Overclocking

Redhawk

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Mar 9, 2012
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i have a i7 920 cpu @ 2.67 GHz. i want to overclock it at 3 GHz, but i dont know of any programs to overclock it with. i was wondering if anyone knew of any program that will let me do it to my pc wich isnt a custom build, its a Alienware Aurora.
 
Alienware should be overclockable from the BIOS. Since their mobo are proprietary to them, to actually have a UI BIOS from Windows, I don't think they do.

Check out the Alienware forums. Overclocking can sometime be very simple: tweak the multiplier 1-2 points up and viola -- 3ghz. But it can also be serious business, tweak the voltage wrong and viola -- fry the whole chip.

Best advice before trying anything, read, read, and read some more. Oh, and make sure the cooler can handle it.

Running a homebuilt AMD system right now at 4ghz with the lightest overclock setting I can (voltage still low and stable). Less is more.
 
its liquid cooled and i have 6 aftermarket cooling fans on it. when its on full load it only reaches 29 C, so i think it should be able to handle it... i hope. thanks for the advice
 
With that much cooling, Redhawk, you can get more than 3.0GHz on an OC. Probably a minimum of 3.3GHz stable (I don't overclock so I can't provide fully informed advice on the matter)
 
Assuming you are still running stable, try moving up a small amount at a time and testing everything under full load using a tool like prime95 or OCCT. Just keep in mind that large overclocks tend to require more voltage to remain stable which in turn causes more stress on your CPU.
 
i dont think i will go past 3.0-3.4 GHz. it should have enough for it with a 875W psu. i know im gonna need a graphics card tho. mines runnin at 85C ( 9500 GT) so i cant overclock the GPU. but probably in a couple of months im gonna get the 560 ti
 
Wow, overclock i7 920 at 30 C load. Not sure how you are swinging that. By liquid cooled, you mean one of those all in one systems like from corsair, correct? How are you reading this temperature (what program to read and what program to apply load)?
 
I have a feeling thats at idle... since a amd system wouldnt be that low on full load...
 
I have a feeling thats at idle... since a amd system wouldnt be that low on full load...

This. You need to monitor temps and stability with stress programs like OCCT or Intel Burn Test. Booting is all well and good for records, but if you're going to actually use it you want to be sure it's not going to start crashing when you do something demanding.
 
i know im gonna need a graphics card tho. mines runnin at 85C ( 9500 GT) so i cant overclock the GPU. but probably in a couple of months im gonna get the 560 ti
In a few months nvidia will have a new line of GPUs out, so don't count on a 560ti because there will be better cards. :)
 
the program is alienwares thermal controler program that tells me all the temps. i can even adjust all the fan speeds with it too. when im playing my games like CSS and BF3 it only reaches 30C when im in the game
 
Apply a full load with prime95:
http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/

Download is on that page under Setup Instructions for New Users/Step 2
Install and run Just Stress Testing and the default Blend setting.

Monitor temps with with HWMonitor:
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html#directiontouse

Temps are given for gpu and cpu.

Not sure I trust the alienware temps that you are being given. Adjusting the fan speeds through it is nice, but I am wondering if it is giving you temps above ambient. Either way, download these two programs and have the HWMonitor open while you are running prime95. That will apply a true full load and stability test for your overclock. Run for at least an hour or overnight for stability.
 

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