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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on PC Support > PC hardware--CPU & Motherboard & RAM > Prototype Computer Build
Expert: Keith - 11/6/2009
Question
Hi Keith,
First, I will tell a little about my business:
I am a very computer-oriented person, and know almost all there is to know about computers. I have been in the industry for 17 years, building and selling custom computers. People come to me in need of a personal desktop computer to fit very specific needs. A client would come to me with a request, and we would sit down for a couple hours talking about what the client needs, and I tell him what I can do, how long it will take, what programs I will install, what operating system I will install (I do not work with any Mac operating system, nor will I work with Apple technology; I am a Dell man, and use technology made by companies like ASUS, Kingston, Memorex, Intel, NVidia, etc.), and finally I will project a cost. If they are satisfied, they will accept, and I will build it.
With this knowledge, you may find my question slightly funny or ironic, because it should seem so simple, but it has me stumped.
My friend came to me with a need for an entertainment computer. But he had a computer with him, a 1998 Dell Dimension XPS T450. He told me he that his cousin had bought the computer new in 1998, but had never even opened it; so just a couple of days ago, the computer was found and given to my friend. Instead of me building an entirely new computer, my friend wants me to upgrade this one into an entertainment computer designed for flight simulators. The computer came equipped with 64mb SDRAM, one CDROM reader, one floppy disk drive, a 2GB IDE/ATA hard drive (yeah, 2GB. Count 'em. 2.), and an INTEL Pentium III processor w/ MMX Tech, 450-MHz. So far, I've installed a DVD reader/writer (56x, write speed 16x), a VooDoo 3 video card, the driver software for a Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick, a 100GB hard drive, and removed the to 32mb SDRAM cards, replacing them with three 128mb SDRAM cards. The computer runs excellent, but when I installed the flight simulator he wanted (Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, which he wanted because it's compatible with the operating system, Windows '98), it was rather slow. So I wanted to do two things:
1. Replace the 128mb SDRAM cards with three 256mb SDRAM cards, and
2. Overclock the processor to at least 525-MHz.
The RAM works great, but I still have to overclock the processor. Could you please explain how to do this?
Thanks!!!
-Scott Johnson
P.S. CPU cooling is not a problem; I have four high-flow fans installed.
Answer
Great question!
According to the computer and the BIOS (setup)there are several ways to overclock the processor. You are a knowledgeable guy so I am going to bypass the basic approach.
1. You can overclock through the BIOS if the BIOS has the proper setting. You will know it when you see it. Some actually have the clock speed. Others will have a percentage. Always start out slow. Don't try to go from your current speed to the speed you want. Don't go from 450 to 525 in one step (go from 450 to 475 and so on).
2. If your BIOS will not allow you to overclock you can overclock with software. One good program that will monitor temps will also overclock. It is called SpeedFan. You can get it at www.majorgeeks.com. It has a good help file and will lead you through setting the program up and using it to overclock your processor. You will need to know the exact socket type and if the processor has a name like "coppermine" to enter in the program in case it does not detect it. You can also download other small apps on majorgeeks that identify and tell detailed info on your processor.
A couple of things to keep in mind. Pentium 3s are good processors to overclock but they will not take the temps of an AMD processor. Really monitor the temps closely and do not go over the max. Here is a link to a temp guide: http://www.heatsink-guide.com/content.php?content=maxtemp.shtml
It may be a good idea since the system was sitting idle for so long to take the heatsink off and re-apply some arctic silver or other cooling paste (if you have not already done this).
You may be able to go higher than 525mhz. The system will let you know. It will become very unstable if you go too high.
Let me know if I can help you further.
Keith
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