Would it be SAFE and RECOMMENDED to Overclock my current CPU?

[Franklogus]

Hi all !
I have just finished the "up-grade" of my back-up PC, and I would like some hints about some LIGHT Overclock of it.
My back-up PC basic spec is :

- P4 2.8 Ghz (BUS = 533 Mhz) --> STOCK Cooler
- Asus P4SDX MoBo (supports until P4 3.06 ? 533 MHz)
- 1.024 MB of DDR 333 PC 2700 Memory (4 sticks of 256MB each one) - Kingston KVR333X64C25/256
- 02 HDD?s :
01 HDD Maxtor 120 GB, ATA 133, 7200 rpm, 8 MB Cachê (Main).
+
01 HDD Seagate 40 GB, Ultra-ATA 100, 7200 rpm, 2 MB Cachê (Slave).
- Gigabyte Radeon 9600 XT Video Card (128 MB; AGP 8x)
- ATX Case (from 2001), WITHOUT Lateral Refrigeration Holes.
- An Exhaust Fan at the internal back of the case

Well, I would like (if possible) to give a light boost in my PC above described (through a CPU Overclock). As I dont know well about this matter, I am here to ask for some hints about...
So, my basic questions are:

1) I would like to increase my current CPU GHz to something around 3.0 GHz. This eventual increase (2.8 to 3.0) could be considered, in a technical language, as a Light OC, or not? Is it possible to do it, using STOCK cooler (and more one existing exhaust fan), and in a SAFE way?
Really, I am not intending to spend more money with this PC, so, I am trying to do this OC WITHOUT any BETTER cooler ( I know that is, always, advised to get a better cooler when doing a OC; so, my bigger doubt is about to do it with the STOCK one...)
I have tried to know if the STOCK Intel Cooler of the model 2.8 Ghz (533 FSB) is EXACTLY the SAME STOCK Cooler of the model 3.06 GHz (533 FSB), but I didnt find this information over the internet. I would appreciatte if someone can tell it for me... If the answer is YES (both would have the same cooler), so, I think that I wouldn't have problems by this side...

2) If it's possible to do it, what I need to change into BIOS to achieve the 3.0 GHz frequency? I need to say that, if possible, I wouldn't like to change the voltages, because I have read that it can be dangerous, and I want to do all the process in a VERY SAFE way...

3) My current PSU have nominal capacitance of 450 W. I dont remember it's brand (and I do not like to open the PC case), but I am sure that it is NOT a First Class brand... Can I have problems by this side?

4) Should I try to change the DEFAULT Latencies (2.5 3 3 7) of my RAM memories? I can say that, without any OC, I run smoothly my memories with the latencies 2 2 2 6, without any trouble. If I OC, would my memory have some REAL danger of damage if I maintain these lower latencies?

5) I have noted that my CPU, when I am playing heavy games (I love racing games) for one hour, sometimes reach 64oC/ 65oC of Temperature (but these temperatures drop quickly when I stop of play, perhaps because of the assistance of the exhaust fan...) . Into the Asus program, which controls the MoBO and CPU temperatures, there is a upper limit of 72oC... I am afraid about to damage the CPU if I OC it, because everybody knows that OC generate more heat ... Is it a real potential problem?

6) If something goes wrong, would I have the possibilty of return to the Default Settings, or I can have something fried without any previous warning?

7) As it is my bac-up PC, I generally do not use it in a intensive way; sometimes, it stay without any use for 2 / 3 days... Would this eventual use of it, with this OC, reduce the lifespan of my hardware?

8) Last, but not less important question... This eventual OC of my CPU recoup the potential danger that I can have doing it? In the REAL World, would I have some effective gain of performance?

Well, with these basic observations and questions, I would like to hear some opinions about my wish of have a Light ( if I can say this word...) OC ...
As I am intending to do it (IF POSSIBLE), in a VERY SAFE way and with STOCK CPU Cooler, I need some expert opinions to know if I can continue with my attempt or desist now, before any potential damage. I think that the crucial question is: does the P4 2.8 GHz (FSB=533) have the SAME STOCK Intel Cooler than P4 3.06 Ghz (FSB=533)? If YES, I think that (It's a NON Expert opinion) I could try to do it with a good security headroom...; right?

Thanks in advance for any hint / useful information !!

