Where can I find some *good* information on how I
could overclock my system? Default it's 1.7GHz and
I only really want to overclock to about 2.1GHz or so.
MoBo: EPoX 8RDA+
CPU: Athlon 2100+ Thoroughbred revision B
Memory: Kingston 256MB DDR PC2700 333mhz
I've read some of the beginners guides out there but
none seemed very good. Most assumed you had info
that you probably didn't (eg, "Disable all the uselss BIOS
settings". Ok, which are useless?) If someone can point
me in the right direction, that'd be great!
Your particular situation just happens to be about as easy as it gets...
The XP2100 has 133MHz FSB, and 12.5X multiplier.
Your motherboard and memory are both good up to at least 166MHz FSB
(DDR333) and memory.
Leaving multiplier alone, raise FSB speed to 166MHz... Result is 2.08GHz,
close enough to your target speed. Default CPU voltage might be 1.65V?
Raise that BEFORE changing FSB rate, around 1.7V might be about right for
what you're wanting to do but can vary per each unique specimen of CPU
even when same "XP" rating, but 1.7V should be in the ballpark.
If you've changed any other bios settings you should write down and
changes made, as there's a fair chance you may need to use the clear CMOS
jumper if the board doesn't gracefully recover with a "watchdog timer",
which essentially reverts FSB speed back to default setting if system
doesn't POST. Familiarize yourself with location of the clear CMOS
jumper.
If system won't POST at all, you have two alternatives, lower the bus
speed to result in lower CPU speed, or raise voltage. Keep in mind that
temp WILL rise and if you're using a mediocre heatsink you may have temp
issues above 1.65-1.75V, also depending on fan, case cooling, ambient
temps, etc.
After changing FSB speed, verifying that memory bus is set synchrous to
(same speed as) memory bus, somtimes labeled as "100%" in nForce2 bios
(dont' know for sure about that board), DO NOT BOOT TO THE OPERATING
SYSTEM. Have a memtest86 floppy ready (
http://www.memtest86.com) and
test the system for several hours... It must pass this test without any
errors before running the OS to avoid (or at least minimize) potential for
errors. If errors occur you can do one or more of the following:
1) Use different memory
2) Lower memory bus rate percentage or keep it synchronous and lower FSB
rate
3) Change memory timings to slower values (higher numbers).
4) Raise memory voltage (generally for advanced users only).
You are taking the system's stability into your own hands, it's up to you
to asses the importance of stability and how much you're willing to test
the system to confirm this. One popular way to test CPU is with Prime95's
Torture Test (particularly the "In Place Large FFTs" setting). Run that
test and the full/default torture test for several hours. Another good
test might be continual loops of 3DMark (whichever version is appropriate
for your video card... if your video card isn't able to run 3DMark 2003
very fast it's not much of a test, the rest of the system is mostly
waiting on the video card which wouldn't be overclocked at all given the
aforementioned FSB rate change, unless you'd ALSO changed AGP-related
settings in the BIOS.
Certainly this was not a comprehensive post, but it's enought to get you
started. Watch the CPU temps and backup your data before booting to the
operating system. Overclocking can also reveal flaws in other margin
components like a barely-adequate power supply or low-end motherboard....
do so at your own risk, plenty of people have good results but KNOW what
you're doing and why, particularly if this is your only or primary-use
system and you can't afford any significant system downtime.
You might also find overclocking and mod guides specific to your
motherboard with a Google search, or try here:
http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9