Slow CPU help

[jack10685]

hello, I am Jack (new guy). I built the computer I am using now about 3 or 4 months ago, and it has always been really slow. I have an AMD Phenom II x6 1035t, that runs at 2.6 ghz. I have looked into overclocking, and that seems to be a long, hard process that I am not sure I can do. Any tips on making it run faster (or just a simplified tutorial on how to overclock my processor)?

 

[COLGeek]

Check out this thread for OCing AMD CPUs. Good luck!

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261868-29-overclocking-club

 

[noidea_77]

You can try overclocking, but I doubt it will really help. The problem is the low base clock of your CPU and the fact that most programs incl games still only use one ore two of your six cores. A Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition would have been the better decision.

 

[Z1NONLY]

Go into the bios and disable "cool n quiet". It also may be called "C & Q".

This will keep your cpu from down-clocking with light tasks and may add some pep.

If you want to OC the CPU, here's a cut n paste of my response to an OC question in another thread.:

I have my 1045t OC'd to 3.4 Ghz with all 6 cores running.


I recommend getting some free software first. CPU-Z and HWmonitor, and prime95.


CPU-Z will show you frequencies, voltages and ram timings.


HWmonitor will show you temps. *Be warned* HWmonitor was showing my core temps 10 degrees lower than they actually were. The temp labeled "TMPIN2" was actually tracking perfectly with the core temps shown in AMD Overdive. So look for the highest temperature other than your video card. (many video cards can safely run at hotter temps than your CPU.) The hottest one on my Gigabyte 990 fxa ud3 (other than the video card) is the core temp. Try to keep it below 55C under full load.


Prime95 is the program that will stress test your computer to see if it can remain stable and cool under load. 2hrs of the blend test with no errors and no overheating is a general rule of thumb for a stable OC.


Now for the fun stuff.


Go into your BIOS and lower the multiples for your CPU and your Ram by a few steps. (The 1045t won't let you increase the multiplier above stock)
Then disable turbo (aka "core performance boost" )
Then find your CPU Host clock control and set it to "manual"
Then You should be able to change the "CPU Frequency" (I'll call it FSB) (This is before the multiplier, so it will be low. Mine started at 200)
Now increase that variable by a bit.


I recommend balancing your FSB and your "memory clock" (RAM) multiplier to a point where your ram is back down to stock speeds after you bump the FSB. So raise your FSB to something like 250 then adjust your RAM multiplier down so that your RAM us running at or near stock speeds.


Now move on to your CPU clock ratio. With the faster FSB, you will be able to run your CPU at higher frequencies with a lower-than-stock multiplier. I eventually took mine all the way back up to 13.5 with a final frequency of 3.4 Ghz.


I would recommend starting with a lower multiple that gets you just a couple hundred Mhz boost over stock at first. Then test for stability and heat. Run prime 95 for at least 30 minutes if you want to see your hottest temps. The blend doesn't get things hot until about the third bank of tests.


If things look good, go back into the BIOS and bump the multiplier some more and re-test.


My MB got rather ambitious with the voltages when I left it in auto, so use CPU-Z to keep an eye on core voltages. Many recommend just staying under 1.45 volts. I recommend not going any higher than you need to for a given clock speed. This will help keep heat down. I ended up using a negative offset "CPU voltage control" of -0.075 volts. This brought my core voltages down to about 1.344v at full load.


*note* I'm scraping the floor on voltage with my particular chip/speed. One notch lower and I get BSOD. You may be able to go a little lower or you may need a little more voltage for your chip and clock speed.


Now just test and adjust and repeat.


Generally speaking:


BSOD means you need more voltage, and/or less speed.


Overheating means you need less voltage and/or less speed. (or a better cooler for your CPU.)


If you get to the point where your temps are good and your computer is sable, and you still want to go faster (than ~3.4Ghz), you can go back and bump up the FSB. But remember to adjust your RAM multiplier back down to stock-ish speeds.


You can OC your RAM later, but that gets a little more complicated as you may have to adjust CAS timings and RAM voltages to make it work. Keeping your RAM at stock speeds should give you one less thing to worry about while you probe the limits of your CPU.


Good luck!

 

[popatim]

hello, I am Jack (new guy). I built the computer I am using now about 3 or 4 months ago, and it has always been really slow. I have an AMD Phenom II x6 1035t, that runs at 2.6 ghz. I have looked into overclocking, and that seems to be a long, hard process that I am not sure I can do. Any tips on making it run faster (or just a simplified tutorial on how to overclock my processor)?

Please list out your complete system specs. Ie - make and model of everything.

Also, Before you begin overclocking you need to have an aftermarket cpu cooler installed. Be sure you include your case information in your system specs. I run a 1055t at 3.4 to 3.8, its not difficult to do.