Can I overclock safely?

[Founder_film]

Hi

Just bought my parents a Core2Duo E2140 system which I will be putting together in the next couple of days. I got them this motherboard:

http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1151&maincat_no=1

and Kingston 2GB KIT (2X1GB) DDR2 667MHz/PC2-5300 RAM.

My question is will it be ok to overclock the CPU to around 2.5GHz safely? I have had a look on the thread about overclocking this cpu and people are getting 3GHz and over, so I would have thought 2.5GHz would be achievable. Once I make the system I will be the other side of the country so won't be able to come fix it if it goes wrong.

So will the motherboard and RAM be ok to get around this speed? Can I use a multiplier to keep the RAM running at its native speed (667MHz) whilst upping the CPU FSB?

Thanks in advance

 

[schumi84]

I believe the E2140 runs an 8x multiplier so that is the max you would be able to run it at.

From my experience with 945 chipsets they dont seem to like overclocking particularly high. Built an e2160 system on the Gigabyte 945 DS3 and it didnt want to go much above stock speed.

 

[Founder_film]

So do these core2duo's overclock by multiplier only? Sorry been out of the scene for some time and not kept up with all the new CPU's. Can I not just up the FSB a few notches (motherboard permitting of course)?

 

[Cob]

If the board allows you to then yes you up the FSB.

 

[Founder_film]

Thanks, setting it all up today so might give it a go later.

 

[Columbo]

Beware of the heat though bud. Reference coolers are not particularly good at cooling overclocked chips.

 

[Founder_film]

Yeah ok, if I clock it up I won't be pushing it to the limits just maybe a little bump to get a bit more juice out of it for them.