[MurderOne]

I have an Athlon 1400 processor which doesn't appear to be locked (no cut tram lines on the back of the chip). However, i still cannot overclock the processor regardless of what settings i use in the bios of my motherboard.

The motherboard model is MSI K7N420 Pro.


Can someone help me here?

[JavaFox]

Firstly, the L1 bridges on the top of the chip are what you want to look at. Chances are, though, that your 1.4GHz TBird is indeed unlocked. You need to tell us a little more about your rig. What speed RAM do you have? How have you been overclocking (multiplier or bus increases?)? What core do you have (AXIA or otherwise)?

[MurderOne]

i'll get back to you on this when i have some time to write down the exact processes again. Don't want you thinking i am being rude or not interested anymore!

generally, i've always attempted to clock the bus up a bit never the cpu core clock. even minimal steps in the bios for both cpu and bus don't seem to affect the final rating at all.

i will try again with exact instructions for what i do.

cheers!

[MurderOne]

ok, i tried again and i found my problem! I am leaving the bus settings as 133/266/75. i have to clock the cpu core, so i've set this 11.5 and am running the pc at 1533mhz.

I have to turn the pc off then on again else the clock changes are not made! That's why DUH!

Can you tell me what's the "safest" highest speed i can clock my cpu to?

I am a bit worried about the temperature as my cpu runs pretty high already (around 69 degrees on intensive cpu load). I think i need to invest in better cooling fans for the cpu.

[RIV@NVX]

Originally posted by MurderOne
ok, i tried again and i found my problem! I am leaving the bus settings as 133/266/75. i have to clock the cpu core, so i've set this 11.5 and am running the pc at 1533mhz.

I have to turn the pc off then on again else the clock changes are not made! That's why DUH!

Can you tell me what's the "safest" highest speed i can clock my cpu to?

I am a bit worried about the temperature as my cpu runs pretty high already (around 69 degrees on intensive cpu load). I think i need to invest in better cooling fans for the cpu.

CPU temperature should be lower than 50 and that's OK.
Higher than 60 is dangerous!

Don't OC if you don't have really good cooler (you can screw up your CPU)!

And, BTW, if your Athlon isn't AHYAA stepping, it can't achieve very high speeds. AXIA is so-so.

[JavaFox]

There is no definite "safest" high speed -- just clock your CPU to the highest speed at which it remains stable, and make sure to keep those temps down! As a general rule, I start worrying when I go above 60C. If you are hitting 69C, you should NOT overclock until you've invested in a better cooler. In fact, even if you don't plan to overclock, I'd still get a better cooler anyway.

[MurderOne]

at best i've never had the cpu much lower then 58. what are the pentiums running at? lower then 50 on an unclocked athlon doesn't seem realistic.

i've reset my cpu back to 1400 as 1533 was taking the temp up to 70 at normal which is too high.

the guy at my local shop said that 65+ was normal for athlon cpus.

are you judging these temp readings from athlon experiences or seomthing else?

i have a heatsink and large fan already attached to my cpu and two fans in the system.

i've just seen your post JavaFox, i will certainly get a new cooler.

[JavaFox]

Lower than 50 is a bit optimistic -- most enthusiasts will tell you to simply keep it under 60C.