Help Overclocking my 3960X on my Asus Sabertooth X79 (Noob) **Also a CPU Fan Error Question on my Mobo**

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Synplex

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Jun 16, 2015
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Hey everyone,
I just got my 3960X and Asus Sabertooth X79 so after a successful build and boot up the next step is Overclocking!!!!! ... of course :lol:
I have a Noctua NH-U14S Cooler on my CPU and I would to hit something near 4.0ghz (nothing to crazy), but I have no idea what to do.
So if anyone is willing to help me out by giving me a Noob-ish intro to overclocking or point me in the right direction of a easy to follow tutorial I would be grateful. :D

Here's my Set-up:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VQXZ3C


** Also Side Question if someone has or had a Asus Sabertooth X79 MoBo. **
Sometimes when I Boot my PC I get a "CPU Fan Error" on my Boot screen and it recommends me to Press F1 to enter my Setup, but when I do all I see is that my CPU fan is running at 450-550 rpms (the Min RPM level is 600rpm) my CPU temp is around 33C - 35C which isn't that hot. SHould I be concerned or just ignore it? ** :??:

Thx again thumb.gif
 
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There are no OS prerequisites beyond whatever program you use to stress the CPU during testing. Usually Prime95 should run on any Windows 32 or 64 bit OS.

As for OC'ing and 'shortening the life span', shortening the life of a CPU is determined by temps and volts. Run it...
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Rookie_MIB

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Jul 27, 2013
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It should be pretty straightforward if you're looking for a mild overclock and have a pretty decent cooler.


In the BIOS, you basically disable the turbo mode, then change the clock multiplier from 'auto' to 'manual'. Then, turn up the multiplier by 1x, save, boot into windows, run temp monitor, and then run a stressor like Prime95. If the temps stay in an acceptable range (ie: below the tCase max of 67 degrees C) after several minutes of testing and the Prime95 comes back with no errors, then you reboot back into bios, turn multiplier up by 1x, save, reboot, and repeat.

If you get to the spot where you find the overclock ok, then stop, and run Prime95 for an hour and verify no crashes or errors. If it runs clean with no crashes you're set.

If you hit too close to max temp of 67C, back it down a stitch, and don't go higher (you'll just throttle the processor).

If Prime95 crashes or Windows crashes, back it down and don't go higher (instability is a sign of too high of an overclock).
 
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Synplex

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Jun 16, 2015
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@ Rookie_MIB Wow that sound pretty straight forward. From what I've seen online about Overclocking Sandybridge CPU, I got a little overwhelmed. I'll try it out tonight and more along cautiously.

Any prerequisites on windows 7 or anything else before I start to overclock?
Also, I've read on how OCing a CPU is shorten its life span, but if I'm not pushing it to far via Multipliers, do you think my CPU can last years with heavy use? (3D Graphic Work/Renders)
 
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Rookie_MIB

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There are no OS prerequisites beyond whatever program you use to stress the CPU during testing. Usually Prime95 should run on any Windows 32 or 64 bit OS.

As for OC'ing and 'shortening the life span', shortening the life of a CPU is determined by temps and volts. Run it too hot, too long, or with too much voltage and yes you could shorten the life or flat out kill it. That's why I only recommend keeping the voltage consistent (and unchanged) and using the multiplier only to overclock, and using a GOOD CPU cooler to keep the CPU temps down.

Take your time, sneak up on your target, monitor your temps, be realistic about your target based on your case, airflow, and cooler. I have an i5-4670k, stock 3.4ghz, turbo to 3.8ghz and I have it set at 4.0ghz flat. It runs cool, runs fast, and should last a long and happy life. I'm not aiming for 4.5ghz (even though with a better cooler I probably could), but 4.0ghz is plenty fast for what I want it for.

 
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