Dell PC - can I overclock?

[panicos70]

Hi Boys & Girls.

I am new to all this PC gaming and Hardware stuff, though admit to being more then alittle interested and wanting to better both my understanding and PC.

I currently own a Dell 4550 PC. I don't think its bad by any means. Here are the stats:

2.66Mhz Intel Pentium 4
533Mhz Memory (768MB) Ram
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro Core Clock:263Mhz/Memory Clock 263Mhz
30gb Harddrive
Creative Sound Blaster Live! Sound Card

The problem i have is that I am unable to overclock my 9700 Pro and i have no idea why. Downloaded Rage 3d Tweak and everytime I up the Core or Memory Clock the PC crashes and I have to reboot. If I have VPU Recover on then this immediately kicks in.

Is there anyway to overclock my Dell or the Graphics Card?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Panicos

[streetster]

uninstall the current 9800 pro drivers, and replace them with some omega ones, they allow gfx card overclocking

also download something like MBM to check the temperature of your case and cpu before you think about overclocking them... although its a dell pc, i'm doubtful that you will be able to overclock it that much tbh

mark

edit:

links:

motherboard monitor
omega drivers

[BUFF]

Originally posted by panicos70

ATI Radeon 9700 Pro Core Clock:263Mhz/Memory Clock 263Mhz

1)The speeds for a true 9700 Pro are 325/310.

2) Dell may well have a locked BIOS on its cards.
This will prevent you changing clockspeeds unless you flash a new BIOS.
Don't know that I would recommend that to a noob (sorry ).
Suggest that you go to the Tweakers forum at www.rage3d.com & search/post.

[panicos70]

Thanks Guys. What if I was to take the components in my Dell and Build a new PC with a new motherboard. Would that allow my overclocking options?

[ryder]

yes, buying a new motherboard would allow you to overclock with much higher potential , although u should probably look into buying a new heatsink , heatsink fan , a case if needed and some case fans. although, saying that, u might just be okay with a new motherboard , it depends how far you want to go.

[panicos70]

Cheers Ryder. Will definitely look into doing this as part of my new years resolution.

[chrisf6969]

your PC is fine! I would leave it how it is.

Down the road when the computer actually is too slow to play the games that you want. Build a new one from scratch.

[Merlin]

good point chris - in reality the pc spec above it more than adequate to do just about anything you would care to throw at it at the moment. sit back, relax and enjoy it!

[SilentDeath]

take your pcs case off. ground yourself (= touchy unpainted metal of case) then touch the back of your 9700 where the gpu is (should be a square of SMD resistors/caps around it. do this in windows and in a game/during running 3dm2k3. if you burn your finger, dont overclock.mine always runs within 12c of ambient at 450mhz @ 1.75v (stock 1.5v).
i wouldnt bother clocking your cpu as it wont make THAT much differnce in games, though your gfx will... o/c'ing my 9700np gave me +5k in 3dm2k1 and iirc 2k in 2k3

[BUFF]

Originally posted by |SilentDeath|
. o/c'ing my 9700np gave me +5k in 3dm2k1 and iirc 2k in 2k3

How on earth?
O'cing my 9700np & 9500 Pro only gives me a couple hundred extra points?
(I've just noticed that you're running 450 core on yours )

[Skii]

Originally posted by BUFF
How on earth?
O'cing my 9700np & 9500 Pro only gives me a couple hundred extra points?
(I've just noticed that you're running 450 core on yours )

Nah I don't know how they do it either m8

[panicos70]

Thanks guys.

I'll leave it until Half Life 2 comes out and the next generation of software after that. When it starts to go, I'll start planning my next PC

Have a good xmas everyone!!