Overclocking on my beer budget

[Lemon law]

I may be a voracious reader of tecno-geek but am short on hands on experience. I had a
amd X2 4000+ processor, an OS of XP pro, and a MSI board that did not support overclocking. It was stable for a little over a year, then all of a sudden my computer developed a habit of crashing, and losing the entire OS in the process. So I replaced the Sata HDD, memtest 86 showed no ram errors, so I reinstalled the OS, and 4 days later it lost the OS. Did it again and it waited another 5 days to totally lose the OS. I should also specify I very good power supply that tested slightly above spec, temperatures were all normal, and had reloaded boas stock settings.

So I took it to a computer shop to find out what was wrong, and the computer shop was baffled also. So they gave it back to me, I again had to reinstall the OS, and it lasted another 4 days before crashing and losing the OS.

At that point I bit the bullet figuring its was motherboard or processor. So I had the computer shop, replace the mobo with a GA-g31m-es2l motherboard and an intel e5200 processor, got my windows XP pro full OS reinstalled, and now it looks like I again have a stable computer.
My original one GB of ram was not compatible with the new board, but my computer shop gave me a single stick of new kingston 2 GB ps5300 ram they had laying around as a free sample. Did I forget to mention the computer shop I dealt with was owned by a honest man?

Right now the new computer runs at the specified 2.5 GHZ, even though its smoothly downclocks to a 6x multiplier under no load. At idle real temps shows a CPU idle temp of 37C, it goes up to never more than 55C running prime 95, adn no alarms for HDD temps or other problems. Video and sound are on board and I have no need for faster video or
better sound.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that the boundary conditions are out of the way, I have some over clocking questions
I wish to pursue on only a beer budget.

1. Since my big bottle neck seems to be the only Pc5300 ram, what kind of a percentage gain could I expect to see ( In terms of boot speed or run speed ) if I added another stick of identical ram thus allowing me to use the dual channel DDR2 the board is capable of?

2. Would it be worth me trying to try a mild overclock the this computer with only PC5300 ram. Or will I rapidly hit a wall where its not worth it?

3. If I scrapped the ram and replaced it with 2 sticks of PC6400 or better ram, and overclocked, what percentage of gain in terms of boot speed and run speed might I expect
If I shot for only 3 GHZ processor speed stable? I know the e5200 can hit 4 GHZ on air, but I am not greedy. And free speed is free speed.

4. Or should I leave well enough alone?

 

[geokilla]

123k posts and you're asking bout overclocking? Anyways, check Gigabyte and online to see how well your motherboard overclocks. Also check online and forums on overclocking guides or posts on people asking how to overclock.

Your Kingston operates at DDR-667 speed, so it'll be fine for overclocking your E5200. You should be able to hit 3Ghz easily, and maybe even more. Just make sure to set the voltages manually and siable Speedstep and stuff. Plus, keep the temps under 65C. Use CoreTemp to measure your temperatures.

 

[zagood]

You may see a slight improvement in speed by simply switching to a 2-stick set of ram so it works in double channel. You can get 2x1gb sets for around $25 (of either PC2-5300 or 6400). 2x2gb sets are anywhere from $30-$60 right now, if you can find a good deal on them it may be worth it - just keep in mind that XP (32-bit) will probably only see 3.2gb.

With the stock cpu cooler I would aim for around 3ghz (333mhz x 9). If you aim for higher speeds you'll probably need an aftermarket heatsink.

Most e5200 processors top out at around 333mhz FSB, so don't worry about spending additional beer funds getting "faster" ram. Aim for lower timings on the ram though.

Just have fun, and check your steps along the way.

 

[Lemon law]

I thank the two responders, but lets cut to the quantification chase, as it is, at zero to boot up, I get through the windows flag screen, my windows welcome screen, and to my opening icon screen in 55 seconds flat, beyond that it takes another 55 seconds to load various needed start up programs before the computer can do any useful work.

In terms of how much speed I could gain, is it possible to detail it in terms of boot up times?

