AMD Socket-A 133MHz FSB/DDR Overclocking Guide

Multiplier is still the best way to overclock

While the 133MHz FSB may be a nice addition to our overclocking arsenal, the best way to overclock is still by adjusting the clock multiplier.  The reason is simple, if you have an 800MHz Duron and attempt to overclock using the 133MHz FSB alone you are placing the success or failure of your endeavor on whether or not your 800MHz CPU can hit 1066MHz.  If it does work at that, then you’re in luck, but chances are it won’t, in which case you have no other options.  With adjusting the multiplier however you can try your 800 at 100MHz x 10 (1000MHz) or 950MHz or even just 900MHz if you don’t have the highest quality core. 

So how do you prepare your CPU to adjust the multiplier? 

The first requirement is that you have a motherboard with multiplier adjustment support.  We are familiar with the VIA KT133 boards that support multiplier adjustment (ASUS A7V, ABIT KT7-RAID, Microstar K7T Pro2, etc…) however with no available AMD 760 boards it’s difficult to recommend an overclocker’s board to keep your eyes on. 

From talking with FIC, it seems like the AD-11 may have multiplier adjustment when it’s released and it wouldn’t be surprising to see ASUS’ A7M266 and the upcoming ABIT 760 boards to have multiplier adjustment features as well.  Now you don’t have to have a board that can do this, because there is a way to manipulate your CPU using a precise cutting tool to change its multiplier, but this method is much easier and isn’t nearly as risky.

After first making sure that your motherboard supports multiplier adjustment, you have to then unlock your CPU, which basically allows it to accept any multiplier given to it by the motherboard. 

The way to tell if your CPU is unlocked or not is quite simple, if you take a look at your CPU you’ll see seven total location markers, L1 – L7.  Next to each one of these markers is a group of little gold dots, some of them may be connected to each other, others may be standing alone.  You can think of these “dots” as having the same function as the pins of a jumper, and what you’re going to have to do is simply make the connection between a few of these “pins” in order to unlock your CPU. 

You will want to focus on the dots near the L1 location marker.  After the L1 label there is a single dot (you won’t do anything with this) followed by four dots on the left and four dots across from them.  Your job will be to connect or bridge the gap between the dots on the left and the corresponding ones on the right.  Doing so will effectively unlock your CPU.