How fast can I overclock my AMD 1800+?

[nadasaki]

I am sorry for reviving this old topic but i have a question regarding the same AMD processor needed to be overclocked and didn't want to open a new thread for it.

This is the link to my Cbid result - h t t p://img517.imageshack.us/img517/5614/cbidsb5.jpg (join the http together after copy pasting the link)

In the BIOS under frequencies i have: 100,133,166 and 200MHz (current is 133)
under Multiply (manual) there's: 6,5x - 14x (and some with a slash "7x/15x - 9x/17x") (current is automatic)

What combination do you suggest? (i understand higher fbs and lower multiply gives better results?)

Here's my full config spec:

System Information
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.5GHz
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Physical RAM: 2047MB
Virtual Memory: 2047MB

Video Information
Video Card: NVIDIA NVIDIA GeForce 6800 XT
Video Memory: 128.0 MB
Chip Type: GeForce 6800 XT
Driver Filename: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7824 | 10/7/2008 13:33:00
Disp Settings: Plug and Play Monitor | 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

 

[kodrutz]

Upgrade time!

I suggest that you get a hardware upgrade. First try to push the FSB as far as possible, with a low multiplier, then play with the multiplier and voltages.

 

[Cinders]

If you have PC133 memory then you may want to rethink overclocking. It's not impossible but pushing memory beyond it rated maximum can be tricky. Overclocking usually requires strict voltage control of your memory, processor and chipset and you may have to raise the voltage if your computer becomes unstable and you want to continue overclocking. Your motherboard may not have these features. There is a way to find out how high you can push your memory without pushing your processor, so I will try to describe that procedure.

First you have to set a memory divider so that your memory runs at 133MHz. Set the processor multiplier to 9 if you can. That'll make your processor run at 1197MHz and will give you plenty of head room for the processor, and you'll be able to test the memory at the same time. You don't want to overclock the processor at this time. We're just going to push the memory until it shows signs of weakness. Slowly push the Front Side Bus up 5MHz at a time until your computer will not boot or simply becomes unstable. Then back down the FSB in 1MHz increments until your computer boots and seems stable for at least 8 hours. You may have to back down several times or more to get your computer stable. You'll have to significantly push your computer for eight hours or more with a program designed to test an overclocked computer for weakness to be sure that your computer is stable. The ultimate test is a 48 hour torture test designed to push your computer to it's fullest without a single crash for any reason. You'll need a program like Prime95 to test the memory for these extended periods. Ultimately you'll spend hundreds of hours testing your machine and will probably achieve a small overclock.

So I covered the info you probably don't need and will move on to the more important stuff.

I'm going to assume from the amount of memory you have, that you have PC3200. I hope all of your memory is on two Dimms. It probably is because most socket A motherboards don't/didn't have four memory slots. Most new motherboards don't overclock well with four memory DIMMs installed in them. I doubt your old motherboard will do any better with four memory DIMMs installed.
If you actually have PC3200 then for the most part, you will not have to worry about the memory messing up your overclock.


To overclock your processor you'll need to set the memory divider at 100MHz or lower and set the processor multiplier at 11.5. Now slowly push the front side bus up in 5MHz increments until your processor starts to show signs of weakness. Once your processor starts to show signs of weakness you'll have to back down on the FSB in 1MHZ increments until your computer boots and seems stable. Then you have to stress test your computer with a program (Prime95) designed to stress your processor at it's maximum for at least eight hours. The ultimate test will be a stress test at least forty-eight hours in duration with a program like Prime 95. I use Prime95 for both short term and long term testing. I'm sure other people will recommend other programs, so please feel free to use anything you like.

Overclocking is easily done if your memory is rated much higher than you'll actually need. If you have PC3200 and actually only need PC2100 at default settings then your golden because you can push your Front Side Bus up without having to worry about your memory messing up the overclock. You probably will not get as far as 166MHz on your FSB. That means that your memory will not have to be faster than PC2700 to achieve what would be considered a huge overclock for your computer. The actual clock speed for your FSB is 133MHz. As you push the FSB up, your processor and memory will get faster in a one to one ratio.

 

[nadasaki]

Thank you for the thorough answer, i realised the time i need to spend on torturing the CPU and memory, bearing in mind that chance of frying everything, can be used more effeciently by actually earning some money and upgrading my hardware finally. I just thought the procedure would be less time consuming, i was wrong. Once again i appreciate your answer, you are very kind.
kodrutz, you win