- Joined
- Apr 6, 2002
The Overclocking Buyer's Guide
Last Updated: 12/2/09
Format changed! I thought it would just be easier to piece everything together in full systems instead of breaking everything out like it was before.
Prices are current from Newegg.com at the very second I typed them down, manually. Actual prices change frequently and this guide is not automatically updated, so prices on Newegg.com and other websites will most likely differ. I recommend using the OCForums "official" shopping engine, Google Product Search, or straight up Newegg.com for all of your shopping needs.
This guide is merely a collection of SUGGESTED system setups. The most important things to consider when building a system with the intention of overclocking are the processor, motherboard, ram, heat sink, and power supply. Everything else is just an accessory. If you want to use a different video card, sound card, case, hard drive, etc. then that is your choice. Obviously, there are tons of choices for each component.
My stance on the issues:
compare all the processors in this edition of the guide at HWBot
______________________________________________________________________________
budget
mid level
high end
extreme
Last Updated: 12/2/09
Format changed! I thought it would just be easier to piece everything together in full systems instead of breaking everything out like it was before.
Prices are current from Newegg.com at the very second I typed them down, manually. Actual prices change frequently and this guide is not automatically updated, so prices on Newegg.com and other websites will most likely differ. I recommend using the OCForums "official" shopping engine, Google Product Search, or straight up Newegg.com for all of your shopping needs.
This guide is merely a collection of SUGGESTED system setups. The most important things to consider when building a system with the intention of overclocking are the processor, motherboard, ram, heat sink, and power supply. Everything else is just an accessory. If you want to use a different video card, sound card, case, hard drive, etc. then that is your choice. Obviously, there are tons of choices for each component.
My stance on the issues:
- Dual Core? Quad Core? I still do not recommend buying any processor with more than two cores for general computing/gaming. Games are starting to pop up that take advantage of multi-core setups, but at the same price, I would recommend buying a dual core that is clocked faster rather than a slower quad core processor.
- 2GB, 4GB, 6GB RAM? 2GB is the absolute minimum I would suggest buying, and for most people this will be all they need. DDR2 is extremely cheap right now, so upgrading to 4GB won't stretch your wallet too much. As far as overclocking goes, the less stress on the system the better, so I'd recommend sticking with a 2x1gb memory kit. DDR3 is still very expensive so I'd recommend staying away from it unless you are putting together a Core i7 system. If you do end up buying 4GB of RAM or more, you should be using a 64bit operating system.
- ATI? NVIDIA? I recommend NVIDIA video cards because of the Linux support. There are plenty of ATI cards that compete well with, if not beat, NVIDIA cards, so pick what suits you the best.
- SLI? Crossfire? Personally, I don't think it's worth the money unless you aren't pleased with the performance of a single top of the line card. For the cards lower down in the line-up, you can generally buy a single card that surpasses the performance of a cheap multi-card setup for right around the same price. Obviously, use your judgement as to if it's worth it for you.
