(10-27-2009 06:11 PM)Koji Wrote:  Track: The slower a processor is in it's generation the better it usually overclocks as long as you have a good enough motherboard. Where as top of the line models in a generation generally don't have a whole lot of headroom. Where you may get 40-50% max overclock of the lower end, a top of the line there is usually a glass ceiling around 10-15%.

Not necessarily. Higher-end CPUs are generally better binned compared to lower-end CPUs, meaning that they can be clocked higher. Also they typically have higher multipliers which are good for overclocking. The lower end CPUs can be those that failed binning at higher frequencies. Of course there's also a chance that they are actually higher-end CPUs which have been purposely lowered to meet demand, or if there is excess supply. It doesn't actually cost Intel any more to produce a higher-end CPU as opposed to a lower-end CPU.

And also, technically the 'top of the line' CPUs are the Extreme CPUs with unlocked multiplier goodness, and they are kind of 'hand picked' so to speak, so you will probably get good results with them regardless of their high stock speeds.

Booger: That's partially right... but you're misunderstanding. An extreme processor in intel's line has an unlocked multiplier, yes but it's also has a very high base clock.


Let me use an example from my personal experience. My last set of processors were AMD's X2 line. The Athlon 3600 is a dual core 1.8ghz processor that could (with a good enough rig) overclock to 2.8+ghz. That's just over a 50% overclock. My last processor in that line was a 5200 clocked at 2.6ghz, with most people having problems breaking 3.0ghz. That's just over a 10% increase.

The 5200 obviously could have a greater TOTAL clockrate, but had a much lower maximum possible overclock percentage. This is true with Intel's as well as AMD's. Of course, there is never a guarantee when it comes to overclocking... but in general, you have a higher % overclock chance with a lot end processor than a very top of the line.

sorry to bump this thread,but i have issues overclocking my processor,as you may know(my sig) my cpu native frequency is 1.6,i already manage to do an overclock and set it to 2.3,but my motherboard supports even 3.0,but when i set it to a higher fsb than 295 (my motherboard allows me max 400,such a crap) but i should be able to get at least 3.0 but i just cant,setting the fsb higher than 295 just makes my pc to no boot up,any ideas for this?maybe i have to increase the cpu frequency range or something?
Adittional info:the temp doesnt seems an issue actually not getting more than 30-35º of temp (playing a game) when standby i got like 30 or maybe less

Overclocking is not only limited to what your motherboard supports. If it were that simple, there would be no difference between the lowest end CPU and the highest end CPU of the same series.

No, overclocking is affected by a variety of factors, and is limited by the weakest link. Your CPU itself can only handle a certain speed with voltage before it becomes unstable. Same with RAM and your motherboard. You have probably reached the limit for your CPU or RAM at the current voltage. Raising voltages without knowing what you're doing can damage your hardware if you pump high amounts in.

And also your sig has a typo: Ghz not Mhz.

ok got it but in the case that i can increase the voltage (sure i can) how to do it? i mean form where?,i know its form the bios but dunno wich option?
Offtopic:Yeah my sig has a typo now its fixed thanks man

It can be listed several ways... The majority will list it as "CPU voltage" or "VID voltage". You may also try putting some extra voltage in the mainboard chipset... but again, only slightly and in steps, especially if you don't have a really good cooling system in place. And let's be honest, 2.4ghz (more or less) overclock on a 1.6ghz processor is very nice. That's 50% faster than it was originally, and on any processor that is impressive.

Many old boards don't even have any options for raising voltages. If that's the case, there's little more you can do.

@koji
hehe,thats ok but i think i can pull my cpu to nearly 3.0ghz i guess,i should check the bios for more info,if i cant find nothing i will make a new thread about it and i have to put some pics about my bios setting so you can help me further thanks a lot anyway

If the board is old enough, it could have it's voltage controlled via a jumper... which would be very fun as well.

(10-27-2009 06:46 PM)Air Wrote:  

(10-27-2009 05:33 AM)boogerthe2nd Wrote:  Oh, and if you have a pre-built computer from one of the main PC distributors (Dell, HP etc.), and you didn't buy it in the last year or so, there's a 99% chance that your BIOS will be a proprietary BIOS that has 0 overclocking options. There is still a chance that you can overclock, but it's much more complicated and requires you to open up your case, find a specific crystal (the clock generator) on your motherboard and read the tiny serial number on it, and hope that it is one of the numbers on the list of compatible clock generators on software such as SetFSB.

... and if you want to do it "right", it also requires you replace the cheap-ass cpu cooler, cheap-ass 300w power supply, add another 12v case fan, and drill some new holes in your case for better airflow.

(though if you get one of those horribly overpriced Dell XPS systems then you won't have to do any of that, at least)

Dell cases are horrible.

I just use a HAF932