Overclock a PIII 600??

[hotfusion]

I have a computer with a Pentium 3 600 (FSB=100).
Now although I'm not usually in support of overclocking, I must confess to an almost uncontrollable urge to try overclocking the chip, to see if I can improve the response of my machine. As it is multiplier locked, I would have to do this by increasing the FSB to 133 Megs, giving a resultant clock speed of 800.
Have any of you tried this and survived it? It is quite an increase, and I know I may have to improve the cooling, but I'd like some opinions before I try it myself!!
Cheers. My suggestions are what I would try myself. If incorrect, I welcome corrections to my rather limited knowledge. Andy.

 

[topscribe]

I can't think of any logical reasons why that would hurt your machine, although I would reserve my opinion pending advice from a knowledgeable advisor, such as the manufacturer of your mobo. Myself, however, I wouldn't do it. I believe, even if you did find it "safe," that you would not realize a difference to the degree you might expect.

It would seem that there are better ways of increasing overall speed. If you are concerned with internet speed, for instance, consider a cable or DSL modem if you are using a 56K. Even a 486 runs faster than a 56K can feed it. If you are a serious gamer, consider upgrading entirely to a Pentium IV 1.4+ GHz (or better yet, in my opinion, a comparable AMD). Otherwise, memory can sometimes make the biggest difference. For example, I noticed an improvement when I increased from 128 MB to 256 (although you may not see much improvement beyond 256). The HD itself can also be a factor if you have one slower than 5400, although, again, going from 5400 to 7200 will show only marginal improvement.

Nonetheless, if you don't have a specific reason for increasing your speed, why do it? I get along fine with my Micron 400 MHz. But then, I'm not deep into gaming. Besides, I love my computer; I wouldn't do anything in the world to hurt it.

 

[JimEkleberry]

You might run into a problem depending upon the age of your components (video card, pci cards, and ram). Most newer cards can operate faster than the allotted 33 MHz of the PCI specification and thus do not encounter a problem when the FSB is increased. Older cards, like people, are not as forgiving.

Also, you may run into a problem with your AGP slot, if you have one, due to the divider.

I have never heard of anyone frying anything out by upping the FSB. If it isn't going to work the system usually either stops somewhere during boot, locks up, or pops up error messages along the way. Then again, I haven't heard every OC'ing story so I'm sure that somewhere someone has lost something due to OC'ing. Just a little CMA there. ;-)

 

[hotfusion]

Thanks for your responses, I appreciate your views. This system is about 18 months old so most of the components are recent.
To be honest, I am happy with my machine, but there are instances when I wish things would move just a tad quicker, opening programs, files, processing audio or graphics for example. As I have 7,200 rpm drives, 256 ram and regularly 'maintain' the system - including occasional re-formats, this really only leaves the CPU to look at for improvements. My suggestions are what I would try myself. If incorrect, I welcome corrections to my rather limited knowledge. Andy.

 

[topscribe]

If you are really heavy into graphics, I can certainly see in some instances where you would like more speed. You may be able to upgrade your CPU to a faster one. Also, in the case of intensive graphics, increasing your memory might indeed help, especially in conjunction with a CPU upgrade. When it comes to widening the bus path, however, I would still consider another machine, Andy. Just doesn't seem natural, I guess.

Have a good holiday.

 

[topscribe]

A little addendum here: After some thought, it comes to me that there was a problem with increasing the speed of a 66 MHz bus clock. This tended to cause a conflict between the reduced PCI bus I/O cyle time and the IDE specification. However, virtually all mobos operating at 100 MHz and above are now asynchronous, so this likely is no longer a problem. Just a thought.

 

[JimEkleberry]

Here is something that might be of some use to you. Consolidate your folders. Now let me explain what I mean.

When you open up your Start ~ Programs menu is it loaded with stuff (probably filling up the entire column)? If it is then that is causing you some slow down because Windows has to read all of those folders, grab the icons, place it all in cache, and then display it. See if you can find some commonality among some of those folders and create a new folder to place them in.

For example: I created a Microsoft folder and moved all of the Office applications, the Office folder, the MS hardware folder, Visual Studio folder, and MSDN folder into that Microsoft folder. I also created an Applications folder where I moved all of my non-MS application folders.

Do this with your favorites folder. If you can, the next time you do a "rebuild" or just when you install something new, try to group programs into folders on your drive as well. Another example, I created the folder Program Files\Microsoft and then installed any Microsoft there.

