Going from 3.2GHz OC to 4GHz

Straz

Straz

Straz

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Evening all,

I'd like to know your opinion on what I plan to do, my current system is in my sig. Basically instead of buying a new PC which I really don't need considering all I play is CS:S really at the moment, I'm going to try and get the most I can out of this one while keeping the cost down.

Ok so I have my e8200 at 3.2Ghz 400FSB 1.2 Voltage x 8... And getting nice temps at 38-40c idle and 56-58c on load with IntelBurnTest, been running for a while now and no BSODs and the temp has never risen above that.

Considering my RAM is only 6400 I can't really go any higher without OCing the RAM, but considering how cheap a set of 2x2GB 8500 RAM is, I reckon I could fork out on a decent cooler (Got freezer 7 atm) something like the Fenrir. And have a go at hitting 3.8Ghz and trying 4Ghz?

That way I'll be spending about £70 total instead of the price of a whole new rig, opinions? Cheers.
 
phill0i said:
tbh in css you really wont notice that much of a difference going from 3.2 to 4ghz.
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The Source engine is massively CPU limited so an increase in clockspeed should see a decent gain in FPS though it depends on what res the OP games at. I would suggest trying to overclock your E8200 more, mine does 3.8Ghz @ 1.3v under load so I'm sure that yours has a lot more life in it yet ;)
 
Interesting point on the e8600, I want to see what I can get out of this one first, if it works well then I could always change my CPU then :)

Is the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R a decent board to cope with that kind of OCing? Basically I just wanted to know if it was possible, I'm not really too familiar with RAM tweaking so I'd like to upgrade to the 8500 anyway, and I like the Fenrir at this week only price :)
 
CSS has no multi-core support at the moment. Valve promised it almost 2 years ago (or more actually) and it doesnt look like its gona happen. So no, going to quad core is not going to do you any good.

I dont understand why you had to stop at 3.2ghz. You can always run your memory in async with your fsb using a divider, keeping it at or below its native speed, but boosting the fsb and cpu clock up until that becomes unstable. This costs no money so is worthwhile doing before shedding out for faster memory. You could argue the PC is overall better with the faster memory, but its gona be negligible for CSS.

For CSS the faster your CPU the better really. Doesnt matter what res you play in, its always gona be CPU limited. Sure, you might get to a stage where you will get 100fps whatever happens on screen, but that is no way at 3.2ghz. I went from 3.2 to 3.8 and still saw a performance increase in CSS.

I dont think you need a new cooler either, for me CSS produces 20C+ less heat than intel burn test. Dont know if thats the same for you, but 58C using IBT is very good imo.

I think you will see an improvement if you are able to get a higher clock.
 
What xiphrex says, run your mem asycn, then start upping the FSB so you can focus on that and the voltage :)
 
El Jimben said:
The Source engine is massively CPU limited so an increase in clockspeed should see a decent gain in FPS though it depends on what res the OP games at. I would suggest trying to overclock your E8200 more, mine does 3.8Ghz @ 1.3v under load so I'm sure that yours has a lot more life in it yet ;)
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Its a Valid point but then again, 3.2GHz is more than enough for CS:S so the need to go to 4GHz to play CS:S is pointless.
 
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