To Overclock or Not Overclock?

panais

Power User
To Overclock or Not Overclock? That is the question!
Well some people say Yes some people say No.
What's your opinion?
What are the benefits?
What are the risks\disadvantages?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built by me.
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4
    Memory
    KINGSTON HYPERX DDR2 4GB (2X2GB) PC6400 800MHZ DUAL CHANNEL KIT
    Graphics Card(s)
    SAPPHIRE RADEON HD4890 OC 1GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Realtek High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung LE40A656F1 1080p 100Hz LCD HD TV 50,000:1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 in Desktop,1920x1080p in gaming and video
    Hard Drives
    C:\WD VelociRaptor 150 GB,10,000 RPM
    D:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 E:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 No Raid.Copy Paste Is The Safest Way.
    PSU
    Seasonic 700W 80plus
    Case
    A-Case Twin Engine BB
    Cooling
    3 thermaltake smart case fan II + 1 arctic cooling fan
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Wirelles Logitech Laser Mouse MX620
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 4000plus
    Other Info
    F:\Sony high speed sata Dvd Rewriter
    KINGSTON HYPER X FAN
    +Cordless Rumblepad 2
I have a Q6600 running at 3.4ghz , stock is 2.4 , all it cost me was 20 quid for an Arctic Freezer 7 pro cooler and a fiver for some silver heatsink paste and a bit of my time (actually alot of my time ;) )

the benifits are a 3.4ghz cpu for the cost of a 2.4 :p

the risks are minimal IF you know what your doing , and you can keep the temperatures down , i assume it reduces the life of your CPU but im a gamer as are most who overclock so ive never kept any hardware for long anyway ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 @ 4Gig / Titan Fenir
    Motherboard
    XFX 780i
    Memory
    4GB OCZ PC2-8500C5 DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gainward GTX260/216 SLI
    Sound Card
    Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    western digital raptor 10000rpm sata
    PSU
    OCZ Modstream 700w
    Cooling
    Titan Fenir
    Keyboard
    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Gamer
    Internet Speed
    8mb
I OVERCLOCK..... :D

but i built this rig specifically for it, so its equipped to do it properly....

if you OC you have to be prepared for problems, running H/W above stock frequencies can cause a mountain of different issues, or it can be effortless, all H/W has varying stress factors regardless of what it says on paper...

2 matching CPUs for instance may have different voltage needs, or simply 1 will run far hotter than the other, its the luck of the draw...

you must also be prepared for your H/W to die, from time to time...... RAM is especially vulnerable (i went through 3 sets last year alone :p)

but the benefit of a good OC can do wonders for overall performance at a great price, but its not for everyone, 100 BSOD's to get it stable is not some ppl's cup of tea...lol :sarc:




:)SK
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ME.....
    CPU
    Q9450 @ 3.6ghz
    Motherboard
    P5K PREMIUM
    Memory
    8GB 1066mhz buffalo firestix
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD 5970
    Monitor(s) Displays
    20'' syncmaster
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    160GB 7200RPM SEAGATE BARRACUDA IDE
    160GB 7200RPM SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA 2
    PSU
    XCILIO 850w
    Case
    unknown ATX
    Cooling
    Arctic cooler pro 775
    Keyboard
    logitech EX110
    Mouse
    logitech cordless optical
    Internet Speed
    2mb
only 100 bsod's , your lucky....... ;) I got loads more , but finally getting it all right , all voltages and timings sweet , and waking up and checking your Prime 95 thats been running 8 hours and seeing NO errors on all 4 worker threads.........priceless ;)

and running 10 passes if intel burn test on maximum stress and passing , but wondering if your cpu will stand 75 degrees c for much longer!! ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 @ 4Gig / Titan Fenir
    Motherboard
    XFX 780i
    Memory
    4GB OCZ PC2-8500C5 DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gainward GTX260/216 SLI
    Sound Card
    Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    western digital raptor 10000rpm sata
    PSU
    OCZ Modstream 700w
    Cooling
    Titan Fenir
    Keyboard
    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Gamer
    Internet Speed
    8mb
I'd second what everyone else says about getting a faster CPU for the price of a lower one.

