First Time Overclocker - Anyone with similar specs and insight?

[LB3]

Firstly, I'm pretty conservative and skeptical of modifying stock settings but I'd like to OC my 4 year old PC. I have a very decent air cooled system with lots of air flow.

Basic specs: i7-940 @ 2.9Ghz (1.4V) and Corsair Dominator (3x2GB) @ 1600Mhz (1.65V)

Is there anyone with a similar setup that can provide insight and safe temps and voltages (I'll be overclocking entirely from BIOS)? I'd like to see ~3.4Ghz and ~2000Mhz.

I'm currently using CPUID-HWMonitor to monitor voltage and temps. Also, any suggestions on good loading and benchmark software?

Thanks.

 

[unknownofprob]

Always like to see more people overclock, and could see your thread needed an answer;

First of all, welcome to the intel overclocking sector!

If you wish to start overclocking, it is best that you have at least a $20 CPU cooler, as the stock cooler is not good at keeping temps down, if you only wish to do a small overclock, then the stock cooler shall be fine. With the stock cooler, you should be able to get 3.3Ghz no trouble, with good temps, anything above, I highly recommend getting a CPU cooler.

If you have any other questions, just ask and we'll gladly help.

 

[LB3]

Thanks. Just tried OC and got BSOD after 15 minutes of BioShock. I think it's a memory issue (not enough). I'm looking to upgrade memory anyway. Temps were fine.

 

[unknownofprob]

sounds like a power supply, not memory, as memory doesn't tend to cause a BSOD. Though if you need more memory, feel free to get more.