Newbie questions: overclocking, easy or not

[JB77]

Hi

Havent build a pc for a long while so forgive my newbie ness!

planning to build a new qx9650 based system air cooled. Needs to be stable, use it for general use and gaming but also wanted to start experimenting with OCing (within stability boundaries)

My basic question is, how easy is OC'ing, reading a lot about increasing voltages etc. Is this all software driven or does this need in box adjustments etc.

 

[snouter]

There are many good threads on overclocking. Just keep reading them until you start to figure out how everything relates.

Get the build running well on stock settings first. Test it with memtest86 and prime95. There is a sticky thread on this.

The settings are done in bios these days. No onboard jumpers anymore.

There is no one answer to overclocking, there are too many variables... ram, motherboard, etc...

 

[DSF]

If you want to build a general use/gaming computer, I have a better plan.

Set $500 on fire.
Use $150-200 to buy your CPU.
Send me $100 for the advice.

You'll still save about $200 versus buying that QX9650, and for general computing and gaming, you won't notice the difference.

If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside to have a quad-core chip, either buy the Q6600 now, or wait 3-4 months for the 45nm quads to be released at reasonable prices. (Or both, and it would still cost less combined than the QX9650 and offer similar performance.)

Edit: Didn't mean to come off like an asshat. I didn't realize you were the same guy I just explained this same situation to in the General Hardware section.

Cheers!

 

[Mondoman]

DSF is almost right -- send the $500 to me, and I'll take care of setting it on fire.

 

[aigomorla]

*sigh*

To the OP, yeah a QX isnt worth it because he's not an experienced OCer.

But to the experienced OCer, the QX is very worth it.

6x-60x multi goodness.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
*sigh*

To the OP, yeah a QX isnt worth it because he's not an experienced OCer.

But to the experienced OCer, the QX is very worth it.

6x-60x multi goodness.

Even if I were an experienced overclocker, no CPU would be worth $1000 to me. But to each his own.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Is a 60x multi possible? Even with an unlocked chip, would a high multiplier like that cause stress? And what about the RAM?

Anyway... Mmm... 60x.