2500 vs 2500k for stock cooler overclock

Confused Turtle

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Is it worth getting the k series for a small overclock with the stock cooler?

It seems the 2500k can get 4ghz+ on stock. I've read enough to know results vary. How fast would a 2500 get on stock cooling?
 
Solution
Sorry but the i7-2500 CANNOT overclock since it's multiplier is locked by default. You couldn't get more than a hundred Mhz (with lots of luck) by overclocking the BLCK (was known as the FSB before that), which is the only other option.

If you wanna overclock your rig, the 2500k is the only viable option.

r3xx3r

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I would not overclock on stock cooling, EVER.

the intel stock coolers are terrible (and have been for years).

If you want to overclock, get a good aftermarket cooler, they range from $50 to $200 (so one can fit into ur budget).

but yes, overclocking can be very beneficial.
 

Confused Turtle

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Thanks for the response.

You would never overclock on stock cooling. Do you always overclock? If you were stuck with stock cooling why not just overclock as much as you can while keeping your temperatures under control?

I feel like I'm shooting in the dark. I just want the highest value cpu solution I can get for around $200-$220. Maybe that involves getting a lesser cpu and a better cooler.

Edit: I'll just get the 2500k and XIGMATEK LOKI SD963 to avoid the hassle of further thinking.
 

MrBig55

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Sorry but the i7-2500 CANNOT overclock since it's multiplier is locked by default. You couldn't get more than a hundred Mhz (with lots of luck) by overclocking the BLCK (was known as the FSB before that), which is the only other option.

If you wanna overclock your rig, the 2500k is the only viable option.
 
Solution

Supermuncher85

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I've overclocked plenty of times on stock cooling. A 10% overclock is a nice way to increase the return on the CPU you bought. A stock 2400 or even 2500 should be able to overclock by increasing the turbo state by up to 4 bins higher than normal. Meaning that your 3.3ghz should be overclockable to 3.8 without problems. That is pretty much the limit of it though for non k chips. More info here: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/3

Really though the 2500k is what you want to buy if you want to overclock. If you live close to a microcenter you can literally pick up a 2500k for the same price as a 2400.
 

Confused Turtle

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There are great benchmarks for most hardware, but it's hard to know what to expect from an aftermarket cooler. It's hard to say what value you're getting. You probably agree.



I'm thinking the Radeon 6950. But even if it can't take advantage of it, I use professional software that will make wonderful use of it. I probably won't ever crossfire it, but I do have that option available as well.



Thank you for answering my question.



Exactly. Why not get that free 10% overclock?

I know about the Turbo. But it sounds like the non-k version doesn't benefit much from other overclocking. No wonder when I searched for "overclock i5-2500" on google it showed results instead for "overclock it-2500k"

I had never heard of microcenter. They are not in Utah. I looked at their price on the 2500k and it is crazy good. I'll have to see some of their other prices and consider a road trip. Probably not worth it, but I'll see.