Which OS overclocks better? or is there a difference?

[slimbim]

I currently have windows 2000 professional installed. I was thinking about installing Windows XP.

Which of the two will do better at overclocking, or does OS even play a role in overclock?

Thanks.

 

[Dexion]

OS usually has no effect on overclocking. Some operating systems may have more CPU usage, causing a higher temperature. This has to do mostly with the Windows Kernel, the Windows NT 5.1 Kernel tends to tax on the CPU a bit more than a Win9x platform during regular use.

However, if your CPU is 100% stable, no matter which operating system, it shouldn't have any effect. Moving from Windows 2000 to Windows XP Home or Professional is virtually no difference since both run on the same NT5.1 kernel none the less. Perhaps all those nice visuals(fading etc) might eat up a little more CPU usage.

 

[DT4K]

It shouldn't make any difference.

You may see higher idle temps with an OS that uses more cpu, but what you should really be concerned about when oc'ing is the load temp. And that should be the same no matter what OS you are running.

You want your system to be stable even when it's at 100% cpu usage. Otherwise what's the point?

 

[crt4]

hmm.. the thread title made me wonder.. is it possible that another operating system (say linux, or whatever) would be stable at higher speeds than windows? just wondering

-chip

 

[CTho9305]

sure, someone could write you an OS that limits CPU usage to 1% and doesn't use any cache. it will be very stable on even a very unstable CPU

but you usually overclock to get extra out of the CPU, so you want maximum usage. if the cpu is maxed, OS won't matter.

 

[Richardito]

From my experience with Win ME and Win 2K there is a difference in overclockability, Win 2K is more overclocking friendly. I think that the reason is that Win 2K is made for stability (servers) and its internal activities greatly reduces the data corruption you get when you overclock to the edge. You might get a couple of extra MHz's out of your rig.