New to overclocking, should i do it?

rob_arthur · 6 Apr 2011 at 01:26

hi guys,

as my title says im new to the world of overclocking components but would really like to learn and try it.

i have this motherboard in my system

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-233-GI

on the driver/installation disc you get with it, it has a program called easy tune 6. and in there it gives you the option to overclock the CPU at the click of a button with the following display

i know that by overclocking the temps will increase but is it safe to do so with my current setup

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-270-OK&groupid=43&catid=1078&subcat=

apologies for all the questions and if im talking rubbish, im new to all this and just very eager to learn and try new things.

thanks rob

Antilo · 6 Apr 2011 at 02:01

Seems a solid little program, although I'm not entirely sure how stable it would be.

Some programs to test stability/temps :

Prime95 - Stress testing
http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=103

RealTemp - Temperatures
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1872/Real_Temp_3.60.html

Open Realtemp and get a good idle temperature, then run Prime95 on
'In-place large FTTs', and see how high your temperatures rise.

Repeat on each setting (Faster, Turbo etc.) and see how high it goes. Back off if your getting above 60-65c.

Also - it seems it comes with a stock cooler (not good for overclocking), so watch your temperatures!

Now you must excuse me, my cat just brought me a live mouse and I have to try to catch it...

rob_arthur · 6 Apr 2011 at 02:13

thanks for the info im going to try the different settings and note all the temps etc to get a good idea. it seems there is a fair amount of room in the case to house a decent cooler. any recommendations.

rob_arthur · 6 Apr 2011 at 02:43

well ive just done the steps you suggested but didnt get very far ha ha.

i ran it for 15 minutes on the standard clock speed and the max temp i got was 69 degrees. so a bigger cooler is needed to go any further.

thanks for the advice really helped and ive learnt something new today.

on the subject of more cooling would it be worth installing some case fans to? as at the moment there are none just the fan on the psu, cpu and gpu.
there is a place on the rear and 2 possible side options.

thanks rob

Energize · 6 Apr 2011 at 03:55

Does that PSU not have any SATA connectors?!

bhavv · 6 Apr 2011 at 04:48

69 degrees on stock speed = no good for overclocking

Yea, never attempt overclocking on the stock cooler tbh.

Antilo · 6 Apr 2011 at 04:53

2 1/2 hours later the mouse is caught! Humans are clearly superior...

*ahem*

The top side vent seems to be 80mm, I'd put an intake fan there (blowing in), and a 120mm exhaust on the back.
Should lower your temps significantly even on a stock cooler

Only issue I can see is the generic PSU.. definitely the next upgrade (very important for a quality PSU in overclocking).

As for other coolers.. the case seems to have very little airflow, idealy you want an intake on the front. But I'd suggest this :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-AR

Overall I'd look at the following upgrades :
Cooler (as above)
PSU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-045-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat= (This week only)
Maybe a new case - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-160-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=

All depends what you're willing to spend, you'd be fine with your current setup but wouldn't be able to overclock.

TheEnosFam · 6 Apr 2011 at 06:43

Yea definitely need some air flow and a better PSU. I used those cases and PSU for a couple builds i did for some friends and although there are good for everyday use once you stick a decent graphics card in the they do tend to get a bit warm. The front panel does come of to reveal a place to put a fan, just make sure you it on the outside of the chassis as this will get you better air flow in my experience.

With better airflow and PSU you could do a bit of overclocking on the stock cooler but not much . you would want to look into something like this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-010-NC if you want to do some real overclocking.

TheEnosFam · 6 Apr 2011 at 06:45

Energize said:
Does that PSU not have any SATA connectors?!

That PSU has only 1 sata connector. but for £25 for case and psu can't complain to much.

rob_arthur · 6 Apr 2011 at 10:39

bhavv said:
69 degrees on stock speed = no good for overclocking

Yea, never attempt overclocking on the stock cooler tbh.

point taken, i did think the temps would rocket up if i did, and i got my answer, ive only had the system for 24 hours and im already playing with it and possibly upgrading bits ha ha. but all bits i have left i will make a system for our home pc which wouldnt be used for much other than browsing etc.

rob_arthur · 6 Apr 2011 at 10:46

Thanks guys for the info on the coolers and fans. i think i will get a few small fans to cool things down and leave the overclocking for now. and when funds allow maybe change a few things including a new case to improve things.

all your help is greatly appreciated.

rob_arthur · 6 Apr 2011 at 10:50

TheEnosFam said:
Yea definitely need some air flow and a better PSU. I used those cases and PSU for a couple builds i did for some friends and although there are good for everyday use once you stick a decent graphics card in the they do tend to get a bit warm. The front panel does come of to reveal a place to put a fan, just make sure you it on the outside of the chassis as this will get you better air flow in my experience.

how do you get the front cover off to fit a fan there? looks like its not the easiest thing to dismantle.

also with the fans what connectors do they use as i think im going to have to fit a few splitters due to the lack of connectors coming from the PSU