Is overclocking right for me?

[ddan49]

Hello guys,

So I'm completely new to hardware and overclocking. By that I also mean I don't know much about BIOS (except for the odd boot order change). So I'm building a computer with the build listed below (please look at the mobo and tell me if it's a good idea. It's the cheapest Z68 mobo I could find that seemed decent. Is Z68 even right for me? I do want to overclock GPU later on, as well). The thing is that the only reason I'm getting i5-2500k instead of i4-2400 is that I want to overclock (obviously)... but later on. I want this build to last a while, and I thought that instead of upgrading to a faster chip later on, I could last a year or so on an overclocked (and thus faster) chip before having to upgrade. Is this reasonable? I'm basically overclocking in order to extend the usability and life of my build. Also, could you suggest a possible better cooler and/or mobo than the ones I have selected (I just have the stock cooler right now):

CPU: i5-2500k

PSU: Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC
Oh, and by the way. Can this handle overclocked processor(s)? (I'm assuming GPU will also get overclocked later on).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

GPU: Radeon Sapphire 6870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102948

DVD-RW: Samsung 22x DVD burner
Don't need Bluray, this is almost a backup thing for my Windows CD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151244

Case: CoolerMaster HAF 912
This is nice, except no USB 3.0 ports. I'm still open to them being on the mobo though (I'm assuming I can loop the wires around back).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

RAM/Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178333

Hard Drive: Crucial 256GB SSD (I already had this)

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate

So we come to the mobo(s). I don't have that much money to spend (this is a budget build), but I'm looking for a user-friendly, easily overclockable mobo that is stable. Here's what I've found:

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
On the expensive side for me, but I'm willing to spend the $20 extra for a good board. I've heard good things.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=ASROCK%20Extreme3%20Gen3

This is a budget-budget board. I am still looking for quality, and Gigabyte seems to have that... but this board seems TOO cheap.
Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3(R2.0) LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128538

Anything else you could recommend? Is overclocking right for me?

Thanks!

 

[saint19]

HI.

For a good overclock you will need a better motherboard and a better cooler, the ASRock is a good option and for cooler the Hyper 212 Evo is fine as well.

 

[scottiemedic]

If you know nothing about overclocking or BIOS, I suggest before you spend money you read about what and how for overclocking and decide IF you even have a good reason to need to overclock. Most people don't need to overclock, and even some who do OC do it just cause they can. I wouldn't teach a 15 year old to drive using my Rolls Royce, would you?

 

[CaedenV]

I think you are on the right track with OCing in the first place. OCing is to extend the useful life of your computer, and unless you have money for replacement parts then you should take a more conservative approach to it. Honestly, you will not need to OC your computer for gaming for at least 3 years, and even after that it is unlikely as your GPU will be the bottleneck that will keep you from gaming, not your CPU.

A few other things to consider: 1333 ram is fine and all for normal shlubs like me who do light gaming, and a light to no OC, but you will want 1600 ram if you intend to OC... it's not that much more expensive either.
The ex3gen3 (which I own) is a great board, but still a budget board... and as always with budget parts you will have inconsistant qualtiy. Some are amazing and will do some great OCs, others are just 'ok' and will only manage a basic OC before having issues. If you want to guarentee a solid OC you will want to step up to ASUS, and step up to a $150-200 board. Still, for a beginner, or a light OCer the ex3gen3 is a great board, and has a wonderful feature set considering the price.
Before OCing you will want an aftermarket cooler. The stock cooler is fine for stock speeds, but you will want a hyper212+ or Evo (+ is louder and more effective, Evo is quieter but still really good) if you are OCing. Until you are ready to OC you can run stock, and then buy the cooler later.

As a general rule of thumb: If you NEED to OC to get something done, then really you just need better hardware to begin with. Still OCing can be a lot of fun, and a wonderful learning experience, just take it slow and don't go crazy with it right away.

 

[zakattak80]

^1 and an other proud x3 gen3 owner here

 

[ddan49]

Well.. the thing is that I'm on a budget. So upgrading all of those might be a little bit pricey. Even if my GPU is the bottleneck later on, I'll only have to switch out the GPU (not the CPU). Also, I'm not going to go with a 6gHZ OC on my first try ... I'm hesitant about overclocking at all, because I want to be VERY careful with this (has to last me a while). Scottie, I have read up on it, and... what can I say? Seems risky to me, but then so many people have done it. Also, I'd be fine with teaching a 15 year old how to drive in a Rolls-Royce (I'm 15)

EDIT: Ah.. forgot to add something. My GPU is now an MSI Twin Froz OC GTX 560ti (GPU will definitely be OCed). PSU will probably be in the 600-750W range. I'm also a little more focused on keeping sound down.