 

[cbehnken]

You can hit 3.00 Ghz very easily with that setup. Just bump your FSB 5 mhz at a time until you are satisfied and your overclock is stable. If it crashes just drop the FSB a few mhz, you won't damage anything. Raising your CPU that little bit without a voltage increase will most likely not raise your temps very much. If it stays around 70 you should be fine. You may want to spend 5 bucks on an extra decent case fan to place somewhere. This will drop your long run temps a lot.

Your ram will be fine at it's default latences. It you want to push it a little harder leave them where you have them set. If it is unstable after you o/c just drop the latencies, you are not going to do any damage to your ram like this. Your PC2700 Ram is only running at 2100 speed right now, so you will have plenty of headroom.

 

[wseyller]

I would worry with your stock cooler. Get a good cooler and you could get 3.4ghz or possibly beyond.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. I don't overclock with intel too much.
The fsb is currently at 133mhz and the multiplier might be 21.
133mhz x 21 = 2793mhz.

The memory rated for 166mhz actual bandwidth but is only running @ 133mhz.

I say bump the fsb to 166mhz if the cpu can handle which I believe it will with good cooling.

This will allow your memory to run at its actual rated speed and will give you about 166mhz x 21 = 3486mhz

 

[cbehnken]

Originally posted by: wseyller
I would worry with your stock cooler. Get a good cooler and you could get 3.4ghz or possibly beyond.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. I don't overclock with intel too much.
The fsb is currently at 133mhz and the multiplier might be 21.
133mhz x 21 = 2793mhz.

The memory rated for 166mhz actual bandwidth but is only running @ 133mhz.

I say bump the fsb to 166mhz if the cpu can handle which I believe it will with good cooling.

This will allow your memory to run at its actual rated speed and will give you about 166mhz x 21 = 3486mhz

Please read post. He wants a moderate overclock, only about 3.0 Ghz. Shouldn't need better cooling for that.

 

[wseyller]

True, I figured temp around 70 is risky IMO, so he would need a cooler anyway.

 

[LTC8K6]

He may be using the stock thermal pad. Some Arctic Silver might help.

 

[cbehnken]

Yeah the 70 is a little high, but if he improved his case cooling it might make all the difference. He said that it only gets that hot after gaming for an hour, so I'd bet that his case is not ventilated enough.

 

[wseyller]

I was worried when my cpu got close to 60 degrees. Anything overthat in IMO and you might as well roast some marshmellows. I change the fan on my heatsink to get no more than 45 degrees at full load.

Yeah artic silver might help. May the heatsink has lost of build up of dust. The better case fan senario would help but probably less than 5 degrees.

 

[mauiblue]

Just started OCing a few weeks ago. I *definitely* would suggest going with an aftermarket HSF. It is a good investment, "just in case" an error in judgment brings you close to disaster. Also having a mobo monitor that has temp displays is also a good idea.

Good luck in your OC endeavors and don't forget to RTFM

All the best.

 

[bim27142]

i just got interested in overclocking my CPU lately but the problem is i'm on an intel mobo... i did not see this coming, i could have chosen another mobo...

BTW, do you really need a good ram in order to OC? would generic ram do?

 

[Franklogus]

Thanks a lot for your opinions, cbehnken, wseyller, LTC8K6, mauiblue & bim27142 !!

I am thinking about the convenience of to do this OC, because it seems that the final result (performance) wouldn't be much expressive for the majority of the applications... But, anyways, I would like to try, because I play some Race Games with this PC, and, normally, these kind of games are CPU Intensive; so, perhaps I will can get some tangible increase ...
Anyways, I wouldn't like to spend more money with this PC, and I think that I will try to OC with Stock Hardware (I am currently getting a Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCU to my MAIN PC [P4 3.0_HT FSB=800] - because it's Stock Cooler is very noisy... It seems that this cooler is noiseless and efficient...). Currently, I have no money to spend with the "back-up" one...
Sorry if this question is very basic, but... How can I to increase the FSB?? Into the BIOS of my MoBo, I have the following itens:

- CPU SPEED: Currently set to 2800 Mhz (I need to change it to MANUAL.. right?)

- CPU Frequency Multiple: Currently set to [21x] - This item is Disabled to change, if when I set to Manual...

- CPU External Frequency (MHz): Currently set to 133/33 (???) What means this 33 number?? There is a roll of many other combinations, as 134/34, 135/34, 136/34, 137/34, 138/35, 139/35, and many, many others... Sorry, but which I need to set to get the 3.0 GHz (or around it) in the Final?

