Q: I. Requirements
A:
Under consideration of system performance needed, purchase the proper hardware and note that each hardware model has different function and performance. Possible incompatibility issues may exist between hardware during operation.
1. Motherboard
A fine graded motherboard that supports overclocking is the most important key in terms of overclocking range and stability. Most motherboard manufacturers include overclocking options or provide updates to their BIOS. These options include adjustments to CPU core FSB voltage, voltage, AGP voltage, memory voltage, memory timing settings.
2. CPU
Each individual CPU has its significant overclocking performance. A better graded CPU has wider overclocking range. With proper CPU cooler and enhanced cooling system environment, such as watercooled, dryiced cooling system, CPU could be pushed to its highest limit possible.
3. Memory
Data are read and transferred in and out of memory modules all the time. Faster transfer rate simply means more efficient data flow could be adopted under larger bandwidth. Just like the network bandwidth, larger bandwidth means faster data flow and less lag. To achieve best performance, CPU and memory modules must run at the same FSB (Front Side Bus) frequency. In order for memory modules to run at 1:1 ratio to the CPU's operating FSB, a fine graded memory module must present.
What is the definition of a fine graded memory module? There are really no specific specs to determine whether a memory module is good or bad because it all comes down to its original design, manufacturing facility's quality control and packaging technologies used. The only and simplest way to determine the quality of such memory modules is to put it on the test. It is said an overclockable memory module is a better graded module than those can't.
PCB layer: The PCB board of the memory stick is consisted of several layers. When memory modules are operated under high frequencies, interferences between high frequency signals can not be tolerated. Therefore, in design, more PCB layers reduce the interferences and thus enhance the transfer rate.
Connecting Golden finger: The pins used to connect the memory modules and motherboard also affect the transfer rate. Two kinds of surface finishing are commonly used among manufacturers today “ Gold-30u plating" and immersion gold-3u". To give a better conductivity, Gold-30u" plating is preferred in the industry.
Column Access strobe: This is the time needed for memory modules to index data stored. CL2 and CL3 are the period timing needed to send data. Smaller number means faster speed and less time needed. Hence, CL2 is faster than CL3. This information could be obtained from manufacturer labels on their products. (example: CAS 2.5 7-3-3) to help end users find better memory modules with a faster CL value.
(Note: memory manufacturers who share their memory module specs normally provide better quality and services.)
4. System Environment
Motherboard, CPU, and memories all produce heat under high frequency operation. It is very easy to cause the whole system to shut down by itself if the system is over heat. Therefore how to provide a cooler system environment also plays an important key.
CPU : A CPU cooler is a standard accessory these days. CPU heatsink made of copper and a CPU cooling fan with 6000+ rpm are strongly recommended for better heat reduction. Water cooling systems are also preferred by other extreme overclockers. Despite the risks of water cooling, for its better cooling environment plus the low noise operating environment, more and more users are switching to water cooling system today.
Memory: Most memory manufacturers provide heatspreaders for their memory modules today. There are also heatspreaders sold separately available in the market for users who own memory modules that originally came without one. Memory modules with headspreaders work better with active cooling fan. (Note: Copper made heatspreaders have better performance over aluminum made ones.)
Case / Case fans: There must be enough space inside the case for air flow to present. It is recommended to install one or two more case fans to help the overall air flow so the hot air could be extracted out of the system/case and keep the whole system cool.
5. Power Supply Unit
Basic power needed is recommended to rate from 400W and up. More power is needed depends on other add-on components. More and more computers are being used as media station today. All kinds of performance enhancement interface (3D acceleration cards, professional purpose video cards, USB, DVD-ROM / Burner.. etc) have been introduced to the public continuously to meet market's demand. All of these interfaces require additional power supply. Therefore, when there is not enough power present, the performance of each hardware will not function properly and could cause serious instability and damage the system.
Q: II. Basic Procedures: Play with the BIOS
A:
When overclocking beyond hardware's capable limit, it is very easy to cause the system to shut down and when adjusting voltage variables, such hardware could be damaged if voltage is set too high.
Enter the BIOS menu
STEP1 - CPU SPEED Adjustment [Advanced Menu]
1.When [CPU Speed] is set to "Manual", users are allowed to set the CPU operating frequency manually. In general, CPU operating frequency = CPU frequency multiplier x Front Side Bus:
Eg. P4 2.8 GHz could be obtained from 14 (multiplier) x 200 MHz (FSB) = 2.8 GHz
To play safe, it is recommended to increase the FSB frequency by intervals of 1MHz. It is also easier to determine where the limit of the system is this way.
2. When [CPU V Core Setting] is set to "Manual", users are granted permission to give CPU more power in order to push CPU to its limit. It is best recommended not to increase the CPU VCore voltage by more than 0.15V to prevent sever damage to the physical CPU.
STEP2 - Memory DRAM Setting Adjustment [Advanced Menu]
CPU/ Memory Frequency Ratio : Set the CPU operating frequency and memory operating frequency to 1:1 ratio. Depends on the quality of the CPU and memory modules, not all can be run at the same frequency; change the ratio if necessary. Because each motherboard manufacturer provides different menus in their BIOS, individual user's setting may vary. In general, DRAM frequencies are obtained as following "DDR 400 = 1:1, DDR 320 = 5:4, DDR 266 = 3:2 .. etc.
DDR Reference Voltage: This is DDR SDRAM's operating voltage. It determines the range of voltage provided by manufacturer or by DRAM frequency. Higher DRAM frequency means higher voltage must be applied.
Note: DDR1 Default voltage is 2.5v+-0.1v, DDR2 Default voltage is 1.8v+-0.1v.
Chip Configuration: When this is set to "User Define]" users are allowed to change the speed timing as they desire within memory module's capability. Less period timing means faster and better performance. However, there are risks to cause instability when timings are set too low. A good memory manufacturer should provide performance related timing values for users' reference. (Note: default setting is always set to "By SPD" which means the timing values are read directly from the memory module preset by the manufacturer.)
Following is a list of examples for timing variable settings:
- A. SDRAM CAS Latency: DDR1: CL2-CL3. DDR2: CL3-CL5
- B. SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay: DDR1:CL2-CL4. DDR2:CL3-CL6
- C. SDRAM RAS Precharge Delay: DDR1:CL2-CL4. DDR2:CL3-CL6.
- D. SDRAM Active Precharge Delay: DDR1:CL5-CL8. DDR2:CL8-CL15
Above values may vary depending on product specs
In DDR400+ (2-6-3-3)
- DRAM CAS# Latency is set to 2 Clocks
- DRAM RAS# Precharge is set to 3 Clocks
- DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay is set to 3 Clocks
- DRAM Precharge Delay is set to 6 Clocks
In DDR400 (2.5-8-4-4)
- DRAM CAS# Latency is set to 2.5 Clocks
- DRAM RAS# Precharge is set to 4 Clocks
- DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay is set to 4 Clocks
- DRAM Precharge Delay is set to 8 Clocks
(Note: When set to "User Define", if the memory module's timing values are set too low, it may cause system to shutdown or reboot automatically. The motherboard will use the SPD setting it read from the module or previous manually set settings.
