[Aegis]

This guide is unlike conventional tweaking guides because it's not a full-blown guide and it assumes you know the basics of overclocking AMD64 processors. As most of you may know, processors aren't all designed equally. There are variations even within the same batch. One variation is the amount of heat a processor can take. This variable is known as TCaseMax in AMD64 processors. The only utility I've heard of that can read the TCaseMax variable is called AMD64 TCaseMax, which you can download here:

http://www.thecoolest.zerobrains.com/forum...wtopic.php?t=83

The two other utilities you will need is Prime95 and an overclocking tool of your choice. Now on to the guide!

First start up AMD64 TCaseMax and find out the value for the TCaseMax variable. Subtract 10 from this value and monitor your processor temperature, making sure that it doesn't exceed the new value. Now start up Prime95 and do a torture test, while monitoring your processor temperature at the same time. If it exceeds or approaches TCaseMax-10C within a few (1-2C) degrees, then it's very probable your processor will generate an error within a few minutes.

If your processor temperature was fine, then you can start overclocking. Test every change with Prime95 and your temperature monitor. Once you approach TCaseMax-10C, start making 1MHz increment overclocks and testing them with Prime95. There should be a sweet spot where even 1-2MHz more will cause Prime95 to fail. Once you've found this value, then congratulations! You've just found your max OC . And don't forget to tell me how useful this guide was.

[puntoMX]

Useful? I have to make 2 tests, one with room temperatures at 40oC and one at 18oC . Why measure the temperatures if your system is stable? For ones, can some one explain me why temperature differences of 5-15oC are so important? Please??

I OC stuff for more then 10 years now and never I worried temperatures, only when hardware start’s to crash…

[spazmire11]

i dont think this is the way you overclock, software overclocking is unstable in most cases.
tempature is not a issue most of the time while i do recomend staying below max temp in MOST cases even WITH stock that is not a problem.
one thing the guide leaves out: Memory.
there are many ways to overclock a athlon64 you only specify "overeclocking"
a good guide id recomend would be here for looken how a athlon 64 works
http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...167&postcount=3

[ophiel]

there's not really any such thing as 'software' overclocking.

nevertheless, very nice guide spazmire...it covers everything.

aegis....not much of a guide but that's a great program.

[puntoMX]

I test with software how far I can go, later i set those settings in the BIOS and see if it works.

let´s call the first part "software overclocking" and the second part "hardware overclocking". Most tweakers and tuners use those terms .