Help with Overclocking.

[YoyiSkill]

Hi, I have a pc that ive been upgrading and trying to make the best of what it is. The specs are as follows:

 

CPU:Intel Core i7 860 @ 2.8ghz 

Motherboard:Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2

RAM:4x4GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600mhz

GPU:Radeon SAPPHIRE HD 5750

Case:Ultra Defender II White Mid-Tower Case

Storage:Crucial M4 128GB SSD, 1.5TB WD Green Caviar, 250GB Samsung HDD

PSU:500W Cooler Master RS-500-PCAR-D3

Display(s):2x ACER G235H 23'' LCD Monitors

Cooling:Corsair H60i, 2x Stock Case 120mm Fans.

Keyboard:Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013

Mouse:Razer Deathadder 2013

Sound:Sigma Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Headset

OS: Windows 8 Pro

 

Well, my motherboard at first didn't want to read my memory as 1600mhz it was displaying my memory as unknown 1333mhz memory. After lots of research i changed my XMP to "enabled" on the BIOS and now it's displaying my memory as 1600mhz as its supposed to be. Is that considered as overclocking? Will that harm my computer in any way? 

 

My CPU has an Corsair H60i Cooling kit and it runs at around 44c while doing work/gaming. My GPU runs at 53c at load.

Can i overclock with these temperatures? are they safe?

Would you guys give me advice on how to make the best out of my computer like if i can overclock my GPU and CPU to make it better for gaming?

Any advice on what software is the best to optimize my computer?

 

Thanks. - Michael

 

[The Crazed Child]

Enabling XMP is safe. The XMP profile is the frequency your RAM is designed to run at.

 

44c is a good temperature while gaming. Contrast that to my PC, I get 44c idle with stock cooling. 

 

Unfortunately you won't be able to get a decent overclock out of that chip because of the locked multiplier.

[PCfees]

While I do see some room for overclocking in here, I wouldn't suggest doing so with only a 500W PSU. To do any serious OCing with this setup, I would suggest at lease a 650 or 700 watt PSU. That may seem ridiculous, but when overclocking, you're putting more stress on the chip, and board than are originally intended. When you push a system, you draw lots of power. And to keep the psu from straining to supply that power, you need to give yourself some headroom. I'm NOT, however, saying to go out and buy a 1000 Watt power supply just to do this. That would be a waste of money for you, and just not necessary. 

 

If you are looking for a guide on how to overclock, there are some good ones on overclockers.com, and even on this site, if you search for them. YouTube is also a great tool, and LOTS of people have step-by-step instructions on how to do this, along with some suggestions for those first timers.

 

I hope you get to where you want with your PC! Good luck!

[LogicalDrm]

44C is good temp. However it isn't max temp on that system. You need to run some stress test to determine what is your current max and basicly to see how much headroom you have if temps are going to rise. I'd use Intel Burn Test or Prime95 for it.

[YoyiSkill]

thanks guys, I need to see my computers temps after i change the case... Ive had this one for about 3 months and costed around 95$ and it has only given me nightmares... The case feels cheap overall, the white plastic turned yellow. Mounting holes are off. The side panel couldn't close with a H100 radiator which i returned for the H60i and still is not closing. Any suggestions on mid tower 100$- cases? Even though my GPU is kinda old it runs very good and it runs new games at medium settings, im planning on changing it for something newer that is more silent, that has more ram than 1gb and that will last for a couple of years... Id really recommend the GPU i have for budget pc builds.... Any suggestions on a 100-175 GPU that is a long card or high profile that isn't too loud?