Hello,
I have a pretty cheap quad core processor and I was wondering if I would be able to OC it and if so if there are any known safe zones?
I currently have a Q8200 Stock @2.3GHz
What I found out is that it only uses 6 multipliers instead of 7 so that would be though right?
I am new to overclocking so this would be a new experience for me.
Thanks in advance.
Hey there.
First, you have to upgrade your CPU cooling(if you still have stock) to do any serious OC'ing,
good airflow & cooling are very important.
This is a good place to start: how to overclock C2Q quads & C2D duals.
I recommend a great site, where I'm also a member, it has all the information a novice overclocker needs to get started: Overclock.net - Overclocking.net
But, sadly the Q8200 isn't a such a great overclocker.
Hi,
What CPU cooler do you have?
In my previous system I had the Q8300 (stock 2.5ghz) and used a cheap Artic 7 pro cooler on it, it seemed to do the job just fine for that cpu clocked at 3.1ghz.
I had a Core2Quad 6600 that I OC'd to 3.2 (from 2.4) using a Tuniq Tower 120 LED - ran it like that for 3 years solid. I'm now replacing that machine with another, and am replacing the Tuniq (in that same old machine) with a Corsair H60 CPU liquid cooler. It's going to be my new WHS machine.
The CPU cooler is part of the key - having a really well thought out case design with minimal obstruction to airflow, and the airflow itself through the case, is going to be a big factor. The best CPU cooler won't help if your case's internal temps are still scorchingly hot.
I don't think I came across very well in my last post.
I totally agree with you John on your points about cooling.
The point I was trying to get across was that with the Q8200/Q8300 they don't overclock very well and usually the most that can be had is 3.1-3.2ghz and my old one at that speed was kept plenty cool enough by a cheap cooler.
Edited to add - The OP might want to have a proper look at his PSU as well as he says "400 watt I think" in his system specs, obviously OCing may be unstable and cause some issues with a poor PSU.
Cheers
Paul.
Hi,
My psu definitly is 400 Watt.
I am using 3 coolers, 1 on my graphicscard, 1 on my cpu and 1 blowing air out.
Thanks for your help.
yeah, you'll want something better rated than that - And, you'll also want to make sure that your BIOS actually will let you OC in the first place. Pre-built machines like Dells and such sometimes had a very limited BIOS that allowed basic set up but no real OCing at all.
You said it yourself - it's a pretty cheap machine to begin with - so it's (probably) not set up for OCing and the like.
Quote