Thread: overclocking a dell computer?

Is it possible to overclock a Dell computer?I got a E520If so, what programs should I use?(clockgen and setfsb don't seem to work...)

And unfortunately they never will the following excerpt is from the over clockers forum "Basically, you can not overclock a Dell. They were not designed for this, and let me explain whyell uses custom made parts. Those parts were designed to be as cheap as possibile for the system (Try to build a similar pc with exact the same specifications and you'll know). * Dell motherboards won't use extensive power circuitry for example. Which means that the motherboards can't supply the power the cpu needs when overclocked. Fortunately, Dell realizes that and supplies those boards with a bios that lacks every overclocking option imaginable. (Those are: FSB| multiplier adjustment| ram frequency, dividers and timings| voltages of cpu, chipset, ram | agp/pci lock and frequency adjustment. ). Last big problem with those boards is that they often lack thermal sensors. Remember > 45°C your fingers hurt, so you could use those to see if your system can handle the heat. You should feel when loading your system 100% though (burn wounds: at least 10 minutes under streaming COLD water, then apply flammazine if not too serious or contact a doctor if serious). As far as I know, the "unknown combination of keys enables secret overclocking menu" option does not exist on a dell. * - Dell psu's are able to power the system at stock speeds, perhaps enable a small upgrade, but are unable to power the extra demands introduced by overclocking. Here is a calculator that will tell you what high quality psu you'd need to power a system. Fiddle around with it, look at the psu in your dell, gaze in horror at it, read this sticky and you'll know what you need. Dell psu's are not considered high quality. * - Dell's cooling options are just horrible; sometimes the pc's overheat when running stock. No way this cooling would be able to output the extra heat generated by overclocking. Fortunately, Dell uses Intel processors, that turn themselves down when too hot. So you'll be overclocking a system that turns itself down to lower speed than your initial values. * - Dell's ram is the cheapest ram available. Overclocking an intel means overclocking your ram. Cheap ram doesn't overclock well, so your ram will be holding you back if the above things survive your experiment. (Note: this is due to the fact that often ram and fsb speeds are linked to each other. Sometimes there are dividers, but those are overclocking options your board doesn't offer. Dividers might decrease performance. ) * Since no die hard overclockers buy dells, no die hard overclocking tool supports them. Start programming! But beware, overclocking tools require temp monitors... and you do not have that on your dell. * Sometimes, you could overclock your videocard. That's the only thing you can overclock on a dell (they can't lock it). Check the video forum for more information (there are stickies that tell you how to do it there, and you can always search if you want to find more).But then, you're a die hard, and you still want to overclock the dell... * Sometimes, dell's are based on boards that appear in the retail channel as well. In even rarer cases, you could flash your bios with that of a retail board. Things you should know about this: 1. We don't know which dells are based on which boards, nor do we know which of those boards are based on known retail ones. Sometime Google knows, so you should ask him. 2. Flashing will void your warranty. It's a risky business, especially when you are flashing with a bios that was not meant for your board. You risk losing your board, and everything connected to it. Don't do this if you aren't 100% sure that you know what you're doing. 3. Even if you manage to flash your board to a bios with minimal overclocking options, don't expect to get a big overclock. Dell doesn't buy the über high end parts, they buy the cheap mainstream parts... retail boards not meant to be overclocked.But even then, other things will hold back your overclock. So you could change those. * You could buy a new motherboard. But, the latest generation dell's use btx layout cases. Retail motherboards are atx standard - they simply won't fit your case. (note: Don't try to find a btx motherboard. I believe they exist, but have never seen one in real life). You'll have to buy a new case before you can use a new motherboard. And then, other things like the psu and ram will still end your overclocking fun. Oh, and if you have a thin dell, you're sure about the new case as you won't be able to fit any board in them. * You could buy a new psu. Here is the best psu guide you could find on the web (coincidentally, also made by a forum member ). But, if you have an older dell, it won't be atx (standard for cases and psu's). So your supply won't work with the dell motherboard (one of both will be fried). Newer dell's fortunately use standard atx layout (though you should check the wires - see if they are the same in the same place on both connectors). I don't know when they changed to standard atx. If you buy a new one, check if it fits the case. * You could buy better ram. But beware, some ram doesn't work in dell motherboards... another gift of the dell bios.Oh, and remember that if you change all things above, you'll need a new windows xp licence as you are basically having a new computer, and microsoft will not recognise it as the same old pc.So suppose you're very stubborn, and have a lot of money and want to overclock that dell. Then my suggestions are: 1. find out what type the dell is 2. find out what processor rests inside, what socket is is based upon (intel has a tool for that or find it out through your dell model number) 3. buy a new board, search this forum (don't make new threads, there are already a lot of "which board should I buy") threads. Prolly the best ones will be a socket 478 asus P4C800-E deluxe or 775 asus p5wd2 premium. But that's a discussion not to be done here. Just a few remarks: * AGP (ati 8...x, 9... and nvidia 4..., 5... videocards) boards are not compatibile with pci-e (ati x...., nvidia 6....,7....) * DDR1 boards are not compatibile with DDR2. So at this stage, you need to know if you your videocard is agp/pci-e and if your ram is ddr1 or 2. * Normally, it will be socket 478 -> AGP& DDR1; socket 775 -> PCI-E and DDR2 1. Buy a new psu. Use this, then david get's some credit for his phenomenal guide. 2. Buy new ram. Depending on your socket and board, you either need DDR1 or DDR2. Don't buy the wrong type, as it won't work. (and might fry things when you try to install it anyway. They are keyed, so you should not be able to install the wrong one). 3. Buy a new case and a new cooler for your processor. And don't go cheap on it, you want to overclock. Cooler and case suggestions can be found in the respective forums. 4. Buy a new windows xp licence.But then, this looks a lot like a new pc. Only your drives, graphics card, input devices and monitor can be transferred. Prolly it would have been cheaper if you bought an overclockers pc at the beginning. It will take less time as well.What can you do to improve the speed of your dell? * Add more ram. Add more drives. * Tweak windows. There are a lot of great guides on the web. Personally, my favorite is this. * Uninstall norton or mcaffee and get a lighter antivirus like avg (free), antivir (free). * Use an alternative browser (firefox, opera, moox ...) * Use easycleaner. * Defragment your drive.Just a (not really meant to be insulting note, but always nice if you can do that at the same time ) note: People that know enough of overclocking, know that oem (prebuilt) machines are not a good choice for overclocking. Since you bought a dell and want to overclock it, it doesn't prove of much knowledge in this area. Know that overclocking can very easily damage your system (and your health), and that you shouldn't do it unless you know enough about it. We are not responsible for your attempts, nor for the problems caused by it.So start reading this forum first, learn and then start overclocking.Important last note: As everything in life, there are exceptions. Those were not mentioned for the sake of simplicity.Some Dell xps systems have a bios that allows for some mild overclocking:Extremetech found at least one that could. Though not every xps has overclocking possibilities; older generations don't. (Example)Small edit: this applies to other oem machines as well... hp/gateway/alienware/medion...End Quote "whew" ...