- Memory Frequency : [AUTO] - I think I dont need change anything here, right?

- CPU VCore Setting: [AUTO] - Same of above ...

- CPU Vcore: [1,525V] - Same of above ...


Really thanks all for your attention with me !!

Well, any additional information will be very appreciated!


Note: Unfortunately, my main doubt keeps on: Is the P4 2.8 533 Mhz STOCK Cooler the SAME of the P4 3.06 533 Mhz? Where can I find this information? (searching for Intel site, I didn't find ...). Thanks in advance for who can give me this valuable information !!

 

[mauiblue]

Cooling is very important in a system that will be stressed (i.e. overclocked). But the down side is the noise. I got my Thermaltake because I figure with five case fans I wouldn't have much problems with heat. But with an aftermarket HSF and the video card fan we are talking a total of SEVEN fans spinning and blowing - not including the PSU fan. It took a few days to get used to the noise, but now I don't even notice it. My temps on my CPU is 29 - 30 C @ idle and 46 - 48 C @ high demand. Case temps hover around 42 C.

I didn't talk about water cooling because of the expense and the complexity :roll:

Have fun, go slowing when OCing, and good luck.

 

[Franklogus]

Thanks for your opinion and your warnings, mauiblue !
I only want try to do an light OC in order to see what happens; I do not intend to push it too hard ... if I note that there is some danger (as temps even higher), I will go back to "default"...
Only two more questions, please... Sorry if my questions are so much basic... Sometimes, I read about to CLEAR/RESET THE CMOS... How can I do this? I only know that if I press the key INSERT, when the PC is at Boot, all the settings go back to default, right??... Would be the "CLEAR THE CMOS" this procedure, or not??
About to change the combination of number into BIOS, to reach the "3.0 GHz"... I was advised, in another forum, to KEEP the second number (which would be related to AGP/PCI) at 33 (currently, set as default = 133/33), because to raise it could be dangerous... As I need the first number around 143 (143x21=3000), I have not this combination (143/33) as an option inside my BIOS. The next first number that I can combined with the 33 is (166/33), which is VERY HIGH !! So, I need one advice about it, because if I want to set the first number to 143, the combination that I have, as available, is 143/36, which raise the AGP/PCI related number from 33 to 36 (would it be really dangerous?...)
Thanks also for your wishes of Good Luck, mauiblue! But... what is RTFM, please??
Thanks all in advance for any additional information !

 

[mauiblue]

Originally posted by: Franklogus
Thanks for your opinion and your warnings, mauiblue !
I only want try to do an light OC in order to see what happens; I do not intend to push it too hard ... if I note that there is some danger (as temps even higher), I will go back to "default"...
Only two more questions, please... Sorry if my questions are so much basic... Sometimes, I read about to CLEAR/RESET THE CMOS... How can I do this? I only know that if I press the key INSERT, when the PC is at Boot, all the settings go back to default, right??... Would be the "CLEAR THE CMOS" this procedure, or not??
About to change the combination of number into BIOS, to reach the "3.0 GHz"... I was advised, in another forum, to KEEP the second number (which would be related to AGP/PCI) at 33 (currently, set as default = 133/33), because to raise it could be dangerous... As I need the first number around 143 (143x21=3000), I have not this combination (143/33) as an option inside my BIOS. The next first number that I can combined with the 33 is (166/33), which is VERY HIGH !! So, I need one advice about it, because if I want to set the first number to 143, the combination that I have, as available, is 143/36, which raise the AGP/PCI related number from 33 to 36 (would it be really dangerous?...)
Thanks also for your wishes of Good Luck, mauiblue! But... what is RTFM, please??
Thanks all in advance for any additional information !

I'm no expert on the topic of OCing as I mention before I just started doing it a few weeks ago. But for me, in order to clear the CMOS on my Soyo mobo, I have to change the jumper setting located on my mobo. Very easy to do for me now because I've done it so many times since I've built my system. In order for me to reset my BIOS to the factory default setting, I could either reset my jumper (clear the CMOS) or go into the BIOS (press the DELETE button while the system POST) and then change/save to the default settings.

As with your PCI/AGP and FSB settings, you could as a few more questions in the OC forums in regards to your particular board. I did with regards to my specific board and got a few responses that was quite helpful.

BTW, RTFM stands for "Read The Freaking Manual" (the "F" word could be substituted as required:laugh: )

Good luck and again HAVE FUN