Can I overclock my system?

Mozo · 02-13-2009, 12:51 AM

Power supply: Thermaltake XP550 NP 430 W
CPU: AMD Athlon X2 6000+ 3ghz
CPU Fan: Thermaltake Big Typhoon CL-P0114
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-M52S-S3P revision 2
Ram: Kingston 2gb (1gb x2) PC2-5300 DDR2 (333 Mhz)
Graphics: 512mb 9600 gt gigabyte
Cooling: 120mm fan at the back upper side (I think it's intake)
Temps: Idle: 35
Load: 55

Is my system ok to overclock? My friend said I could get it up to 3.6ghz but I really doubt thats gonna happen.

And BTW this is something else but should I put a fan at the front bottom so that there's a constant airflow? My computer doesn't seem to be overheating so I don't think it's necessary.

**linderman** · 02-13-2009, 03:58 PM

your power supply and existing ram will not let you get far overclocking .......... just about far enough to get into trouble

**linderman** · 02-13-2009, 03:58 PM

your power supply and existing ram will not let you get far overclocking .......... just about far enough to get into trouble

Nexxtech · 02-13-2009, 06:14 PM

Perhaps I would think you meant back upper case fan is exhaust. Double check your arrows on the case fan itself. The arrow should point out of your case. A front case fan is always good for airflow through your case. Cools your case and Motherboard.

Linderman's right you would need to upgrade your Ram to DDR2 800 or DDR2 1066. Here is a reference to compare what you have and what your set up can handle. http://www.pricewatch.com/system_memory/. As far as power supply you will likely need more than you have. Not my best area of knowledge. If you chose to overclock I would start small and not push it. Download a temperature Motherboard and CPU monitor like this one. http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Monitor.shtml. Best of luck.

Mozo · 02-15-2009, 10:21 PM

My friend just told me my ram is 800mhz and the LINK speed was 333mhz.Sorry about that.He also said that my PSU would be sufficient enough because my parts dont require too much power. If i just left my system alone how far do u think I could get up to?

**linderman** · 02-16-2009, 06:10 AM

depends if your ram is rated to accept higher voltage than stock 1.8 volts ........ good overclocking ram is rated for 2.0 -2.1volts

you might be able to get to 3.2ghz overclocking stresses a power supply quite a bit; if the power supply does not have the head room and internal build quality ....... it will supply "dirty" power to your system

your call............ I dont know of a single high quality power supply Thermaltake makes in the 550 watt class ........... they have toughpower 650 /750 / 850 / 1000 / 1200 are top of the heap in the market .......... but not below 650

your call ............. its your $$$

02-13-2009, 12:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mozo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 47 OS: XP SP2	Can I overclock my system? Power supply: Thermaltake XP550 NP 430 W CPU: AMD Athlon X2 6000+ 3ghz CPU Fan: Thermaltake Big Typhoon CL-P0114 Mobo: Gigabyte GA-M52S-S3P revision 2 Ram: Kingston 2gb (1gb x2) PC2-5300 DDR2 (333 Mhz) Graphics: 512mb 9600 gt gigabyte Cooling: 120mm fan at the back upper side (I think it's intake) Temps: Idle: 35 Load: 55 Is my system ok to overclock? My friend said I could get it up to 3.6ghz but I really doubt thats gonna happen. And BTW this is something else but should I put a fan at the front bottom so that there's a constant airflow? My computer doesn't seem to be overheating so I don't think it's necessary.

02-13-2009, 03:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Can I overclock my system? your power supply and existing ram will not let you get far overclocking .......... just about far enough to get into trouble __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

02-13-2009, 03:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Can I overclock my system? your power supply and existing ram will not let you get far overclocking .......... just about far enough to get into trouble __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

02-13-2009, 06:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nexxtech Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 481 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Windows 7	Re: Can I overclock my system? Perhaps I would think you meant back upper case fan is exhaust. Double check your arrows on the case fan itself. The arrow should point out of your case. A front case fan is always good for airflow through your case. Cools your case and Motherboard. Linderman's right you would need to upgrade your Ram to DDR2 800 or DDR2 1066. Here is a reference to compare what you have and what your set up can handle. http://www.pricewatch.com/system_memory/. As far as power supply you will likely need more than you have. Not my best area of knowledge. If you chose to overclock I would start small and not push it. Download a temperature Motherboard and CPU monitor like this one. http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Monitor.shtml. Best of luck.

02-15-2009, 10:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mozo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 47 OS: XP SP2	Re: Can I overclock my system? My friend just told me my ram is 800mhz and the LINK speed was 333mhz.Sorry about that.He also said that my PSU would be sufficient enough because my parts dont require too much power. If i just left my system alone how far do u think I could get up to?

02-16-2009, 06:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Can I overclock my system? depends if your ram is rated to accept higher voltage than stock 1.8 volts ........ good overclocking ram is rated for 2.0 -2.1volts you might be able to get to 3.2ghz overclocking stresses a power supply quite a bit; if the power supply does not have the head room and internal build quality ....... it will supply "dirty" power to your system your call............ I dont know of a single high quality power supply Thermaltake makes in the 550 watt class ........... they have toughpower 650 /750 / 850 / 1000 / 1200 are top of the heap in the market .......... but not below 650 your call ............. its your $$$ __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial