IF I increase my FSB, i have to increase my ram timing too. So how would I know if it's better to lower the timing or to increase the FSB? Lets say, I had my FSB on 175 before with 2.5-3-2-8, and now 188 with 2.5-3-3-8. Which one is better? and again, how can i determing what my max FSB is for my CPU ? Another thing, I set my FSB to 185, but when i reboot and the bios shows the ram clock, it only says 368 but not 370(185X2) ... does anyone know why ?

With the same multi, 188 with 2.5-3-3-8 is better than 2.5-3-2-8 with 175, assuming both a stable. How much better? You'll have to do some benchmarking to find out yourself. Sandra 2004 is a good tool to do that. Once you determine your max FSB, find out the optimal timings for that FSB by trial and error. To determine your max FSB, you'll have to consider your other components such as your chipsets, not just CPU. Use a relatively and reasonably low multi, increase FSB to instability of the system, increase voltages withing safe limits and relax RAM timings until no matter what you do, you cannot get the set up stable anymore, then the next stable FSB is your max FSB. Depending on boards, the FSB is not shown accurately during POST. Check it in OS using CPUZ or other programs.

Hey, thanks... I have Sandra 2004... but which benchmark tell me how much better it is? All it does is benchmark my cpu but does it have a number or anything that i could compare with? I am currently running on 185 FSB with 11X multiplier which gives me 2.035ghz. I suppose this is already very good considering that I am using only a PC2100 DDR by crucial. Anyways, thanx for all the help... really learned a lot..

In Sandra, there is a section called Benchmarking Modules, there are ten modules in the section. Do No.1, No.2, No.6. Writing down the numbers you get each time and compare it with that ones you get after tweaking FSB, timings, etc.

Hey, try experimenting. That's what OCing is all about. Just have a little spare cash put aside for those 'smokin dayz'! www.theocshrink.co.uk