Something I bet no one considers

[Gig-O-Ram]

Well - I don't know...maybe - I know I didn't until I started thinking about what people say about overclocking and how it causes damage, no matter how much or how little...Got that from ThunDA's AMD Overclocking Guide

In my case, my system is actually powered down about 80% of the time (usually because of my work schedule), so even over the course of the year and few months that it's been set to an overclocked state, the total amount of time that it's actually been run in an oc'd state is probably not more than a few months total, if I were to try to estimate it in terms of time.

I realize this doesn't mean that I haven't possibly done some damage to my cpu, but if I think of like this, it doesn't seem like I've shortened the life span of the cpu as much as if it had been run in the oc'd state for a year straight. Just something I was thinking about.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

Well - I don't know...maybe - I know I didn't until I started thinking about what people say about overclocking and how it causes damage, no matter how much or how little...Got that from ThunDA's AMD Overclocking Guide

In my case, my system is actually powered down about 80% of the time (usually because of my work schedule), so even over the course of the year and few months that it's been set to an overclocked state, the total amount of time that it's actually been run in an oc'd state is probably not more than a few months total, if I were to try to estimate it in terms of time.

I realize this doesn't mean that I haven't possibly done some damage to my cpu, but if I think of like this, it doesn't seem like I've shortened the life span of the cpu as much as if it had been run in the oc'd state for a year straight. Just something I was thinking about.

Ok but... your point?

[Capper]

You can look at it from a couple different angles......

1. You can't just crank up the FSB and voltage....it will, over time, cause problems for your system. Forums around the web are full of people that read about someones incredible overclocking results, and assume that they can easily achieve the same....but don't stop to think that maybe that person isn't as experienced as they think they are.

You also have to understand that a lot of people out there have no morales. They have no problem trying to pass off destroyed hardware as defective, and stick a retailer or manufacturer with the loss......which is why many companies are changing their RMS/Returns policy....which only hurts good, honest people who have problems with their hardware.

I guess my point is, that while OCing, when you know what you are doing, understand the risks, and know when to stop pushing the hardware is fine....but its hard to stop until you kill something expensive.

2. On the flip side, a modestly overclocked system can really increase your system's performance/value. If done right you can save quite a bit of money with some modest, and simple tweaks. Long term.....? If done correctly/within reason, overclocking is a great thing.

[Zambini]

So only raising the FSB is still absolutely not going to damage your CPU/Mobo right?

[Capper]

Theres no real reason it should, as long as the voltage isn't increased.....however pushing the components harder will generate more heat, which can cause problems too.......just make sure you have adequate cooling before tinkering.

[Quakindude]

Zam, you're gonna find as many different opinions on this topic as you would by walking into a Democratic convention wearing a "Don't kill the unborn!!" T-Shirt.

Overclocking presents some risks. The more informed and educated you are about it, the better the risk mitigation. I totally agree with what Capper has said. I'll go a step further, at least in my methodology, in overclocking advice.

Start off by having a good after-market air cooling solution. Then, without touching your CPU voltage setting, see how high the FSB will go without increasing voltage. Monitor your temps, 60.1*C is the highest you want to go. I take around 10% off that just for good measure, so call it 54-55*C as a max loaded temp. My E6600 runs happily along at 3.2Ghz without increasing the voltage much. The limit is 1.3525V and in my Bios, I have it set to 1.35V for a 3.2Ghz O/C. When I'm just running normal everyday tasks, I tone my voltage down to 1.34V with the CPU at 2.8Ghz(315 * 9 = 2835Ghz). My temps at 3.2Ghz never exceed 55*C. Most of the time, they're at 50*C, especially since I have excellent airflow in my case.

I don't have to bump my voltage, I can leave it on Auto, until I go over 3Ghz. Then I have to bump voltage for the extra FSB. My CPU likes 3.375Ghz as a general rule and craps out at 3.5Ghz with 1.425V. At that voltage and a 390 FSB, I run temps around 66-68*C. Can these CPU's take those temps and work well? Yes, they can. But generally speaking, when folks talk about an early CPU death, it's due to operating in the upper voltage and temperature limits. Also generally speaking, and this is a fairly safe bet, if you moderately overclock your CPU, for my CPU, I consider 3.0Ghz a moderate overclock, there won't be any damage to your CPU over the length of time you will use it.

