Overclocking Pentium 4

Rallye Sport

Rallye Sport

Rallye Sport

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4 Dec 2010
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7
Hi, I'm new to the forum, I'm interested in overclocking my desktop PC I built 6 years ago, I spec'd it for overclocking at the time, but until now have never got round to it, or even thought how to do it.

I've read a few how to's on the internet, and followed closely how to do it to the best of my limited knowledge so far, but I'm intrigued to know more and wondered if someone on here might be able to help, or even has had a similar spec to mine with good results or knowledge base.

I've overclocked the PC, but am finding it crashes on the odd occasion, again being new, I'm not sure how to stabilise it or even improve, or know if I've gone too far?

My spec is as follows -

Epox 4pda2+ motherboard
Intel Pentium 4 3.2 ghz HT processor, 200mhz FSB 16x multiplier locked
Corsair XMS3200 DDR400 1024mb CL2 RAM (x4 to give me 4gb total, Windows XP 32 bit only see's 3gb, which I understand is normal?
ATI Sapphire Radeon 9600 256mb graphics card, currently running 8x, normal clock speed (do I need to set the AGP apeture size to the same 256mb amount in Advanced Chipset Features in the Bios, I have this set at 256mb at the moment)
Creative Sound Blaster 24bit soundcard
Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm Hard drives (1 x 80gb and 1 x 120gb)
Antec 430w PSU and tower running 4 case fans
Processor has variable speed Cooler Master heatsink and cooler fan (looks like a tumble dryer with green rotary fan.

First of all, starting at the base level 200mhz FSB I increased this to 205mhz, standard 1.55v core voltage and standard vdimm voltage of 2.6v, the computer booted fine, I worked my way up in 5hz increments until I reached 230mhz FSB, anymore than this, eg 233mhz, the computer would nearly get to desktop screen, then put up a blue error screen, and said it needed to reboot safely.
I increased the Vcore voltage to 1.575v (+0.025v), still the same, then upto 1.6v (+0.05v), still no joy, I then increased voltage to the Vdimm to give 2.7v (+0.10v), still no joy. I reverted back to 230mhz/3.68ghz. I'd set the memory frequency from the start to 1:1 and at this point the RAM was giving me DDR460, having put the system back to what I thought was maximum, it booted fine and have left the system at these levels for today, but have not benchmarked it, because I'm not sure how.

At the same time having reached this level, I then looked at the memory timings, I know the ideal manual settings for my type of corsair memory is CAS latency = 2, Active to precharge delay = 6, DRAM RAS# to CAS# delay = 3, DRAM RAS# precharge = 3. I tried that and it didn't boot at all, just sat there with a black screen. I then decreased CAS latency time to 2.5, and it booted sucessfully again, having set the Agressive memory mode to MAX.

Like I said, I've had it crash a couple of times after listening to music, and trying to write this thread previously, I'm now writing this on my laptop!.

Could anyone tell me if I have gone about it the right way?, or maybe improve settings?

I've not played with the AGP graphics card yet, as the AGP/PCI clock is set to AUTO (AGP = 66mhz / PCI is 33mhz), again AGP voltage is still at standard 1.5v.

I was interested in finding out what the computer could do, as I'd built it back in 2004, using what was recommended at the time by 'the powers that be' as good quality parts.

Has anyone got a similar spec'd computer, or could maybe help me and guide me, I'd particularly like to know if I've got the memory settings correct, I can change the memory frequency from 1:1, and can also change the timings easily, as the Epox motherboard was reputed for its useability and capability.

If anyone needs any info, I can easily provide.

Thanks in advance

Dean
 
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Asking a lot for 4 relatively large sticks of RAM to run that 230Mhz odd from a system of that vintage. Try relaxing the timings more to CAS 3 and not use aggressive timing at max, possibly standard if theres that option. Also increase VDIMM to 2.8v The AGP/PCI is fine at those speeds. Try intel burntest and Prime95 for stability tests.
 
I know its as you call it vintage, but works fine for my needs. Thanks for the input, I guess its like a vintage/classic car, the new cars wouldn't be around without it having existed.

I've reverted the power bios settings back to standard for now, so as to keep it safe.

I'd appreciate any more help please, maybe if I've gone about clocking the right way, surely theres someone here who remembers clocking a pentium 4 from 5 years ago or so.

Dean
 
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I was about to say, the big problem with the P4 is heat. If you can cool them you can overclock them well. Also one thing you have to remember is your PSU and motherboard is now 6 years old. The components do wear out with age. That PSU may well not be putting out 420w any more, and your motherboard may not overclock as well as the day it was built.

The conclusion is work in small increments and don't expect miracles. Also well worth taking the heatink&fan off and apply new heatsink compound - artic silver ideally.
 
Stonedofmoo said:
I was about to say, the big problem with the P4 is heat. If you can cool them you can overclock them well. Also one thing you have to remember is your PSU and motherboard is now 6 years old. The components do wear out with age. That PSU may well not be putting out 420w any more, and your motherboard may not overclock as well as the day it was built.

The conclusion is work in small increments and don't expect miracles. Also well worth taking the heatsink & fan off and apply new heatsink compound - artic silver ideally.
Click to expand...

yeah. a big problem will be that the liquid-based electrolyte in the capacitors in your motherboard and PSU will have dried out somewhat, which will significantly hamper your overclocking efforts
 
Have I gone about clocking it the right way though, should the ddr ram be set at 1:1 ratio? Someone said its a lot to ask of 4gb, dont get what they mean?

Should I not bother then?

Was hoping for more constructive advice
 
The problem with the 3.2Ghz cpu (is it a Prescott or Northwood btw?) is that not many people bought them to overclock as they were always in the higher price bracket, for example i had a 1.8A @ 2.4Ghz and later a 2.8C at 3.45Ghz. Since the cpu is already at 3.2Ghz, much more would likely require better cooling, also being a 800FSB part it's trickier to overclock than a 533FSB part, your RAM is definetly a hinderance as apart from being PC3200 only, its 4 sticks of large RAM for its time. Not saying it can't be done but honestly there will be no benefit whatsoever, not worth the hassle imo, in this day and age its like getting 5 extra hp out of a 70hp car..
 
To be honest, Ive backed it off to standard again, as Im a novice, and not 100% sure. It used to run 1gb only on two 512 mb of ram, one of the sticks failed, so opted for 4 sticks of 1024mb, as I bought 2nd hand from ebay. Computer doesn't owe me anything, so thought Id have a play. Im happy with the way it goes tbh at the moment with the new ram installed.

Not sure tbh if its a northwood or prescott, bought it in 2004.

Id like to overclock, but if the ram is too large and processor gets too hot I might leave it.

Unless someone has another suggestion?
 
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