Best newbie guide for CPU OC

[chronei]

Heya,

I'm an IT pro, but one thing I've rarely dealt with is overclocking. I want to start with my AMD CPU -- it's brand new. It's a AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727 ). Comes with a pretty hefty fan/heatsink.

I know only the basics .. I hear it has to stay below an ideal temperature, it's best to use BIOS and not software, and you do it a little at a time until it blue screens... that's all I know.

I'm using this mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157323 by ASRock. It has a nice stock bios.

Basic questions:
* What are the main options i'll be touching? Voltage and some % was it?
* Is this a decent cpu for OC? I hear black editions are great for this.
* What is the "ideal" temperature for my cpu to stay at when overclocking?
* What should I set my cpu shut off temperature to be at when testing?
* Any other newb tips is great

Thanks guys.

 

[EarthDog]

In my signature is a link to overclocking AMD CPUs.

Im not an AMD guy but I will answer your questions as best I can (the guide will assist there as well)

1. The main options you will be touching is Vcore and the multiplier (Northbridge stuff as well - See guide for more details)
2. Black Editions have unlocked multipliers making overclocking easier. Decent CPU, yes.
3. Keep it under 60C while stress testing.
4. 65C.
5. See guide.

 

[caddi daddi]

+1 earthdog.
I stll use both guides in your sig. thanks for having those links!!!