Overclocking

What can be Over Clocked? Just about every home built and white box PC (IE: not a Dell, HP, Gateway, IBM/Lenovo, etc..) can be overclocked, and most components can be overclocked in these pcs, these include the CPU, Video Card, and Ram, each overclock has its advantages and I am sure disadvantages.

How do I overclock? A Processor's speed is a combination of it's Front side Bus (FSB) and some sort of Multiplier. Changing the FSB is the easiest way to overclock. Most processors today have locked multipliers so changing them isn't really a possibility. Most Athlon XPs and Durons can be multiplier unlocked with either a pencil for older models and with conductive fluid for newer models. The last generation, however, were super-locked which means that it isn't possible to change them. Intel processors from the Pentium II on are multiplier locked. The only exceptions being the rare "Engineering Sample" processors which occasionally pop into the hands of enthusiasts. The Athlon 64 series of processors had downward unlocked multipliers which allowed you to reduce but not increase the multipliers. Athlon XP Mobile and Athlon 64FX processors have unlocked multipliers.

There are two main ways to overclock a CPU, in the BIOS and via Software. An older and less common way is via Jumpers on the motherboard, however since most motherboards these days use a menu in the BIOS to set the processor settings, this is getting less common.

In the BIOS there is usually a processor setting menu. This allows you, for the most part to asjust the FSB of the processor. Adjusting this value allows you to overclock the processor. Some motherboards have auto-overclock settings that make life easier for overclocking.

Software wise, a lot of mid to high end motherboards come with software that allows you to adjust the FSB within Windows. Giga-byte's Soft-tune is one of these programs. ClockGen is another program that allows you to overclock within windows. This adjusts the settings for the clock generator on the motherboard. As such, you need to be sure you know what your motherboard and/or clock generator is. This is a risky program that can cause your computer not to boot but it can help push your overclock that little bit more that a BIOS overclock can do.

What is the point of this article? Yes, I am n00b and don't know a thing about overclocking, the extent of my overclocking knowlege is changing the CPU speed on my psp in verious game emulators from 222mhz to 333mhz. I take no responsibility if you actually pay attention to anything in this article, but hey if you do and it works let me know! I posted this article because I didn't like seeing a red link on the main page :-P

So you wanna know what overclocking is from someone who knows what they are doing... Ok then, you don't want to trust old dewy here... check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_clocking or search google like I would if I were interested in overclocking!

ANDREW 'Dewy' STEWART

For overclocking Athlon64 cpus including X2 dual core an excellent simple to understand guide can be found here: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1497607&frmKeyword=&STARTPAGE=1&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

There is now an article describing Athlon64 overclocking in the OCAU Wiki Overclocking A64 Processors.

Guide

CPU Guide

Cooling

Air Cooling

Water Cooling

Proper Water Cooling will cost you $350+

Extreme Cooling : Phase Change / Cascade / Dry Ice / LN2

Software

Programs and Links For Overclockers