Overclocking for a dummy

[Noxenvon]

Hi guys, 

 

So to keep it short and sweet; I'm a complete newbie to overclocking and if there's any advice that could help me, I'd be greatly appreciative. 

 

At the moment, I've pushed my Ryzen 7 2700x from its base (3.7) to 4.1 at 1.4v. Is this an acceptable level, or is this too high for what I want to use it for? (Mostly gaming, possibly may do some streaming soon too). My major concern is the stigma behind OC'ing; that it damages and shortens lifespans of parts and seeing as this rig was a gift I kind of don't want it blowing up in my face a few weeks down the line!

What's the 'sweet spot' for overclocking in general? Would I, a casual gamer, get any real benefit out of the process or is it more for the hardcore gamiers? Or would I get more benefit from overclocking the GPU instead?

 

I apologise for the barrage of questions, but as stated I'm super new to the overclocking scene and I'm concerned about damaging the goods.

 

Thanks in advance!

[jiyeon]

3 minutes ago, Noxenvon said:

What's the 'sweet spot' for overclocking in general? Would I, a casual gamer, get any real benefit out of the process or is it more for the hardcore gamiers? Or would I get more benefit from overclocking the GPU instead?

It depends on if a certain game is CPU-bound or GPU-bound but generally yes, the GPU being overclocked would be more beneficial.

[Shimejii]

The cpu is the best thing you can overclock. GPU overclocks are less of an issue now with how Pascal auto overclocks based on temps.

 

To give an example, Overclocking your GPU generally tends to increase your Maximum by a decent amount, but the most important thing IMO is the increase in Minimum performance. 

 

Ryzen is unique because in some cases leaving it alone to boost its own cores up to 4.1 to 4.2 ghz can be better for certain games and scenarios, whereas overclocking to 4.1 is better for overall performance showing its stable.

 

1.4v Is a bit high for me, what are your temps? As long as they are in check then you should be fine. 

 

Overclocking does shorten the lifespan of a CPU, generally from 10-13 years down to about 8-10, but results can vary SO much. Motherboards, Psu's, Where you live (electricity from the walls), Different coolers ( keeping it at the optimal temp of 55-80) 

[Noxenvon]

Just now, seoz said:

It depends on if a certain game is CPU-bound or GPU-bound but generally yes, the GPU being overclocked would be more beneficial.

I mostly play MMO's, like WoW and Final Fantasy XIV, if that helps.

[jiyeon]

2 minutes ago, Noxenvon said:

I mostly play MMO's, like WoW and Final Fantasy XIV, if that helps.

WoW is CPU-bound if I remember correctly, although I haven't played since the Wrath of The Lich King days, oh how I miss them... CPU overclock could help in that case, but again I'm not sure by how much.

Sorry if I'm being vague but I'm kind of in the dark with Ryzen stuff!

[Shimejii]

1 minute ago, seoz said:

WoW is CPU-bound if I remember correctly, although I haven't played since the Wrath of The Lich King days, oh how I miss them... CPU overclock could help in that case, but again I'm not sure by how much.

Sorry if I'm being vague but I'm kind of in the dark with Ryzen stuff!

Wow is still Pretty heavily CPU bound. Theyve made adjustments but its still pretty cpu bound. Having a decent oc on the gpu brings up the minimums with aT ON of effects though which is nice. Although i quit during Legion.

[jiyeon]

Just now, Shimejii said:

Although i quit during Legion.

I quit once Pandaria was released, I couldn't get into them pandas, man.

 

1 minute ago, Shimejii said:

Having a decent oc on the gpu brings up the minimums with aT ON of effects though which is nice.

Especially when in raids where tons of spell particles are being thrown everywhere.

[Paddi01]

8 minutes ago, Shimejii said:

Where you live (electricity from the walls)

How is that meant? Could this really matter? Just curious.

[Noxenvon]

I don't really see myself playing WoW for much longer to be perfectly honest. BfA has kind of killed the experience for me.

 

Back on topic!

9 minutes ago, Shimejii said:

The cpu is the best thing you can overclock. GPU overclocks are less of an issue now with how Pascal auto overclocks based on temps.

 

To give an example, Overclocking your GPU generally tends to increase your Maximum by a decent amount, but the most important thing IMO is the increase in Minimum performance. 

 

Ryzen is unique because in some cases leaving it alone to boost its own cores up to 4.1 to 4.2 ghz can be better for certain games and scenarios, whereas overclocking to 4.1 is better for overall performance showing its stable.

 

1.4v Is a bit high for me, what are your temps? As long as they are in check then you should be fine. 

 

Overclocking does shorten the lifespan of a CPU, generally from 10-13 years down to about 8-10, but results can vary SO much. Motherboards, Psu's, Where you live (electricity from the walls), Different coolers ( keeping it at the optimal temp of 55-80) 

My temps haven't really gone past the 50c mark ingame. Doing some cinebench testing i've gotten up to about 78c at the highest (in terms of CPU temps anyway).

 

My GPU stays between 60-70c when playing something like Witcher 3 on ultra/high graphics.

[Shimejii]

2 minutes ago, Paddi01 said:

How is that meant? Could this really matter? Just curious.

Areas that often have power surges, black outs, and differentiating frequencies on the power grid often tend to easily Fry computers and other electronics. I have had to help guide my friends in Greece, and other more remote places in the US on what exactly fried their computers. Generally its the PSU that gets fried and it saves the rest, but on occasion entire systems go poof, even with Surge protectors and Decent UPS systems.

[Noxenvon]

I'm plugged into a surge protected power strip and powercuts don't happen too often in the area where I live. I think we've had like 2 or 3 in the last 5-6 years, give or take. 

[Paddi01]

8 minutes ago, Shimejii said:

Areas that often have power surges, black outs, and differentiating frequencies on the power grid often tend to easily Fry computers and other electronics. I have had to help guide my friends in Greece, and other more remote places in the US on what exactly fried their computers. Generally its the PSU that gets fried and it saves the rest, but on occasion entire systems go poof, even with Surge protectors and Decent UPS systems.

True, i get your point. It´s just that you have no influence on this if it's the case.