Just thought I'd share my recent overclocking experiences with you...

My specs:

ASUS A7N8X-X w/BIOS v1009
1800+ Tbred (default = 1533mhz @ 1.6v)
Coolermaster HSF aluminum w/copper base plate (about $10)
Radio Shack thermal paste (about $2)
PNY 512MB PC3200 @ 2.6v
WDC 60GB 7200rpm 8mb HDD (prim master)
16X DVD-ROM (prim slave)
52x24x52 CDRW (2ndary master)
ASUS Ti4200 128mb 8X video
450 watt PSU w/18A on +12v (dual fans)
80mm front intake fan, 80mm rear exhaust
all updated drivers & Windows updates
avg room temp about 68-70F (20-21C)

Test 1

Started with CPU at 8 x 200mhz/400FSB @ 1.6v (RAM in sync for all tests)...
system/CPU temps at idle 24/38C
ran toast for 20 minutes: 24/45C
- ran system like this for a day or two - no problems

Test 2

changed to 8.5 x 200mhz/400FSB @ 1.6v...
system/CPU temps at idle 22/34C
ran toast for 20 minutes: 22/46C
- once again, ran system like this for a day or two - no problems

Test 3

changed to 8.0 x 210mhz/420FSB @ 1.625v...
- didn't run toast or record temps - but ran for one day & no problems to report

Test 4 (today)

changed to 8.5 x 210mhz/420FSB @ 1.65v...
system/CPU temps at idle 20/31C
ran toast for 20 minutes: 21/45C
- completed 20 min running toast, but Asus Probe popped up a couple of times during the tests showing the +3.3v rail had dropped to 3.12v

I raised the Vcore as a precaution...it may or may not have been necessary. I plan on running with these settings for the time being. CPUZ CPU core speed at 1789mhz, Bus Speed at 421mhz, vcore at 1.68v (although I set it to 1.65v in BIOS)...current temps are at 20/32C & all appears well.

Here's an update....

Athough basic apps & internet appears to work fine, problems have developed during gameplay. I tried to play Painkiller! but it locked up as it began to load...I upped my vcore to 1.7v, Pankiller loaded & I was abled to play for a bit, but it locked up again. I tried 1.75v & was able to go a little bit further into the game before locking up yet again. I tried raising the RAM voltage to 2.7v, but that didn't help. I want to keep the higher FSB setting, so I lowered the multiplier back to 8.0x, set the RAM voltage back to 2.6v, & backed off on the vcore to 1.70v.

I just finished about 15-20 min of Painkiller without any probs...my CPU temp maxxed at 41C & is now settled back to 31C at idle.

I guess this is where I'll keep it....

^^^^^^^^^^Read the above^^^^^^^^^^
This is how to approach overclocking.
This is how to get the most out of a rig.
This is how to test your efforts.
This is how to accept the results.
This is how to back off if you've gone to far.

Finally got this posted in the correct thread...

Skip

"Test 1
Started with CPU at 8 x 200mhz/400FSB @ 1.6v
system/CPU temps at idle 24/38C
ran toast for 20 minutes: 24/45C
........

Test 2

changed to 8.5 x 200mhz/400FSB @ 1.6v...
system/CPU temps at idle 22/34C
ran toast for 20 minutes: 22/46C
........

Test 4 (today)

changed to 8.5 x 210mhz/420FSB @ 1.65v...
system/CPU temps at idle 20/31C
ran toast for 20 minutes: 21/45C
......."

Jam, why did your temps keep dropping when you raised your FSB and Vcore?

Skip,

Thanks for the compliment...I respect your opinion(s)

TXH,

I don't know why the temps dropped. I didn't record the exact room temps each time, but it's been relatively cool lately, 68F (20C) has been about the avg room temp. I'm at 22/35C (system/CPU) right now...haven't changed the settings since my last post. Current room temp is 72F (about 22C)...that's taken from the thermometer on the thermostat for my heating system, which is actually in the next room.

I've been relying on Asus Probe (v2.22.06) for my temp readings, but have checked the BIOS readings when changing settings. The system temp is usually the same, but the CPU temp in the BIOS is about 10C higher. I touched the heatsink & it's not very warm at all, so temps don't concern me. There was a BIOS v1010 posted at the Asus site a couple of weeks ago...I downloaded it but never flashed...it's disappeared from the site without explanation, so I'm hesitant about trying it. I just searched Google & it appears it was problematic, so I'm gonna hold off & see if they come out with another...maybe it will correct the temp readings. I'm in the process of downloading the latest version of Asus Probe (v2.23.01) right now...

jam,

Point is that this solution beats the hell out of some stroke who clocked his to 183x16 (or whatever) for bragging rights and now he can't play Quake II.

I had to back off my fsb to get my oc'd video card to work well under Me and after my A/C took a dump last night, I backed off the video oc a few Mhz today. A 6-7°C increase in case temps can make a lot of difference. It was close to 100°F in the house today when I got the A/C going again.
In both situations, everything tested dead stable...I just pushed a bit too far huntin' for Mhz and fps.

Skip

I have posted and posted time and time again (several names) ive found you (jam) and you(skip) to be the most reliable to take advice from.

My Specs:

ASUS A7N8X v2.0 bios rev.1005
2600+ t-bred 266
stock 2000+ hs I have an 80mm/84cfm fan with an 80mm to 60mm converter on my cpu.
Arctic silver 5
Kingston 512 pc3200 valueram 3 3 3 8 at 2.6v
WD 160gb 7200RPM 8mb cache (Primary/Master)
16x lite on dvd rom drive (Secondary/MAster)
40x12x40 lite on cd burner (Secondary/Slave)
PNY geforce 5200fx 128mb 8x video card (GPU 250 Memory 324)
400watt Vantec Ion 400b
POWMAX Demon Case
all 80mm fans 1 in back(blowing out) 1 on bottom(sucking in) 1 on side(sucking in)
Windows XP Pro (All Updates)

CPU is overclocked at 11.5x180 at 1.75v
avg room temp about 68-70F (20-21C)
Idle temps: (32C/89F)
Full Load temps:(43c/109F)

O/C max is 11.5x187 at 1.8v.
PCmark 2002 max 6663 Points
3D mark 2001 11,800(in that area)

Thankyou for reading this I just want some thoughts on my system...Thank you.

I'm sorry. My 3D mark score is around 7,100 points. The Memory clock on my graphics card is 650mhz.