[mrcrazie007]

My computer is a:
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.40GHz 1.5GB RAM NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 with a wireless network connection of 54.0mbps.

I am new to overclocking and to everything, all I have is CCleaner, and AVG, what programs or processes will help my computer in anyway possible. Nothing specificly, but I just want to raise its performance in any where or means possible. Put forward any of your ideas / programs that you can work well, thank you.

[Macmac508]

Are you thinking about upgrading componants or just overclocking, cleaning and running software to try and tweak the performance of your currnent componants.

Do you know the spec of your motherboard, also is the computer a brand make (eg. Dell, HP ect.) or is it custom made? The make of your motherboard can determaine if your computer can handle faster speed RAM, which will also boost performance.

Also have a look at the Anit-Malware Thread on the Virus Topic. You'll find evilfantasy has some great tips.

[mrcrazie007]

Im just thinking about doing anything I can to improve performance of anything generally.
My motherboard is an ASUSTek Computer INC. board. and also the graphics card is a 128.

[Carbon]

New graphics card. That's about it.

[mrcrazie007]

what about like programs, or things to start overclocking, (but safe overclocking)

[Macmac508]

If you want to overclock your CPU it is best to do so in the BIOS, this will give you the option of being able to reset any settings if your change the wrong thing. Alex's "Overclocking guide" will be a help. Its definately worth doing some reading up on your componants first.

You can also Defrag your HDD, there are som programs for the on the downloads page of this site, or you could just use the microsoft edition. Maybe follow evilfantasy's anti-malware guide, that can be a big help. If you're getting slow start-up times then maybe download "start-up tools" or use the start-up tool on CCleaner to remove some programs from the list that you dont need.

Upgrading your RAM could give you the biggest increase in performance and is generally very cheap, depending on your current RAM & Motherboard.
Maybe download and run CPU-Z to find out the ins-and-outs of your system specs and then you can see what you will be able to upgrade to on the cheap.

Check out the software section of this forum though, there are some good things there.

[ratinahandbag]

yeah I was wondering if there were any programs that help you with overclocking cos I don't know how to do it myself and I might push it too far and kill my computer

[DanBex]

urmm i heard abbout a program called CPUFBS

never had it tho., therefor i dont know weather its any good or weather it works

u can moniter your cpu by downloading CPU-Z

[Macmac508]

To be honest, i wouldn't use programs for overclocking your CPU. Its a lot more likely to damage your computer than doing so in the BIOs.

In the BIOS if you put the FSB, Voltage etc. up too high your computer will do POST then probably just fail to boot. Therefore you can just enter the BIOS press the 'restore settings' button and your sorted. Using a program to do this, although they have safeguards is still neglecting that first defence of stoping your computer being unstable before you've even loaded your OS.

Graphics Cards OCing programs are ok, because you can change the settings if its unstable or just load up in safe mode and re-install the drivers. I wouldn't reccomend OCing your CPU using 3rd Party Programs.