optimizing performances *

The basics of speed Limiting Windows' usage of disk cache Handling Windows' virtual memory Increasing Windows' stability

Overclocking tips Freeing up IRQs Boosting the Pentium Pro/Pentium II video chipset No ISA card = 5% performance boost

> Overclocking tips

Many of you are overclocking or are considering overclocking their CPU to squeeze out that last ounce of performance. One quick warning though: if you aren't comfortable with opening up your computer and fiddling with jumpers, turn around right now and head out the door. You can easily fry a CPU by overclocking, if you don't take precautions, or just plain don't know what you're doing. Along those lines, neither I nor the Knights of the Boot take any responsibility for anything that happens to your computer system.

Let's assume that you know a bit about overclocking already, as this kind of information has been all over the Internet for at least a year or two. One thing I noticed that many "newbies" ask is, "How do I overclock my CPU? My motherboard manual doesn't say anything about it!" Well, I sure hope it doesn't! When you overclock, all you do, basically, is pretend you have a faster CPU and set the jumpers appropriately. The motherboard can't tell the difference between a Pentium 166MMX and a Pentium 200MMX, and likewise for all other chips. If you really wanted to, you could clock a Pentium II 233 to 800MHz ... although that would probably set it on fire!

There are a couple of utilities that will help you when overclocking. One is a temperature monitor program for the CPU, if your motherboard came with one and your fan provides the information to the motherboard (mine doesn't). Another is a program called CPUIdle, which can be downloaded at http://www.stud.uni-hannover.de/~goetz. This program will cool down your CPU. It's not a hoax either, as is probably your first reaction from hearing about a program that will help cool your CPU. Basically what it does it replace Windows 95/98's Idle thread, changing it from just sitting around and doing nothing to executing HLT instructions. The HLT instruction places the CPU in a temporary power saving suspend mode, and there is no performance loss as the CPU jumps out of this mode the moment it needs to do something else. You can read more about the program at that URL. There are two other programs which do basically the same thing, Waterfall and Rain, which can both be found at http://www.tccomputers.com/brotherhood.htm.

Other general tips:

• If you have a Pentium 166 or a Pentium II 333, you may want to consider 83x2 (166) or 83x4 (333) as opposed to the default 66x2.5 or 66x5, which won't put any extra stress on the CPU, as it's running at the same speed. If you do this, make absolutely sure that you have good SDRAM (PC100 recommended), and that your PCI cards can handle the jump from 33MHz to 41.5MHz.

• Many SCSI cards don't like bus speeds higher than the default 66/33, so be wary. Most video cards should be able to handle it, as my aging 2MB Stealth 3D 2000 is working great at 83/41.5, and Voodoo 1/2 cards should also work great, as both a Diamond Monster 3D and Monster 3D II 8MB have handled 75/37.5 and 83/41.5.

• Good cooling! ATX setups are generally better, and a case fan is recommended as well to help circulate air. For Pentium II's, a good fan such as the Glacier 4500 (http://www.net-n-dude.com/, $35 + shipping) or the P2HO (http://www.3dfxcool.com/, $34 + shipping) can immensely improve your odds of overclocking successfully. I talked to someone who, using the P2HO, overclocked his stock P2-266 to 366MHz with no problems. I personally use the Glacier 4500. A fan or other type of cooling system for your Voodoo or Voodoo 2 (if you have one) is also highly recommended. Those things get hot.

• Always bear in mind that when it comes to oveclocking temperature is everything. For better airing, take your computer case off. You will gain precious degrees.

• Always, always be on the lookout for crashes that are likely caused by the fact that your CPU is running faster than it should be. Things to watch out for are: errors during POST, crashing while Windows is still booting up, and crashes in programs that you know worked 100% fine before overclocking. If this happens, you might want to set the CPU speed down a notch or just set it back to normal and forget about overclocking.

• If your motherboard came with a program to monitor CPU or motherboard temperature, by all means install it! Not all motherboards can monitor the CPU temperature, and those that do typically need what's known as a "smart" fan. What you should do is run the system as the CPU's normal speed and take note of the average CPU and motherboard temperature, and then monitor it when you overclock it to make sure it's not getting extremely hot. Take note that these programs may seriously hamper performance for a second or two when they are polling the motherboard for performance and voltage statistics, so you will want to turn them off when playing a game or watching a pretty screensaver.

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