How to OC E5200

Idleman

Idleman

Idleman

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Posted a thread in CPU about upgrading my E5200, but someone suggested OC`ing instead. The trouble is i have never done this before and have found most guides vague or aimed at people with some knowledge. Also everyone has there own opinion on the software to use. What i would like to find is a simple and easy to use(step by step) guide. I wish to be able to understand or relate to what it is i am doing rather than following a guide blindly. Of all the sites and forums i have visited this is by far the best and most helpful i have come across. So i am hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Asus P5N-MX mobo
Intel Pentium(R) Dual-Core E5200 @ 2.5Ghz
Nvidia GeForce 9500GT 512Mb
PSU 550watts

As i would like to get the Max out of my CPU(only have 1 standard rear case fan and pre-fitted cpu fan), any recommendations for better cooling would be welcome. I will also be upgading GPU soon.
Later in the year i hope to build my first PC, so would like to learn now and be more knowledgable when i OC my new build.
Thanks for reading and as previously said "ALL HELP AND ADVICE GREATLY APPRECIATED".
 
this is a very basic explanation of overclocking

its basic maths. your E5200 is rated at 800mhz. you always divide this number by 4 so 800/4= 200, this is your FSB. (or cpu frequency)
then your processor (cpu) has a multiplier of 12.5 (or cpu ratio)
so 200 x 12.5 = 2500mhz or 2.5GHz, your stock speed

unlink your ram, so it stays at stock speeds, you can overclock the ram later.
this means leave it at 800mhz, 667mhz, whatever

boot into bios
can you raise the fsb? yours is now 200. try rising it to 220, then f10 (save settings)
boot into windows
download realtemp and coretemp (google them)
install and run them
then download intel burn test (ibt) and run it.
have a look in task manager and notice how much free ram is listed.

in ibt set threads to 2 (for 2 cores) and then click on custom ram and enter an amount just below the free amount.
eg. i have 2520mb free ram. so i enter 2500 into the custom ram.
run the test for 5 passes. for now,

and then at final speed you want, run for 50 passes
keep an eye on temps (do not let it go over 70.c)

or download prime95 and run the torture test/large fft's

if test runs fine, go back into bios, and change frequency (fsb) to 240 and repeat the tests.
keep doing this in 20mhz steps until windows will not boot. then just go back a step (remove 20 from the fsb) to the last stable frequency,
or
just raise the cpu voltage a couple of levels. it should now boot.
its a balancing act, higher voltages will get you higher fsb, but it will also give you higher temps.
max voltage for a E5200 is 1.36v


the trick is to do this step by step, just take your time.
also some people have had more sucess shanging the cpu ratio (multi) to 12 or even 11

if going down this route, please get a proper cpu cooler, a hyper 212 is a good budget cooler
 
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Idleman said:
Asus P5N-MX mobo
Intel Pentium(R) Dual-Core E5200 @ 2.5Ghz
Nvidia GeForce 9500GT 512Mb
PSU 550watts
Click to expand...

i know you dont have a lot of power hungry hardware, but what is this psu, is it a generic 550w that cant supply nearly as much?
 
i know you dont have a lot of power hungry hardware, but what is this psu, is it a generic 550w that cant supply nearly as much?

Sorry, my mistake. PSU is ATX500, no brand name on it, bought it a couple of years ago for Scan or ****. Will this be adequate?


if going down this route, please get a proper cpu cooler, a hyper 212 is a good budget cooler

Just bought the hyper 212+ on e-bay, what thermal paste do i need?
Will follow your advice once new cooler is fitted.

Thanks guys for the help and advice. Will post to let you know how things are going.

PS. Can i start the process or is it best to wait until i have fitted new cooler?
 
Idleman said:
Sorry, my mistake. PSU is ATX500, no brand name on it, bought it a couple of years ago for ***** or ****. Will this be adequate?

Just bought the hyper 212+. what thermal paste do i need?

Thanks guys for the help and advice. Will post to let you know how things are going.

