Q9550 Overclocking

[p3drojun]

hey guys, I some need help on deciding which kind of cooling do I need for overclocking the core2quad q9550:

-how much OC can I get using the stock fan form Intel?
-to OC the q9550 to, lets say 3.4Ghz, do I need those U$90 dollars air coolers??
-which brands do u recomend fo good(but not extreme) overclocking?

thanks very much for ur help!!!

 

[francisA]

I never dared try the stock cooler as my intent was to oc the Q9550 right off the bat. And nope, you don't need expensive cooling for 3.4GHz.

I do have a Q9550 that I run either 3.83GHz or 4.12GHz and is being cooled by a Xigmatek HDT-SD964 ($30?). Fully loaded by P95, the temps max out at 57-59C (3.83G) and 67-69C (4.12GHz). And that's with stress testing. I don't foresee loading up the C2Q at that level for a sustained period of time so load temps from actual use would be lower.

But, there are other factors involved of course. First is the VID on the Q9550 that you get. If you need more volts to get to 3.4GHz then that would translate to slightly higher temps. Second is the airflow in your case. If the cooler can dissipate the heat but cannot escape from the case, then your system temps go up which makes it harder for any cooler to dissipate more heat thus higher core temps.

This is where I'm at now, trying to find that sweet spot as far as voltage and temps.

There are lots of other coolers out there and tons of valuable info in the forum. You can search here and in the Cases & Cooling forum.

 

[Phew]

THIS heatsink/fan is within a couple degrees of the best heatpipe coolers, and its $30 shipped after rebate. Can't do better for that kind of coin

 

[apoppin]

Rosewill RCX-Z5 92mm Two Ball Bearing / FDBB CPU Cooler - Retail .. 26.99 shipped from the 'egg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835200038

shellshocker

i really like my Thermalright/Scythe cooler but it is expensive and noisy with the loud 120mm fan; the new CoolerMaster hyper N520 is a decent *QUIET* dual-fan universal cooler for around $40 that is just a notch less cooling than Thermalright
[check my sig for a review, coincidently]

 

[polarbear6]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Tpk=ocz%20vendetta%202
i ould give it a 7 out of 10

the thing which is excellent about this baby is noice
that is zero noice

 

[dbcooper1]

Running mine at 4.0 with a Xigmatek s1283 and temps are manageable- 60-65 between cores under full load. So far so good after a couple months. Mine is an E0 at 1.29v.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233024

I'd also get one of these:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/lgbowiscsp.html

 

[Zapper48]

I'm using this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835202007

 

[MBrown]

I am looking into this too. Would an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro work?

 

[Phunk0ne]

Pedrojun :

I would waste any thoughts about overclocking with intel's stock cooler, unless you find yourself with a load of cash to buy a new quad, if you you, you're better off buying the best cooler that is avaiable (subjective opinion ofcourse, air/water/Phase/LN2/LH/).

another option is to lap your cpu and the base of the heatsink if it's not flat, or has the distinct machined surface such as the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme.

Originally posted by: MBrown
I am looking into this too. Would an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro work?

MBrown, it would work but don't expect wonders from a mediocre cooler.

Sigmatek or OCZ make decent coolers for overclockers that aren't as expesive as the Thermalright.

but it all is in what you really expect from your processor and what you are planning in doing with your rig.

GL!

 

[polarbear6]

ocz rules all the way

the rest you are wasting money (yes iam looking for a meaningless fight )

 

[TidusZ]

I agree that the vendetta 2 is the best price/perfromance cooler, but its certainly not the best cooler. For a 3.4ghz overclock the vendetta 2 will be more than enough.