Also, be sure to keep your system tray clean except for what YOU want running there. It seems that every program nowadays wants to put their icon in there. You really don't need RealPlayer there or even have it starting up at boot time. The same is true for a lot of programs.

If you’re using backgrounds or especially active desktop and can live without it, then set them of off or none.

The idea is make your system read a little at a time instead of everything all at once. You don't have to drop it down to 5 items or something useless like that but any reduction will help out. After consolidating, run defrag to get everything in order.

Also, are you using TweakUI and increased the menu speed? Don't set it to the fastest setting because the menus will get in your way as you scroll through the list. Set it between the 2nd and 3rd tick from the left and you'll be fine.

I sure hope that all of this helps!

 

[topscribe]

Good point, Jim. Also, what Desktop icons I have are also planted in folders. It has the same effect and makes for a cleaner Desktop. Norton SystemWorks has a great help to me, too. Its SpeedDisk is far faster and does a better job than ScanDisk. And its "Optimization Wizard" will optimize the Registry for faster performance.

Then, there is PC Accelerator, which goes through and optimizes the entire system. The only thing with this program is that, after it is through and you don't need it anymore, it plants itself into the Systray. So you need to go into MSCONFIG to remove it from there. Other than that, it gave me a little help--at least in saving me a lot of time in figuring it all out for myself.

 

[JimEkleberry]

This is the first time that I've heard of PC Accelerator. Who wrote it? I take it that you find it to be worthwhile?

I'm definitely a big fan of SystemWorks. Actually, I like just about everything from Symantec. They may not always be the best (firewall comes to mind immediately) but it always works and they're always improving. Definitely a good company.

 

[topscribe]

You can find PC Accelerator at

http://support.livewirestore.com/.

Yes, I installed it and was satisfied--after breathing a sigh of relief :-s. (After all, I hadn't heard of it, either.) It made several adjustments that it would have taken me time to figure out by myself in tweaking my machine. As I said, however, I did have to go into MSCONFIG and remove it from Startup. But that was a minor inconvenience.

And, yes, if Norton had a fan club, I would probably belong. You are right, though, about the firewall. I use Zone Alarm. I would, however, advise anyone to install Zone Alarm with nothing going but Systray and Explorer. It seems to have a bad attitude toward other drivers and software that exist during installation. But, once installed cleanly, it is a monolith.

Regarding the other stuff Norton offers, I regard their virus program as the best and their DiskDoctor, WinDoctor, and SpeedDisk among the best. Their CleanSweep is also great. It also spares me from installing a bunch of little independent programs to do all that stuff. (No, I don't work for Symantec.)

Incidentally, if you are interested in a terrific download application, I really like Download Accelerator (

http://www.mijenix.com

-- different company). After the horrific time I had removing GoZilla's garbage and spyware, I discovered that. It is shareware that ends up costing about $19.95, as I recall, but I don't have to put up with Gozilla's or Real Download's nonsense.

I did want to add that I find you about everywhere on this site, and I am glad. You have already provided me with an education.

Have a good holiday.
Butch

 

[JimEkleberry]

Thank you for providing the link to PC Accelerator. I will definitely give it a shot.

For my firewall I use Black Ice Defender. I started with ZoneAlarm but got tired of dealing with its “disgruntlement” with other programs and I needed a little more customization than its all-or-nothing settings allowed. I would imagine that a new version is out or is close to release, which should reduce or eliminate those difficulties, but I’m happy with BID.

I totally agree with the Symantec “package”. Each of the programs separately aren’t “best of breed” but they get the job done and can be found in one place.

Norton AntiVirus is definitely the best in my book. Panda is okay, never like McAfee, and Dr. Soloman always seemed to be out of the office. SARC is always the first to inform the public about a virus and/or a fix, which is really what puts them at the top.

LOL. Since GoZilla (yes, I was a victim too) I have stayed away from download managers. I have noticed that a lot of the sites that I download from recommend disabling download accelerators. So I just start the download and go do something else.

I’m new to the forums so I am still trying to find my way around. Thank you I always hope that when I post something it is useful to someone.

Have a good one and I hope that you have a great New Year!
Jim Ekleberry

 

[JimEkleberry]

Also, how did you get a link in your post (i.e. what is the code)? It isn't listed on the TGML sheet.

 

[topscribe]

I just enter in the URL or email address (or coppy and paste it), Jim, and it embeds itself.

I have really enjoyed this exchange, and I hope I will keep running across you here. Enjoy your holiday. And you enjoy yours, too, Andy, since you are the one to start this thread.

Butch