Overclocking the basics...

[Sdumper]

1) I normally start by leaving my settings on Auto and install windows XP
2) Then I install my core tools which include Memset, ClockGen,wPrime, Speedfan, CPUz, Prime95 and if im using a dual core and Air TAT + Orthos).
3) Return to the bios and turn off my accessories like unused sound, Ethernet ports, Enhanced Speed Step junk, halt on error settings.
4) Next I lock my PCI and PCIe at 33mhz and 100mhz respectively
Next it depends on the chip and of course cooling
5a-1) Extreme and Phase: without changing a single setting in voltage I test my Auto settings by adjusting my clock up so that im at 4ghz and repost (1066 x 15) NOTE: 1066/4 = stock FSB of 266.5 the 1066 is the real quad pumped FSB freq in case anyone cares...
5a-2) Then back in the bios I check the voltage settings to see what Auto has taken me to and if I feel comfortable with the settings then I exit (Note: I almost always increase my vDimm to 2.10)
5a-3) I boot into windows and run a basic wPrime test to check temps and verify general stability
5a-4) Based on what I discover in 5a-3 I may re enter the bios and increase my voltage usually starting with the vCore and vFSB.
5a-5) Then I try to find my Max wPrime stable OC using Clockgen and wPrime while monitoring my temps.
5a-6) Depending on the level of the OC discovered in 5a-5 and my temps I then tweak my voltage and FSB settings to find a reasonable Prime95 stable OC and temps and record these setting for later everyday use.
5a-7) Now for the benches I increase my voltage to my personal max limit usually no more than 1.7 and increase my voltage for my fsb termination (Ram/CPU), North and South bridge and VID. Then I clock into windows and start Clockgen until I can find my highest CPUz.
5a-8) Next I usually recover from a crash lol and boot back into windows and Try and bounce down a bit from the Max CPUz until I can complete a SuperPi 1024.
5a-9) Next I break out memset and start dropping my settings slowly until SuperPi crashes...
5a-10) Next I try for an AM3 run ect...ect...
NOTE: On many mobos especially the 680i boards higher voltage may work against you. I have often had better success running some of my non vCore and vDimm voltages on auto and then slowly tweaking different settings through long trial and error settings.

************************************************** ********

5b-1) On air and non extreme CPUs I normally start by auto on all and upping my FSB up to around a 3ghz multi * FSB equivalent and repeat the steps 5a-2 through 5a-10. NOTE: On air I never ever ever ever set my voltage on air above 1.6 in bios even for benches of short durations...

[PROBN4LYFE]

1)I clock the processor to a reasonable speed that is stable via Super PI 32m or wPrime 1024 on my existing OS install.
(you need not worry if you use Linux at all...only if it's boot manager is on the same hard drive as the Windows install then you will get hangs.)
2)Run a few benches at the highest vcore I dare to do (usually 1.71-1.77)
This helps find the thermal threshold of the processor and how good the HSF is doing it's job.
3)I do the PROBN 300 FSB/133 divider/HTT multiplier x 3/CPU multiplier x 10
3.1) If it resets or hangs...I goto Memtest and start with the timings.
***See RAM has "sweetspots as you all know in ranges from 5-10MHZ where it performs optimally at a specific timing....thus DDR400 (stock rating)***
The wierdest I've used is 2.5-6-7-2 tight-loose-loose-tight but was effective at the time
3.2)Now after the Memtest is cleared...I try to boot into Safemode...because if that is possible then the normal GUI will help you determine what is stopping you from booting at your saved settings. So I start disabling services and startup items (IMs,antivirus,etc etc)
3.3)One of the main reasons you can't boot is because of driver issues and settings that are saved to the registry setup/startup and when they differ from a change (OC)...it cannot fallback.
3.4)If still failing to boot normally I drop the multiplier by .5
(I do this because on certain BIOS mods on DFI boards it will unlock the 120,140,150, and 180 divider for your RAM so you can find a nominal frequency range it will work with.)
This also will let you know how much more "headroom" your RAM has FTM
4) Once it boots I raise the bus more to top out the RAM...Gskill is funny with my method though in dual channel...lol
5)Now I go for the suicide...I pick the last frequency the CPU topped out at and try it on virtually every FSB x CPU Multiplier posssible (if you have RAM that will run on a 1:2 divider...that's the winner but the ones I've owned won't do over 210)
6)Once into Windows now...I check the volts on the PSU...if the 12v is under 11.9 then the OC is too much for it...need something with more power.
7)Continue the OC with increments of +1 while locking down the RAM if possible to it's Boot Frequency...had to switch sticks in my pair of Gskill to get one set to do 225 and the other 234...
8) Now that I've found a sort of medium for where I want to start...I start all over again...LOL

[phantomgrave]

Nice stuff guys.

[Lu(ky]

very nice...

[ThaLoveDocta]

would you guys be willing to add your methods as an Appendix to my Overclocking 101 FAQ??

[Crash]

Nice guide. A great read for every beginner.. and experts...... It really gets to the basics. We tend to over look the basics! Nice Scott!!