Windows 7: My 1st overclock ... suggestions welcome

G'day,

This is my first foray into overclocking and I'm still coming to terms with the various BCLK, muliplier, bus speed, XMP and other terminology, and understanding the interactions between them all.

In my Award CMOS, in the MIT function, I did the following:

CPU Clock Ratio = x22
BCLK Frequency = 140
Extreme Memory Profiler = Profile1 (ON)
System Memory Multiplier = AUTO

I noticed that when I changed BCLK from 133 to 140, then Memory Frequency automatically changed from 1333 to 1680. I guess thats because of SPD = AUTO? As far as I am aware, I haven't changed any voltages.

So, here it is. I have run IntelBurnTest on standard, and the CPU appears stable under normal temperatures.

Where to next?

Regards,
Golden

Mmmm....I spoke to soon. After 30mins of blended tests on Prime95 the PC just froze. I have backed out to:

BCLK = 133
Memory Frequency = 1600

And again....2 workers on Prime95 failed during torture test, so have backed out to:

BLCK = 133
Memory Frequency = 1333

I'm back where I started

sometimes you get a dodgy chip.. well i say dodgy, it works at its intended speed just fine, but nothing further. but they are rare.

however as you have not touched the voltages id point my finger at that. forget about your ram, and just focus on your cpu multiplier. thats the easiest way to start.

when you Get to a point using small incriments were the ring hangs or blue screens, then try upping the voltage by 0.05v and try again, if it doesnt add another 0.05v, if that doesnt work, step the mutiplier back a bit.

personally id jsut set a target in your head of say 500mhz increase and aim for that..
adjusting your front side bus will allow for smaller increments of oc'ing, but that will effect your ram. But theres no point in focusing on over clocking ram, you wont notice the difference between 1600mhz and 2133mhz, only in benchmarking.

Thanks.

My intention is only to overclock the CPU, but how do I dissociate the RAM from the CPU? For example, when I change BLCK, then the Memory Frequency changes automatically, as posted in my first thread. How do I prevent that from happening.....setting SPD = 6?

Regards,
Golden

It has different names across different boards, on mine it simply the "FSB Ratio", (CPU:RAM format) I can also set the RAM speed after setting the FSB, and I will get a list of available MHz's for the ram at the current FSB so its multiple choice but in memory speed format instead of Ratio format eliminating the requirement to do my own maths (although this still just changes the clock ratio)

The BLCK is the Base Clock.
It has a Impact on everything.

Basically what you want to do is downclock your memory.
For example, if you want your RAM to run at 1333, set it to run at 1066 speeds.

Depending on what CPU clock you are shooting for, you RAM will most likely end up being where want it by the time its all said and done.


What I would do, is just set the RAM as slow as you can possibly get it to go, and work on your CPU clocks.
Find out what voltage and BLCK you need for for the CPU to be stable.



Once you find where you want it to be, lower the CPU multiplier, and start again with the memory.

This method help pinpoint problems, because you are taking one variable out of the equation.

This way, when Prime or IBT fails, youll have a better idea as to whats causing the issue, because one will be running well below spec.


Just keep an eye on temps (especially with IBT!), and depending on your RAMs rated speed, keep an eye on what speed its ending up at with BLCK changes.
Ideally, you want to keep it at or below rated spec.


Also, if you have 1333 rated RAM, its possible you will find your RAM having issues before the CPU actually does.
Loosening up timings may help a bit if thats the case.


Have fun, and just be patient
Takes time to figure out where everything is happy playing together.

Your BLCK frequency is front side bus speed. Adjusting that will effect your ram.

by simply changing the multiplier it wont effect the ram.

with your current setup fsb x multiplier= core speed. so 22x140=3080mhz
you could get to that same frequency by having a fsb 153 and multiplier of 20 ect.

very true, and I agree, but ..
Im not sure the 860 has a unlocked multi does it?

thats a very valid point, i dont know a lot about 1156 chips

only the 875 of the 1156 platform has an unlocked multiplier so ignore me