Overclocking With Stock Heatsink ?

[zwink008]

Question out of curiosity, I am trying to figure out the truth to this article that can be found at :

http://hothardware.com/Articles/Overclocking-Intels-Core-i7-920-Processor/?page=4

Let me tell you what I am working with....

Mobo : EVGA X58 Classified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039

CPU : Intel i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Memory: Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

Power : Coolmaster 1200W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159067

Video : Nvidia GTX285 x 2 SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143190

Tower : Antec Twelve Hundred Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Let me tell you where I am at...

I am not really even the slightest bit familiar with OCing, but I am about to attempt something simple if I find that that article is true.

What am I aiming for...

I want to take the CPU from 2.66ghz to 3.66ghz. I dont want to get to go to over the top and I think that is a nice happy medium for performance and reliability.

Now, can anyone tell me if there is truth to that posted article with my equipment ? Can I really just up the CPU Frequency, and change the timing and voltage on my memory and have a stable, well working rig with the cooling I have ? They also say something about anything over 3.4 or so may need a slight power increase. Any ideas what slight may be ?

 

[jsc]

There are quite a few regulars here who will tell you, that you can overclock an i7 with a stock heatsink as long as you do not increase the CPU voltage. But I would not OC an i7 or Core2 CPU with a stock heatsink.

As far as the "slight power increase" is concerned, every CPU is different. That means that the results that you will get may be quite different from someone else's results.

Anfd last: you are planning on running SLI'd GTX285's and you want to overclock, but you are unwilling to buy an aftermarket HSF?

 

[zwink008]

I was more curious as to weather or not I needed to with the tower that I am purchasing hence why I posted my rig, what would you recommend ?

And secondly, is OCing at low levels something that I am biting off more then I can chew with as far as no previous knowledge of OCing ?

 

[macelo]

The short answer is yes. However, the truth is you CAN overclock a 920 to 3.66, i did mine up to 3.4ghz, on the stock cooler but you will be running extremely hot. The stock cooler simply won't cool enough, and you will be heating up your room, let alone your whole house with ur computer. I was getting idle temps in the mid-high 50C at 3.2, and even got to 90C when running an Everest benchmark. This is with the current D0 stepping. I dropped in a V8 and my temps went down big time. Now i'm at 3.66 with my v8, idle's in the 40C, maxes at mid 70sC. If you plan to OC get a good aftermarket cooler. Lots of people have recommendations for good aftermarket coolers. Looking at the setup you want to have, the only thing that will be setting you back will be the stock CPU cooler. I would definitely get one as part of your new build.

The hardware you are getting is beastly. The 920 is a tough, but hot CPU. As far as OCing goes, you will be able to OC easily with your hardware. The 920 is an extremely easy to cpu to OC, so you don't have to worry about biting off more than you can chew. At 3.66ghz I am running at 1.225V, I could go lower but I haven't tried.

 

[zwink008]

I do appreciate it Macelo, I was browsing forums and different tech websites and everyone is telling me that despite how beastly this setup is, the motherboard has a hard time taking aftermarket coolers due to limited space by the MOBO heatsinks and DIMM slots. Any recommendation on a small, yet effective aftermarket cooler ?

 

[macelo]

Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme is quite good from what i've read. don't have to look up specific ones, but i settled on a V8, though 120 and others with direct heat pipes perform better.

 

[zwink008]

Do you think I would be able to fit in in my MOBO ? And are you running yours with or without fan ?

 

[macelo]

I have an Asus P6T with a V8. there is plenty of space between the cooler, and the heatsinks and ram. I'm sure a 120 will fit on ur mobo unless someone specifically said no. and you can google that.

A 120 requires a fan to cool. Don't run it without one. I think 120's are bundled with fans now. Check out some fan reviews online. i hear Dark Knights are good too, but i only have personal experience with a v8 which i am pleased with, although i know there are better ones.

 

[zwink008]

Confirmed,

TY for the help sir !

 

[macelo]

np, GL. A good aftermarket HSF will give you better than 965 or 975 performance with a 920.