Help Overclocking my new system

"Looking for the best overclocking solution"

If I understand you correctly my answer would be bios and it should be the only solution for overclocking. Also, don't overclock the ram there is no need for it. You will only see rapidly diminishing returns and instability.

As far as monitoring programs go use: cpu-z, gpu-z, HWmonitor, msi afterburner. There are more but that's what google is for.

Testing programs: Prime95, intel burn test, LinX, and OCCT. Obviously there are more out there but if you want them just use everyones best friend google.

No offense, but when it comes to technical matters like overclocking then I don't find google to be the best source of information, Don't get me wrong, it will lead you to a plethora of sites, but I'm looking for definitive information based on my setup. Thanks for the info on monitoring programs I have downloaded all of them and will definitely use them.

Any other suggestions for my setup. Also, on another forum someone suggested that moving from the MSI to the ASRock was not an upgrade but a side move and that the extreme4 was not that good of a board - something about LLC problems. Can anyone offer an opinion about this, as well?

No offense, but you are speaking as if there is one accepted overclock for a given processor/mobo combo, for ram, etc.

There is not. Every system overclocks differently, even with identical hardware. There is no magic bullet/set of numbers for you to plug in that will magically give you the best OC performance with zero time investment.

Overclocking is a trial and error process to find what your system is capable, and takes a lot of time to tweak to get maximum performance while maintaining long term stability.

Google is a fine source of information on overclocking, and the steps you should take (and the order you should take them in) to overclock your system. If you aren't prepared to spend the time to do it, don't get mad at other people that are only trying to be helpful without telling you something that you will take out of context and fry your hardware with.

there should be an informational thread on OC'ing ur CPU on Tom's. I found one for my CPU (i7-2600K)

In OC'ing, basically, what you will be doing is upping the clock multiplier. Mine is currently at 46X with 100 ratio, meaning that my CPU is at 4.6GHz. However, simply raising that multiplier doesn't make a perfect OC, cause your CPU will need more voltage to the Vcore to remain stable. however, if you give it too much voltage, you will burn out ur CPU and/or shorten the life of your CPU. So, you want to find out what people say about the Vcore of ur CPU, then up the multiplier little by little with as low of a Vcore as possible to maintain CPU life. You will want to monitor heat, turn off a few settings and what not, which is why you should look for a manual on OC'ing and read it all the way, then find the specifics of your CPU. There should be an informational on OC'ing ur CPU or the i5 ivy-bridge with unlocked multiplier.

My bad...

I am not angry or unappreciative of the advice given from mlcaouette. I am certainly prepared to put in the time to tweak - after all that is half the fun (the other half is enjoying the improved gaming experience).

I was not aware that giving specific specs could not render some information on bios settings, etc...

It makes sense what you say about not being able to get "definitive" information, I guess what I am looking for is a starting point. The basic bios settings that I should start with, without having to comb through hundreds of posts...

Thanks for your help.

This is the kind of info I am looking for...

Thanks

Best answer selected by jconway1968.