preliminary questions before overclock

[omghaxcode]

my build is in my signature and right now I am using a stock cooler on my CPU. what kind of numbers can I expect from a moderate overclock with my stock cooler? what about with an upgraded cooler? what kind of overclock can I get with that?

another problem I am considering is how much more power will I draw with an overclock? I think I'm pretty close to my power supplies max but I really have no idea.

thanks for any advice/tips.

 

[Axon]

1. You're not remotely close to that PSU's output. Don't worry about that.

2. It's impossible to predict how well a chip will respond to overclocking, but I would think a .3 increase in Ghz is a reasonable expectation. I'd order a Prolimatech or the like immediately, however. Your system should crush most games, by the by...do you really need to start overclocking under stock cooling?

 

[Kenmitch]

Power Supply= Good to go

Cooling System = Needs replacement....As stated earlier maybe even Corsair H50 if it'll work with your unkown case.

Having all ram slots might hamper overclocking somewhat tho. Would have to see what happens on that.

Q9550's kinda depend on luck of the draw so it would depend. My old one did 4ghz I was 1 for 1 on it. My new chip in sig I'm 1 for 1 so I kinda get lucky alot.

What kinda overclocked speed did you have in mind?

 

[omghaxcode]

I have no idea of what kind of overclock I'm looking to do I've just been hearing, YOU'RE CPU LIMITED by so many people I might as well OC it. I can't get i7 since I'd have to replace my mobo and ram and obviously that is too much of a cost.

I have a cosmos S so I don't think space is going to be a problem in my case lol. I have no idea what to look at when it comes to fans. anywhere I should look to research them? any suggestions?

 

[Kenmitch]

The case has room....But no cutout on MB backplate I could see in the Newegg photos.

Do you have any problem with taking the system apart to change the cooler?

Alot of coolers don't use the stock push pins

 

[Axon]

Well, CPU limited is incorrect. Let me dispel some myths for you.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=50&p2=109&c=1 has benches for the q9550 vs. the i5 750. You'll note that in the gaming area, they produce similar results, save for the i5's turbo mode.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=50&p2=47&c=1 q9550 v. i7 920 - the gaming results are almost identical.

That stated, I'm not advising you to refrain from overclocking, but you should know where your CPU stands. The current gen chips, while superior, don't exactly eviscerate the 9550.

As to fans: I like the Noiseblocker NB series, generally ones that max out at around 1700 RPM (speaking generally, the more RPM a fan can achieve, the louder it may be). NB is pricey, but it has rubber surrounding the frame, which I find dumbs down any potential for noise from mounting the fan. However, and there are good options from Noctua, Coolermaster, and Scythe.

The Corsair H50 is a popular option of late, and is actually a watercooling based system that uses an exhaust fan. I hear good things.

 

[Murloc]

I have no idea of what kind of overclock I'm looking to do I've just been hearing, YOU'RE CPU LIMITED by so many people I might as well OC it. I can't get i7 since I'd have to replace my mobo and ram and obviously that is too much of a cost.

I have a cosmos S so I don't think space is going to be a problem in my case lol. I have no idea what to look at when it comes to fans. anywhere I should look to research them? any suggestions?

find reviews where almost every recent cooler on the market is compared.
go and check all the best review sites, starting from here...
Read a lot and you'll find out what is best for you (price, performance, dimension).

There are no high performance coolers that don't require a backplate, so you'll have to take your system apart.

Before buying anything you should consider doing a test, overclock your processor in a stable configuration with the stock cooler and run a benchmark of the resource-sucking gamese you play, and see if you are cpu limited with them.

If I didn't have low fps I wouldn't care whether it's cpu limited or not.

 

[omghaxcode]

what do you mean take apart my system? isn't their like a plastic rim around the CPU that connects the stock cooler to the mobo? wouldn't I just have to take off the stock cooler just with the lever, unscrew the plastic mount, and screw on a new plastic mount?

 

[Kenmitch]

what do you mean take apart my system? isn't their like a plastic rim around the CPU that connects the stock cooler to the mobo? wouldn't I just have to take off the stock cooler just with the lever, unscrew the plastic mount, and screw on a new plastic mount?

The stock cooler uses the intel push pins which just click into the holes on the MB. You can remove them without taking your system apart....But it will limit your aftermarket cooler choices as most don't use this style of mounting.

 

[busydude]

what do you mean take apart my system? isn't their like a plastic rim around the CPU that connects the stock cooler to the mobo? wouldn't I just have to take off the stock cooler just with the lever, unscrew the plastic mount, and screw on a new plastic mount?

You need to install a black plate to secure the cooler. Its fairly common for mid-high end coolers.


If you don't have an back plate access hole it is impossible to install a back plate without removing the motherboard from the case.

 

[Dark Shroud]

The Asus boards like that usually have over clocking tools built in as well. So that should be able to help you out a bit.

As for the cooler, I would recommend Noctua NH-U12P SE2 if you have room. Check prices at Amazon before ordering.

This CPU Cooler comes with everything you'll need in one package. A higher ranking heat sink, 2 top rated expensive quiet fans, & high rated thermal paste.

 

[Markfw]

The Asus boards like that usually have over clocking tools built in as well. So that should be able to help you out a bit.

As for the cooler, I would recommend Noctua NH-U12P SE2 if you have room. Check prices at Amazon before ordering.

This CPU Cooler comes with everything you'll need in one package. A higher ranking heat sink, 2 top rated expensive quiet fans, & high rated thermal paste.

This is my favorite:
http://www.svc.com/megahalems.html

As for built in overclocking, nothing beats good old bios overclocking....