550 BE Overclock

[TheGazMan]

Had another shot at the overclock and seem to be stable on 3.6Ghz now - CPU-Z attatched, have set VCORE to 1.475v. Need to know if my temps are ok before I push on - was hitting 63C using IBT and OCCT for an hour or so, seemed to sit at about 59/60C with a couple of blips up to 63C.

What do you reckon? Not so sure that my RAM can take too much of an OC as the system seems to get unstable when it's pushed past about 860MHz ish.

EDIT: Just realised I stuck this in the wrong section. NUMPTY.

[Martini1991]

You want to stay around 62C max tbh.

[TheGazMan]

Thought it was a bit high, might have to knock the voltage back down a touch then.

[Martini1991]

My Phenom II @stock with 2.2GHZ HT and 2.4GHZ NB maxes out at 44C

[TheGazMan]

63C is definitely far too much then! I knocked it back to what I was on before - auto voltage, 200MHz HTT and 17.5 Multiplier, now it's crashing in games. WTF?!

[TheMadDutchDude]

Set the volts yourself. Overclocking on auto volts can lead to instability.

[RawZ]

Bud, 62.C is way off the chart. If you want a higher OC, you need lower temps. Ph II's love low temps. For example, i'm on WC'ing as you know and i have 4.0Ghz with 1.55v. After OCCT, temps are load @ 36.C / idle 22.C.

What cooling did you say you have?

3.6Ghz will be your limit for now till you get better cooling.

[TheGazMan]

Still on stock cooling, which is obviously the issue. Will need to get a decent air cooler (not forking out for WC, not into OCing that much lol). 3.6 it is then, which isn't too shabby and certainly plenty for my needs.

Any suggestions for a decent air cooler?

[RawZ]

Yikes, didn't know your using stock. I suggest back down to 3.4Ghz for now with 1.35v till you get better cooling. If your not into it that much then the Xigmatek will serve your needs here (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/Cooling/CPUCoolers/Xigmatek/CAC-SXHH3-U05.html).

[TheGazMan]

3.4GHz and 1.35V will be sorted tonight. The xigmatek looks good, on sale at the mo too which is a bonus, alhough I note that the AM2 fitting isn't fantstic according to the reviews. used to have a freezer 64 pro which was great on my 4200+ and 7750 but it wouldn't fit with my new RAM :(

Shame it won't OC that well on stock but I guess these things never do. Then again if you buy a BE perhaps AMD should ship those models with an aftermarket cooler as that's what they're intended for.

[RawZ]

I had the Red Scorpion version of that Xiggy. Just the same. Mounting is fine. Just like most AMD coolers, they mount it the 'wrong way'.. that being the fan faces up to the roof instead of the rear fan. If you have a case with a top 120/140mm like i do then its fine as the hot air can exhaust out of the roof's fan.

[TheGazMan]

No roof exhaust but it can't be too much of a prob. Let's be honest it's hot in the case anyway with the 4850X2 grinding away lol.

I have one 120mm exhuast on the back (at the top of course) which makes a **** of an improvement on the old case.

[DirtyElement]

thats the amd cooler i'm looking at for my 720.... got it running a 3 ghz on stock fan and don't really want to push it much further even though it is possible on stock cooling.

Fingers crossed the cooler stays at that price till my next pay day at the end of october!

[rampageturke]

unlock the 2 cores :)