What is the best way to overclock the Q9650?

I just bought the Q9650 and it will be here monday. I just want to know how high can I go with the Q9650 in terms of overcockibility. I'm building a computer with the following parts.

Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 chipset
4GB Patriot memory DDR2 1066
ATI Radeon 4870
NZXT tempest case "Airflow King"
750 watt corsair PSU.

I would like to see if any one has a Q9650 with the locked multi and ho high did it go? I want it stable for 24/7 for at least for 2 years.

blackpanther26,

Don't forget to order a Xigmatek HDT-SD1283 and the retention bracket.

What is your VID? This is often a resonable indicator of overclock ceiling, however, you must understand that all processors are unique in their overclocking potential, voltage tolerance, and thermal behavior, so there are no guarantees. My Q9650 is Prime95 stable at 4.2 Ghz, it's within maximum Vcore limit, and the temperatures are at warm scale.

From the Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ture-guide


Section 6: Scale

Scale 2: Quad
Q9x50: Tcase Max 71c, Stepping E0, TDP 95W, Idle 16W<--Q9650
Q9x50: Tcase Max 71c, Stepping C1, TDP 95W, Idle 16W
Q9400: Tcase Max 71c, Stepping R0, TDP 95W, Idle 16W
Q9300: Tcase Max 71c, Stepping M1, TDP 95W, Idle 16W
Q8x00: Tcase Max 71c, Stepping R0, TDP 95W, Idle 16W
Q8200: Tcase Max 71c, Stepping M1, TDP 95W, Idle 16W
Q6x00: Tcase Max 71c, Stepping G0, TDP 95W, Idle 16W

-Tcase/Tjunction-
--70--/--75--75--75--75-- Hot
--65--/--70--70--70--70-- Warm
--60--/--65--65--65--65-- Safe
--25--/--30--30--30--30-- Cool

Tcase = CPU temperature
Tjunction = Core temperatures


Comp

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hi, i just bought a q9650 as well... can you give more tips?

i bought also a Sunbeam CCF so it should be cool enough to reach high results.

Thanx!