Specs for a First-Time OC Rig

Eskimio · 09-20-2009, 05:00 PM

Hey all, I read the "Click here for starters" sticky and followed all the steps.
Before now I've lurked many a forum about OCing and have had an OCable rig for over a year now, but I've just been too busy and unsure of myself to try it up until now. Plus, I didn't quite know the exact steps to take. However, hopefully this forum and its viewers will assist me in my endeavor of OCing my computer with minimal side-effects. =]

I downloaded Everest and for some reason it got my system specs wrong so I decided to just use CPU-Z for everything (if that's a problem, just let me know and tell me what you would like me to do).
I took a screenshot of all the windows opened simultaneously, which I will attach to the post. As for the additional information...

PSU: Cooler Master RP-650-PCAR
CPU Cooling: Factory Heatsink & Fan
Case Fans: (1) Exhaust Case Fan - 80mm, Rear-Mounted with duct pointed towards CPU.

I'm willing to (in the future) buy a better case (Thinking the Antec 902), a better cpu cooling unit (Thinking the Xigmatek HDT-S1283) and (probably by means of the new case) better case cooling parts, if necessary.
However, this all depends on whether my system is capable of achieving temperatures which will require me to purchase them (and on whether or not I can afford the upgrades. =P)

I also took screenshots of the CPU Temperature windows. 1 at idle, 1 under load. For some reason, though, I noticed the idle cpu had a 6x multiplier except the loaded cpu had a 9x multiplier. Anyone know what that is?

Thanks guys, if I missed anything - just let me know.

Eskimio · 09-20-2009, 05:01 PM

You can only attach two files, so this next attachment is the 2nd of the 2 cpu temp screenshots. =]
(I stopped overloading the cpu prior to taking the screenshot by accident so go by the "High Temperature Reading" for 100% CPU load for a somewhere around a half an hour.)

However, I have a question - in the second of the 2 attachments in this post, I have a screenshot of the cpu temp and cpu id programs side by side. However they display different core clock speeds. They fluctuate with cpu load (I think?) or just randomly, I don't know. I'm just wondering what's up with that.

Eskimio · 09-20-2009, 05:15 PM

Heh, I feel like a newbie.
I ran Occt and in 1 min 30 sec it hit 80 degrees Celsius and Occt shut off.
Guess my case isn't up to par eh?

Phædrus2401 · 09-20-2009, 05:18 PM

You'll need an aftermarket CPU cooler and a better PSU if you plan to overclock more than ~.2GHz.

Eskimio · 09-20-2009, 05:31 PM

How much better is a "Better PSU"?
Is 650W not enough? Or is it the brand?
Any recommendations?

Phædrus2401 · 09-20-2009, 05:38 PM

If it's enough or not depends on the rest of the system, especially the graphics card, but in this case I say better because of the brand. It's not good to overclock on a low-end PSU, and also some very low-end ones can't keep up with the duty cycle when asked to provide pulses to the CPU 4 billion times a second.

Eskimio · 09-20-2009, 05:49 PM

I'm just confused because your signature says that "CoolerMaster Real Power Pro" PSUs are good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171023
That's the exact PSU I have in my computer.
And from what I've read, my computer needs a maximum of 300 watts. (I've used 2 calculators and read an article). This PSU supplies 650W.

Phædrus2401 · 09-20-2009, 05:52 PM

Oooh, you just said CoolerMaster. The plain CoolerMaster and CoolerMaster Extreme PSUs are crap, but the Real Power Pro line is good. You're ok in that department then. (only thing is, with those calculators we advise adding at least 30% to ensure you have an adequate safety margin)

In that case all you need is a better CPU heatsink. Zalman and Thermaltake make very nice ones, and the Arctic Freezer Pro 7 is ok if you only want to OC up to ~3.8GHz.

Eskimio · 09-20-2009, 06:06 PM

Now I understand. =]

I've been looking at a few cpu coolers lately and the Arctic Freezer Pro 7 looks like a nice choice. If I ever get the money, I'd probably end up buying one of them.

Also, I'm 99% sure I'm going to get a new case and almost positive it's going to be the Antec 902. Any suggestions towards a different case? I'm currently using a Verre v770 case I got from a friend, used, for free. It's beat up, missing parts and rather old.

Phædrus2401 · 09-20-2009, 06:09 PM

Antec 902 is great, I have the normal 900 and the 902 only seems to have fixed the handful of problems people had with the original.

Eskimio · 09-20-2009, 06:14 PM

Exactly, I ALMOST bought the 900 until my friend offered to just give me his old chassis so I figured I'd save a penny or two and go with it.

Eskimio · 09-20-2009, 06:41 PM

Thanks for your help, Phaderus, and until I get my new case and cpu cooler you won't be hearing much from me. =]

Phædrus2401 · 09-20-2009, 06:43 PM

Alright, good luck!

09-20-2009, 05:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Eskimio Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Professional Media Center Edition 2002	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig Heh, I feel like a newbie. I ran Occt and in 1 min 30 sec it hit 80 degrees Celsius and Occt shut off. Guess my case isn't up to par eh?

09-20-2009, 05:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,707 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig You'll need an aftermarket CPU cooler and a better PSU if you plan to overclock more than ~.2GHz. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

09-20-2009, 05:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Eskimio Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Professional Media Center Edition 2002	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig How much better is a "Better PSU"? Is 650W not enough? Or is it the brand? Any recommendations?

09-20-2009, 05:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,707 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig If it's enough or not depends on the rest of the system, especially the graphics card, but in this case I say better because of the brand. It's not good to overclock on a low-end PSU, and also some very low-end ones can't keep up with the duty cycle when asked to provide pulses to the CPU 4 billion times a second. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

09-20-2009, 05:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Eskimio Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Professional Media Center Edition 2002	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig I'm just confused because your signature says that "CoolerMaster Real Power Pro" PSUs are good. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171023 That's the exact PSU I have in my computer. And from what I've read, my computer needs a maximum of 300 watts. (I've used 2 calculators and read an article). This PSU supplies 650W.

09-20-2009, 05:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,707 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig Oooh, you just said CoolerMaster. The plain CoolerMaster and CoolerMaster Extreme PSUs are crap, but the Real Power Pro line is good. You're ok in that department then. (only thing is, with those calculators we advise adding at least 30% to ensure you have an adequate safety margin) In that case all you need is a better CPU heatsink. Zalman and Thermaltake make very nice ones, and the Arctic Freezer Pro 7 is ok if you only want to OC up to ~3.8GHz. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

09-20-2009, 06:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Eskimio Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Professional Media Center Edition 2002	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig Now I understand. =] I've been looking at a few cpu coolers lately and the Arctic Freezer Pro 7 looks like a nice choice. If I ever get the money, I'd probably end up buying one of them. Also, I'm 99% sure I'm going to get a new case and almost positive it's going to be the Antec 902. Any suggestions towards a different case? I'm currently using a Verre v770 case I got from a friend, used, for free. It's beat up, missing parts and rather old.

09-20-2009, 06:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,707 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig Antec 902 is great, I have the normal 900 and the 902 only seems to have fixed the handful of problems people had with the original. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

09-20-2009, 06:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
Eskimio Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Professional Media Center Edition 2002	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig Exactly, I ALMOST bought the 900 until my friend offered to just give me his old chassis so I figured I'd save a penny or two and go with it.

09-20-2009, 06:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
Eskimio Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP Professional Media Center Edition 2002	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig Thanks for your help, Phaderus, and until I get my new case and cpu cooler you won't be hearing much from me. =]

09-20-2009, 06:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,707 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Specs for a First-Time OC Rig Alright, good luck! __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.