If you're the owner of an original Intel motherboard, you may have discovered that overclocking it is a challenge. Intel didn't allow overclocking until desktop board D975XBX2 (also known as Bad Axe 2) was released. Intel has since created the Intel Desktop Control Center, which lets you overclock the CPU, memory, and system bus speeds. Unfortunately, it supports a limited number of motherboards. Other Intel models can be overclocked by following a few simple steps.
Instructions
1. Open the case of your computer. Check your owner's manual for specific instructions on do this for your model.
2. Locate the phase-locked loop (PLL) number on the motherboard by searching near the graphics media accelerator: It appears as a silver square near the processor. The PLL number is on a small, black chip with the manufacturer's name on it and should start with either "IDT" or "ICS." Write down this number.
3. Turn on the computer and install an overclocking software program. For the purposes of demonstrating how such programs work, the remaining instructions will detail use the CPUCool program; other overclocking software should work similarly.
4. Start CPUCool and click "Configure." Under the "Functions" tab, make sure the option "CPU Clock Frequency (FSB)" is checked. A message will pop up asking if you know the manufacturer and type of the mainboard. If you do, enter this information and click "OK"; otherwise, click "I Don't Know."
5. Select options from the drop-down menus to show the PLL information from your motherboard. Click "Set Frequency." The program should automatically set the frequency, and you can then close it. If you get an error message indicating the frequency does not work with the PLL, you'll have to adjust the frequency yourself.
6. Click the "Fine Tuning" button. Enable the checkbox option "Use Frequency 'Fine 1' in CPUCool." Start clicking "+10" until the frequency matches what's shown under "Current Frequency," and then click it two or three more times. Make sure "Use Frequency in Tray and CPUCool Startup" is checked, and click "Freq Set." The system will overclock at startup.
Tags: overclocking software