JDsBlog.com

The BIOS, that blue screen that is not written in any language that we know but has the cryptic tips on the side…  We will be trying to demystify that today.

As I mentioned yesterday, the key to overclocking is the BIOS.  The BIOS is that daunting screen of options that you can get to by pressing usually the F1 or F5 key right at the system startup.  Sometimes it is the Esc key or the Del key, as well.  It should say when you boot up your system which key to press to set up the computer. 

The BIOS of the computer is pretty confusing.  The good thing for overclockers, there are only a few areas that need to be worried about.  We are going to go through a pretty in depth discussion of what can be found in there, but not all of these features will be used in all cases.  The general rule is the more of these features you have and can change, the more successful the overclock.

• CPU Multiplier
• FSB Frequency
• Vcore
• Vdimm
• Memory Frequency

The CPU Multiplier (Clock Ratio)

The CPU multiplier takes the base CPU frequency and multiplies it by the number that is preset in the system.  This number can be changed.  For example, if the CPU is a AMD 1800+with a base frequency of 133 Mhz and the multiplier is 11.5, then the total is 133 x 11.5, or 1530 Mhz.  Adding to the multiplier in small steps is one way of overclocking (12.5 x 133 = 1663 MHz).  I stress the fact that you need to make small step in the process.  A big jump may not allow you to boot up your computer at all!

Front Side Bus Frequency (System clock)

The FSB is the connection between the NorthBridge and the CPU which is a gateway to the rest of the motherboard.  The higher the frequency of the FSB, the faster communication between the processor and the chipset.  The front side bus of Athlon XP and Intel P4 boards are actually only clocked at 200 MHz.

Vcore

Vcore is the BIOS setting for the CPU voltage.  When you change this, it increases the voltage to the CPU and is almost always necessary when overclocking any signinficant amount.  Another word of warning, make sure your cooling is adequate and keep it monitored through some type of software.

Vdimm

Vdimm is the setting in the BIOS for RAM voltage.  Sometimes increasing
the Vdimm will allow your RAM to overclock better.  Just a warning
though, whenever you update voltages, be aware that it will increase
the heat factor as well.

PCI/AGP Bus Clock

The PCI/AGP bus lock is important for the stability of systems being
overclocked through the front side bus.  On chipsets with the bus being
unlocked, stress can be put on peripherals like the sound cards and the
hard drives as those devices end up running out of spec.

Technorati Tags: cpu, ram, processor, motherboard, cooling, technology, computers, overclock, overclocking guide, hardware, software, bios

Computer Hardware Discussions