A.
To Overclock or Not to Overclock. That is the Question!
What is Overclocking?
Overclocking is NOT an art and Overclockers are NOT artists! Overclocking your CPU
or GPU is not a game for if you do overclock extensively you may
end up with No Computer at all to overclock!
But what is Overclocking anyway? It is the user's effort to gain as much power from
his Hardware as he can by increasing the CPU's, RAM's and GPU's working frequency.
Shall i try it?
The answer is Yes and No!
Yes if you know what you are doing and don't bother buying a new component to replace the one you will burn,
Yes if you are going to softly overclock the existing hardware
and won't need to buy any expensive Cooling systems to help you on further overclocking
it!
No if you don't understand the above...
What hardware to buy?
Read our guide and recommendations to find out which hardware components are the
most overclockable...
How to Overclock?
Read our guide and you'll find step by step instructions on how to do it safely... |
B. What PC System to build? Shall i always opt a High-end
PC System or go for a cheaper Mid-range PC?
First rule: Never
buy a ready made PC. Always build one!
Second rule: Always go for something in between
a Mid-range to a High-end PC System and apply a little overclocking to maximize
it's performance. |
C. What PC parts to choose so that i will get the
most for my money?
Case
COOLERMASTER CAC-T05-UB CENTURION 5 BLUE BLACK
First of all you'll need a Case. There are a lot of interesting
and extra featured PC computer cases out there but most of them come with a price!
If you need power that you can easily carry: 9.7 Kgr weight,
room for your devices: 5x5.25", 1x3.5"
(external), and 4x3.5" (internal) drive bays,
good air circulation: 2 fans (120mm-included and 80mm-not included),
accesible front panel connections: 2 x USB 2.0, 1xIEEE
1394 (FireWire), 2 x Audio
and
a price you can afford: ~ 62.90
€ go for the
Coolermaster's Centurion 5 Case.
Video Review
(- 3dGameMan.com link -)
Lian Li PC-7 SE III
If you're serious about computing and intend to
overclock, get this brand new Lian Li PC-7 SE III
Case:
4 x 3,5 HDD,4 x 5.25, 2 x 3.5 FDD, 1x120mm fan in front 1 x 120mm fan rear (included)
for about 89.00 €
 from Caseumbau.de.
Read Review
CPU
a) IF YOU ARE NOT OVERCLOCKING: Go for Intel's Core 2
Duo E6600 2.4 GHz Socket 775 1066 MHz
Box for about: 208.00
€
CPU Cooler: None, use the one provided with the CPU.
b) IF YOU ARE OVERCLOCKING: Go for
Intel's Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHz Socket 775 1066 MHz Tray
for about: 205.00
€
and for a Scythe Ninja Plus Rev.B for
34.00 €
CPU Cooler:
You will get far better results by replacing the default fan with a
Scythe 12cm S-Flex SSF21F (1600rpm) Cooling Fan 12.50
€:
RAM
a) For Soft or Not at all overclocking get this excellent (2x1 GB) 800 MHz kit from
Team Xtream:
Team Xtreem Dark DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 ( 2 x 1 GB) kit
High quality modules for a very acceptable price:
145.00
€
They proved to be able to overclock to 1100MHz on a Motherboard
with a P965 chipset!
at overclockersonline.net!
Read Review
b) For Harder overclocking get this superb GSkill F2-6400CL4D-2GBHK (2x1 GB) 800 MHz kit from G.Skill:
G.Skill Ram 2GB Kit DDR2 800 4-4-3-5 Dual Channel 2.0-2.1V for:
189.00 €
This pair does the DDR2 1000MHz easy and with a lot more headroom...
Read Review
Motherboard
a) If you are NOT going to overclock
get this excellent MSI P965 Platinum
motherboard for only: 122.00 €
This mobo has everything you'll need and is also compliant to Crossfire
with ATI Catalyst 6.9 Drivers!
This motherboard provides the best cost/benefit ratio for the mainstream
user building a Core 2 Duo-based system, says
hardwaresecrets.com. Read
Review
 from
tweaktown.com. Read
Review
b) If you intend to overclock go for Gigabyte's 965P-DS3P rev 2.0 or 3.3 board for 145.00 €:
from techspot.com. Read
Review
Don't forget to read this awesome Core 2 motherboard overclocking roundup
from atomicmpc.com.au
that reveals the best overclocking motherboards...
PSU
This is where you must spend serious
money! Especially if you are going to overclock.
So get the:
Seasonic S12 Energy+ 80Plus 550Watt PSU
for 110.00 € you'll get
what is needed and more!
Read Review
from dragonsteelmods.com
or the:
Thermaltake Toughpower Cable Management 750W
from tweaknews.com. Read
Review
You can get your hands on it
for
96.50 €
Graphics Card
When it comes to graphics, you want:
DirectX10 compatibility,
Huge factory overclock,
Excellent Performance,
Dual Link DVI,
HDCP support for HD DVD and Blu-ray playback
which leads us to the XFX GeForce 8800GTS 320MB
XXX (Factory Overclocked)
available for 308.00
€
 Read
Review at tweaktown.com
Monitor
Only opt for true 16.7 million colors, fast multi purpose
Premium MVA or S-IPS Panels like:
a) the
 8ms, 1680x1050, 20'',
P-MVA ViewSonic VX2025wm for
430.00 €
b) the  8ms, 1680x1050,
20'', P-MVA Belinea 102035W
for 479.00 €
c) the  8ms, 1600x1200,
20'', P-MVA Belinea 2080 S1
for
448.00 €
d) or the
 8ms, 1600x1200, 20'',
S-IPS LG Flatron L2000C for
426.46 €
Read
Review from lesnumeriques.com
Learn about LCD Panels at this great
LCD Buyer's Guide from anandtech.com
forums...
Overclocking Guide
1.
Read this awesome Core 2 Duo
Basic Overclocking guide for beginners
(- from the
hexus.net forums -)
that will teach you to
overclock
safely!
2. Read this easy to follow
overclocking guide from the
tomshardware.com forums and finally
3. Combine the previous information with this specific for the
Gigabyte's 965P-DS3P rev 2.0 motherboard
great
overclocking article
from legionhardware.com and you'll be well on your way to the ... Top!
Nothing can stop you now from overclocking your new Core 2 Duo CPU to it's maximum
stable working frequency...
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