Windows 7: Should I overclock my quad-core or memory for 7 64?

Haha yeah. You don't want to know how many times I have set the bios jumper in hopes of getting one memory timing less or a one digit increase in fsb and getting no post.

I and the software I use, games I play, are my stress test. If my computer doesn't crash, it's a success. lol

Overclocking, when done in small steps with an eye on temperature and with some education first on how to safely change your voltage, is no big deal. As long as you know how to reset cmos and do not make big jumps in speeds or voltges from one boot to the next, you will be okay. HOWEVER, while you are pushing the limits it is easy for you to corrupt your Windows 7 system in such a way that a repair install or an sfc/scannow will not fix it. I keep a clone of my Windows 7 partition around for this reason - do my overclocking on that disk, find the point of speed/stability/voltage that I like, then unplug that drive and go back to using my main drive. I'm using an i5 750 which has a stock speed of 2.66ghz and stock vcore voltage of 1.25v and am running it at 1.20v and 3.80ghz. That's right, lower than stock voltage with a 43% overclock. This is pretty typical among i5 chips, as long as you replace the stock cooler. My cpu does 4.4ghz at 1.5v vcore and 4.0ghz at 1.33v but that's just for fun and I prefer a much safer voltage for everyday use.

***The Official Core i5 Overclocking Thread*** - Overclockers UK Forums

I say DON'T DO IT! At least not until you FULLY understand the consequences. If this machine is used for critical production work (like work or school) don't do it unless you are prepared to lose all your data, or have a robust backup plan in use.

If you don't understand heat generation and cooling - don't do it.

If you don't understand that damage from overclocking is NOT covered under ANY CPU, motherboard, RAM or graphics card warranty, don't do it. Do NOT be misled by motherboard marketing claims - even though many motherboards provide overclocking features there is no way ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, or any other maker will replace your CPU if it fails due to this abuse.

Also understand that overclocking is a marketing "gimmick"! CPU engineers and designers do NOT design for overclocking. They design to meet required "design specifications". Marketing weenies may then "dummy down" the specs so users can move them up again to feel good, but it is not a design feature of the CPU.

IMO, if you think your computer is lacking in performance, add more RAM, a better graphics solution, and/or a faster CPU. If you just want to do it for bragging rights, that's fine. But I would recommend doing it on a system you can afford to lose. Do NOT let anyone tell you the risks are minimal - ESPECIALLY if that advisor has no clue what the loss of that computer may mean to you.

Yes, you should overclock your QDR-FSB but you should only attempt this after purchasing a good after market cooling solution and doing some homework.

If you want faster memory just purchase some faster memory then run it at the spec speed using a stable divider. As far are overclocking memory goes, there aren't many reasons to do that anymore because you can just purchase memory that runs at the limit of your board.

The fact of the matter is that overclocking your CPU is by far the biggest improvment in overall performance and speed that you can do to your computer. It will make all computing processes move faster and can increase gaming performance substantially.

But it's not worth doing if you don't take the time to get your system truely stable. I like using Prime Blend test for this. I have also written a guide on how to dial in your system using the GTLVref adjustments which can be very important to gaining stablity when overclocking. Q9650 4050Mhz Blendstable GTLVref SHORTCUT

Are there any risks,...yes, but then it's also risky building your own computer, but that doesn't stop us from doing it now does it?
Don't let someone who has never even attempted to overclock and obviously knows nothing about it tell you it's a gimmick and that it will only destroy your computer. Sorry man but that analogy is utterly rediculous. Getting advice about overclocking from someone who has never even tried just isn't right.

You aren't about to "lose" your entire system by overclocking a 150 dollar CPU. Q6600's are good for about 3.6GHz for 24/7 operation. The fact of the matter is that parts that aren't overclocked burn out all the time. Memory goes bad for no reason, PSU's go out for no reason, CPU's, although rare, can just give up the ghost for no reason at all, HDD's also are famous for expiring for no reason at all, motherboards also can expire for no reason even when running at stock settings.

