Overclocking for gaming and use

[cerna]

hi guys,

I am setting up a system with Asus A8n32 , zalmann 9500, corsair xms 2gb twin and chenbro gaming bomb II case, but now I am looking for a processor that I can overclock enough to leave it OCed without reducing it's lifespan drmatically. What do you recommend, I use it for encoding and gaming mostly. The options are either an X2 3800 or 4400 or an opty 170. What do you reccomend, I am a noobie OCer? Also what steppings?

Thanks in advance

 

[atybimf]

Well, how much do you want to overclock? Any dual core will be fine for you, but if you plan on overclocking I'd say get an Opteron. In most cases you don't get to choose your stepping, but if you do, get one of the earlier steppings.

Nice system, but what video card are you getting? You can't game without a video card! (very well at least..) Judging by the prices of the rest of your components, I'd say you will like an ATI X1900XTX or Nvidia 7900GTX..

 

[cerna]

Thanks for the reply.

I want to overclock enough to gain but am not sure how much is "enough" without risking to losing the processor.

As regards the card probably I will go for a eVGA 7800GT OC as the budget is running short.

What do you think? I live in Malta so the parts are very expensive unfortuantely

 

[sodcha0s]

IMO, the risk of losing your processor due to overclocking during it's useable lifetime (3 to 5 years max) is slim to none. It will only be at serious risk if you are running extreme core voltage and/or high temps. For example, I'm currently running an Opteron 146 at 2800Mhz on stock vcore and temps are very good. This chip will probably last for years at these speeds under these conditions.

Do some research and figure out what kind of chip you need, (single or dual core, budget, etc.) and go from there. Currently there isn't a real need for dual core, unless you plan on running several CPU intensive programs at once. Some people will argue this point, but again it really depends on how you use your computer. As atybimf stated, an Opteron is usually your best bet if you're going to overclock an AMD. Another thing, single cores will almost always clock higher and more easily than dual cores, something to consider if a higher clock is important to you.

BTW, nice case! I have the black one and am very happy with it. If you haven't set it up yet be prepared for the stock fans.... they are unbelievably loud @ 12v! Either replace them or get a fan controller, you can slow those puppies way down and still have excellent airflow.

 

[cerna]

sodcha0s thanks for the tip re the case fans, good to know I will go for a fan controller thena s advised.

I will probably go for a dual core since I tend to upgrade ever 5 years and I want it to last. Is there a huge differnece between a 165 and 170 opty?

 

[atybimf]

Originally posted by: cerna
sodcha0s thanks for the tip re the case fans, good to know I will go for a fan controller thena s advised.

I will probably go for a dual core since I tend to upgrade ever 5 years and I want it to last. Is there a huge differnece between a 165 and 170 opty?

The only difference is the 165 is 1.8GHz stock and the 170 is 2.0GHz stock. Since you're overclocking it won't matter, but some people find it easier to overclock with the 10x multiplier of the 170 over the 9x multiplier of the 165.