Which is better: Higher multiplier or higher FSB..

[nippyjun]

I'm going to be overclocking my unlocked 1.2 tbird. It's currently at 12x100. I'm going to 9x133. What should the next step be. Should I increase the multiplier to 10x133 or 10.5x133 then increase the FSB, or should I stay at 9 multiplier and increase the fsb first, then the multiplier?

 

[arod324]

a higher FSB at the same speed will be about 10% faster than a the same processor that is working @100mhz instead of 133mhz. You should definitely try a lower multiplier first, then go for at least the 133mhz bus. Then try a higher multiplier and see if it will work also with 133mhz FSB.

 

[SCSIfreek]

FSB nuff said.



--SCSI

 

[Demon-Xanth]

definately FSB.

 

[RobsTV]

That depends. It is not an easy question.
FSB speeds less than 133MHz run PCI at 1/3, and most motherboards allow you to also add PCICLK to FSB for total memory speed. (I.E. 112FSB = 37.5PCI, and memory at 149MHz).

FSB speeds of 133MHz and more run PCI at 1/4, and do not allow you to add anything to increase memory speed. You give up a lot running 133MHz fsb.

As to overclocking the entire system, 112Mhz works out to be about the same as 150MHz.
Both run memory at around 150MHz and PCI/AGP at 37.5/75Mhz(300 using 4x AGP).

Other thing to factor in is "usable" multiplier settings at the different FSB settings.
140x7=980MHz works fine here, but tests slower than 112x9=1008MHz.
140x7.5=1050MHz, and that is unusable here.
Even 136x7.5=1028 is unusable here.
133x7.5=998MHz, works fine, but with memory at 133MHz, PCI at 33MHz, and AGP at 66MHz(264 using 4x AGP), it runs slower and scores lower in all benchmarks than the 112x9=1008MHz I currently use.

So, to get around the same overall speed that 112MHz FSB gets you, you'll need to run near 150FSB. If your CPU can handle it, 150+FSB is the way to go, otherwise, you might be better off running system below 133MHz and use a higher mulitplier.

With that 1.2 TBird, I would try 112x12.5=1400MHz before I ran system at 133x10.5
Do the benchmarks, and you'll easily see for yourself.

 

[Neos]

What is PCICLK and where can I get it ..please, and is it something that would help my MSI Pro 2? Right now I am at 106x8=849 for a Duron 650. One day I am going to get some Artic Silver and put a dab under there ...and try to ramp it up ....so all info appreciated.

Thanks,
Neos

 

[nippyjun]

RobsTv: thanks for your thoughful answer. When does the speed of the memory come into play. Would having a higher FSP increase memory performance which in turn could improve overall gains.

 

[WarCon]

I can give you a little info from my system, can't speak for others. But using Sisoft Sandra to measure. I basically did what rob did, don't remember the exact numbers, but I took my processor to 968 I believe with my memory running Host + PCICLK and my scores where like 550 and 580 on the two figures. That was all the higher I could run my memory settings up and keep it from getting registry errors in windows. It wasn't stable in Prime95 but everything else was fine. The only way I've even come close to those memory settings was to slow my overall processor speed and pump my fsb. I run 139 * 6.5 for 904 mhz, which in the Sisoft ratings lowered my overall processor scores by almost a hundred. But I was able to take my memory settings way up and keep it stable even in Prime 95 and now my memory numbers are 570 and 595. And this is only my perception, but my games run better (have crappy video card TNT2 Ultra) because of increased memory speed and data transfer do to the 139. Could all be in my head too HEHE.

Good luck but my vote is for FSB.

 

[RickH]

FSB if your motherboard has the capacity to run the PCI, AGP and memory within spec.

 

[Neos]

I came back expecting an answer to my question ...PCICLK ...a new program!
I see now that my brain was out to lunch. Thank God I got it back.

Neos