New to overclocking, need help

[robm567]

I have a Shuttle AN35N-Ultra nForce2 Ultra 400, AMD Barton 2500+, 2 x 512MB PC3200 Kingston HyperX, 128MB Radeon 9600 Pro. For my CPU cooler I have a NoiseControl Silverado and am running both fans at 10V, for case fans I have 3 80mm panaflo L1a's, 1 intake on the side and two rear exhaust. I have a 350W powersupply that came with the case. This is my first time overclocking and I need advice. I've tried to update my BIOS but I'm not sure if I updated it or not. I downloaded drivers from shuttle.com and ran it but is there anyway to tell? Anyway, I'm just curious as to how I should set my computer up for good overclocking? I have no idea what to run the memory at or if I should mess with the memory voltages?

 

[BlueWeasel]

I have no experience with Shuttle MBs, but the BIOS version should be displayed on the BIOS screen. The BIOS screen is where it shows the HD and CDRW drives, and the BIOS version is usually at the bottom.

Do you know if your Barton is unlocked or not? Let's just assume that it's locked and the only way you can overclock is by raising the front side bus (FSB) of the MB. Your Barton runs on a 166FSB at default, but most people are able to hit 200FSB with high quality RAM. You've got PC3200 RAM, which should run at 200FSB with no problems.

Using a 2500+ Barton (11.0x multipler), your default speeds would be 11 x 166FSB = 1830mhz = 1.83ghz

If you are able to reach 200FSB, then your speed would be 11 x 200FSB = 2200mhz = 2.2ghz

Don't just up the FSB in the BIOS to 200FSB on the first try. Increase the FSB in small increments and run some type of benchmark or your favorite game to test for stability. You are likely going to have to increase the voltage to the CPU in order to make the chip run at the higher speeds.

You can damage the system if you don't know what you are doing. If I were you, I'd read up on it some more before I tried anything. There are numerous O/C'ing guides out there for your enjoyment.

Good luck and welcome to AT! Let the addiction begin!

 

[robm567]

Thanks a lot, I understand teh basics of the multiplier x FSB = the speed, but I was wondering if there's anything else I can do to spped it up, like what speed I should run my memory at. I see a lot of people throwing around numbers like 3-3-3-8 or something, but I think the HyperX is rated at like 2-3-2-6? does that mean I can run it at that speed and CL2.0 even if I increase the FSB to 200?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: robm567
Thanks a lot, I understand teh basics of the multiplier x FSB = the speed, but I was wondering if there's anything else I can do to spped it up, like what speed I should run my memory at. I see a lot of people throwing around numbers like 3-3-3-8 or something, but I think the HyperX is rated at like 2-3-2-6? does that mean I can run it at that speed and CL2.0 even if I increase the FSB to 200?

There's really only one way to find out... Also, you shouldn't need to change the vdimm (memory voltage), since you aren't planning on running it above it's rated speed.