 

[Arkaign]

The delays you're describing won't necessarily be helped by higher processor clock. That is pure HD throughput being put to the test there.

What AV product are you using? You might want to try something lighter. Avira is good, NOD is good, and Panda are good. Avoid the super crazy Internet security multi-product bundles, just use a good core AV and you should be golden.

 

[Arkaign]

Oh, also the PC shop might have been lazy / uninformed (but still honest). To install XP properly with the new Intel ICH Sata, you need to either use an F6 floppy or use nlite. Check around in the bios for the current SATA mode. If it says 'compatible', that's probably why things are slower than they should be, or at least part of it. If it says 'Enhanced' or 'AHCI', then it's already set correctly.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Geo and Zagood are givin' ya some good insights here, Lem.

DDR2 memory is so freakin' cheap, I'd say you could either spend two Mexican-dinners'-worth of change on cheap but reliable DDR2-667 (or even DDR2-800), or get some top-end DDR2-800 RAM (and a 4GB 2x2 kit, to boot[pun, haha]) for maybe four Mexican-dinners'-worth.

You can always underclock faster RAM, and maybe even tighten the latency settings. If you could spend $55 on a 4GB kit of low-latency DDR2, would it be that much of a difference over $15 or $20 for a kit of DDR2-667's? Only you can answer that.

But given the prices afoot, you then have more flexibility if you decide you want a faster processor with a higher base host-frequency. I'm assuming the E5200 is an 800 Mhz FSB type processor (and confirmed it by querying my current NewEgg web-page that was just handy). The others are probably right: you can get it to 333 Mhz host frequency (1,333 FSB), but that's the limit. I found the same to be true with E21x0 C2D's with stock FSB spec of 800 and host-frequency 200 Mhz.

If you found an E8400 at a decent price (supposing somebody gave you several 24-packs of beer for free, or your skin-flint uncle left you a few hundred ducats in his will), you can start at 333 Mhz host-frequency (1,333 Mhz FSB) and go to 400/1600 -- especially with a good set of RAM sticks, like these:

G.SKILL DDR2-900 4GB 2x2GB "Black-PI" 4-4-4-12 @ 900mhz $64 but sometimes $55

Here's the kicker. I have these set to 4,3,3,8 timings @ 850 Mhz with the minimum voltage setting of 2.0V -- rock stable.

So IF . . . . I say IF . . . . you thought you might overclock (say) an E8400, and you only wanted to take it from 3.0 Ghz to 3.6 Ghz at 400/1600, then you could CERTAINLY set the timings to 4,3,3,8. And you only shelled out $30 or $40 extra to get the RAM now, even with an E5200 core.

My own customer review can be found at NewEgg -- same "handle."

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
The delays you're describing won't necessarily be helped by higher processor clock. That is pure HD throughput being put to the test there.

What AV product are you using? You might want to try something lighter. Avira is good, NOD is good, and Panda are good. Avoid the super crazy Internet security multi-product bundles, just use a good core AV and you should be golden.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am using avira personal for an Av and I avoid any bloatware security apps like AVG or Norton.

As it is, in terms of benchmarking programs, my HDD scores are very good, but I seem to lag in memory and especially video through put.

 

[betasub]

Adding a matching stick of RAM (for dual channel), and setting memory speed to DDR2-667 (PC-5300) should improve memory benchmarks, but alone won't necessary translate to noticably faster usage. A processor overclock (lower multiplier, but high FSB - say, 333) and a new, fast hard drive should help all-round performance - but OS boot time isn't a great benchmark for this!

As for video - I assume you are using the on-board video of the GA-g31m-es2l. This should be fine for general use, but isn't suitable for demanding video-apps or modern games.

