Some CPU overclock advice please guys

[sy gardner]

Hi everyone,

I am pretty new to this forum, but found myself finding out tons of information and solving lots of other problems over the previous months, so I decided to join not long back

Basically, my system specifications are below in my signature, so you can get the idea of my machine, etc.

I basically want to overclock my i7 860 CPU which is currently at 2.8, it also has a built in turbo boost enabled on it which pushes it to 3.4 sometimes if I am not mistaken, but I am very reluctant to go ahead and overclock, without finding out from people like some of yourselves who know exactly what to do, and whether it's safe or not.

I know there is tons of info on the web about this, and believe me I have read so many different articles on it, but in the end every overclock is unique, and I thought it'd probably be important for me to include my current CPU temperatures under load, and to find out info from real people I can talk to for advice, etc.

So trying games such as BF3, Skyrim, on ultra settings, etc for 4-5 hours, as well as trying prime95 for around 30 mins I got the CPU core temperature readings on HW monitor (and the same readings on other programs) as follows:

Intel Core i7 860

Core #0 min 41 C - max 73 C
Core #1 min 43 C - max 72 C
Core #2 min 41 C - max 75 C
Core #3 min 39 C - max 72 C

My GPU XFX HD 6950 2GB xxx overclocked

Min 45 C - max 86 C

Now I am not too concerned about my GPU temps being on the higher side, since the guy at XFX assured me that those temps are completely fine.

On the other hand I have no idea how much an overclocked CPU would affect the temps of itself, nor do I have any idea on how to actually overclock the thing. When I say no idea, I know where to go in the BIOS, I understand how it works, etc, but I mean as regards increasing the voltage, things like that for instance.

So what I am asking, is basically do you think I have headroom for an overclock, and if so could somebody please also then go on to explain how to do this exactly, or point me in the direction of a thread that overclocks this actual CPU please.

Since some games lately are also relying on the CPU a lot, I am hoping to get considerable FPS raises from a pretty sufficient overclock. I currently get 45-60 FPS constantly with vsync on, on BF3 on all ULTRA settings. As well as very good perormance in other games, 45-60 is more than playable don't get me wrong, and it's hard to barely even notice that the FPS has dropped to 45, at all in fact.

But, I am one of those guys that likes to improve something if it can be improved, plus future games are no doubt going to get more and more demanding on ULTRA settings, so I'd like to be able to push more FPS if I can.

Also, does anyone have any idea what kind of FPS rise I should expect from an overclock, if I do eventually go ahead and do it.

Thank you absolutely loads in advance for the people who have taken the time to read this, and also help me

P.S: I noticed a HUGE difference when I turned off hyperthreading in BF3, so it led me to suspect that the CPU plays a pivotal role in a lot of games, therefore making me believe that an overclock would no doubt help things further. Also, I have posted quite a lot on this forum too in the short time I have been here, and plan to stick around, so it's not some fly by night post that I am posting all over the show, this is the only specific computing forum I am a member of, and really appreciate the info on, so I will definitely be grateful for the help anyone can provide

 

[Stupid_Newbie]

I'd get a good cooler before overclocking. So get a nice air cooler (212+, nh-d14 etc) or watercool (closed loop to start, like h80) then look up reviews of your mobo, they should have an oc part. That should get you in the area. If you can even oc it. You should be able to pop the side off and see a mobo model near pci slots.


Also have you tried unlocking your shaders? It's not much but every bit counts IMO. Even if it's non reference (not familiar with your card) it can be done (but not guaranteed). If it doesn't have dual bios it's a bit trickier. Do you have a backup card? Dual pic-e 16, or onboard video?

 

[sy gardner]

I'd get a good cooler before overclocking. So get a nice air cooler (212+, nh-d14 etc) or watercool (closed loop to start, like h80) then look up reviews of your mobo, they should have an oc part. That should get you in the area. If you can even oc it. You should be able to pop the side off and see a mobo model near pci slots.


Also have you tried unlocking your shaders? It's not much but every bit counts IMO. Even if it's non reference (not familiar with your card) it can be done (but not guaranteed). If it doesn't have dual bios it's a bit trickier. Do you have a backup card? Dual pic-e 16, or onboard video?

Yeah I was thinking about getting a cooler, so you reckon I definitely need one because of my temps?

And this is the exact model of my card: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-...mhz-1408-cores-hdmi-2x-mini-displayport-2x-dv

The card is already overclocked as you buy. I'm not really sure if mine is the model that can unlock easily or not, as I think mine is the newer model. Although I'd like to unlock it if it was still possible. I did have a back up card, but I sold it haha.

And the on board thing I'm not sure if my motherboard has one or not.

I've seen that the i7 860 can be overclocked, and since it turbo boosts itself to 3.4 from 2.8 sometimes, I am assuming that an overclock to a constant 3.4 with the boost turned off would be safe, or am I wrong to think that.

Cheers man

 

[Tsumi]

Many of the newer cards can still unlock. It's still a shot in the dark though.

I find it highly unlikely that you can overclock your CPU unless you get a new motherboard. Only enthusiast makers (Alienware, etc) allow overclocking.

 

[sy gardner]

Many of the newer cards can still unlock. It's still a shot in the dark though.

I find it highly unlikely that you can overclock your CPU unless you get a new motherboard. Only enthusiast makers (Alienware, etc) allow overclocking.

Ah right cool, this is my motherboard and chipset: MSI indigo, and intel P55 chipset, I don't know if that helps at all.

Is it possible on that one, thanks

 

[Tsumi]

Essentially, the question is, did you buy the motherboard yourself, or is it the original HP motherboard that came with the computer?

If it is the HP included motherboard, you cannot overclock. If it isn't, then you probably can. Since it is MSI, go into the bios and see if there is a cell menu.

 

[sy gardner]

Okay cool thanks, the only things I have upgraded are the GPU, and also the PSU. The processor, RAM and the motherboard are what was there originally.

I'll check the BIOS now

 

[sy gardner]

Essentially, the question is, did you buy the motherboard yourself, or is it the original HP motherboard that came with the computer?

If it is the HP included motherboard, you cannot overclock. If it isn't, then you probably can. Since it is MSI, go into the bios and see if there is a cell menu.

There's no cell menu, and there also doesn't appear for there to be any way to change the cpu speeds, as its greyed out kinda thing.

 

[Tsumi]

Then you have three choices:

1. Scour the internet and see if there's a custom bios for your motherboard allowing overclocking.

2. See if there's a bios from a different motherboard that is compatible with yours.

3. Get a new motherboard.

 

[sy gardner]

Then you have three choices:

1. Scour the internet and see if there's a custom bios for your motherboard allowing overclocking.

2. See if there's a bios from a different motherboard that is compatible with yours.

3. Get a new motherboard.

Cool, then I suppose I best get checking haha. Thanks for the help dude, I wouldn't have even considered what you'd said otherwise