Any help to guide me through overclocking my i5 2500k?

[justash420]

Ok so first, here are my specs:

* i5 2500k
* Sapphire 7850 2gb
* 8gb G. Skill DDR3 ram
* Gigabyte Z77-D3H mobo
* CM Hyper 212+ cooler
* Antec BP550 psu
* Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit.


This is my 2nd custom build, and I think I'm ready to overclock. I've never tried before, and I want to be safe and prepared. What I think would be the proper steps would be:
1) Download and install any programs needed
2) Run benchmarks on currents speeds
3) Do the actual overclocking
4) Run stress tests
5) Run benchmarks again to see the difference


Would this be correct? If so, what free programs do I need? What tutorials do I follow? I have a Nexus 7 so if I need to watch a video tutorial while the PC is being configured, I can do it that way. Any info would be great, and greatly appreciated. I'm looking to OC my CPU to between 4.2Ghz to 4.5Ghz is possible. I would rather not change the base clock or voltages if I don't have to, just to be on the safe end. But, like I said, I am new to this, so if that is not plausible, then that's fine.
Thank you.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/265056-29-2600k-2500k-overclocking-guide

 

[mcnumpty23]

1) Download and install any programs needed
2) Run benchmarks on currents speeds
3) Do the actual overclocking
4) Run stress tests
5) Run benchmarks again to see the difference

yes thats fine

cpuz to see cpu voltage and speed

realtemp for cpu temps

the cpu voltage and temps are the most important bit

dont use overclocking software that auto overclocks--like easytune as they tend to use too much voltage

do it in the bios

start of by upping the multiplier to 40 then test

watch the load voltage on cpuz and temps

if ok up multiplier by 1 at a time till its unstable

then see what voltage you need to raise if you havent reached your target speed

though to be honest there are thousands of 2500k overclocking guides on the net if you google it

 

[dalethepcman]

Download Easytune 6, have fun

http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/Utility.aspx

 

[justash420]

1) Download and install any programs needed
2) Run benchmarks on currents speeds
3) Do the actual overclocking
4) Run stress tests
5) Run benchmarks again to see the difference

yes thats fine

cpuz to see cpu voltage and speed

realtemp for cpu temps

the cpu voltage and temps are the most important bit

dont use overclocking software that auto overclocks--like easytune as they tend to use too much voltage

do it in the bios

start of by upping the multiplier to 40 then test

watch the load voltage on cpuz and temps

if ok up multiplier by 1 at a time till its unstable

then see what voltage you need to raise if you havent reached your target speed

though to be honest there are thousands of 2500k overclocking guides on the net if you google it

I think this helps me the most. I looked at a lot of the guides and they seem to be with other mobos or cooling systems, and I wanted to make sure I do it the right way and mostly make sure my steps are sound. Thank you

 

[mcnumpty23]

you are welcome

i tried to keep it simple

there are other variables but at the speed you are looking at you probably wont need those

and its 3-30am so my brains not functioning properly

4.2ghz should be easy with that cooler

and 4.5ghz should be doable --ambient temperatures play a part and every cpu is different so may need a bit

more or a bit less voltage

just take your time and dont increase anything in large amounts at a time

if your bios supports saving profiles you can use that to help

test if its stable at say 4ghz--save to bios profile--aim for 4.1ghz and so on

then you can load whatever profile you want

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/07/how-to-overclock-the-intel-core-i5-2500k/

 

[justash420]

you are welcome

i tried to keep it simple

there are other variables but at the speed you are looking at you probably wont need those

and its 3-30am so my brains not functioning properly

4.2ghz should be easy with that cooler

and 4.5ghz should be doable --ambient temperatures play a part and every cpu is different so may need a bit

more or a bit less voltage

just take your time and dont increase anything in large amounts at a time

if your bios supports saving profiles you can use that to help

test if its stable at say 4ghz--save to bios profile--aim for 4.1ghz and so on

then you can load whatever profile you want

That's kind of what I wanted to do anyway, just jump to 4.0 and then slowly jump a bit after that, one by one. And in between each one I'll use Prime95 for about 10 minutes and then once I get where I want, I'll run it for 12 hours.