Author Topic: Noctis' Basic Guide to Overclocking  (Read 1626 times)

Noctis Lamnia

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Noctis' Basic Guide to Overclocking
« on: January 05, 2005, 09:54:10 pm »
Alright, for those who don\'t know, overclocking is when you run your computer faster than the \"factory\" default.  In this basic guide, we\'re going to be concering ourselves with the processor speed.  It IS possible to overclock on other things (RAM, vid card), but processor is by far the easiest and most useful.

Before we start, let it be known that I have an AOpen computer.  The tools I will be using are designed for AO computers, but can be used by others.  I have an Athalon 1.8ghz processor.

Now, before you begin any overclocking, you should download 2 tools; EzClock and SilentTek.

http://download.aopen.com.tw/default.aspx?Website=US

I\'m sorry I couldn\'t give you a direct link to the files, but AOpen has a kinda weird website.

?_?

Alright, once you\'re there, go to Advanced Search.  For Search By, select the Drivers/Utilities option.  Then, in keyword, search for EzClock.  Download the first utility on the list.  Back on advanced search, once again with Drivers/Utilities, search for SilentTek.  Download the first file on the list.

Alright, now, I\'m not sure if SilentTek will work for non-AOpen comps, but I think it will.

Once you\'ve downloaded and installed these programs, it\'s time to start overclocking.

Open up EzClock.  I HIGHLY recommend you use the \"War\" skin, as it provides the EASIEST interface, IMHO.  What I will say hereon bout EzClock is using the War skin.

Once you\'ve started up EzClock, look on the left.  There, there\'s an Apply button with three rows of abbreviations above it.  There should also be 2 arrows there.  Above and below this group are 2 bars.  From left to right, yellow, green, and the red.  Click the right arrow, and you\'ll see the numbers next to MHz turn red and go higher.

Congratulations, you\'ve learnt how to overclock your computer.  Now, let\'s learn how to do it safely.

Click the right arrow until 2 green bars are filled.  Then, click the left arrow once so that only 1 green bar is filled.  SAVE any and all work you have going, exit all non-necessary applications, and then click Apply.  If all goes well (the screen may flicker a couple of times, don\'t worry), then you should see the red numbers turn back to yellow.

Now, you may exit EzClock if you want.  If it works on your computer (I\'m 95% sure it will), then start up SilentTek.

Go to the Setting tab, and make sure \"Alarm when warning happens.\" is checked.  This is VERY important, as it lets you know your computer is getting too hot.  Next, go to the SilentTek tab.  Here, make sure Enable FAN Speed Control is checked.  Then, make sure Multiple Level Control is enable.  Click the Setting box next to it.

Here, a list with all your fan\'s setting and the CPU\'s temperature will appear.

I reccomend leaving most of the settings to default.  However, under CPU Fan Control, on the farthest-right fan speed (should be around 4561 for default), I\'d reccomend upping that to 4750.  Your computer should never reach this temperature but, if it does, you will both recieve a warnign and the fan will start working like MAD to cool the computer down.

Save, and then close SilentTek.

Go and play a round of the most graphic-intesnive game that you have (Doom 3, HL2, PS ;)).  Every once in a while, open either SilentTek or EzClock and check the computer\'s temperature.  It should RARELY exceed 55 degrees Celcius (never has for me, and it shouldn\'t for you).  As long as everything works good, then congratulations, you\'ve overclocked your computer.

Once you get used to how your computer handles, you can start overclocking more.  If you can\'t download SilentTek, or it just doens\'t work, you can always (screw can, DO IT) open up the side of your case and then put a fan blowing air into your computer there.

Yes, there is another way of overclocking your comp, but it takes, like, 10x longer than this way and doesn\'t work as well.

Well, have fun!

BTW, it is quite possible to increase your CPU\'s speed by up to 50%.  However, if you do this, please, please, PLEASE be careful.
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Xolon

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« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2005, 10:24:06 pm »
Sounds all very nice, but don\'t just OC your computer after reading this thread.

There are loads of things you should know about OC, before actually starting doing it. Like most cpu\'s can\'t be OC that easily (they\'re locked), cpu temperature raises, software OC often doesn\'t work, etc.....etc.

not to mention that most waranties won\'t allow it!

So before you start OC your computer, i\'d advice you to do some heavy reading on different websites regarding OC.


