Please Help A NOOB!

[Underscore002]

Hi, I just looked into overclocking my old computer tonight and I was excited after reading a couple guide's and faq's. I have a Monorail computer with a P3 450Mhz, so I reboot the computer to get into the bios and when in the bios I cant find anyhting to change the Front Side Bus or the voltage!! I have no idea of what to do now, and I dont know the maker of the mobo. Can it be that I can't overclock because for some reason my computer doesnt have that option?? I really need some quick help here. Thanks Much!! What should I do and what can I do??

-Joe

TODAY I TURN 19!!! Nice...

[extremerigman]

Happy Birthday!

Hmmm....its an older computer, try loooking at the manual to look for jumpers that will allow you to change your FSB or your multiplier.

[Underscore002]

I checked the manual and its a total piece of crap, nothing but setup and general info, nothing specific... It didnt even tell me how to get into the BIOS!! :mad:

-Joe

[extremerigman]

Have a look at the board it self, some older boards might have a table showing the jumper settings for the multipliers and the table should show the jumper number (eg. JP4 or JP3).

The table is normally printed on the PCB of the mobo.

[Underscore002]

I checked the mobo and found the maker of the board ( http://www.tyan.com ) I will do more research later... Its 4:30 am here and im beat :) Thanks for the help so far :)

-Joe

[Underscore002]

Ahhh, Ok so I completely took out the mobo and cant find anyhting other than the maker of it, I have no Idea on what model # or anthing is. The P3 is the kind that is on a seprate board with a plastic case around it and it loads into a slot. I dont know what to look for on the makers site... If anyone can check out this site ( http://www.tyan.com ) or tell me whitch mobo I have? Thanks!!

-Joe

EDIT:
Ok, I just looked at the site and I think I know what I need...
http://www.tyan.com/support/html/b_s1832.html - I think this is the mobo, Should I use all those BIOS updates or just 1? and if its the wrong bios will it screw up my computer? What bios updates should I choose.

http://www.tyan.com/support/html/cpu_pentium_ii_iii_celeron.htm - Thats how I found what mobo it is. As I look more I see they have a list of mobo's that could be mine!! I dont know whitch one to choose... Look under the PIII Slot 1... What should I choose?

It is a P3 450 with 100mhz FSB

THANKS MUCH :)

[Artifice]

about bios updates. each one is a complete version of the bios. so you just install the latest one. now about the jumpers.. sometimes theres a set of dip switches instead of jumpers. basically you set the switches/jumpers to tell the motherboard what cpu is in the slot. there should be atable in the manual somewhere.

[Underscore002]

I did find a table, It had jumpers listed for up to 500mhz but thats it. I changed it to the 500mhz setting and it booted fine but was still at 450mhz. I still am not sure what mobo model I have so I might be able to update the bios tonight. I may take some pics if I have the time. Thanks

-Joe

[whetu]

chances are you just changed the multiplier, which is irrelevant because the Intel PIII is multiplier locked. This leaves you with only FSB overclocking, of which it doesnt look like you have many options...

http://www.tyan.com/support/html/j_s1832.html

[Underscore002]

OK, I finally found what mobo I had, I got the correct BIOS and flashed it. Now the bios are updated, and I loaded it up and still cant find the FSB option to change it!!! I did see some options for the voltage but they werent what I expected... Here is the exact mobo I have http://www.tyan.com/products/html/a_tigercub100.html . As a NOOB overclocker on my first computer I have no idea on what to do next. Should I contact the maker of the mobo or what? Thanks much!!

-Joe

[whetu]

I seriously doubt you'll be able to easily overclock that system, intel cpu's are multiplier locked, so that's one method of overclocking instantly gone.

By the looks of it, that mobo, like many intel chipset mobos, detects the fsb automatically as dictated by the cpu. This means no jumpers or bios options are necessary for the manufacturer to engineer in...

[Deviant]

Most old motherboards were not designed for overclocking, and you have probably got one of them.

Many motherboards today do not have any overclocking features.

Unless you can change you FSB, you cannot overclock.

[ktulu]

try downloading and running the program SoftFSB (google should find it)... that's probably your best option (and it still may not work).

[Underscore002]

I just got SoftFSB, I will play with that tonight, I was also wondering if buying a used old mobo would be a good choice? There has to be someone here willing to sell me a cheap used mobo that will work, right? Thanks!

-Joe

[blackie]

old intel BX boards can o/c..
i have my P-III 600 in an ABIT-BH6, and can change the fsb.

but im limited because it only lets you choose certain set values, like 100, 112, 124 etc..

if you have PC133 ram, and can lock the PCI/AGP clocks, then you can probably hit 4.5x133 = 598.5 mhz

im unsure of a board where you can lock the pci and agp tho, because this might damage your hd etc. if they are getting overclocked too.

[dustyslapper]

Originally posted by Underscore002
I just got SoftFSB, I will play with that tonight, I was also wondering if buying a used old mobo would be a good choice? There has to be someone here willing to sell me a cheap used mobo that will work, right? Thanks!

-Joe


Mate - we live in New Zealand which is roughly half the world away from you. Think!

If you really wont some old stuff to try overclocking with I'd recommend picking up an old duron and sdram mobo. Should cost you around $30-45USD.

Don't bother trying to upgrade old hardware like that - its often more trouble and cost than its worth.

[Underscore002]

Originally posted by ktulu
try downloading and running the program SoftFSB (google should find it)... that's probably your best option (and it still may not work).

I was looking at the SoftFSB and I see it doesn't have my mobo on the list. will I still be able to tweak my FSB with that?

And about ABIT-BH6, where would be a good place to look for a used one? I also see that it supports up to a 700mhz PIII, does that mean if I bought a 700 PIII will I still be able to overclock it to something over 700mhz? Thanks!

-Joe

[Deviant]

Have a read of this sticky:
http://forums.overclockers.co.nz/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1096

You will find heaps of really good info, and it should probably cut your questions down by 50%.

[ktulu]

Originally posted by Underscore002
I was looking at the SoftFSB and I see it doesn't have my mobo on the list. will I still be able to tweak my FSB with that?
Pobably not
Originally posted by Underscore002
And about ABIT-BH6, where would be a good place to look for a used one? I also see that it supports up to a 700mhz PIII, does that mean if I bought a 700 PIII will I still be able to overclock it to something over 700mhz?
Maybe

Google (www.google.com) is your friend

[blackie]

if I bought a 700 PIII will I still be able to overclock it to something over 700mhz?

Yes, you will be able to overclock past 700, but you will be limited by the few FSB options there are..

also, i have read of people putting faster P3's than officially supported, like 800 or even 850.
look on the ABIT website, under discontined products, there are a few models newer than the BH6 that would be better for this im sure..

but DustySlapper is probably right.. unless you pick this stuff up real cheap, theres no point..
just buy something like a 1300 duron, or.. a 1700+ XP theyre cheap as now, especially in USA..