compare all the processors in this edition of the guide at HWBot
______________________________________________________________________________
budget
intel
Average O.C. (%) 115.60
OC/$ ratio 0.19
amd
Average O.C. (%) 40.83
OC/$ ratio 0.06
- Processor: Intel Celeron 430 Conroe-L $39.49 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo $84.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131377
- Memory: G.Skill DDR2 2x1gb F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK $49.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087
- Heat Sink: Zalman CNPS9900LED $43.84 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118046
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1119115&Tpk=CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP
- Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-550VX $79.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=Corsair CMPSU-550VX
- Video Card: XFX GTS 250 GS250XZDFU $154.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150439
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
- DVD Burner: Plextor PX-880SA $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054
Average O.C. (%) 115.60
OC/$ ratio 0.19
amd
- Processor: AMD Sempron 140 Sargas $36.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103698
- Motherboard: DFI LP DK 790FXB-M2RSH $137.00 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Memory: G.Skill DDR2 2x1gb F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK $49.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087
- Heat Sink: Zalman CNPS9900LED $43.84 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118046
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1119115&Tpk=CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP
- Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-550VX $79.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=Corsair CMPSU-550VX
- Video Card: XFX GTS 250 GS250XZDFU $154.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150439
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
- DVD Burner: Plextor PX-880SA $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054
Average O.C. (%) 40.83
OC/$ ratio 0.06
mid level
intel
Average O.C. (%) 68.92
OC/$ ratio 0.08
amd
Average O.C. (%) 36.48
OC/$ ratio 0.04
- Processor: Intel Core i5 750 $199.99 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Motherboard: Biostar T5 XE CFX-SLI $134.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138162
- Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 2x2gb F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH $105.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
- Heat Sink: Zalman CNPS10X Extreme $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1119115&Tpk=CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP
- Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-550VX $79.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=Corsair CMPSU-550VX
- Video Card: XFX GTS 250 GS250XZDFU $154.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150439
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
- DVD Burner: Plextor PX-880SA $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054
Average O.C. (%) 68.92
OC/$ ratio 0.08
amd
- Processor: AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition $119.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
- Motherboard: DFI LANParty DK 790FXB-M3H5 $169.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136067
- Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 2x2gb F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH $105.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
- Heat Sink: Zalman CNPS10X Extreme $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1119115&Tpk=CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP
- Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-550VX $79.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=Corsair CMPSU-550VX
- Video Card: XFX GTS 250 GS250XZDFU $154.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150439
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
- DVD Burner: Plextor PX-880SA $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054
Average O.C. (%) 36.48
OC/$ ratio 0.04
high end
intel
Average O.C. (%) 79.86
OC/$ ratio 0.07
amd
Average O.C. (%) 37.30
OC/$ ratio 0.04
- Processor: Intel Core i7 860 $284.99 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Motherboard: MSI P55-GD80 $204.99 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 2x2gb F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH $124.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279
- Heat Sink: Zalman CNPS10X Extreme $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1119115&Tpk=CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP
- Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-850TX $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=Corsair CMPSU-850TX
- Video Card: XFX GTX 260 GX260XADJC $189.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150398
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006&Tpk=Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
- DVD Burner: Plextor PX-880SA $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054
Average O.C. (%) 79.86
OC/$ ratio 0.07
amd
- Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition $165.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674
- Motherboard: ASUS M4A79T Deluxe $179.99 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 2x2gb F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH $124.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279
- Heat Sink: Zalman CNPS10X Extreme $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1119115&Tpk=CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP
- Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-850TX $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=Corsair CMPSU-850TX
- Video Card: XFX GTX 260 GX260XADJC $189.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150398
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006&Tpk=Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
- DVD Burner: Plextor PX-880SA $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054
Average O.C. (%) 37.30
OC/$ ratio 0.04
extreme
intel
Average O.C. (%) 47.59
OC/$ ratio 0.02
amd
Average O.C. (%) 44.81
OC/$ ratio 0.03
- Processor: Intel Core i7 975 Extreme Edition $986.99 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Motherboard: EVGA X58 SLI Classified $394.99 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Memory: Corsair Dominator-GT CMG6GX3M3A1600C7 $258.99 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...CODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE
- Heat Sink: Zalman CNPS10X Extreme $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1119115&Tpk=CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP
- Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-850TX $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=Corsair CMPSU-850TX
- Video Card: XFX HD 5970 HD-597A-CNF9 $629.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150453
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006&Tpk=Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
- DVD Burner: Plextor PX-880SA $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054
Average O.C. (%) 47.59
OC/$ ratio 0.02
amd
- Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition $195.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
- Motherboard: Asus Crosshair III Formula $195.99 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...46612f2356526e84d277a983bf5eca14d832aaef96894
- Memory: Corsair Dominator-GT CMG4GX3M2A1600C7 $169.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145268
- Heat Sink: Zalman CNPS10X Extreme $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051
- Case: CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1119115&Tpk=CoolerMaster Elite RC-330-KKN1-GP
- Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-850TX $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=Corsair CMPSU-850TX
- Video Card: XFX HD 5970 HD-597A-CNF9 $629.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150453
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006&Tpk=Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
- DVD Burner: Plextor PX-880SA $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054
Average O.C. (%) 44.81
OC/$ ratio 0.03
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