* OC = overclocking


EDIT: im not against it...i clocked my amd1700+ to 2600+ (1,47 -> 2,2ghz)
« Last Edit: January 05, 2005, 10:25:10 pm by Xolon »

Noctis Lamnia

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« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2005, 10:29:56 pm »
Yes, I agree with you there.  That\'s also why I took it pretty slow in my post.  AFAIK, most comps can be overclocked this way.

If you can\'t, you can always overclock it the old, boot-into-BIOS-then-screw-around-there way.

If anyone wants to know how to do that, I\'d be more than happy to write a quick blurb about that, but it would take a while.

?_?

EDIT: Oh, and I dealt with CPU temp raising.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2005, 10:30:38 pm by Noctis Lamnia »
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Xolon

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« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2005, 10:34:30 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by Noctis Lamnia
If you can\'t, you can always overclock it the old, boot-into-BIOS-then-screw-around-there way.


nothing wrong with that is there  :]
as long as you know what your doing, it just give you a bit more control (you know what your doing, instead of hoping the program isn\'t doing something \'extra\')

Noctis Lamnia

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« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2005, 11:34:27 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by Xolon
Quote
Originally posted by Noctis Lamnia
If you can\'t, you can always overclock it the old, boot-into-BIOS-then-screw-around-there way.


nothing wrong with that is there  :]
as long as you know what your doing, it just give you a bit more control (you know what your doing, instead of hoping the program isn\'t doing something \'extra\')


Heh, you CAN control every single aspect of the program.  I just showed people the simplest and easiest way of using the program, that\'s all.

Anything you can do in the BIOS, you can do with EzClock, which is why I like it.
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Harkin

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« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2005, 11:37:04 pm »
my computer already runs too hot to OC, 48C with 2 case fans and one PCI slot fan ... hits 54C in games... i dont want it to get any hotter :)
I am just a figment of you imagination and a byproduct of the worse accident ever... ... or so my mommy says!
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Noctis Lamnia

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« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2005, 11:43:54 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by Harkin
my computer already runs too hot to OC, 48C with 2 case fans and one PCI slot fan ... hits 54C in games... i dont want it to get any hotter :)


O_O

OUCH

Open it up and get a fan there.  If you have the money, make  a water cooling system.

If you need instructions, this is a good link: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=71321
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Harkin

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« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2005, 11:47:07 pm »
water cooling: NO

and since it is only my temporary computer I\'m just fine the way it is, im not adding a thing :)

i\'ve heard watercooling systems are great an all, but i just cant trust running water in my extremely electrical machine :)
I am just a figment of you imagination and a byproduct of the worse accident ever... ... or so my mommy says!
Imagine your life ripped to hundreds of shreds, then think about how you just stepped in poo, welcome to my world.

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Noctis Lamnia

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« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2005, 11:48:26 pm »
Heh, if you\'re that concerned, I\'ve heard it\'s possible to dip your entire computer in wax or something...

Probably not possible, but, meh.

^_^
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Kixie

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« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2005, 11:53:33 pm »
My mobo has a really simple overclock program already installed, but its very lethargic. Bassically all I can do is go up to 40% in increments of 5% :P Its basic, but on cold days I\'ll throw on a sweater and play some nice lag free doom 3 on max settings :D

Noctis Lamnia

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« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2005, 12:06:03 am »
Quote
Originally posted by Kixie
My mobo has a really simple overclock program already installed, but its very lethargic. Bassically all I can do is go up to 40% in increments of 5% :P Its basic, but on cold days I\'ll throw on a sweater and play some nice lag free doom 3 on max settings :D


lol

You do that.

Y\'know what, though?  I seriously HATE Doom 3.  I have waaaaaaaaaaay above the min specs (hell, I practically got the recommended), and I still can\'t play it.

V_V

I want my those 14 hours I spent downloading Doom 3 back...
« Last Edit: January 06, 2005, 12:06:53 am by Noctis Lamnia »
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Kixie

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« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2005, 12:29:03 am »
Quote
Originally posted by Noctis Lamnia
I want my those 14 hours I spent downloading Doom 3 back...

Errr you might not want to say that too loudly :/

Noctis Lamnia

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« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2005, 12:33:15 am »
Quote
Originally posted by Kixie
Quote
Originally posted by Noctis Lamnia
I want my those 14 hours I spent downloading Doom 3 back...

Errr you might not want to say that too loudly :/


I\'m a pirate.  I\'m not ashamed of what I do.

HEY, WORLD, I STEAL COMPUTER SOFTWARE!!!!

*gets hit by a lightning bolt*

Ow...
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