I need an opinion on how much I should overclock my CPU

[mike420]

I'm not too sure about how much I can over clock my cpu safely.

My rig:
E7200 Core 2 duo at 2.53Ghz
2x2gb kingston RAM 5-5-5 ( non oc)
P5q Pro Turbo Mobo
CrossfireX ATI HD4870 at 1gb a piece
750W Silencer supply
ocZ Vendetta2 Cooler

How high do you think I can get my cpu running safely?

 

[Ben90]

As high as you can get it with around a 5% voltage increase.

Frequencies dont kill chips, just voltage/temp

If you could get that up to 400ghz on stock voltages; it would be a safe overclock

 

[Zensal]

1. No guarantees. If you attempt to overclock your chip and kill it, its over.

2. That being said, the general consensus seems to be that you need to keep your chip under 70C load. Maybe 75C if you want to push it. I personally topped out at 72C and was happy.

3. Keep your voltage as low as possible. Do not go over 1.4v unless you really, really want to upgrade soon/kill your chip. 1.35v to be safe. Lower if possible.

With all that in mind, you can probably hit somewhere between 3.6-3.8GHz. 4.0 if you are really lucky.

 

[Yukmouth]

Be sure to toke up before you OC also!!!

There's a much higher chance your results will be amazing :beer:.

 

[imported_Scoop]

Until you hit 75C under load.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: mike420
How high do you think I can get my cpu running safely?

Ah, the lottery

Give it a go, stress-test for stability, and report back how it goes.

 

[Lemon law]

OK OK OK, overclocking is free speed at the cost of free free and free. But in reality it has a number of costs that may not be for everyone.

Because my hat is off to the responsible overclocker, the person who GASP spends the time to learn all the variables, learn to sneak up and get a safe over clock, which takes much time and testing, are willing to spend the bucks it takes in faster memory and better cooling, and then back off a bit to get a stable overclock. And in addition has a real need to get more speed so that their passion of gaming or video encoding can be realized for less money invested.

The person I have lesser respect for is the person who decides he has to keep up with the Jones, and if someone else achieved this incredible overclock with the same CPU, they should be able to do it too without any time or knowledge invested.

I do not think our OP is in that position, but is asking the right questions about where to stop, and has gotten some good answers.

As for me, I now have an overclockable board and processor for the first time on my life, I have taken some baby steps in gaining knowledge and trying some overclocking, but because my needs are more in the area of stability rather than speed, I am still running stock speeds on my computer. When and if I need more speed, I will over clock.

But because my wife and I were fool enough to buy a too hot running a chip, I am having to underclock it just to run it stable.

 

[Lemon law]

Accidental double post