However I should note that it's possible to overclock without really doing much of anything, or worrying about frying your components. Hell I even have an old Athlon XP box still running that was overclocked, and it's a good 8 years old now. Overclocking doesn't necessarily mean you're running the equipment faster than it can handle.

For example, my Q9450 went from 2.6 to 3.4 at first try. My voltages are stock for everything. The only thing I had to do was set the FSB to 425. That's it, and honestly I could have stuck with the stock cooler probably. Faster than 425 it starts to get unstable, but it could go faster if I played with voltages, but I don't want to as I want this to last a few years as it will be handed down when I build an i7 box later this year.

Where you risk frying components is when you start increasing voltages. I even have some room to play with voltage if I want before I have to worry, but it's plenty fast enough until I get an i7, and it will be around plenty of years after I do.

Sure, I played with some RAM timings and such but that was for tinkering and fun mostly. I bought faster 1066 RAM as it's spec'd to run at 2.1V. I don't have any concerns about it burning out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Q9450 @3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Deluxe
    Memory
    8GB Corsair Dominator @ 1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus AH4850
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 2235BW
    Hard Drives
    2x Seagate 750GB
    1x Seagate 160GB (IDE)
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850
    Case
    Cooler Master Cosmos
    Cooling
    Cooler Master V8
    Keyboard
    Logitech WAVE Cordless
whats the advantages of over clocking? how can we do it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq
    CPU
    intel core 2 duo T 5550 @ 1.83 MHz
    Motherboard
    intel 965 chipset family
    Memory
    2 GB DDR 2 SD RAM @ 667 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board upto 358 MB RAM
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Hard Drives
    160 GB WDC
Overclocking is all about getting more out of your hardware. Like when I built my PC, I was originally wanting to get an E8400 CPU at 3GHz, but found an E8200 on sale for £40 less at just 2.66GHz. I easily overclocked this to 3GHz, so it more or less runs as an E8400 now, and it benches the same as an E8400 at 3GHz too.

It's best to overclock CPUs/RAM in the BIOS and graphic cards in something like riva tuner. Best to read a few guides on how to overclock first as the more you overclock, the harder it gets with finding the best voltages and trying to stick to a 1:1 with your CPU:RAM ratio.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
    Motherboard
    XFX MB-750I-72P9 NF750i
    Memory
    4096MB Corsair XMS2 PC-5400
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS Nvidia Geforce GTX470
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xonar DX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 24" S2409W & Dell 20" E207WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 & 1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    750GB Western Digital Caviar Black & 500GB Samsung
    PSU
    750 watt Thermaltake Toughpower
    Case
    Coolermaster Dominator 690 Nvidia Edition
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9700-NT Cooler, 6x 120mm Chassis Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G11 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Laser Mouse (2007 edition)
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Other Info
    abit airpace 54mbps wireless PCI-E x1 card
So my processor is Intel Core 2 Duo T 5550 (laptop) @ 1.83 GHZ. Can i over clock it to run @ 2 GHz? Please Please Please Please help me out how can i over clock it?
i m running windows 7 32-bit but i always wanted to go for a 2 GHz processor. Moreover i have 2 GB RAM 667 MHz. i have a multipage BIOS with the following options: Main, Advanced, Power, Boot, Security and Exit.
How can i overclock my processor?
Please Advise!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq
    CPU
    intel core 2 duo T 5550 @ 1.83 MHz
    Motherboard
    intel 965 chipset family
    Memory
    2 GB DDR 2 SD RAM @ 667 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board upto 358 MB RAM
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Hard Drives
    160 GB WDC
only 100 bsod's , your lucky....... ;) I got loads more , but finally getting it all right , all voltages and timings sweet , and waking up and checking your Prime 95 thats been running 8 hours and seeing NO errors on all 4 worker threads.........priceless ;)

and running 10 passes if intel burn test on maximum stress and passing , but wondering if your cpu will stand 75 degrees c for much longer!! ;)

Try thinking you've nailed it when P95 passes 8hrs and then app crashes at 9hours... or passing IBT with 15 runs and then failing one residual-norm with 20... not so priceless :rolleyes:

But since I paid for a 2.8ghz chip and am currently getting 3.6Ghz out of it (with room for more) I can't complain ;)