PS. Can i start the process or is it best to wait until i have fitted new cooler?
Click to expand...

usually cheap generic psu's are not good for overclocking, as many cannot supply constant voltage afaik
at the side of the psu it should tell you the name, and also how many amps on the +12v rail.
this will tell us a lot.
you can start the process now, but you will be limited by heat. but it can give you a 'feel' for it, so you have a better idea when you eventually do it properly.

also thermal paste,didn't the hyper 212 come with some? if not i would recommend MX-4 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=57&subid=27&sortby=priceAsc

also there is more to overclocking, regarding NB (northbridge) voltage, VTT etc. for more info
please read jokester's excellent beginners guide http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17612922

ps. dont mention competitors;)
 
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ATX500 500 WATT AC 230V

SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY

Colour DC MAXOUTPUT

ORANGE +3.3VDC 26A

RED +5DVC 27A

YELLOW +12VDC 22A

BLUE +12VDC 0.5A

PURPLE +5VSB 2.0A

GREEN PS-ON REMOTE

BLACK COM RETURN

GRAY POK PG

This is everything on my Psu, please advise as to wether this will be sufficent for the task ahead. Was`nt planning on buying new Psu yet but if needs must, i have no choice.
 
to be honest, i wouldnt use that psu becuase it is not from a reliable company so the voltage you are tying to pump into your chip to overclock may not be stable... but then again is a psu upgrade worth the money for a relatively inexpensive cpu?
 
i have overclocked on generic psu's before, although its not recommended, i have done it, with no problems,
but its your decision;)
 
As i said in my first post, will be building my first PC later in the year. As this is my first attempt at OC`ing, i would prefer to do so on my existing PC. In the event that i screw up or fry anything, it will not cost me. If everything goes OK, then i will be giving this PC to my nephew for his games. So i don`t mind installing new cooler or a branded Psu(any suggestions, something adequate) to cope with the OC.
Thanks again for your interest, recommendations and advice.

Just 1 quick question, do i need to remove mobo to install new cpu cooler? Which is in the post, should get it early next week.
 
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Can someone tell me what difference lowing the multiplier will make?
Going to take it to 3Ghz and then test with prime95(what`s the best settings).
Also are my Temps. reasonable?
 
Took it to 3.5Ghz and BSOD`ed on 3rd test in IBT. Temps were to high. Have got it running OK at 3.4Ghz, Passed IBT, OCCT and has been running 12 hours Prime95 on torture test, high FFT`s and all passes so far. Would love some feedback, anyone!
 
I would really suggest following the other's advice about your psu. Having a cheap one is never a good idea, especially if overclocking.

When i had a E5200 i found that they were very hit or miss with overclocking. Some would only manage 3.2Ghz and go no further. Most were like mine and managed 3.6Ghz but some could go to 4Ghz. There was no pattern, did'nt matter what batch etc, it was completely random.

Have you overclocked before? If not you need to remember that everytime you increase the fsb you are also increasing the speed that the ram is running at. What this means is that if you have slow ram you are quickly going to run out of headroom so you will need to keep adjusting the ram speed down via Dram frequency and/or multipliers to keep it running in spec.

I have no experience with your motherboard but my settings for 3.6Ghz were:-
3.6Ghz - 12.5x280, vcore 1.325v, CPU PLL 1.50v, ram @960mhz (was PC2-8500 1066mhz ram). All other settings were at stock. The only other overclock i did on it was 3Ghz but as you are already further along i won't bother posting those settings. Don't be afraid to increase vcore as they should be safe enough up to 1.4v. Keep an eye on temps.
 
This is my first time. New build end of year.

Looking around for good PSU, silent and capable of running a good cooling system. Which i could use in the meantime.

This is a learning curve for me and i would like to see how far i can take the E5200. So i am willing to buy new PSU and a better cooling system, to offset the heat issues, >fsb+>voltage=>heat, i am led to understand. But anything i buy will be a part of my new build. If i am to make any mistakes or total screw up, i would sooner do so now, rather than on a more expensive CPU and mobo.

So i keep reading the posts,scour the net, looking for info and bargains. Any and all advice i get is welcomed. I`m in my early 50`s and have only recently in the last few years gotten into computers. Travelled around most of my life.
And seeing how you guys have more knowledge and experience than me, what better place to learn.

Thanks again for taking the time.
 
After fitting new cooler temps were a tad high, removed to find had not removed protective cover(what a wallie lol). Have reseated and now getting low 50`s as opposed to high 70`s when using ITB. Have also managed to go from 3.4-3.5 Ghz and ran Prime 95 for 18hrs, using small fft`s.

I have read many guides on oc`ing, but don`t seem able to adjust voltage. Also can`t work out how to increase ram ratio. Maybe, my mobo is limited so have taken some pics of Bios. If i have failed to do something in Bios, i hope someone can point out where i am going wrong. Have taken some pics of my current Bios settings.

Thanks again in advance.

P.S Will be ordering new Psu today, so hopefully will have it when i get back next weekend.
 
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