Overclocking E2140 on a Compaq...

[bobbob1016]

I know most people will tell me to get a new mobo or something, since these are locked down. I managed to get this machine for $50, with an E2140, and that is all I can afford. A little research showed me with a minimal voltage increase I can get this to 2.8ghz or 3.2ghz from 1.6ghz. However, my BIOS doesn't have a voltage option. Is there any software that I can use to do this OC? I'll post the mobo model when I get home if that helps.

Edit: Also, if there is software that can do this under Linux, I'd prefer that. I can do it with XP or Vista though, if that is needed.

 

[Billb2]

SetFSB, CPUFSB, CPUCool are some of the programs you can try. The SetFSB website has some information on how to use there types of programs. You have to identify your PLL chip. If its supported by the program, you're home free...except for voltage settings. There may be a pinmod for your CPU, but I don't know of one. Google? pinmod and pin mod

 

[bobbob1016]

Thanks. Google is a wonderful tool, when you know what to search for. I've never done an OC before, so I wouldn't know to google pinmod. Wouldn't increasing the FSB be like adding more lines at the DMV but not making the behind the counter faster? Or am I mistaken? Are pinmods safe? I read in the voltage from bios thing, that I can keep the same cooling, is that the same with this? Also, those say c2d, I have a Pentium Dual-Core, which from google-ing is a budget c2d. I want to be sure the pins are the same before I go modifying them.

 

[o1die]

You can pin mod your cpu. I bought my e4300 with copper tape connecting 2 pads and it runs at 1066 by default on my compaq presario with a g31 msi motherboard. You can google it for the pictures. Sorry I can't post a link; mine never seem to work.

 

[bobbob1016]

Is it relatively safe? As in if it doesn't work, can it be undone? Where can I find the conductive ink pen as mentioned in the above link? I read windshield defogger paint could work. What about conductive thermal CPU-heatsink glue? I only have compusa, circuitcity, and best buy near me. Where could I find something to do this?

 

[bobbob1016]

Are SetFSB, CPUFSB, CPUCool permanent or only in XP?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: bobbob1016
Are SetFSB, CPUFSB, CPUCool permanent or only in XP?

Only while they're running, in Windows. There is no overclocking software for Linux.

 

[demiurge3141]

Is your 2140 a G0 or M0 in cpuz?

 

[bobbob1016]

I don't know, I'm running Mythbuntu on the machine now (a media center Linux). I don't think there is a cpu-z for it.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

If he's right, and there is more than one stepping, it may make a difference. I was just not aware of multiple steppings for the E2140.

Before you go bonkers with utilities as recommended (and those are still good ideas), I'll communicate my experiences with an E2140 on a low-end $70 Gigabyte mATX motherboard with stock Intel cooling.

The E2140 has an FSB spec of 800 Mhz. We were able to push this to 2.67 Ghz and FSB = 1,333 Mhz at the stock or "auto" voltage -- whether set to "auto" or fixed at the reported "auto" value. I began to notice that the motherboard would reset and issue a check-sum error waiting a keypress to go back into BIOS setup -- this happened sometimes with software or Windows Update sequences that required a restart.

So I chose to drop the FSB back to 1066 and run the memory on a divider so that the RAM bus speed was 667 -- meeting the spec of the inexpensive DDR2-667 memory kit.

 

[bobbob1016]

I can't use the utilities, since I want to keep Mythbuntu, and there aren't any Linux software overclock utilities. I'd prefer not to have to buy a conductive pen and risk my cpu. Also the only thing I could use would be either the windshield defogger repair kit thing (googleing said that worked) or someone said a pencil could work, but I doubt that. My other thought was I have a Vaio with a P4 Hyper-Threaded in it that is LGA775 like this Pentium Dual-Core. My question is if I put the new CPU in, would it by chance increase the voltage anyways?

 

[o1die]

I use cpu-z, and noticed no increase in voltage. In fact, with the Intel speedstep running, the voltage and hertz actually went down to 1200 and about 1.1 volts. My newer p45 boards won't even post with the copper taped e4300. I have no idea why. I could scrape it off, but it works fine on 2 of my boards, so I'll leave it as is. Not a bad cpu for $60. I haven't had much luck with the defroster kit solution for overclocking; maybe it's just bad technique in applying the solution. Also, the copper tape is cheaper; but it's hard to find in some locations.

 

[bobbob1016]

I'll look for copper tape, sounds safer, and easier to undo if need be. Too bad I can't software overclock it in Linux... Is it worth it to see if there is a bios update or mod that lets me play with the voltage?

 

[o1die]

It's not worth the risk of a bios flash; cheaper boards have fewer options to play with in the bios. You could end up with a dead board. Most bios updates correct minor problems without changing the basic voltage and memory options.

 

[bobbob1016]

My other thought was to transfer it to another LGA775 machine. The other one is better, it has 4 SATA's as opposed to the 2 SATA's on this one. It currently has a P4 HyperThreaded on it though, so not sure if it'd read the dual-cores. I thought it might detect the CPU and detect it with a higher voltage than it is supposed to have. Looks like I'll be doing a conductive ink pen, or copper tape.