New Comp...want OC

[atreidae]

Ok..i just finished my new computer...It has the following:
AMD Athlon FX-55
GeForce 6800 Ultra
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum Motherboard
2 GB Corsiar DDRAM (2 x 1 GB)
480 Watt Antec PSU
CD-RW/DVD-ROM
DVD-R/RW
250 GB Western Digital HD
80 GB Western Digital HD
Windows XP Pro
SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
HardCano 12
With NO settings changed in terms of overclocking, when i crank up my card to full settings the demos on the free version of 3DMark05 yield unsatisfactory performance (a score of 3318). What changes to I need to change in order to make my computer jet through those demos. Thanks in advance for your help in this matter.

[jester]

Theres a lot more to it than just bumpin up your vid card. Have you tried o\c'ed your whole machine?

If not read this: http://www.ocia.net/articles/overclockingguide/page1.shtml


BTW, with all those components, I would have went with at least a 500w psu.

[fstroupe]

Could be a driver issue. I've read where guys updated (or backdated) drivers on the 6800 Ultra and gained 1000 points on 3dMark05.

You're definitely my kind of guy...sink $3000+ into a new computer and already talking about overclocking.

[jester]

Could be a driver issue. I've read where guys updated (or backdated) drivers on the 6800 Ultra and gained 1000 points on 3dMark05.

You're definitely my kind of guy...sink $3000+ into a new computer and already talking about overclocking.

Thats something I didnt even think about. One of the disadvantages of runin win 2k3 is that the only stable driver Ive found to work is over a year old. :|

[silenze]

Do all the windows updates and service packs, install the latest Nvidia System/Platform drivers and Video drivers.. get yourself a copy of Rivatuner for overclocking the 6800 Ultra.. install a good cooler and start toying with your FSB and multiplier.. FX chips aren't multiplier-locked so you're pretty free to experiment and find something that works well for your system...

[Caj Darkmoon]

BTW, with all those components, I would have went with at least a 500w psu.

Aside from the fact that the 20 watts wouldn't make a difference, his is more then good enough.

[undergroundtech]

The 480watt Antec PSU should be plenty 8)

[jester]

I was thinkin of o\c'in to the max, I ended runin 2 psu's on my machine cause I could hear my fans die down under full load with a 500w. I just like having more power than what I need so I dont stress the psu.

[atreidae]

I do want to overclock the entire machine...i updated all my drivers and i will rerun 3dmark05 tonight...in what way do i change my fsb and mutiplier..are those bios settings? if so what is a "safe" multiplier and fsb setting...

[jester]

Yea youll have to go into the bios to change the FSB. I dont know how to change the multiplier, Ive never had a amd chip

[atreidae]

i just went in and started fiddling w/ stuff and the performance got worse instead of better...i'd like a 6000+ benchmark using 3dmark...now what should i change this stuff to...i will put my current settings up on teh 3dmark project site and place a link here...i know little to nothing about overclocking and i'd appreciate any help...thank you

[jester]

http://www.ocia.net/articles/overclockingguide/page1.shtml

Theres a beginers o\c'in guide

[Beemer]

Yea, I would definatley look through that guide. It will not only tell you how to overclock, but also what it is exactly that your doing. Overclocking is somewhat of an artform, It all about finding the proper combination of settings. If your machine locks up, or wont post, its good to know a possiblitly of why, and what to do to fix it. There isn't really a magical number to set everything to. Its more trial and error. The overclocking guide posted above is a great place to start, it will tell you what you need to know - risks, how-tos, and troubleshooting. So I would start there, if you run into any problems, let us know. It looks like you have a great system there, I would be interested to see your results. Be sure to keep us posted, and happy overclocking :wink: