X2 550 / X3 720 OC

AMD states that the recommended max voltage is 1.55v, and that's only if you're using a high-end cooler. I've been using my Phenom II at 1.55v with my Megahalems cooler since AMD first released these chips without issue.

As long as your cooler is up to the task, setting the voltage up to 1.5v won't harm the chip, although any overclocking and overvolting can and probably will decrease it's lifetime. But, we're talking about 5 years instead of 10, so it's not much of a worry to most overclockers. If you're keeping the stock/included cooler, I wouldn't go past 1.4v as it can't handle the additional heat-load.
 
On newegg it says the chip's voltage is 0.85V - 1.425V. I take it that is just the range for it's normal clock of 2.8GHz (for the X3 720)?
Yeah I saw in that tom's hardware article they said the same thing, about using 1.5V and not going to it's full limit (for the X2 550). So you'd recommend the same for the X3 720? Or are they rated differently?
TIA

Edit: Yeah I got the Cooler Master 212 HSF and Arctic Silver ceramique paste, I think it'll be up to the task.
 
stephen0983 said:
On newegg it says the chip's voltage is 0.85V - 1.425V. I take it that is just the range for it's normal clock of 2.8GHz (for the X3 720)?
Yeah I saw in that tom's hardware article they said the same thing, about using 1.5V and not going to it's full limit (for the X2 550). So you'd recommend the same for the X3 720? Or are they rated differently?
TIA

Edit: Yeah I got the Cooler Master 212 HSF and Arctic Silver ceramique paste, I think it'll be up to the task.
Click to expand...

Yes, the range listed on Newegg is just the normal operating range. With your cooler, I would say you keep the voltage at 1.5v or below. Since both of the CPUs you're asking about are based on the came chip, the steps and recommendations are the same. With the X3, you should be able to reach from 3.6 - 3.7Ghz if you don't unlock the 4th core. If you do unlock it, the OC is usually about 100-150Mhz less.

Also, what ever CPU you buy should be a BE(Black Edition) as it makes overclocking much simpler. Not having to mess with the HTT(Hyper Transport Technology) speeds makes for simpler and less troubling overclocking.
 
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Ok good to know. Yeah I did get a mobo that's able to unlock, so I'll prob give it a try and see if the 4th core is stable to use. If not no big deal.
 
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