/9 = 244 (DDR488). I don't use these because I want to overclock the CPU, NOT the memory to preserve my low latency timings.

On your setup, since you use four memory sticks, you cannot go with 1T memory timing. You must keep it set at 2T. Since you are keeping your memory near DDR400, just use the default settings.