 

[faxon]

i have an e5200. its a friggin great chip for a beginner at OCing cause you dont have to increase any voltages except the cpu voltage if you have a board that will run at least 1333fsb stock (which is pretty much a non issue these days). helped me get my foot in the door for overclocking. my only recommendation is to look into a 4gb kit of ram. you can usually find awesome kits of 2x2gb DDR2-800 for around $50 these days, same for DDR2-1066. if you are REALLY strapped on cash and the difference of $7 makes or breaks your day ($7 gets a 6 pack so idk), then get this kit from corsair

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145184

otherwise, get this G.Skill kit. i own 3 of it, and it has worked great with my e5200 as well as my Q9650.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231166

ed: i should note i didnt even bother listing 667 kits cause they actually were priced higher or the same as the 800 and 1066 kits, but you should be able to go for much lower latencies and/or voltages @ the speeds your ram will be running at with these kits, and it will blow away any remote chance of a memory bottleneck.

 

[heyheybooboo]

download HiJackThis and get an idea what is loading at boot.

Your times seems really lonnnnnnnng to me.

If you paste the log into this thread I imagine there will be quite a number of items we can help you ekiminate to improve your boot time.

 

[VirtualLarry]

First things first - most modern Intel chipset mobos will run the RAM 1:1 (2.0 memory ratio) with FSB. Not so with the Gigabyte G31 boards. The lowest RAM ratio with a 200Mhz FSB CPU is 2.66. So you really DO need to get DDR2-800 RAM in order to overclock your CPU. (If you had a P35 chipset mobo, that wouldn't have been true.)

Other than that, the Gigabyte G31 and E5200 is a killer low-end overclocking champ. You might be able to push to 3.75Ghz (300FSB, with a 2.66 memory ratio, is exactly DDR2-800).

Edit: I second the recommendation for a 4GB (2x2GB) kit of Gskill DDR2-800. Get the 1.8v, 5-5-5-15 stuff.

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
First things first - most modern Intel chipset mobos will run the RAM 1:1 (2.0 memory ratio) with FSB. Not so with the Gigabyte G31 boards. The lowest RAM ratio with a 200Mhz FSB CPU is 2.66. So you really DO need to get DDR2-800 RAM in order to overclock your CPU. (If you had a P35 chipset mobo, that wouldn't have been true.)

Other than that, the Gigabyte G31 and E5200 is a killer low-end overclocking champ. You might be able to push to 3.75Ghz (300FSB, with a 2.66 memory ratio, is exactly DDR2-800).

Edit: I second the recommendation for a 4GB (2x2GB) kit of Gskill DDR2-800. Get the 1.8v, 5-5-5-15 stuff.
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I certainly don't want to just quote VirtualLarry because I am getting good advice from many others. But I am somewhat strapped for cash, I am not a gamer or in need of a high end video card. And running XP pro, I seeming only need about 1GB of ram for overkill.

So I may decide initially to get two 500MB ram chips able to run dual channel DDR2-800 or better, and then if I decide to run windows 7 in future, I will not cry too hard if I lose them,
and I have to later upgrade to 2 2GB sets in the future. And I like the loser timings of still be able to use 1.8 volts for ram.

Will post a hijack log soon.

 

[Lemon law]

