Overclocking in order to save money is a joke and a waste of time

[al1]

What do you save on the CPU? Instead of buying a the fastest
Intel or AMD, let's say you buy a 800/900 Mhz, no matter
what make, and overclock it to 1.1 Ghz or whatever
(supposed it works). What do you save? 80, 100 bucks?
Wow, now that's great.

What do you get?

- with the utmost probability a system that will need a stronger
PSU than the one that came with your case = spending additional $$$.
- a system with possible stability problems
- you'll loose the guarantee on the components, so let's
hope they don't fail. If they do = additional $$$.
- you'll need more fans or you're overclocked rocket
will go up in smoke = spending additional $$$
- you've got a system that will rival any small business
server in terms of noise.
- maybe you'll have to modify or buy a new case that can handle
all the additional fans = additional $$$

Bottom line:

At the end, your overclocked system will be

- much more expensive
- have a shorter lifespan
- louder and noisier

Don't get me wrong, I understand that overclocking can be
fun and exciting and don't have anything against it. But
it's definitely not the "cheaper" way to go.

Al

 

[CTho9305]

Thats often true... a lot of people do it for the OC'ing - just like how people used to (do they still?) tweak their cars to "perfection". Its fun to do. And, I disagree that its never cheaper... my 700 does 750 with no extra stuff at all (well, a GFD but that doesn't apply to socket chips). And OC'ing intel chips doesn't void the warranty since intel can't tell that the chip has been OC'ed (fsb only). If you don't go for big gains (>15% or so) it shouldn't be expensive.

 

[mechBgon]

Whoa, let's back up there, compadre. I ran my dual-Celeron system overclocked as high as it will go, using an "ordinary" 235W power supply. If you want a stable system, buying a decent power supply is a smart idea whether you're planning to overclock or not. People may buy good-quality RAM for the same reason.

Likewise, adding extra fans is a fact of life with any new AMD system, for instance. AMD says that it is "vital" to have an auxiliary exhaust fan on the rear of the case. They didn't say it had to be a loud fan, however, and there are several quiet fans available that run considerably quieter than a hard drive motor.

One of the least-expensive and most-versatile cases on the market also happens to be a fine case for overclockers too: the Enlight 7237. As a stock case it will certainly take your CPU close to its limits with nothing more than one extra case fan (it comes with one for free). Cutting a blowhole on the side will take it the last 10%.

So a "normal-quality" set of AMD-approved items inherently makes a decent overclocking setup. AMD-approved (ventilated) case, AMD-approved power supply, AMD-compatible RAM, decent heatsink... why not flip those dipswitches and get an extra 200MHz out of it?

Well, yes, there is the warranty issue. I think if you try to overclock your CPU too far, you'll find it just won't run, rather than "going up in smoke." I myself don't WANT my Duron to last forever. It is just as stable at 25% over rated speed as it is at default speed, and if it fails after three years... hey, by then it's a $20 CPU. Big deal, I will be glad of an excuse to upgrade by then! The overclock is noticable in improved gaming performance and also in intensive tasks like 3D modelling.

 

[arod324]

<rant>I completely disagree with you, al1. My system is quiet, the PS is actually louder than anything in my system. My cpu when running full load is only 45C which is much lower than with a generic HS/F that would come with my cpu. Next I have probably spent about $100 to get my Duron up to 1050. This INCLUDES the cpu itself. The other $20 was for the HS/F. They don't even have Durons in thte 900's yet, and I bought this probably 6 months ago when it was $75, whereas now you can buy it for about $50. Back then, It would have cost me an arm and a leg to get a TBird Athlon. Granted, clock for clock I don't have the same performance as a TBird, but you cannot deny that getting almost a 75% increase in performancem, while spending less money, keeping your cpu cooler and quieter, is a waste of money.</rant>
arod324

 

[Bartman39]

I`d say he just doesnt get it...

 

[cdternie]

Posting that on the overclocking forum, al1, you had to know you'd bring some arguments into this thread

But I can see where you're coming from... I couldn't overclock my old p2 350 because of everything else beign less-than-good.

 

[arod324]

cdternie,
The thing is, you have to pick components you know that will overclock well. The PII's didn't OC well because they already hd a 100 mhz bus, and their L2 cache was not on die, which further inhibited the overclocking. However, a chip like the Celeron and Duron have a GREAT margin for overclocking. The Celeron will usually get 33% fairly easily, while I have gotten a 75% increase in clock speed with the Duron.