I've got family members with computers I've built for them, one an AMD Thunderbird +1700 (these suckers were quite hot, 1.5-1.65V IIRC, compared to todays CPU's and this T-bird 1700+ was built with the new rectangular, exposed CPU that cracked rather easily!) that my sister still has. It had a stock clock speed of 1.4Ghz and I overclocked it to 1.6Ghz...or somewhere in there. It required an aftermarket HSF of course, but thatwasn't hard to come by even then. My sisters kids still use that computer and it has been overclocked since day one. It ran at stock speed for about 3 minutes while I figured out the BIOS. That was in late August 2002IIRC and that thing is still running at 1.6Ghz.

Sorry for the long winded diatribe.


CLIFF'S NOTES:
As with all things computer related and while overclocking, go slow, use common sense, be informed and above all else, be realistic in your overclocking goals. Push the components only as hard as your wallet can afford. But lower to moderate overclocks are nothing to get worried about as long as you keep your temps under control.

[Zambini]

Thank god for the Cliff's Notes :)

Yea, I used common sense. My MOBO is currently whats limiting my OC. Which I would keep testing until probably 55° on a full load. Right now its @ 45 (400 FSB x 9) on full load, from stock 40 (266 FSB x 8).

[Gig-O-Ram]

Absolutely...I also agree with Capper. I have to admit that I never gave thought to some people's lack of morals where damaged equipment is concerned. Since this is the first computer that I've not only built myself, but also overclocked myself (with lots of help and advice from others), I've always had the fact that I chose to overclock in the back of my head. I was very careful in setting it to a point that I felt I could live with, and I've always made sure my cooling is good.

My stock voltage on this CPU is about 1.3v, and I didn't have to raise it until I had a fair oc already. I think I raised it to 1.45v when I could no longer keep things stable at about 2.6ghz, and continued on to 2.76ghz. I ran into another snag at 2.8ghz, but I didn't feel like pushing it anymore.

I guess my point was that maybe I haven't done as much damage to my CPU as say, someone who has the same CPU set the same way, but runs it all the time. Wait...didn't I say that already?

[Computer-Ed]

I really think the big deal in the end is pure greed, it is a desire to get something for nothing. When buying a system NEVER buy with the plan to overclock, buy the system at the speed you need it to be, overclock should be a bonus not a necessity.

Next do the overclock with a thankful mindset. For example when I overclocked my E6600 and got it to 2.7 Ghz I was already happy, my $300 processor was running faster than a $500 processor, nice bump. When I hit 3.0 Ghz I was ecstatic, I was now in the ball park of the Extreme which costs a $1000. I have managed to get the chip to 3.2 with stock voltage and it runs super.

Now I have people telling me to keep going, to push it farther. My temps are really good right now, around 40c on the Core using ITAT. However to push any farther I will need to up the voltage. The question is do I push out a bit more and risk the chip or do I be happy where I am. I have settled for being happy over the risk.

I am sure I can push this thing a lot farther but why? I mean I am already faster than the fastest stock C2D and all on a chip that is a third of the price. What gain is worth me losing the gain I have already attained.

The key then is to remember that overclocking is all bonus, you are not owed, due it nor is it something that must take place. Every speed bump you get is extra, not standard. With that in mind and a bit of caution in your blood overclocking can be safe.

The mess in overclocking is the people that push the extreme, run their chips at max voltage before they explode and have the cooling running full tilt 100% of the time for idle speeds.

[Quakindude]

Originally Posted by Computer-Ed

Now I have people telling me to keep going, to push it farther. My temps are really good right now, around 40c on the Core using ITAT. However to push any farther I will need to up the voltage. The question is do I push out a bit more and risk the chip or do I be happy where I am. I have settled for being happy over the risk.

I am sure I can push this thing a lot farther but why? I mean I am already faster than the fastest stock C2D and all on a chip that is a third of the price. What gain is worth me losing the gain I have already attained.

The key then is to remember that overclocking is all bonus, you are not owed, due it nor is it something that must take place. Every speed bump you get is extra, not standard. With that in mind and a bit of caution in your blood overclocking can be safe.

Werd brotha!:rock:

The only time I push my CPU to the limits and beyond is during Benchmarking. I know that over-volted, I can run my E6600 at 3.5Ghz. But my Loaded temps are in the mid 60's. So I run it at 3.2Ghz 24/7 with less than the max stock voltage.