So I just built my first 1366 system. This is the first system I've had that I really built to try to overclock. It's a 2.13 ghz base cpu. It currently has a 133mhz bclk frequency, a 100mhz pcie frequency. It has an unlocked cpu ratio, but is currently on the highest setting of 16 for 133x16=2.13.
That is not an unlocked cpu ratio. It's like this, most CPUs Intel sells are "unlocked" ratio wise if you're going down but not up. Which means your 2.13Ghz CPU has a maximum ratio of 16 but can go down.
A truly unlocked ratio like you get on the 980X (and all extreme edition cpus) for example can go both up and down with no restrictions.
If I wanted to run my system at 2.4 ghz, should I just increase the bclk fequency, or should I lower the cpu ratio to 12, and set the bclk to 200?
In your case, don't touch the ratio just increase BCLK. The reason being that lowering the ratio means you need a much higher BCLK to reach the same speed. However, you cannot increase BCLK indefinitely. For 4.0Ghz for example with a 12 ratio you'd need a 330 BCLK. If you find a motherboard that can do that let me know..
If it let me I could increase the multiplier to 18, and I could 2.4 that way right? That would leave everything else as it is on the board, and just stress the processor. If i increase the bclk it'll stress the entire system/board?
But it doesn't seem to be in the available settings, only lower numbers.....
Yes exactly. That's why it's not unlocked.
Also my memory only seems to be showing up as 800mhz, even though it's at least 1333mhz memory...so I don't quite get that. I don't see a setting to change that at all...but maybe just haven't explored enough yet.
You seem to be confusing bus speeds with memory speeds. What is your cpu and memory exactly?
Here's a few things to get you started.
1) Lock the PCIe and memory frequency. There should be a setting in your motherboard to lock the PCIe frequency to 100mhz (standard PCIe frequency, do _not_ increase). Likewise for memory. Start with your memory locked at it's default setting.
2) Increment BCLK slowly and test stability with something like super-pi or similar.
3) Once you find a frequency that is not stable in super-pi you have two options. Either accept that as a free overclock with no other adjustments needed or continue.. To continue means to increase cpu core voltage. As you go up in frequency the CPU needs more juice. More juice means more heat expelled however so at this point you need an aftermarket heatsink (which you should have anyway).
4) Continue 2 and 3 until you find a stable frequency at acceptable temperatures for you. Acceptable is anything lower than 70C. Keep in mind that the stock Intel heatsink is woefuly poor and will do 70C in _stock_ settings. Get a good heatsink.
Once that is done you now have your stable CPU overclock. You can do the same steps for your memory overclock.. Increase memory frequency in bios via the locking mechanism, don't touch BCLK after you've done your CPU. Once you find instability increase memory vdimm a little at a time and keep going.
Go slow with voltage increases, 0.1 at a time. Do not exceed ~0.5V total voltage increase unless you really know what you're doing if you ask me.
How much you can do with overclocking is mostly dependant on the motherboard these days. If you have a good motherboard it's super easy, some even have overclocking "wizards" that work suprisingly well.
If you don't have a good motherboard it is but an exercise in frustration. Get a better board.