Edit: Replaced link with text and pics
Overclocking Methodology
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I had always found overclocking to the very time consuming and sometimes frustrating even thought I enjoy this hobby very much. In hopes of decreasing the amount of frustrating effort and wasted time, I have concluded that following a well planned procedure would be the best way to go.
Before I go on, I have some general assumptions based on my experience about overclocking.
Assumptions
1. max FSB with decent other settings > awesome other settings with decent max FSB
eg. 450FSB with 5-5-5-15 > 400FSB with 4-4-4-10
(with this said, I'll refer FSB to what many people would call "performance". In my opinion, "performance" is not specific enough, too many variables or would take too much effort/time to get numbers from benchmarks)
2. There is some optimal value for each setting to achieve max FSB.
If a setting is too low, max stable FSB is not achieved.
If a setting is too high, max stable FSB is not achieved.
(Same thing applies for voltage <- my high school science fair project. lol)
3. Stability of over a few minutes does not matter when finding the max FSB.
It is all relative. Adjust the final setting to be "stable" to your own liking (Ortho stress test with "X" amount of min, Complete "Y" benchmark without crashing or whatever, etc)
Tools/Programs
You can use whatever you want. I'll refer to my *preferred programs in asterisks* in the procedure.
1. *Systools*, ATItools (for graphics card), etc
Windows based automatic overclocking program (to change settings inside OS so you don't have to reboot every time you change settings)
Procedure
1. Search the internet/forums for other people's optimal settings (BIOS). Copy them accordingly to your hardware specs.
2. Change settings in BIOS. Boot into Windows. Start your program.
3. Auto overclock it. (while you wait, you can do something else like review/preview class notes, listen to audiobooks, browse the internet, eat, etc)
4. If it crash, reset and reopen the program. It have logged your last max FSB. If it didn't crash, and good for you.
5. Note the FSB onto a sheet of paper or tablet or notebook with your settings.
6. Change a setting. eg. voltage of chipset (Systools allow some changes like RAM settings. For other changes like voltage, reboot to BIOS.
7. Note the setting change. (you can have the notes in table form to make things tidy and easy to track)
8. Repeat 3-7 on your chosen setting (eg. my chosen "voltage of chipset") until you found the highest FSB you can get.
9. Change another setting. Repeat.
(i hear applauses for someone's handwriting. thx.)
After that, you'll have optimal settings for your own unique hardware (because every hardware has some slight difference).
To be safe, run a stress test and lower the FSB accordingly (or change settings if you wish).
Special Note
Please be aware overclocking uses more electricity (aka. maybe higher electric bill, world's running out of energy, etc) The general equation is:
Wattage = K(some constant) * Speed * Voltage * Voltage
Notice that Voltage is squared in power consumption.
That means power consumption increases exponentially as you increase your voltage.
As for my computer, it usually undervolted. I overclock for fun or for games but mostly for bragging rights.
And like all other tutorials, I am not responsible for any damages/deaths/tragedies that this tutorial might cause.
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