Learning more complex OCing

whoppalol

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Dec 11, 2010
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i recently started overclocking and am still new to it. i have been adjusting my cpu core voltages along with my multiplier and bus speed. i know that you can do much more such as changing memory timings memory voltages memory frequency, etc. how is this done? how does this benefit it? i know its a lot to ask but any help would be appreciated :)
 

prodigy

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Oct 15, 2008
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I definitely wouldn't start messing with voltages before you've read extensively on what exactly you want to overclock. List your components and I'm sure someone can guide you before you burn a hole in your CPU.
 

whoppalol

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Dec 11, 2010
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i7 950 3.07 CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211)

GTX 470 EVGA 1280mb GPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549)

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286)

MSI Big Bang Xpower Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130289)

Silverstone 800w PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256034)

Haf 942 Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225)

I also have the Vcool for my GPU and the corsair h50 for my CPU, i also attached a 120mm pull fan to the radiator so it acts more like the h70. I'm using IC diamond for my GPU and as5 for my CPU.

I also have the creative labs x-fi titanium sound card not that is matters lol.

thanks for the help.
 
Complex OC'ing requires knowing the purpose and limits of every BIOS setting of the motherboard you are working with. And experience helps.

I think there is about 4 levels (well, 5, if you count "insane"). First, there are the lazy ones who rely on Windows based utilities. None of us recommend that. For one thing, there are too many Auto voltage settings.

Second are the cookbookers. They are also lazy, but at least they are trying to use the BIOS. Typical post: "Give me a list of settings to run my i7-930 at 4.0 GHz in a Bit-Basher 3000 motherboard." This doesn't work because all components are different. A good example - the G'byte G41M-ES2L is a lovely little entry level Core2 motherboard. Depending on the sample, the upper limit of the FSB freq is between about 340 MHz and 360 MHz.

Third are those who have a pretty good knowledge of the BIOS and a good practical knowledge of overclocking.

Fourth are the real experts who do know about every BIOS setting. That's really not that hard. It just takes time and persistence. There's this wonderful invention called the internet where you can discover all sorts of arcane things: "What's clock skew? Why is it important? When does it apply?"

Then there are the insane. They are the ones using liquid nitrogen to cool CPU's and chipsets.
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Overclocking since 1978 - Z80 (TRS-80) from 1.77 MHz to 2.01 MHz
:)