Will Overclocking damage my CPU even if temps are safe?

chankey007 · Sep 11, 2014

Config
FX-8350
AsRock 990FX Extreme 4
HD 7850 2GB
K281 case
Hyper 212x cooler

I overclocked it today to 4.2 Ghz by just increasing the multiplier. I didn't increase the voltage. The default VCore for FX-8350 is 1.3V, I changed it to 1.2875. Even then system looks stable. Ran P95 test for 10 minutes, core temp seemed stable at 48C and socket temp at 65C.

My question is: I'll keep an eye on the temps in different ambient temperature, but if the temp doesn't go above say 50C on core and 69C on socket then should I keep it at 4.2Ghz? Is there any harm in that? Note that I won't turn off cool & quiet because if there's no load and even then the CPU is running at 4.2Ghz then it will shorten its life span.

I'm confused on the thing that what if the temp is under safe limits and cool & quiet is ON but still there might be something which can affect my CPU? Is there any possibility of any kind of damage in my situation? Kindly mention the possible harmful things.

jitpublisher · Sep 11, 2014

When you run your harware outside of system specs, there is ALWAYS the possibility of doing damage to the hardware. However, you minimize the possibility of damaging your hardware by doing exaclty what you are doing. Use your wits and use moderation. If temps are within range, and voltage is at normal or only slightly above, you are using cool and quiet to keep the processor at lower speeds until needed. So the chance of doing any damage is quite low. And what the heck, even if by a very remote outside chance that you do damage it, you know they make more of them!

ezskills · Sep 11, 2014

Just keep the cpu temp under 60c and your be fine

sportsfanboy · Sep 11, 2014

If your voltage is below max by a decent amount as you listed, and you keep the chip cool, you have little to nothing to worry about. Ive been running my rigs at somewhere around 30-40 percent overclocks for years and years without a problem. I have yet to kill a part, in better part of a decade by overclocking.

chankey007 · Sep 12, 2014

sportsfanboy :

OK. I'm running on 4.2GHz at the moment and core temp did not go above 48C, socket temp 65C (playing bf3 and p95 test). It's under safe limit. Everything looks fine. P95 test failed for 1 core but I don't care, as I take regular backup. All I care about is hardware. No part should get damaged, and no part's lifespan should get lower. VCore is 1.2875 which is less than stock (1.3).

I also want to ask that should I stay at 4.2Ghz with cool & quiet on or should I use the Turbo core, so that AMD decides what's good for system and cores and boosts system when it requires a boost?

chankey007 · Sep 12, 2014

ezskills :

Even if the system is cool isn't there any possibility of damage? Will the lifespan get shorter?

JimF_35 · Sep 12, 2014

Just running a CPU damages a CPU. What you are looking at is life expectancy because all CPUs die over time. Overclocking shortens this. If you constantly upgrade your computer then you need a mean time between upgrades.

I personally burnt my 990x out after a year of running it at 4.6 GHz and 40-90c average 70c temps. I like running SETI and Folding @ home though. It still runs I have to turn off hyper threading and under clock it to 3 GHz now. I replaced the CPU and I am running a 980x now.

Karadjgne · Sep 12, 2014

I wouldn't worry too much about life span. Most pc components are rated lifespan of somewhere between 10 and 15 years. So if you are still using the same pc 10 years from now, you have larger issues than a tired cpu

chankey007 · Sep 12, 2014

JimF_35 :

I see. But AMD Turbo Core comes enabled by default so that when CPU needs boost it boosts it. So should I use that instead of manualy overclock? If AMD is providing this facility they might have done the research on it so that it doesn't damage the CPU.

JimF_35 · Sep 12, 2014

chankey007 :

JimF_35 :

I see. But AMD Turbo Core comes enabled by default so that when CPU needs boost it boosts it. So should I use that instead of manualy overclock? If AMD is providing this facility they might have done the research on it so that it doesn't damage the CPU.

Yes. Boost ramps up the clocks only when you need them. This keeps the average abuse to your CPU down but it may cause instability.

chankey007 · Sep 12, 2014

JimF_35 :

chankey007 :

Yes. Boost ramps up the clocks only when you need them. This keeps the average abuse to your CPU down but it may cause instability.

No issue with instability. I just want to keep my hardware safe. Is turbo core the way to go then?

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