No performance gain from OC

[Shuzer]

Hey, I've been running some tests today. Basically, I'm stuck with the stock FSB on my Barton 2500+ because the RAM I bought doesn't take well to overclocking.

Anyhow, on with the question.

I had a multiplier of 12.5 set with the stock FSB (166) for the longest of a time, I had always assumed it was running stuff faster. Today, I upped the multiplier from 12.5 to 13.5 (2.083 to 2.25GHz) to test the performance gain. To my surprise, there was no gain, it was exactly the same.
Following that, I put my CPU back at stock (11x166, 1.83GHz) and tested it -- same results as the overclock, no gain or loss in performance. Here's my question:

Should I leave my CPU overclocked (barring upping the FSB is not an option at this time), or is there no point? If I'm not seeing any noticable performance differences (no worse or better while OCed), should I put it back at stock?

I'm not asking for OCing advice here, I just want to know if there's any point in me keeping my CPU overclocked. Thanks

Edit: Woops, should've put this in the OCing thread, my bad :x Feel free to move this into the OCing thread if possible, was a stupid mistake on my part, wasn't paying attention and I remembered the OCing thread as I submitted

 

[_-_-SELAS-_-_]

I would really like to help you, but all that I can say is that if it doesnt seem unstable or too hot @ overclockness, then I would just keep it there. Maybe try with other programs, did u try sandra? But I guess a guy like you already figured those things out huh

 

[un om bun]

Well, I'm kinda in the same situation... but, whatever...
If we're on the subject, I want to ask you if 61*C is a high temperature for a Barton 2500+ (no OC)

 

[vgard]

The max temp for a barton is 85*C.. Keeping it under 60 is a good rule. I think it is way too high for a stock 2500. My 2500@3200 is 45 at max load.. Air cooling. what is your Vcore setting, and what thermal compound are you using? Thermal pad, arctic silver or whatnot?! And what heatsink?

 

[RandomPING]

Also what's your ambient case temp? The processor can only be as cool as the air inside the case.

 

[Shuzer]

I would really like to help you, but all that I can say is that if it doesnt seem unstable or too hot @ overclockness, then I would just keep it there. Maybe try with other programs, did u try sandra? But I guess a guy like you already figured those things out huh

Yeah, I ran Prime95 for awhile, it's stable. No crashes in games, no lockups, nothing.
My system runs EXACTLY the same as it is at stock while overclocked. Anyway, do you think I'll ever be able to see a difference if I'm running it overclocked? Or should I just put it at stock and be done with it?

 

[Asus]

I'm sorry if I missed it...but what where you benchmarking with that saw no performance difference?
3dmark2003 should show no reall difference. Maybe some synthetic benchmarks as well.
In gaming, it would give you extra FPS (by how much is unknown) especially in games where there is AI or other things that is controled by the CPU rather than gfx card.

 

[Shuzer]

I'm sorry if I missed it...but what where you benchmarking with that saw no performance difference?
3dmark2003 should show no reall difference. Maybe some synthetic benchmarks as well.
In gaming, it would give you extra FPS (by how much is unknown) especially in games where there is AI or other things that is controled by the CPU rather than gfx card.

I was testing with the FarCry demo mainly, I did test with some other games, and they all reproduced the same results. No FPS gain whatsoever, I found it really odd myself.

 

[Asus]

Well if you look at game benchmarks between CPUs, sometimes their is no change between them (all dependent on gfx card), some have slight variation maybe because the game likes extra bandwidth or IPC and then other games really take off with a faster CPU.
But the average gain in FPS when OCing the CPU (from the multiplier rather than increasing FSB too) for games is going to be minimal.
It should be noticable FPS number wise (40 is different than 43), depending on the game, but you probably won't notice a difference ingame.

 

[Shuzer]

So, I might as well leave it overclocked, yes? Heat is no issue, and it's stable

 

[Asus]

Yeah, might as well. What about gfx card?

 

[Shuzer]

Yeah, might as well. What about gfx card?

Radeon 9700, used to have it overclocked to pro. I can't find a good median to keep it from artifacting (it only has one fan on it, no heatsink or anything), so I have it back at stock.

Anyway, thanks for the advice

 

[Asus]

That is the heatsink and fan.

 

[Shuzer]

That is the heatsink and fan.

Yep.. sadly anyway, I'll consider getting a VGA cooler down the road, maybe (more than likely not, I'm not that concerned over overclocking my graphics card to get 4-5 extra FPS), but for now, I'm set (plus broke).

 

[Meteor_of_War]

Do you have UT2003? If so try running the benchmark.exe in the game's system directory. It will give you a "Flyby" and "Botmatch" score as a result. As far as i know the botmatch result depends mostly on your CPU and may be a good way of seeing any performance increase when you OC.

 

[Warbie]

I'm in the same boat Shuzer.

It may be worth upgrading your ram? I'm hoping that increasing the fsb will help with games ..... although i'm not sure if the extra cost will justify the performance boost.

 

[Asus]

IMHO
upgrading to OC is not worth it.
If you are not an extreme OCer anyway.
If you didn't get the parts good enough to OC well then leaving things at default clock are not going to be any usable difference.
I personally do not OC too much, if i increase clock/multiplyer and it is stable and temp is good...great.
I do not increase voltage at all as that can be harmful and lessen stability/reliability.