Complete Noob to OC - Suggestions and Advice

javadudd

Distinguished
Jan 7, 2010
10
0
18,510
Have just recently upgraded motherboard and CPU due to motherboard failure and would like to get the most out of what I have and I'm not sure of the best place to start.

What I have:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93GHz (1066FSB)
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 6400C4 800MHz
Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L G41 Motherboard
GT 220 1024MB PCIe - PNY
Also have older PX7800 GTX TDH but I assume GT220 beats that now.
 

javadudd

Distinguished
Jan 7, 2010
10
0
18,510
Thanks 4 Both - I found it after I asked the Question - Doh! :)

For the E7500 would it be 11.0x266 = 2.93GHz?
 
Also look at this:
Shadow's Gigabyte motherboard OC guide:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-245679_11_0.html
All the Core2 Gigabyte BIOS's are similar.

For a serious overclock, you will need better cooling. Here are three under $50
heatsinks that are pretty popular:
Sunbeam
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004
Xigmatec Dark Knight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

I've added these, because they are starting to get really popular:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

They all require a somewhat different approach to applying thermal compound.
Suggestions for applying thermal compound:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=5

 

javadudd

Distinguished
Jan 7, 2010
10
0
18,510
Sorry forgot to mention got an Artic Pro 7 - should this suffice or would you think worth paying the extra?

Incidentally managed to cancel order for E7500 and went for the E8400 after reading reviews on here ;-)
 

ACF7P is a pretty good cooler. By today's standard's, it is ... average. Case in point, I was able to reach 3.0 GHz with my Q6600 at stock voltage with the stock cooler. I was able to reach 3.3 GHz with the ACF7P. I was able to reach 3.6 GHz with a TRUE.



With a G41, that may be a mistake. The G41 is a budget board. I think you may have problems pushing the FSB much higher than the E8400 333 MHz stock FSB.
 

javadudd

Distinguished
Jan 7, 2010
10
0
18,510
Doh! ok got it,

However from the Manual,

CPU Host Frequency (Mhz)
Allows you to manually set the CPU host frequency. This item is configurable only if the CPU
Host Clock Control option is enabled. The adjustable range is from 100 MHz to 1200 MHz.
For an 800 MHz FSB CPU, set this item to 200 MHz.
For a 1066 MHz FSB CPU, set this item to 266 MHz.
For a 1333 MHz FSB CPU, set this item to 333 MHz

Does this not mean I can adjust between 100 - 1200Mhz?
 

javadudd

Distinguished
Jan 7, 2010
10
0
18,510
Ok having done a bit more reading - sorry all confusing to a newcomer,

Found this
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2036205

Who managed to Post at 340Mhz using E8200 and couldn't get to 350Mhz.

Don't know if the E8400 will be more or less but I think I get where you are coming from.

May have to settle for stock but a possible mobo upgrade in the future and use the current for basic PC build.
 

No. You are reading this correctly. It also means that depending on your particular motherboard, you will not be able to push the FSB up very high. OTOH, look at the specs on the EP45-UD3's.

It will say something like "supports FSB 800, 1066, 1333, and 1600 MHz". That means they are good to 400 MHz minimum. And many P45's will run past 500 MHz.
 

javadudd

Distinguished
Jan 7, 2010
10
0
18,510
Thanks for the info jsc.

I may look at doing this in the future and a fairly cheap upgrade to get more out of the E8400 and cheaper way to increase RAM i.e. 4 slots instead of my 2.

Though at present I'm more than happy at current speed PC is operating at.

The existing board I will make use of and build a cheaper 2nd PC.

I did try setting the Kingston RAM KHX6400D2LLK2/4G as the datasheet says
4-4-4-12 1.95V but can only adjust in 0.1V and doesn't appear to like it if set at 1.9 or 2.0.
Also can't find anywhere that says to set multiplier to. i.e. my choice appears to be (2.0B or 2.4B)
Any Suggestions or could this be due to Mobo also?