 

[narzy]

if anything else its fun and you learn alot about your CPU and other components wile your at it

 

[Soldat]

nope, you're dead wrong bud.

the whole power supply thing is overrated and it's rare that one needs to upgrade

components rarely fail, never had one do so in 3 years of overclocking

your two points on fans and cooling have some truth to them but one can get reasonable cooling without excessive noise

bottom line is a lot of people get satisfaction from tweaking performance from their comps. and i like to compare it to those that like to modify cars....why waste time and money to make a car go fast when you'll never even need all that power?.....because it's fun and in the process you learn more.

 

[Hanky]

Overclocking is some kind of SPORTS, nothing more nothing less...

 

[Tedtalker1]

Duron 600 @ 880mhz.Stock HSF.Everything running stable.Nuff said

 

[Zak]

I never oveclocked to save money but just for kicks. It's actually the oposite sometimes - you fry something and loose money

Zak

 

[AdamK47]

al1 = junior member

Thats all that needs to be said.

 

[hitchhiker]

I have a Celeron 366 running at 605 with a stock power supply. The voltage is still within Intel's specs, it's stable and it cost a heck of a lot less than a comparable Pentium at the time. Yes I added a couple of case fans but that also helps the video card, hard drives, etc. Will I overclock again? In a heartbeat.

 

[PieDerro]

I had to buy top quality parts for my 1.2GHz TBird, so I figured I'd dish out a couple of extra bucks for some good ball bearing fans and a FOP 32-1. Not only did this assure me a stable system at 1.2GHz, but it runs fine at 1.35 no worries, no added cost.

Don't knock free speed!!

Plus, for many people, its the fun of getting the most out of the system.

Put it this way, most people on these forums invest in good quality cooling and good quality (and good value!!) components. So, if the system will run just as well at 200MHz above the rated speed, then why wouldn't you??

 

[Boonesmi]

some people just dont understand the thrill of haveing a 600mhz cpu run at 950mhz or 1ghz

saving some money is nice, but the thrill of it makes it worth the while

 

[moocat]

What PieDerro said

I think al1 is thinking more along the lines of those that are obsessed and spend countless hours tweaking away to get minimul performance gain. I'd be willing to bet that in spite of all the over clockers on this board most are more the p3700e @ 933 variety. A nice fan and a bump to the fsb. Easy and safe. No mods, no water blocks, peltiers, or excessively powerful fans. Just a noticeable 233mhz performance gain...for FREE.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

al1,

I dont' see anybody forcing you to overclock it. If you don't want to, then don't.



Mike

 

[shiznut123]

I overclock for the fun and money. My celly and some extra fans only cost me about 110 dollars. Plus my celly is at 1054mhz. I saved a lot of money from buying a p31000 for 400 dollars at the time. My 250watt power supply doesn't fail and my other components don't fail either.

 

[Azratax]

Well, the durons that let one up the mult by over 50% with a $25 HSF is definately a savings. Overclocking is definately a way to save a bit on a computer especialy a low end onr (where all the chips they produce easily run faster than thier slowest product). But the real resaon people overclock is because it is fun to do! Why are you in the overclocking forum if you seem to hate overclocking so much?!
-Az

 

[ChipNOW]

al1... Overclocking is an artform, and for many of us, our major pastime. I can see no better achievment in the PC world than converting your system from a budget POS to the fastest system on your block. It may not look like much, but it's all we know (well, not really, but that sounded good)

 

[compuwiz1]

Currently, I can get speeds that are not available off the shelf. When was the last time you bought a genuine 1.5GHz Athlon? You can't even get a l.3 or 1.4 yet.

People come to me to buy those chips.

 

[johneetrash]

<< People come to me to buy those chips. >>



shamless plug ::cough cough::

its okay i spent $390 on you

 

[Cybordolphin]

Let me say this as delicately as possible....... Your an idiot.

First of all no one usually overclocks for the sole purpose of saving money.

You obviously don't know anything about overclocking.

You don't have to buy a bigger PSU. I have never upgraded my PS, and have always just used the stock PS that came with the case.

You don't need more than 2 fans. You should have that many anyway if you care about your computer. Electronics, and heat don't mix.

My systems run stable because...... well.... I am not an idiot.

Oh.... and I have ALWAYS saved more than a &quot;$100 bucks or so&quot;.

I/we build our systems so that we can have better components than the average system. Usually we can build a system that includes the very best components for MUCH less than if we went out and bought a high end system. We overclock......... because we can. If you have a CPU and motherboard with components that CAN be overclocked and you don't do it..... THAT is stupid.

To some people (perhaps just like you)... if they/you were to trade in your minivan.... and get a new corvette (not likely.... its not &quot;in you&quot, you might not mind it having a 4 cylinder in it....... but, why would you settle for a 4 cylinder thrown in it..... if you could have a V8 for the same $$.

And..... the only time I waste my time..... is replying to dumb arsses like you.

 

[Renob]

I would like to speak for al1 &quot;I am sorry&quot; all my brains are belong to you