Would it be OK to overclock my current CPU?

Jango · 4 Apr 2010 at 13:03

I have recently purchased Command and Conquer 4 (should be here sometime next week) and to make my CPU up to the recommended requirement for the game (2.6 GHz), I am thinking about overclocking my processor a little bit.

I have an Intel Stock heatsink and an Asus P5N-E SLI motherboard (with a powerful PSU - Corsair 650W).

Would it be OK for me to overclock my CPU from 2.33GHz to 2.66GHz?

If my current heatsink isn't good enough, then would >this< one be able to get my CPU upto 3-3.4GHz?

Jango · 5 Apr 2010 at 09:35

Please can someone answer my question? That's all I ask. I don't mean to be rude, I would just like to have an answer.

Gin0rm0 · 5 Apr 2010 at 10:21

Yes it would be ok. Just keep an eye on temps.

cmndr_andi · 5 Apr 2010 at 10:45

Aye, that board is grand for overclocking a dual core like yours. I reckon you should be able to hit your target with a bit of patience. From my overclocking on that board I found there were many FSB holes - so these have to be watched out for. Also, I found that Vdroop was pretty bad, after a pencil mod (might want to give it a google) this was reduced from 0.1V to almost nothing.

The cooler you picked seems fine, but personally I would go with this one and set the fan speed to low.

reflux · 5 Apr 2010 at 10:47

Biggest danger on the P5N-E is the northbridge or southbridge overheating. But only taking it to 2.66 shouldn't get close to overheating territory.

matthab · 5 Apr 2010 at 10:56

Id replace the stock heatsink and then you should be ok.

cmndr_andi · 5 Apr 2010 at 11:00

reflux said:
Biggest danger on the P5N-E is the northbridge or southbridge overheating. But only taking it to 2.66 shouldn't get close to overheating territory.

Good call, that reminds me that I reseated the northbridge cooler with proper thermal paste (AS5, though I would propably use MX-3 now) and installed this on the southbridge, when I was overclocking with that board.

SteveB · 5 Apr 2010 at 12:35

Make sure you've got good case airflow also. It may be worth getting a couple of new case fans whilst you're getting the CPU cooler.

I've just noticed your signature lists your RAM as 667MHz. So as soon as you increase your FSB you will also be overclocking your RAM, this might (if you're lucky) get you to 400FSB if you loosen the timings. But you might need faster RAM.