Overclocking CPU questions

[Sheld]

Hi, this is my first time in the forum so sorry if im posting this in the wrong section :P

Well I would like to overclock my cpu, i have read lots of tutorial of how to do a safe overclock and so far so good, but, before trying i want to make sure that i can actually do it.

My computer is 4 years old (very old) and im planing getting a new computer maybe next year (i bought a laptop and a HDTV 6 months ago so im broke! no money!) and thats the reason a want to overclock my pc, i want a better system without spending money (maybe a little) that can last one more year.

 

Here are the specs of my computer (please dont laugh xD) 

 

#HP pavilion m9300t

 

#CPU: Intel core 2 Quad Q9300, 2.50MHz, multiplier x 7.5, Bus Speed 333MHz, rated 1333MHz, stock cooling fan 1500 RPM, normal temp. 55C  (i copied it from CPU-Z)

 

#Power supply: 350W (no idea what brand probably just a random one)

 

#GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9800GT 1GB, Bus Width 256bits (the box says that i need a 400w power supply but is seems that with a 350w works fine i think) (i added myself)

 

#Ram: Corsair 4096-6400C5C 2GB XMS2 PC2-6400 800Mhz 240-Pin Dual Channel DDR2 Desktop Memory (4 of them total of 8GB) (i added myself)

 

#Motherboard: Pegatron Corporation, Model Benicia 1.01

 

#Bios: America Megatreands Inc. ver 5.23

 

I read that i can overclock my cpu up to 3.5 (here is a link of the same CPU getting overclocked http://www.legitreviews.com/article/695/12/)

I know you need to increase the voltage according to overclock but having a 350w power supply not sure if i can do that (im already using a GPU that i think needs a 400w o.O)

So, the questions are: can i overclock my cpu without getting a new cooling fan and power supply? If i need something else what do i need? What do u recommend i should do?

 

If any of you guys can help me and need more information just ask. I think i supply all the necessary info but who knows :P

 

Thanks!

[Dave :)]

Personally, i wouldn't risk it. Mainly as that PSU is fairly low powered, and with it being OEM, i wouldn't trust it to offer the required power all the time. That said, you may be able to overclock without having to touch the voltages, so it's always worth a shot - if you do, make sure you stress the CPU adequately.

Above all else, and this is a big thing, make sure you have access to the BIOS features which you need to overclock (CPU Freq, CPU Multiplier, Voltages etc). Many OEMs such as HP, Dell etc lock their BIOS so you can't have access to these options - mainly to prevent damage to the computer. I would first get into the BIOS and check to see if these options are available to you.

[edschofield15]

Im my opinion your Power Supply sounds quite under-powered and might not be able to take the strain of overclocking. Also most OEM PC's (Such As Dell HP Etc) don't allow overclocking. So I doubt that you would be able to do any overclocking, even if your power supply was up to the job.

[Sheld]

it is true i cant overclock it from bios but i found a software (http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18125) that may help. Should i try?

[amintha1992]

i would not OC it either, first of all the PSU is not going to be able to handle it and second does your motherboard support OCing? coz it sounds like its a wired custom made MOBO just for that PC with minimal features?

 

lastly do you have a adequate way to cool your CPU may be a after market air cooler? something like a CM hyper 212 Evo is good choice?

 

at the end of the day i would not expect a huge overclock.

[M4XvPA1N]

With that stock heatsink I wouldn't try it. Not worth it if you ask me. You can buy cheap PCs today that are already better than that for the money (No offense).

[Sheld]

yeah thats what i though. i guess i will keep saving for a new PC >.<

One more question, is it possible to overclock a laptop?

[Nertballs]

some laptops can be OCd, but the temps got through the roof, so it's not really advised at all

[edschofield15]

Realistically overclocking a laptop just a bad idea, due to heat and the fact that most are designed to have low power consumption rather than high performance to conserve battery life.

[mgsstar]

yeah thats what i though. i guess i will keep saving for a new PC >.<

One more question, is it possible to overclock a laptop?

Yes it is possible but laptops usually generate heat fast even on stock clocks so I wouldn't recommend it. You would probably need a laptop cooler in order to cool your overclocked laptop.