hijack this log file.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 6:31:30 PM, on 8/27/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit SmartDefrag\IObit SmartDefrag.exe
C:\Program Files\Seagate\DiscWizard\DiscWizardMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Seagate\DiscWizard\TimounterMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Seagate\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe
C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cfp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360tray.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe
C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cmdagent.exe
C:\Program Files\CallWave\IAM.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\WindowsSearch.exe
C:\Program Files\Secunia\PSI\psi.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Seagate\Schedule2\schedul2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchIndexer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\is360.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://us.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ycomp/defaults/sp/*http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://mw.net/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://us.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ycomp/defaults/su/*http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl Class - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FFFFFEF0-5B30-21D4-945D-000000000000} - C:\PROGRA~1\STARDO~1\SDIEInt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe -expressboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmartDefrag] "C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit SmartDefrag\IObit SmartDefrag.exe" /StartUp
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DiscWizardMonitor.exe] C:\Program Files\Seagate\DiscWizard\DiscWizardMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AcronisTimounterMonitor] C:\Program Files\Seagate\DiscWizard\TimounterMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Seagate Scheduler2 Service] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Seagate\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [COMODO Firewall Pro] "C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cfp.exe" -h
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IObit Security 360] C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360tray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - S-1-5-18 Startup: Secunia PSI.lnk = C:\Program Files\Secunia\PSI\psi.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - .DEFAULT Startup: Secunia PSI.lnk = C:\Program Files\Secunia\PSI\psi.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: Secunia PSI.lnk = C:\Program Files\Secunia\PSI\psi.exe
O4 - Global Startup: CallWave.lnk = C:\Program Files\CallWave\IAM.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Windows Search.lnk = C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\WindowsSearch.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download with Star Downloader - C:\Program Files\Star Downloader\sdie.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O16 - DPF: {0D6709DD-4ED8-40CA-B459-2757AEEF7BEE} (Dldrv2 Control) - http://download.gigabyte.com.tw/object/Dldrv.ocx
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/wi...site.cab?1246318319890
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{54D487A4-CF96-4DC7-82F7-922761F4317E}: NameServer = 192.168.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{CB05CE23-7433-42BB-A4F8-280787C2D739}: NameServer = 192.168.0.1
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\WINDOWS\system32\guard32.dll
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Scheduler (AntiVirSchedulerService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: COMODO Firewall Pro Helper Service (cmdAgent) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cmdagent.exe
O23 - Service: IS360service - IObit - C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Seagate Scheduler2 Service (SgtSch2Svc) - Seagate - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Seagate\Schedule2\schedul2.exe

--
End of file - 7546 bytes

 

[Arkaign]

Jeez, that's a lot of security-related software. Let's see :

Avira
Winpatrol?
Comodo
IOBit Security 360
Spybot Teatimer
Secunia?

I think your slow bootup to a ready desktop is due to too many things loading + a bit of overlap. Also in my experience : 'Windows Desktop Search' makes for a sluggish experience. Are you in the habit of not knowing where files / things are that you want to find? If so, maybe keep it, or perhaps Google Desktop Search is faster, not sure because I don't really like either. Lots of other misc stuff that that seem superfluous as well.

 

[Lemon law]

Per your advice I removed windows desktop search, don't quite know why I installed it, but the process of installing windows updates from scratch is always hectic. As for my security apps, maybe a necessary evil, but they have proved out over the years in keeping me almost bullet proof.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
I thank the two responders, but lets cut to the quantification chase, as it is, at zero to boot up, I get through the windows flag screen, my windows welcome screen, and to my opening icon screen in 55 seconds flat, beyond that it takes another 55 seconds to load various needed start up programs before the computer can do any useful work.

In terms of how much speed I could gain, is it possible to detail it in terms of boot up times?

Answer: get SSD.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Per your advice I removed windows desktop search, don't quite know why I installed it, but the process of installing windows updates from scratch is always hectic. As for my security apps, maybe a necessary evil, but they have proved out over the years in keeping me almost bullet proof.

do you have Virtual PC? It's a good testing sandbox to check survivability of configs. This is what I do, and I haven't been infected with anything since CIH (back when I didn't run AV at all, lol) :

Spybot S&D (not teatimer, just using it for immunization and scans)
Panda AV (stops Virus/Malware/Spyware from getting in)
XP Firewall (not the greatest, but I've had no problems, and even if someone did access my files somehow, I don't have anything anyone would care about)

That's it. Been using it since 2005, so that's 4 years with that config. You could try loading it on this :

http://www.ajuaonline.com/2008...t-virtual-pc-2007-sp1/

 

[Ben90]

I use the best anti virus of them all; and it doesn't cost my CPU any cycles, its called common sense.
Ive been running XP Pro since it came out with all my ports open\firewall off and absolutely no antivirus software. 19 running processes
My parents have each gotten their credit cards stolen online and they use an assortment of 3-4 antivirus programs that keep them "protected"

I dont understand where all these viruses and stuff come from, but w/e to each their own, its just annoying if i have to go edit things like lusrmgr.msc to be an administrator on my own computer because some people dont understand downloading random "codecs" from pr0n sites isnt a good idea

 

[geokilla]

Removing your programs might not work well enough. I suggest that you format.

