How Do I Overclock?

[DS625]

I need to know how to overclock, I don't want to damage anything or get extreme performance, just want to get the most out of my computer without screwing anything up. I have never overclocked before, so please explain in complete detail...

PC Specs: Intel® Core™ i5-3570K 3.40 GHz 6MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 :: Thermaltake Frio OCK CPU Cooler :: ASUS Sabertooth Z77 Intel Z77 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ Lucid Virtu MVP, TUF Thermal Armor, 7.1 HD Audio, Intel GbLAN, Display Port, 3x PCIe x16 (2 Gen3, 1 Gen2) & 3x PCIe x1 :: 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory :: 750 Watts - Thermaltake TR2 RX Modular 80 Plus PSU - PN: TRX-750M :: AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card :: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

If your main use is gaming, you don't really need to OC (and won't for a long time), but if you're just interested in trying it anyway, just start at stock voltage (manually) and raise the multiplier until you see a BSOD. When/if that happens raise the voltage incrementally until the BSOD's stop.

Just be aware that 4.5 is likely all you'll be able to get to for temp reasons (maybe less that that).

 

[kajabla]

I'd do a little. I don't think 3.4 is really enough to support a 7850. Try just setting the multiplier (it should be one of the easiest-to-find settings in the BIOS) to 40x, which will give you, I believe, 4.0ghz. Then run Prime95 and see what kind of temperatures you get.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

I'd do a little. I don't think 3.4 is really enough to support a 7850.

I'd say your dead wrong about that. No i5 Sandy or Ivy CPU will bottle neck any single GPU setup, even at stock speeds. Hell, they won't bottle neck most SLI/Crosfire setups either.

 

[DS625]

What would have to happen for it to be damaged?

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

What would have to happen for it to be damaged?

Too much voltage or too high on the temperature. You'll hit the temp wall well before the voltage wall, though.

 

[DS625]

I've never done this *** before, do I have to disable or change anything before I change the multiplier?

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

You're supposed to disable SpeedStep and the C states, but I never have with my own OC's and haven't ever had any problems or instability. Nevertheless, it's recommended for a reason because it apparently DOES cause problems for some. Beyond that, you're good to go.

 

[kajabla]

You're probably right about the OC.
If you don't push the voltage, nothing will go wrong. If you've installed the cooler completely incorrectly and you get crazy temps, the machine will just stop before it burns itself.

 

[DS625]

What is a safe temperature, what is a dangerous tempetature, and how will I know if its a safe/successful overclock?

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

"Safe" is generally considered to be below 70C, but as long as you don't go above 80C on a constant basis, you should be ok. That's not gonna be easy though with an Ivy CPU.

This article should give you some idea of why. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ivy-bridge-overclocking-core-i7-3770k,3198.html

Successful is when you have good temps and no crashes.

 

[DS625]

How much is too much voltage?

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

How much is too much voltage?

I actually don't know that for Ivy CPU's, but from what I've seen, you'll hit a temperature wall at stock voltage without GREAT cooling, so you shouldn't even need to worry about max voltage. I'd set the limit at 1.300V though, if I had to guess, but you'll never get to that without epic cooling.

 

[Ritter Gustave]

http://www.techometer.net/2013/06/overclocking-your-processor.html should help with understanding overclocking