Ok, so i have an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor. My setup is a Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4 mobo, AData 2GB dual channel RAM, and an NVidia GeForce 8600GT. I provided this information because I know it's a factor in overclocking. By the way, it's the standard HSF on everything.

Now, to the question: I'm using the motherboards overclocking utility and i can only go to about 2.06Ghz when i overclock it and it runs at 35C. what can i do to make it run at like 2.4 or so?

You'll definitely need an aftermarket heatsink first off. Depending on the quality of the processor you got (they're not all exactly the same) you might not even be able to reach 2.4 ghz. But, once you have the aftermarket heatsink, all you do is raise the CPU clock little by little and every 10-20 mHz you increase, test stability with Prime95 or Orthos or SuperPi, (make sure you test both cores for Prime95, orthos does both cores automatically for you).

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AMD 3600+ X2 (AM2) : eVGA 7600GT 256 MB : Gigabyte M59SLI S5 :
2 Sticks of Corsair XMS2 1GB DDR2 800 : WD 250 GB 7200 RPM SATAII : Corsair HX520 : Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX HSF : Antec Solo Case w/ Antec TriCool Fans 120mm (Rear) / 2 x 92mm (Front)

I got the same CPU up to 2.4 (2.366) just get the nTune software from the Nvidia website i've played hard for hours without any problems. I didnt just overclock the CPU to get there thO, i had to overclock the entire rig. As far as over heating, i keep my house like a freezer just cause i hate the heat and i have a fan running on it when playing hard. and it gives me a reason to blast the surround sound to get over the fan sound.lol.

Ok, Hopefully I remeber to check back down here.

1) I do not recommend using software to OC with, Bios is the best bet. use ntune to fine tune, use the bios for initial and large changes as well as setting the final settings.
2) Yes, stock HSF is iffy, I like my Blue Orb II, its very quiet, cheap and does a heck of a job
3) Test the limits of your Mobo, reduce the multiplier to the lowesst value and the HTL link to 1x, Reduce memory divider to 100mhz or less, then crank up the HTT(FSB) until your PC becomes unstable, test for 5-10min with SP2004 or similar
4) Once max HTT is established, note it
5) Return HTT to defualt
6) Max out ram, Set divider to normal 1:1, then increase the HTT until your system becomes unstable wih the ram, my cheapo ram came in at 221mhz =(
7) Ok, now we can OC. reset all to defualt values
8) Decrease HTL link to 4x
9) Increase HTT, this will directly affect the CPU as Im guessing you are already aware
10) once your ram hits its max, then pucnh in a divider. this will allow the ram to run slower and permit your CPU to go farther. same is true when the HTL speed hits about 1050mhz, but that varys from board to board, Im running at 1080.
11) Once your CPU becomes unstable, increase the voltage, now the inrease in voltage will affect the CPUs temperature, up to this point the CPU shouldnt get any hotter then it was before.
12) Repeat those, decrease HTL and Ram when neccassary and increase HTT and voltage to your comfort level
I'd say, 1.5V is a safe max for the toledos and manchnesters, not sure on the windsor. and try to keep it under 60°C

best of luck

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The opinions expressed above do not represent those of Advanced Micro Devices or any of their affiliates.

ive gotten mine up to 2.6 ghz stable
i used a asus m2a-vm motherboard
200w power supply (i used cause i didnt have enough to buy a new one, get a higher one for sure thou)
same cpu
stock HSF

running 26c degrees idle
55c ish load

my bios settings were:
1.325 v
260 frequency
10x multiplier
800 mhz ram

=D
hope that helps

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X2 3800+
Asus M2A-VM motherboard
2 gig OCZ 800 mhz ram
600 watt ULTRA powersupply
160 gig harddrive
Win XP Pro

Edited: 06/29/2007 at 11:07 AM by noney2004

here is a good tutorial thati used

http://www.diy-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20823

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X2 3800+
Asus M2A-VM motherboard
2 gig OCZ 800 mhz ram
600 watt ULTRA powersupply
160 gig harddrive
Win XP Pro