How can I overclock my Q9550 to 3.2GHZ on Asus P5Q-E

Hitting 3.0 GHz should be a piece of cake with a Q9550. In the BIOS, set your memory multiplier to 2.0. Set your FSB freq to 350 MHz. You might need to increase CPU core voltage a little.

For anything more:

This should be your first stop.
HOWTO: Overclock C2Q (Quads) and C2D (Duals) - Guide v1.6.1
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] uals-guide

This should be your second stop. You need to know something about thermal management or you can fry your CPU. It's actually kind of difficult to fry a modern CPU, but it is possible.
Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ture-guide

Third stop will be a guide for your particular motherboard. Google is your friend.

For anything higher than about 3.0 GHz, you will need better cooling. Here are two under $50 heatsinks that are pretty popular:
Sunbeam
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835207004
Xigmatec Dark Knight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233029

They both require a somewhat different approach to applying thermal compound.
Suggestions for applying thermal compound:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index. [...] mitstart=5

And they are pretty large, so they might not fit inside your case.

Go through the first two threads. Do not do anything until you have a good idea about what you are trying to do. Once you have definite questions (you will, you will ), come back and ask.

Keep in mind that these are guides, not cookbooks. YMMV. Your Mileage May Vary. Because of all the variables, you may not do as well as someone else with a similar system. Or you might do better.
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Overclocking since 1978 - Z80 (TRS-80) from 1.77 MHz to 2.01 MHz

The max multiplier on the Q9550 is 8.5, so ...

3200 MHz / 8.5 = ~ 375 MHz FSB

The FSB on the P45 chipset supports 1600 MHz (400 quad-pumped),
so reaching 375 MHz shouldn't be too hard.

We're running our Q9550 with an FSB = 400 MHz Bus Speed x 8.5 = 3.4 GHz rated FSB
(using CPU-Z nomenclature).

You don't need an expensive HSF: just get
rid of the stupid push pins and replace them
with an LGA775 bolt-thru-kit ($5. USD):

http://www.supremelaw.org/systems/ [...] arning.htm
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/lgbowiscsp.html

... a very cost-effective solution.

MRFS