Should I Overclock?

[Bigman]

Hi,

I have been thinking for a while, should/could I overclock my system.
I do not have special cooling features.. just 3 Air cooling fans (CPU, huge side fan, standard back fan).

Here is my specs:

CPU:  DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo E6400, 1600 MHz (6 x 267)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-S3
Memory: 2048 MB  (DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM) (1024X2)
GPU:  Radeon X1950XT (256 MB) (R580)
 
Temperatures; 
Motherboard  39 °C  (102 °F)
CPU   50 °C  (122 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 56 °C  (133 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 55 °C  (131 °F)
GPU   57 °C  (135 °F)
GPU Ambient  46 °C  (115 °F)
GPU VRM   56 °C  (133 °F)
SATA    WDC WD3200JS 37 °C  (99 °F)
 
Cooling Fans; 
CPU   1600 RPM
 
Voltage Values;
CPU Core  1.31 V
+3.3 V   3.33 V
+12 V   12.25 V
+5 V Standby  5.13 V
DIMM   1.81 V

So, Can I overclock my GPU/CPU/MEMORY without doing any damage? (Using my current cooling options)
If yes, how far could I get?


Thanks!

 

[scrooge]

have a look here ..

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scrooge

 

[Bigman]

have a look here ..

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scrooge

I will, Thanks.

Waiting for more helpful posts

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Be careful. You could make a nice door stop out of your computer.

 

[Bigman]

Be careful. You could make a nice door stop out of your computer.

Sorry for my noobness, but whats 'door stop' ?

 

[mansrm81]

Something that holds your door open.

 

[Fumz]

have a look here ..

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scrooge

I will, Thanks.

Waiting for more helpful posts

Howto: Overclock C2q (quads) And C2d (duals) - A Guide V1.7 - OverclockersClub Forums

 

[roy69]

Does your computer do what you want it to?
If the answer is yes then dont bother to overclock.

 

[xguntherc]

Well overclocking isn't for everyone. If your computer does what you'd like it to, and does it well. than no need to overclock. but when your someone like me that has a Quad Core stock at 3.0 Ghz.. I technically shouldn't need to overclock. but 4.0 Ghz is where I took it. Most can't go that high, and it's not really needed. It's just for the fun, and wanting to push your stuff the the extreme.

Yes overclocking will shorten the life of your components. but with good Air cooling, you'll be fine. CPU's last around 10+ years or more. so overclocking Safely.. you should be fine. Some people will say yes to OC, some will say no.

first off. if your CPU is stting around 55c like what you posted above. then NO, for sure do not overclock. thats a very high temp for how low your CPU is. if you want to overclock. you need to upgrade to better CPU Cooler to start. as heat is the biggest danger. is that 55c at full workload, or under idle speeds?

 

[Fumz]

Bigman, despite gunther's warnings and admonitions, he's your man. He's a very good clocker and has the patience to walk you through each step of the process. Roll with him and you'll be a happy camper. Honestly, in 10 years at this (clocking), I've never met a guy more patient, able and willing to help out others than gunther.... run with him.

 

[Bigman]

Thank you all for your useful posts, I`ve got answers I wanted.
I understood that for a decent OC I need to improve my air cooling system, which I will try to do.

I am fine with the current performance, but 'fine' is not enough for heavy games& a lot of processes needed to be calculated.

About the CPU temps, these are under idle speeds.


p/s Can I overclock my GPU without adding any more cooling systems?
p/s2 Whats normal temps for unOCed core?

 

[xguntherc]

Thank you Fumz for the Compliments.. Tried to give you some Rep, but says I must spread the LOVE first.. lol



OK. to start Bigman. you need to go to userCP at top left of screen. and enter all the info of your system under edit system Specs.

Also I don't know what GPU you have. so I don't know what type of overclock you can get. but I see it's running at 57c. thats not great. but not bad.. good enough to safely overclock.. depending on what model it is.

as for the CPU. your on the stock CPU Cooler I'm assuming. as those temps are to high. they should be around that temp at 100% Full load.

I'd invest in a decent Air cooler for the CPU, something like the Xigmatek 2-1283.. it's only 39.99 and it's rated in the top 5.. total! so it's one of the best price/performance coolers around. but make sure it will fit your case. that or the Tuniq Tower is a good one. I have that. the Thermalright Ultimate 120 "Extreme" is the BEST.. if your willing to sped $50 bucks.

Also almost all e6400's can hit 3.0 Ghz with half decent cooling. some higher. toping around 3.6 Ghz if your lucky on Air cooling. but thats pretty high. I'm thinkin something around 3.0 Ghz, maybe 3.2 Ghz for you. and that will show some good performance increases. plus depending on how good of a video card you have. the slow CPU could be holding it bakc. and 3.0 Ghz on CPU could unlease it's top performance. lol so fill out your system specs and look into better cooling, and you'll get to 3.0 Ghz stable... Mkay!

 

[Bigman]

Thank you Fumz for the Compliments.. Tried to give you some Rep, but says I must spread the LOVE first.. lol



OK. to start Bigman. you need to go to userCP at top left of screen. and enter all the info of your system under edit system Specs.

Also I don't know what GPU you have. so I don't know what type of overclock you can get. but I see it's running at 57c. thats not great. but not bad.. good enough to safely overclock.. depending on what model it is.

as for the CPU. your on the stock CPU Cooler I'm assuming. as those temps are to high. they should be around that temp at 100% Full load.

I'd invest in a decent Air cooler for the CPU, something like the Xigmatek 2-1283.. it's only 39.99 and it's rated in the top 5.. total! so it's one of the best price/performance coolers around. but make sure it will fit your case. that or the Tuniq Tower is a good one. I have that. the Thermalright Ultimate 120 "Extreme" is the BEST.. if your willing to sped $50 bucks.

Also almost all e6400's can hit 3.0 Ghz with half decent cooling. some higher. toping around 3.6 Ghz if your lucky on Air cooling. but thats pretty high. I'm thinkin something around 3.0 Ghz, maybe 3.2 Ghz for you. and that will show some good performance increases. plus depending on how good of a video card you have. the slow CPU could be holding it bakc. and 3.0 Ghz on CPU could unlease it's top performance. lol so fill out your system specs and look into better cooling, and you'll get to 3.0 Ghz stable... Mkay!

System Specs updated

I`m usign intel's standerd CPU fan, and I have Radeon x1950XT 256MB R580 GPU card - its gigabyte's (air cooling fan).


About the Air Cooling you mentioned, which one of the above did you meant to?
http://www.xigmatek.com/product/air-hdts1283.php
http://www.xigmatek.com/product/air-redscorpions1283.php
http://www.xigmatek.com/product/air-dark-knight-s1283.php

 

[Bigman]

Been on a vication this week. I`m back

xguntherc, Waiting for your word.