Newb to overclocking seeks guidance

TitanDiddly

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Dec 8, 2003
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I've recently found myself needing to process video, which is very CPU intensive. I would really like to boost my processing times a bit, but I'm happy overall with my system right now and I don't want to upgrade. I was thinking of overclocking. I've never overclocked significantly before, not at all since the days of 800mhz P3s.

Here are my system specs:
AMD64 3200+ 939 (Don't recall the chip family- can I look it up somewhere?)
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum motherboard (PO flashed to a fancy BIOS by 'sideeffect'. Not sure ATM what version I have or this can do for me. Site?)
1GB Geil DDR1, PC 3200(IIRC)
Nvidia 5600 Ultra graphics (AGP) (bottleneck, I know)
Antec TruePower 430w PSU

Right now I've got a stock CPU cooler. I'll upgrade my HSF if I overclock, though. I was thinking of watercooling a while back, too. Might do that.

So, does this setup show any promise for OCing? Has anyone OCed a 3200+ before? I appreciate your input, and any links to good guides. Thanks!
 

StopSign

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
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My previous system was also an A64 3200+. I had a Winchester core. Get CPU-Z to verify which core you have. I'm assuming it's a Venice...which is even better.

What I like to do for overclocking is to first test the limits of your memory. Start by setting a pretty generous Vcore like 1.5 to 1.6, Then, with the rated Vdimm and timings, keep pushing your HTT until the memory no longer works or is unstable. Run a round of SuperPI 1M to quickly test if your memory can even handle that. If it can't, then the overclock is extremely unstable. Then loosen the timings or increase voltage a little, and keep increasing the HTT. Keep doing this until you hit a wall with the memory, which means no matter how loose the timings or how many volts you put in, it will not go any higher. Keep track of the different HTTs that required looser timings or more voltage.

After you get a rough idea of what your memory limit is, set everything back to stock. Slowly increment your HTT with the stock voltage. The increment size depends on your memory limit. i.e. If your memory is only capable of around 230 MHz, go in small increments such as 2 or 3. Chances are your CPU is capable of much higher clock speeds than your memory, so if you want you can put the memory on a divider right from the start if your memory has a low limit. This way you know the memory is stable and any instability is a result of your CPU overclock. I recommend the 6:5 divider.

After every few increments where you're still able to POST and boot into your OS, run some stress testing. I suggest Prime95. See if it makes an error or your system crashes within the first 10 minutes or so. If it does, go back and increase your Vcore (assuming your memory started on a divider and is running below specs). Keep repeating this until you can run Prime95 for a solid 10 minutes. Once you find an overclock like that, keep running Prime95 for a couple hours. The general consensus is that 12 hours of stable Prine95 indicates a stable system. It's pretty time consuming so have something else to do while your computer is Priming.
 

TitanDiddly

Guest
Dec 8, 2003
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Stopsign, thanks for the great info.
CPU-Z tells me:
Newcastle
0.13u
1.412v
Family F
Model F
2009.8 MHz
x10.0
HTT = 201 MHz

L1 Cache 64kb
L2 Cache 512kb

Chipset: nForce 3 250

Memory ended up being faster than I thought:
PC4000
Dual Channel
201 MHz
CAS = 2.5

Any other info I can help with?
 

StopSign

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
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Wait...I thought all 3000+/3200+ for socket 939 where at least Winchesters...

Oh well. Since it's a Newcastle, it doesn't overclock as well as Winchesters and Venices. You can try to aim for 250 HTT, since that's what your memory is rated at. Keep the memory ratio at 1:1 and slowly bring your HTT to 250, or as close as you can. Watch the temperatures though - Newcastles are built on the older 130 nm process and produce more heat than its successors. Have some temperature monitor running at all time in the background. Keep your Vcore as low as possible while maintaining stability. I think a good idle temperature for Newcastles is around 35 to 40 degrees. I'm not too sure on this because Newcastles haven't been discussed much for a long time now. Hopefully someone else can provide some more solid info here.