[Abadede]

Hi, I just upgraded my pc and would like some help on overclocking the CPU.

My system:

AMD Phenom II X4 960T Zosma 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory
HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series 550VX 550W power supply

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, and I'm using the stock cooling.

Thanks!

[leik oh em jeez!]

Seeing as how you're using stock cooling and have to ask for help on how to overclock, you probably shouldn't. But everyone has to start somewhere I suppose.
Look in your BIOS for clock settings, don't expect to get much extra out of your CPU with stock cooling, and by all means, watch your CPU temp while gaming or benching.

[Wolf68k]

There is a program that comes with the mobo disc that will allow you to do the OC while in Windows. It might have some auto settings that will adjust things to 2 or 3 or more different OC settings, plus one to go back to the default settings.
However as leik mentioned, cooling is an issue. I wouldn't bother trying to OC even a little bit with the stock cooler.

[PrometheusX]

QUOTE (Wolf68k @ Friday, May 4 2012, 19:55)

However as leik mentioned, cooling is an issue. I wouldn't bother trying to OC even a little bit with the stock cooler.

Not even unlocking it?

They're right, you need a cooler, abadede. I'm sorry for not including it in the build I recommended you, I didn't realize you were intending to OC.

[freak2121]

I recommend this for your aftermarket cooler. It brought the temps of my Q6600 down from 88c to 45c max and it's keeping my i5 quite cool at 4494MHz (61c max).

There may be coolers better than this though, I suggest looking around on Newegg or waiting for some people on here to recommend other ones.

[Abadede]

Well thanks for the clarification. $35 for a fan? My gosh! $35 + $240 (cost of my cpu.) = $275. For $275, couldn't I've got a cpu that would outperform my overclocked cpu?

If yes, then I may consider it -- later on.
If no, then the hell with overclocking.

This post has been edited by Abadede on Saturday, May 5 2012, 04:35

[PrometheusX]

QUOTE (Abadede @ Saturday, May 5 2012, 04:10)

Well thanks for the clarification.

You got some certain budget for a cooler (are you willing to buy one)?

You know, you don't need to directly OC, try to play the game (IV), tweak the settings and see the FPS (And other benchmarks too). I'm pretty sure it'll max it out (if the CPU is unlocked).

[Abadede]

I was just editing my post and know I see your reply. I will be installing GTA IV Sunday. I will update it first, then I'll see how well it works. For all I know, the game could run butter smooth.

[PrometheusX]

QUOTE (Abadede @ Saturday, May 5 2012, 04:10)

Well thanks for the clarification. $35 for a fan? My gosh! $35 + $240 (cost of my cpu.) = $275. For $275, couldn't I've got a cpu that would outperform my overclocked cpu?

I think the CPU was $120.

[Wolf68k]

QUOTE (PrometheusX @ Friday, May 4 2012, 21:24)

QUOTE (Wolf68k @ Friday, May 4 2012, 19:55) However as leik mentioned, cooling is an issue. I wouldn't bother trying to OC even a little bit with the stock cooler. Not even unlocking it? They're right, you need a cooler, abadede. I'm sorry for not including it in the build I recommended you, I didn't realize you were intending to OC.

Just unlocking it? That should be ok with the stock cooler. It's likely that AMD includes the same cooler for that CPU as that factor unlocked one.
And I'm not saying you cannot OC on the stock cooler, but don't expect to be able to go too high without high temps.
It's might be possible to get 500-1000MHz more out of the CPU on the stock cooler, but pay close attention to the temps. I would run a long stress test, watching the temps and of course to see if the OC holds up anyway.

[Abadede]

QUOTE (PrometheusX @ Friday, May 4 2012, 23:42)

QUOTE (Abadede @ Saturday, May 5 2012, 04:10) Well thanks for the clarification. $35 for a fan?    My gosh! $35 + $240 (cost of my cpu.) = $275. For $275, couldn't I've got a cpu that would outperform my overclocked cpu? I think the CPU was $120.

Oh, I got confused with the graphic card's cost. If I buy this fan, will I be able to overclock it to the speeds of a processor that cost ~$180?

[PrometheusX]

QUOTE (Abadede @ Monday, May 7 2012, 01:32)

QUOTE (PrometheusX @ Friday, May 4 2012, 23:42) QUOTE (Abadede @ Saturday, May 5 2012, 04:10) Well thanks for the clarification. $35 for a fan?    My gosh! $35 + $240 (cost of my cpu.) = $275. For $275, couldn't I've got a cpu that would outperform my overclocked cpu? I think the CPU was $120. Oh, I got confused with the graphic card's cost. If I buy this fan, will I be able to overclock it to the speeds of a processor that cost ~$180?

It's not by the price really. It's by the performance. However OCing the CPU to 4GHz (you need the cooler obviously for lower temp) you could expect GTA IV @ Highest Settings w/ ENB Playable.

This shouldn't be here, but can you post a benchmark of IV?