Maximum PC

So here are my specs:

ASUS M2A-VM (not the HDMI version)
Athlon 64 x2 4000+ (Brisbane) 65-watt 2.1GHz
Mishmash of DDR2-400 and DDR2-533 cheapo memory
Stock heatsink

Just futzing around playing with BIOS settings I did the following:

Multiplier 10.5x (can't go any higher with this proc since it's locked)
CPU voltage 1.35v (CPU-z told me it was 1.30 at stock)
Bus frequency: 241
HT link: 200MHz (also called 1x on other boards)
RAM speed - manually set to DDR2-400
Q-fan disabled (took fan speed from 2500 to 4500RPM)



Now I have a 2.1GHz processor running at 2.53GHz and I realized a 20% improvement in encoding with Handbrake using a simple test I ran last night. Also took my WEI (Windows 7 HP) from 4.9 to 5.4. It runs 6 hours in Prime95 without any errors (haven't let it run any longer because I haven't had any longer time where I didn't need my computer). Idles between 29C and 35C, and hasn't eclipsed 59C under full load with Prime95. It just seems too easy - is it really this easy? I know, I know, shortening the lifespan and all that. The memory was mostly free; the CPU was free; the mobo cost me $25 and the fan $20, so I guess I can live with a shorter lifespan on $50 worth of parts. What other tests can I run and compare to stock to see what kind of improvement I'm getting? I just did this because I'm not quite prepared to make the jump to the Athlon II X4 640 so I figured if I cook this one then I'll "have to" be ready

At this point you have two options, you can try pushing the clock up a tad higher for more OC performance. Alternatively, you could try edging down the voltage to help bring back a portion of that lifespan, if that worries you.

Whichever path you choose, take VERY small increments, and stress test it until you start seeing problems. Once you see problems, take it back a step - two for extra safety - and let it ride there.

You're right. It is quite easy, when you have the basic principles down, which it looks like you do.

So far I haven't had any luck at 250 & 260 MHz bus speed so I went from 240 to 241 and it was stable, then I ran out of time to play around with it (been super busy working). I ran Cinebench R11.5 and gained 16% in the CPU test! I will try dialing back the voltage - the reason I bumped it up was because I thought that was causing me issues in the beginning but then I realized it was my HT link pushing RAM and all sorts of other stuff out of spec. I'll reboot now and see if I can keep this frequency at stock voltage.