Can I overclock with my mobo (H61) and -K series CPU?

[FuturDreamz]

Basically I know nothing about overclocking (other than the stock fan won't be up to snuff), But I hope to upgrade to an Ivy Bridge CPU (mainly for HD 4000).

Problem is, the only ones coming out right away with HD 4000 are the i7s and the i5-3570K. The i7s are overkill for my needs, but having a K series without the intention of eventually unlocking it seems a bit wasteful (and I don't think I can wait for the other i5 with HD 4000 or the i3s)

What I'm wondering is, will I be able to overclock without buying a new motherboard? Thanks.

 

[Britton30]

Short answer is no. The P-series of chips are for overclocking, the H-series are for mainly using the onchip video. You will need a K chip and a P or Z series board.

 

[FuturDreamz]

Really? I thought that with the unlocked multiplier of the K series processors I can just go into BIOS to set a higher maximum multiplier. I found the setting on my Mobo, but not having a K series I cannot tell if it allows me to set a higher multiplier or not.

 

[Wrench97]

H series boards can be overclocked, but generally not as well as a P or Z series, their are not as many voltage regulators and generally less chipset cooling.

That said to upgrade just for video you would be better off buying a nvidia video card the another CPU.

 

[Britton30]

Rethinking, many times CPUs will effect what settings are avilable in BIOSes. If you currently have a multi setting, you can try to raise it and see if it "takes"
I had a AMD 1055T, which is locked but had a multi BIOS setting. Even though I could change it, it had no effect. You may be able to raise the bus speed by 1 or 2, Intel is sensitive to more than 100, generally.

 

[FuturDreamz]

H series boards can be overclocked, but generally not as well as a P or Z series, their are not as many voltage regulators and generally less chipset cooling.

That said to upgrade just for video you would be better off buying a nvidia video card the another CPU.

I wouldn't overclock it too much, only so I'd get some extra oomph when I need it. If I was in the range where I need a heavy-duty cooler for the CPU, then I'll be upgrading the board. From what I can tell I would be perfectly happy with just boosting the multiplier a little bit.

 

[Wrench97]

Most successful OC on the i series start by setting the ram speed lower, that way as you raise multiplier the ram is not running faster then it can handle.

What CPU do have currently?

 

[FuturDreamz]

Penitum G620

 

[James7679]

Futur, they are not lying to you. You may be able to softclock with this board, but correct overclocking, it will not do. If you are considering to move into the K series Sandy, you should also consider moving to the z series board.

 

[FuturDreamz]

Futur, they are not lying to you. You may be able to softclock with this board, but correct overclocking, it will not do. If you are considering to move into the K series Sandy, you should also consider moving to the z series board.

K series Ivy. And I only want to do it because the only i5 with HD 4000 to come out in the next little while has an unlocked multiplier. I literally do NOT need the overclock as the most CPU intensive program I use is VirtualBox. I just think that if I have it, then it would be nice to have a little extra oomph when I need it.

 

[James7679]

Yeah, the Ivy is going to have great integrated graphics. So, for now, buy the K series Ivy, and when you decide you want to overclock, buy the new mobo.