Diffrent cpu's (same family) overclocking question.

[adamknox]

Hi, Im very new to overclocking and understanding it but i have just one question (which may be a nooby one )


I have a 955 Phenom 2 x4. Its stock speed is set to 3.21Ghz, I have overclocked it to 3.6Ghz and ive just changed the Multiplyer 18.5. Ive allways wonderd though the diffrence betweens say the 955 and the 965 (which runs at 3.4 compared to the 955 at 3.2) So is the 965 overclocked to 3.6 when its made by just changing the multiplayer? (so if i got the 965 id still be only able to clock it to 3.6 changing the multiplyer) >< its hard to get across what i mean lol i hope ya know how i mean it! I guess what im asking is if BOTH the 955 and the 965 were running at 3.6Ghz would they be just as god as each other? Ergo you can get the cheaper 955 and just overclock it to how ever much you could overclock a 965 too.

I was on a benchmark earlier with some one who had there Intel i7 965 running at 4.1Ghz! I was just wondering why he didnt get the 920 (which is cheaper) and then overclock it to 4.1ghz As from what i understood the 920 and the 965 are the same processor if there both running at say 3.2Ghz)

 

[SMAndy]

You're exactly right.

955 = 965, just the 965 runs at a higher stock speed.

Generally, you'll find you can get a higher speed when you overclock one which is higher at stock, as the chips are of better quality. When companies like Intel and AMD make processors, they aim for the top with all chips, and ones that don't make the max speed get sold as a lower chip. This is moreso the case with AMD, as the triple and dual core Phenom II chips are just hardware locked quad cores.

If you only want a chip at 3.6, get the 955. It'll get to 3.6 most likely with only a very small increase in voltage. As for the 965, you'll be able to get it to 3.6 on stock volts.

My cpu is the 720BE triple core - it's exactly the same physically as the 955 and 965, only mine runs at stock as a 3 core cpu at 2.8Ghz. Mine is currently on 3.5Ghz... and I'm going to try unlocking the 4th core at some point.

If you have a 955, don't get a 965... you'll be literally throwing money away, as they are pretty much the same. You should be able to get your 955 to 3.8Ghz if you know what you're doing, possibly even 4.0 if you have the right cooling and other components.

 

[adamknox]

thanks for yuor reply!
Well i have a gigabyte Motherboard that was made to overclock! (ive heard its one of the best for overclocking) I get a bit worried when changing the voltage tbh. Like i say ive just changed the Multiplyer at the mo and got it upto 3.6. I did get it upto 3.7 and 3.8 by changing voltage a little) but the temps were getting very hi (55) and 6.4+ when i started stress test! (i stopped it and changed the settings back to 3.6 + stock volts) My cooler is Asus Silent knight, i know its not the best for overcloking, i just love the way it looks in case I did use AMD overdrive auto overclocker but that also just gets upto 3.6/3.7 and then the pc crashs -_- I guess ill have to be happy with it at 3.6