Motherboard, Memory, & CPU -
Overclocking Guide

Last Updated November 25, 2007
Number of Site Hits:~1,839k as of November 24, 2007


DOWNLOAD guide

 

Computer History

An understanding of how computers got to where they are today isn't necessary to your being able to overclock but will provide you a perspective of may reasons why the technology is where it is today.

   Microprocessor History

Coming Soon

We have purchased and built a new Intel Core 2 Duo (E6600) based machine. Testing has begun and it will take time to test and write up the findings. Previously we've suggest that tuning an Intel based machine was straight forward and the techniques used here for AMD also apply to Intel machines, i.e. if you can overclock an AMD machine and understand the basics then the same will apply to the Intel machine.

KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Overclocking

Whether it is an Intel Core 2 Duo based machine or an AMD machine the basic elements of overclocking are the same. In order of importance, the tasks are as follows:

  1. Get the maximum speed possible out of your CPU.
  2. Higher memory speed is next. Bang for the buck ($) is a consideration if you are on a budget.
  3. Use the tightest memory timings you can.

 

How To Use This Guide

If this is your first visit, we most strongly suggest you quickly read this page.

 

Basic Structure of the Guide

This write-up is aimed at two levels of overclockers. It attempts to provide

  1. the newbie with the basics you need to overclock (not why, just the steps to do it). This is the default mode in which the quide will appear.
  2. more advanced users an understanding of more details about both overclocking and properly cooling your PC.  Click here if you want the more advanced guide.

Protect Your Investment

Read the Caution Section. Protecting your hardware is important in itself plus also understand that the temperature of the CPU has an effect on your overclock. The higher the temperature of your CPU the less stable it will become. The maximum overclock of your machine will be affected by the cooling you have. To understand the basics associated with cooling and improving your PC's cooling, consult the cooling sections of this guide.

Expanded (It's alive, it's alive!)

This guide has slowly expanded as time has passed. This will be apparent to you from the various sections available where different equipment has been tested.  Some of this equipment is older but still used while other components are newer and just becoming available.  When possible we have included information on newer equipment but since we buy our own equipment you'll find the equipment test minimal. Please understand, the techniques used most often still apply to even the newer components.

Please provide us with suggestions for improvement, correction and changes you might like to see.

Links

To Other Information

There is much available information (on the various subjects). We have begun listing those that we have found useful, you'll find them listed here. If you find links that are particularly useful to you, take a moment and let us know. This can include other overclocking guides you like.

To This Guide

A number of links exist to this guide, you'll find them listed here.

Download This Guide

A fairly recent copy (May 2007) of the English language version of this guide maybe be downloaded by clicking here.  Size is ~5.1MB.

This is a ZIP file that will allow you to print of the various pages.  To allow the guide to work locally on your machine, you should:

  1. Un-zip the file,
  2. Change the variable BaseHref in two files, VerticalFrames2_var.js and VerticalFrames3_var.js There is text associated with understanding BaseHref within the files. BaseHref represents a base name associated with an absolute path to the various files the guide uses.
  3. Open "Mem_Mobo_CPU_Overclocking_Guide.htm" in the main folder with your browser of choice.

You still have to print each page separately but at least it isn't with the frames setup your browser will display.