@dinesh

Even if you could BIOS based OC a laptop, it's not a good idea. Heat would be a killer in a laptop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
    Motherboard
    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1020A
    Cooling
    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
    Mouse
    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs:
    Clevo Sager P170HM //
    17.3 Matte 1920x1200 //
    i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz //
    Dedicated GTX 485M //
    240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray //

    Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0
So my processor is Intel Core 2 Duo T 5550 (laptop) @ 1.83 GHZ. Can i over clock it to run @ 2 GHz? Please Please Please Please help me out how can i over clock it?
i m running windows 7 32-bit but i always wanted to go for a 2 GHz processor. Moreover i have 2 GB RAM 667 MHz. i have a multipage BIOS with the following options: Main, Advanced, Power, Boot, Security and Exit.
How can i overclock my processor?
Please Advise!!!

i wouldn't bother dinesh......:(

laptops get very hot by default, increasing voltages or FSB would only make it hotter, which WILL lead to all sorts of S/W issues before it decides to die.....





:)SK
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ME.....
    CPU
    Q9450 @ 3.6ghz
    Motherboard
    P5K PREMIUM
    Memory
    8GB 1066mhz buffalo firestix
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD 5970
    Monitor(s) Displays
    20'' syncmaster
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    160GB 7200RPM SEAGATE BARRACUDA IDE
    160GB 7200RPM SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA 2
    PSU
    XCILIO 850w
    Case
    unknown ATX
    Cooling
    Arctic cooler pro 775
    Keyboard
    logitech EX110
    Mouse
    logitech cordless optical
    Internet Speed
    2mb
So my processor is Intel Core 2 Duo T 5550 (laptop) @ 1.83 GHZ. Can i over clock it to run @ 2 GHz? Please Please Please Please help me out how can i over clock it?
i m running windows 7 32-bit but i always wanted to go for a 2 GHz processor. Moreover i have 2 GB RAM 667 MHz. i have a multipage BIOS with the following options: Main, Advanced, Power, Boot, Security and Exit.
How can i overclock my processor?
Please Advise!!!

i wouldn't bother dinesh......:(

laptops get very hot by default, increasing voltages or FSB would only make it hotter, which WILL lead to all sorts of S/W issues before it decides to die.....





:)SK
oh really? i would then rathen run my laptop @ the same FSB and clock speed. i cant invite problems as the hardware parts like motherboard and processors are still costlier in India. !!! Cant afford it.:(
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq
    CPU
    intel core 2 duo T 5550 @ 1.83 MHz
    Motherboard
    intel 965 chipset family
    Memory
    2 GB DDR 2 SD RAM @ 667 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board upto 358 MB RAM
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Hard Drives
    160 GB WDC
But i would still want to know how can i OC my processor?
Any tutorials or instructions please?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq
    CPU
    intel core 2 duo T 5550 @ 1.83 MHz
    Motherboard
    intel 965 chipset family
    Memory
    2 GB DDR 2 SD RAM @ 667 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board upto 358 MB RAM
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Hard Drives
    160 GB WDC
Chances are slim you can properly overclock your laptop CPU. You could use 3rd party software, but I wouldn't recommend it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
    Motherboard
    XFX MB-750I-72P9 NF750i
    Memory
    4096MB Corsair XMS2 PC-5400
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS Nvidia Geforce GTX470
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xonar DX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 24" S2409W & Dell 20" E207WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 & 1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    750GB Western Digital Caviar Black & 500GB Samsung
    PSU
    750 watt Thermaltake Toughpower
    Case
    Coolermaster Dominator 690 Nvidia Edition
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9700-NT Cooler, 6x 120mm Chassis Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G11 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Laser Mouse (2007 edition)
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Other Info
    abit airpace 54mbps wireless PCI-E x1 card

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 @ 4Gig / Titan Fenir
    Motherboard
    XFX 780i
    Memory
    4GB OCZ PC2-8500C5 DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gainward GTX260/216 SLI
    Sound Card
    Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    western digital raptor 10000rpm sata
    PSU
    OCZ Modstream 700w
    Cooling
    Titan Fenir
    Keyboard
    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Gamer
    Internet Speed
    8mb
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