Hi all, my system is currently running a P35C-DS3R Mother Board, tacked onto it is some Corsair 800 Xms2 Twin2x RAM (2x1GB), an 8800GT which supposedly was overclocked out of the box, and my favorite part of the machine, an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale processor.

So, inside of my Bios, there's a lot of options such as Turbo Mode, Racer Mode, and Super fast uber crazy awesome I can fly mode (kidding on the last one) My question is; what should I do within the bios menu for the P35C-DS3R to best configure my system? There are a lot of things to change, and I want it to run at it's best as it has been a bit sluggish lately, so any tips or suggestions on how to properly configure my bios for the processor, ram, or gfx card (if needed) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

My best advise to you is to leave your BIOS alone and forget about overclocking.

That's a very old fashioned way of looking at it Gandalf Especially in the Overclocking forum!

Most modern motherboards are actually built for overclocking.

Is that a Gigabyte mainboard?

My advice before overclocking is to run a stress test for at least 24 hours before attempting this.

Fit better cooling for the items you plan to overclock.

Test temps also.

You need to download easy tunes 5.

GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - Utility

Scroll down on this:

http://europe.giga-byte.com/FileList...35c-ds3r_e.pdf

How to use easy tunes 4:

EasyTune™ 4 Introduction

I cannot find how to for easy tunes 5 but I am still searching.

-- GIGABYTE --Geeks Column of the Week - Overclocking a GA-965P-DS3

GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - Technology Guide



JB.

Yes, it is a Gigabyte board.

Alright - will do, can you recommend a tool for performing such a test? Or by stress test do you mean just leave it on and check the temperature? I'm using an Antec 900 case which has four fans, 3x 120mm, and 1x 200mm which seems to keep things cooled relatively well.

I don't intend to do massive overclocking, but rather to optimize without creating risks.

Thanks again JB.

I wouldn't be in the overclocking forum if this was the answer I was looking for, but thank you.

Let me give you these:

I know I edited in a few links earlier but when you read down the lists you will see a lot of information.

Please read everyting very carefully.

EasyTune 5

GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - Utility

Now I am not sure what to recomend for the stress testing maybe Sandra:

Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews - Download.com

|MG| CPU Stability Test 6.0

I am like Gandalf I do not recommend overclocking.As I said please read all instructions carefully.A bad overclock can ruin your computer.

The links I have posted have more links attached,if you think something on them may help then read do not bypass any info and take a short cut.

I know my Gigabyte boards.

I see a number and go I am sure that is a Gygabyte board.

Now we usaly use SpeedFan for temps:SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

If you have any heat issues then do not attempt overclocking untill you root out the cause.

Overclocking CPU or GPU usaly does require you purchase better cooling unless you already fitted a better quality from the usal hardware supplied one.

OC little by little testing as you go.

I take no blame what so ever if your OC goes wrong I only gave you the links.

Dont all look at JB,point the finger and say it was her.

Good luck.

JB.

Orthos: techPowerUp! :: Download Orthos Stress Prime 2004

and

Prime95: Prime95 (32bit) - 25.8 Download - EXTREME Overclocking

are very good for stress testing your system. Download and install a good CPU temperature monitoring program that you can watch while the stress test is running.

As previously mentioned, SpeedFan is one, as is Core Temp, PC Wizard 2008, RMClock Utility; the list is extensive.

Oh yeah, never overclock something you can't replace. When overclocked, you will be operating outside the manufacturer's intended parameters. Having said that, I overclock EVERYTHING!!