Overclocking may increase those odd's on some parts but as long as the extra heat is controlled it's usually not a problem.

If CPU's aren't designed for overclocking then why do the very expensive QX series CPU's have unlocked multi's? In fact why does just about every CPU produced have multi's that can be used for overclocking if they aren't made for it? Or is that also a marketing "gimmick"?

Unlocking is not a gimmick but note it is only very recent CPUs that come that way. Why is that important - have you looked at Intel's stock prices? Absolutely this is marketing department driven.

Doing your home work is not enough. You must be willing to lose EVERYTHING. Yes EVERYTHING. Understand, should a CPU fail to shut down properly when overheated, it can, destroy the socket - and that's new motherboard time. Okay, the drive's are probably safe, but the RAM may not be.

Also note using a 3rd party cooler on retail (not OEM) versions of Intel and AMD CPUs that come with OEM cooling solutions VOIDS THE WARRANTY!!! And damage attributed to overclocking is not covered under any CPU warranty either, regardless any overclocking features or software provided by motherboard makers. Certainly, this is not a concern for some enthusiasts. But it is a concern for many others, and everyone should be aware of it.

Intel CPU Warranty Information (my bold added)

Intel warrants the Product (defined as the boxed Intel® processor and the accompanying thermal solution)... ... if the Product is properly used and installed, for a period of three (3) years. This Limited Warranty does NOT cover:

• damage to the Product due to external causes, including accident, problems with electrical power, abnormal electrical, mechanical or environmental conditions, usage not in accordance with product instructions, misuse, neglect, alteration, repair, improper installation, or improper testing; OR
• any Product which has been modified or operated outside of Intel's publicly available specifications

AMD CPU Warranty Information (their bold)

AMD is more straightforward on their page where it says the following concerning their retail, Processor In A Box (PIB), versions of their CPUs:

This Limited Warranty shall be null and void if the AMD microprocessor which is the subject of this Limited Warranty is used with any heatsink/fan other than the one provided herewith.

This limited warranty does not cover damages due to external causes, including improper use, problems with electrical power, accident, neglect, alteration, repair, improper installation, or improper testing.

The good news is since both AMD and Intel warranty their boxed CPUs for three years, and since replacing them at their cost is not something they want to do, both make excellent cooling solutions both in terms of cooling abilities, but also in noise levels.

An exactly correct premise, except the part about meeting. They are not designed to meet design specfications, they are designed to exceed them, by a least a small amount, and on average. Otherwise the end product would be too close to the edge of failure once it hits the field.

Sometimes there are generations of computer chips that happen to FAR exceed those design specifications, and in this case they are sent out far UNDERclocked when measured against their true ability, which produces the ability to undervolt and get energy savings. But if you do not care about a few pennies on your utility bill, then to NOT put in the two minutes of effort it takes to lock in such a cpu's extra ability at the published stock voltage is silly, if you have a basic understanding of the methods and risks.

It is exactly like a world where there is only one car and you own it, but the maker has put a governor on the engine so that it can only go 55mph, and you know how to remove the governer so that the throttle can be pushed higher and at your pleasure. Would you remove such a governor or not? Many people would be afraid to do so, or see it as a responsibility they are not used to, or say 55mph is plenty fast. But to say it is dangerous is true only if your audience are children.

Johnny, first before you try overclocking get your system working at factoy settings and get all your divers installed. you will be surprised well all it works. then if you have to fiddle you have a base to retreat to. Go slowly.
Good luck
Ken

Sure - there's always a "fudge" factor - but that's not there for marketers to exploit. I see it this way - the engineers put on paper and manufacturers ATTEMPT to create it. But, since Man has yet to create perfection, there will always be impurities in the raw materials and imperfections in the manufacturing process. I guess that's why theory and reality rarely meet precisely.