Help oc E8400

[halomasterfs]

I need help overclocking my Wolfdale E8400 to 3.6 ghz or better. Ive looked at the bios and im just kinda afraid of getting my cpu messed up if i do it wrong.
So when you start an overclock where do you start? here are my system specs,

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0 ghz

MOBO: EVGA nForce 780i SLI FTW

RAM: 4gb (2x2gb) ddr2 1066 Corsair Dominator

ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

PSU: Antec TruePower Quattro 1000W

Graphics: EVGA Geforce GTX 275

CASE: Antec 1200

OS: Windows Vista 64bit

I need all the help i could get on this, again im a begginer and i just want learn how to. thanks

 

[Maziar]

PLZ read the FAQ before posting
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-29-core-core-temperature-guide

 

[RJR]

And also go to Intel's web site and download the DATA SHEET for the E8400. It will give you all the recommended max voltages and max temperatures you need to know. Just keep it below the max recommended and your lessen the chances of harming any of you components.

 

[rbk88]

Hey guys,
I've never ever done overclocking and I wanted to try with my EP-45-UD3L Gigabyte board and E8400 processor. I don't want to do anything like 4ghz but just overclock a LITTLE bit (maybe 3.4-3.5 ghz). I also want it so I don't have to go around testing if it's stable, testing temperature, or messing with the voltage.

So I gathered as much information as I could and I wanted to know if I had to do anything other than this (I'm leaving EVERYTHING else default):

1. Change the CPU multiplier - I believe it is set at 333 x 9 so I would raise the 333 slightly to get 3.4 or 3.5 or so.

2. Make sure the RAM speed stays under the stock (I'm using XM2 Corsair PC-8500) so cycle through the settings under I get the highest number under the stock (1066).

So my questions are
1. Is 3.4 or 3.5 ghz a safe number to reach without having to worry about any potential problems? I'm using stock cooling in an antec 900 case.
2. Is there ANY other options I should change in the BIOS? I've read about speed stepping and such and I don't know if it's necessary... any other things I should look out for and check? I DID READ THE MANUALS AND GUIDES but since they are not specific to gigabyte boards, I am still confused, that is why I am asking these questions. The guides all want testing to see if stable and such and I want to know a safe number to simply change it and keep it.

Again, I don't want to mess with voltage or raise the clock speed to anything close that would be considered risky. Anyone would experience with gigabyte boards I would really really appreciate input! Thanks!

 

[mindless728]

what Maziar said, read the manuals

 

[RJR]

LITTLE bit (maybe 3.4-3.5 ghz). I also want it so I don't have to go around testing if it's stable, testing temperature, or messing with the voltage.

If you are going to OC at ALL, even 3.5 from 3.0, you DO need to at least check your temperatures, stress test for stability and manually set your vcore, PCIE Frequency. If that's too much work/time, I suggest you leave your system at stock speed and be happy.

 

[rbk88]

I was wondering how important the 1:1 ratio is for the RAM and FSB. I have PC-8500 1066 Mhz RAM and I plan on doing 400 FSB x 9 = 3.6 Ghz. If I do have 1:1 ratio, I believe my RAM would run at 800 Mhz. How important is it to run at 1:1? Should I just adjust the divider to a ratio that has my RAM run as close to the 1066 Mhz as possible or should I stay with the 1:1?

 

[RJR]

I was wondering how important the 1:1 ratio is for the RAM and FSB. I have PC-8500 1066 Mhz RAM and I plan on doing 400 FSB x 9 = 3.6 Ghz. If I do have 1:1 ratio, I believe my RAM would run at 800 Mhz. How important is it to run at 1:1? Should I just adjust the divider to a ratio that has my RAM run as close to the 1066 Mhz as possible or should I stay with the 1:1?

Try the search (top of page) it's been asked about a thousand times or you can start your own thread and ask.