Overclocking ???

[Wogster]

Hi, Could someone out there please explain for me... I've supposedly overclocked my motherboard using the CPU Clock Ratio jumpers, my MB is a PII 350/100 MHz and as for the install guide, it can be overclocked to 500/100 Mhz. I'd like to only start off small and put it up to 400/100 MHz just to make sure it's going to run stable. My MB is a "Shuttle HOT -661", the chipset is "Intel 440BX AGPset". In the CMOS settings there is something called "Chipset Features", must I manually change the MHz settings in there as well? As you can see, I'm hoping to learn from all you pro's out there... I have installed 2 3" fans in the side of the CPU case for added circulation, do I need more? I have a twin processor fan as well........ Upon reading more of the manual, they also talk about the CPU Host Clock, it's default is 100 MHz... should this be changed as well, or left as is?

 

[brianF]

Your processor speed is determined by two settings, the multiplier and the front side bus setting. For your current cpu at default it would be a multiplier of 3.5 times the front side bus speed of 100mhz for 350 mhz. Intel internally locks the multiplier on newer chips so it cannot be changed, this started with your chip, the p2 350, some where locked and some where not.
Easiest way to start is to increase the front side bus speed in small increments up from 100mhz. Only do it in say 5 or 10 mhz steps if you have the settings to do so. If it boots and loads windows run it and see if it's stable. If it's stable you can try to go higher. Sooner or later it won't load windows or boot and that's when you have gone to far. Depending on your motherboard you may need to reset the cmos to get it to boot again.
The front side bus setting also sets the speed of the pci bus and the agp bus, by raising the front side bus you also increase the pci bus from it's default 33mhz to 1/3 of whatever you have set the front side bus to. Too high and your will have problems.
The agp bus in set to 2/3 the front side bus, it also will increase with the increase in the front side bus. It's default is 66mhz, if it gets to high and depending on your video card it can be problems.

Beaware overclocking can cause damage and corrupt data

 

[Wogster]

I will get back to you on this one, so the one you want me to change is reffered as the CPU Host Clock, Closest to the edge of the Mother Board...the increments go from 100 - 112 - 133 - 140 - 150. I should only change it to 112? and if I can change the one that's 3.5, possibly change it too 4, or not touch this one till I see if the other rides stable first? Basically I have a slow computer and want a faster, but cannot afford it for a few years. If I can get some more speed out of this one, I will be happy again.

 

[brianF]

You can try 112, I wouldn't bother with the multiplier as I beleive most where locked.

A lot will depend on your memory, if it's pc100 it all depends on if it will run the higher speed.

 

[Wogster]

I apreciate you taking your time and talking to me about this topic. Have you yourself done overclocking to your computer?

Since your last messege I advanced the Host Clock (JP39) to 112 MHz, It was not stable with my PC100 memory chips. Upon your advice, I have considered adding higher memory (PC133), which is indicated in the Mainboard manual as an option to the standard PC100.

As for the multipier, I went to check it and it too can be changed manually... with the default being 3.5, can I change it to 4 without upgrading the memory? What is the actual function of the multiplier (I know, it multiplies), but what the CPU speed (CPU clock ratio)? Is there any good books out there that would explain all these functions?

 

[brianF]

You can try changing the multiplier, but just because there is a setting for it doesn't mean that it can actually change. As I said with intel chips it is locked internally and there is no physical way it can be changed. Your chip was the cut in point at which intel starting locking them

As far as overclocking every computer in this house is overclocked, why, who knows, cause I can.

Besides memory heat is the overclockers nightmare.

You will have to check and see if you have a jumper or setting to change the vcore value. That is the processor voltage. I beleive it is 2.0 at default. Sometimes with a unstable overclock adjusting the vcore up a very small amount will make it stable, this also will cause more heat, it's a double edged sword of sorts.

If you can up it just do it by .1 volts, say from 2.0 to 2.1, see if that helps

Overclocked

P3 850 at 1.05 gig
P3 600 at 800
Kids AMD xp2200+ (at school, no sure how high he is running it)
Celeron 366 at 550

It can be done with the right components and cooling

 

[Wogster]

Thanks for all your help and support, since this is our only computer (wife and me), I think I'm not gonna try anything drastic since we cannot afford another. Maybe I'll look around for a used P3 Motherboard and work up from there... I'm interested in learning all there is to know about computers, the building of, and maintaining. Thanks for all you help!!!!

Wogster.