What is the best way to cool an overclocked CPU?

I would like to ask a question on what is the best way to cool an overclocked CPU. I am asking this because of these factors.

1. intel vs AMD
2. specific brands of CPU fans/heatsinks
3. What are the ideal number of case fans?

First, I would like to mention that my main an current CPU is an AMD Phenom II X4 955BE @ 3.6 Ghz (stock is 3.2Ghz). Do intel equivalents such as the i3 or i5 quad core CPU's produce less heat and are they better over clockers? Right now I would like to change form AMD but my budget at the moment is not so flexible.

Second, I would like to ask about fans and heatsinks. My current CPU cooler is a Zerotherm FZ120, with a full copper base. With this cooler and some Arctic Silver 5, it idles around 28-33 C and it maxes out to 45-52C. I have heard that these CPU fans by Coolermaster and Logisys are a lot better at cooling overclocked CPU's, is it true or am I fine with the cooler I have now?

Third, I currently have 2 120mm case fans. One is at the front of the case cooling my HDD and SSD, and the other is at the back next to the I/O panel and very close to the heat sink. Is that all I need or should I at least get 1 more?

Finally, I overclock mainly because I play a lot of Flight Simulator X. The higher the clock is, the better frames I get.

well for that price range the i3 doesnt overclock so no, and lower end i5 dont either but they have turno boost, only the 2500k and 3570k have unlocked multipliers and these are more expensive. The rest of the questions really depend on how far you want to go, if you want to increase about 5-15% more ghz then you might be able to do it with a semi-decent cooler and 1 or 2 case fans, maybe even stock cooling but it is not advised. If you want to go over 20% then it is recommended to invest in a good cooling kit, air or water. But remember, unless you play with the voltage the cpu wont increase more heat. The biggest limit in overclocking is the cpu temperature. look on the cpus website, it will state how hot it will go before it throttles, as long as you stay under that then your cpu will be safe.

Have you stress tested it and found what your max temps are? If after several hours of stress testing, your max temps are 45-52*C, then you are OK. As per your question, I would ask this: What exactly are you trying to do that your CPU won't do currently?

pedroc1999 said:

well for that price range the i3 doesnt overclock so no, and lower end i5 dont either but they have turno boost, only the 2500k and 3570k have unlocked multipliers and these are more expensive. The rest of the questions really depend on how far you want to go, if you want to increase about 5-15% more ghz then you might be able to do it with a semi-decent cooler and 1 or 2 case fans, maybe even stock cooling but it is not advised. If you want to go over 20% then it is recommended to invest in a good cooling kit, air or water. But remember, unless you play with the voltage the cpu wont increase more heat. The biggest limit in overclocking is the cpu temperature. look on the cpus website, it will state how hot it will go before it throttles, as long as you stay under that then your cpu will be safe.

So only the 2500K and 3570K are great overclockers? I dont plan on going up to 4.0GHz and higher, just to about 3.7-3.9Ghz. How is this i5 model going to do?

kbrady1979 said:

Have you stress tested it and found what your max temps are? If after several hours of stress testing, your max temps are 45-52*C, then you are OK. As per your question, I would ask this: What exactly are you trying to do that your CPU won't do currently?

I have stress tested it before. With this current overclock, it got to 56 C max. What I am trying to do with this CPU is to get it to around 3.7 - 3.9Ghz. I am hesitant to do so because I am unsure if it might get unstable with temps and voltage etc. I have posted a CPU-Z screenshot of my current config.

Do some research on how to OC your specific CPU/Mobo and see if you can squeeze just a little more out of it. Your temps are fine.

the i5 wont got past its turbo boost speed

pedroc1999 said:

the i5 wont got past its turbo boost speed

What?

pedroc1999 said:

the i5 wont got past its turbo boost speed

Erm, I have overclocked an old i7 to 4ghz where its base Clock is 2.8, 4ghz with HT on and off. And this is an lynnfield so it got some years on its neck, and its not unlocked so what you just said makes no sense

No, the OP suggested a i5 (i5-3350P) It Hasnt got an unlocked multiplier but you can only overclock it about to 3.7GHz. So I disregarded it

pedroc1999 said:

No, the OP suggested a i5 (i5-3350P) It Hasnt got an unlocked multiplier but you can only overclock it about to 3.7GHz. So I disregarded it

the i7 I have dont have an unlocked multiplier either, it ranges from 9-21x so if I want to overclock it I have to use the BLCK. And for the OP I would like to say that its not Worth O.C imo I tried it and I get the same FPS in games regardless if I have my cpu at 2.8 GHz or 4 Ghz or the increase was so Little it was not Worth mentioning