As a reference, my Acer Aspire 5601 came with the Acer bloatware and Windows XP MCE. Even after removing all the bloatware, I still had like 50 processes. Formatted and clean installed Windows XP Pro, I had just 30 processes.

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: geokilla
Removing your programs might not work well enough. I suggest that you format.

As a reference, my Acer Aspire 5601 came with the Acer bloatware and Windows XP MCE. Even after removing all the bloatware, I still had like 50 processes. Formatted and clean installed Windows XP Pro, I had just 30 processes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again I do not want to cite just geokilla, but I am starting to feel like some sort of bloody football. After going through 2 months of total system instability, and no matter what I did, the damn computer could not hold onto an OS for a week. And the one suggestion that sells the least is to suggest after all this prior grief , that I reinstall everything to get to the 30 running processes when I only have 38 as it it is now.

And if I had a huge need for speed, I could have bit the bullet and installed far faster components and at huge price premium I could not afford at the get go.

Lets see, in terms of all of the suggestions.

1. I can now buy a small solid state drive and maybe gain some speed. $120.00 min.

2. I can gut my security system and maybe gain some speed with visualization.

3. I can invest a small fortune in ram, keep up with the Jones, and shoot for 4 GHZ or bust.
Anything short and I am a wimp. If my CPU fries, get another CPU and rinse and repeat.

And at the end of the day, what I really need help on, given this is the first overclockable board I have ever owned, is some realistic estimate for what free speed increase I might be able to get, with zero, I repeat zero, additional cost in hardware. As I mentioned before, even a 20% to 240 GHZ would thrill me.

 

[Arkaign]

LL, ~3ghz to 3.2ghz would be absolutely safe and extremely fast. Some more ram would help too, but don't go overhead.

Hey, we all want '240GHZ'

SSD is probably pricier than the payoff honestly. They are getting faster/better/cheaper all the time, maybe jump at it when the 128GBs are down around $50, which will happen before you know it. Remember when 1GB USB Flash drives were like $100? Now they sell 4GB at the checkouts of many stores for like $10-$15.

Probably the best upgrade you can get is leaning out your security software. In my experience, things work poorly when you are running a bunch of different active programs that do related work. Give Panda a shot, it has a free 30 day trial. You should be able to depend only on that, and perhaps a firewall if you're paranoid. So long as your OS is patched and you have current AV/spyware protection, I don't see the point in firewalls for most home users. Is the CIA/NSA gonna hack your family vacation pics from Lake Tahoe?

 

[zagood]

Nobody can tell you how much better your computer will be. It'll be different for every machine.

Your OP said a "beer budget" and myself and some others have given you suggestions to fit within that, now you're switching to "zero, I repeat zero, additional cost in hardware."

If you don't want to spend any more money, stop whining about theoreticals and just overclock the damn thing.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2057083&enterthread=y

 

[Lemon law]

OK, zagood, I downloaded and tried the gigabyte utility easy tune 6. Set the bus speed from 200 to 215 MHZ, and got the expected 7.5% improvement in my crude benchmarks doing nothing but upping bus speed. Since I am still reading up on things, I set it back to system defaults, but I kinda wonder how far I can simple up bus speeds before I have to change a pile of other settings.

And if I am better off doing it in the bios rather than using Easytune 6.

 

[zagood]

Going for small overclocks (under 10%) EasyTune is pretty good. Sometimes even up to 20%. Once you get into higher frequencies you run into limitations with tweaking options.

Pay attention to what you're changing in EasyTune and then reference where those settings are in the BIOS. It's always good to know these things so when (not if) you set too high of an overclock, you'll be able to go into bios and change back to defaults.

Also, before you need to, find the motherboard battery and CLEAR_CMOS jumper