Just OC'ed

Hi everyone,

Here are my specs:

Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q9450 @ 2.66 GHz
ATI Radeon HD 4870 Sapphire GPU
4 GB DDR2 800 MHz RAM
750W Corsair Power Supply
ASUS Rampage Formula E3559 MOBO
Windows Vista 64bit

I just Overclocked for the first time and now CPU-Z is showing the following

Core Speed 3.2 GHz
Multiplier x8 (6-8)
Bus Speed 400 MHz
Rated FSB 1600 MHz
Core Voltage 1.272V
DRAM Frequency 480 MHz
FSB:DRAM 5:6

On my bios all I changed was the CPU Level Up option with everything else on auto (so as far as I know I don't have to adjust anything else, is this correct?). From what I've looked up my max core temp is 71C and my max Voltage is 1.4V. I have not yet run a prime 95 or any other test (any advice as far as that is concerned?).

How do I know if the OC was done safely? I picked the second highest CPU Level option btw.

I'm doing this overclocking now on this quite old computer because I am looking to play Rome 2 Total War in the near future and I will probably get a new GPU, so I want to bottleneck it as little as possible with my CPU. Any advice on what GPU would max performance before it reached a bottleneck or point of diminishing returns price-wise with this rig? I am thinking of spending in the $100-$250 range with the $209 gtx 660 looking like the likely contender. What do you think?

Just as a side note, AIDA64 is a better real world stability test. Systems can pass Prime95 and appear stable, but when you actually use it, you may still have stability issues and vice versa.

Also, do you think 71 degrees is a good max temp for a q9450? Should I set core temp to auto shutdown if it goes beyond that for say 10 seconds or something of that nature?

I am now running the system stability test on AIDA64. It is showing 100% CPU and 42% physical memory usage. The temperatures are looking fine, maxing out around 58 degrees. I'll post again with the results. Also, any help with the video card choice would be much appreciated, thanks!

I would agree, the 760 isn't going to be overly bottle-necked in your system, at least not performance-crushingly so. It is a small bit over your budget though, so if those limits are hard-set, I'd recommend the 660 in its place.

Great thanks, sorry to throw in a gpu discussion, but now that I'm looking around I see this 7870:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-161-411&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=4&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29#scrollFullInfo

at only $180, which I think should beat out a 660 handily. Is that HIS version fine? The 7850 OC is also said to have better performance than the 660 OC, and it costs about $190 ($180 after rebate) against $210 ($190 after rebate) for the 660. THe 760 is a bit more than I really want to spend at $250.

I think I am going to go with the HIS IceQ Turbo Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-161-428&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=5&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29#scrollFullInfo

It's factory OC'ed from 860 to 1000 MHz (same as the 7870) and has 5 egg reviews across the board. It is a big card but it should fit in my antec 900. Thanks again!

I've finished the AIDA64 test and ordered the card. It should be here in within a week or two. I'll stop back in and let you know how it goes once I've upgraded   :)

It's always nice to squeeze a little more life outta machine!

Hi Schweetness101...  Thanks a lot for the feedback..  Looks real good.

Mmmm Rome II