Question Can I overclock my CPU and to what?

Apr 21, 2019
12
1
15
Power Supply: PowerSpec Bronze Certified 750W
Motherboard: MSI Z390 A-PRO
CPU: I5 9600K (3.7GHZ~4.6)
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660TI
SSD: Samsung 970 EVO+
Cooling Fan: Hyper 212 EVO
 
How well you can oc is determined by your luck in the silicon lottery.

Then, your limit will be determined either by temperature or the vcore you are willing to tolerate. Probably the limit is as good as 5.0.

You want to keep the vcore to perhaps 1.35 and the stress test temperature under 85c.

What is your case??
In a case with good intake capability I think you will do reasonably well.
 
Apr 21, 2019
12
1
15
How well you can oc is determined by your luck in the silicon lottery.

Then, your limit will be determined either by temperature or the vcore you are willing to tolerate. Probably the limit is as good as 5.0.

You want to keep the vcore to perhaps 1.35 and the stress test temperature under 85c.

What is your case??
In a case with good intake capability I think you will do reasonably well.
My case is a Corsair Spec 02
 
Apr 21, 2019
12
1
15
With that cooler hardly any. As for CPU itself, much depends on silicone lottery, I have seen them go way over 5GHz while other barely scraped 4.5.
Do you know what cooler I should get? I'm thinking the
Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M
would this work? Or would I need a Noctua? I really dont like the Noctua design as I'm an RGB person.
 
The specs for the corsair spec 02 say a cooler height of 157mm.
The hyper212 evo spec says it is 159mm high.
I have to assume one or the other is off since the 212 fits now.
The MA410m spec is 167mm needed so it probably will not fit.

The 212 is a single tower design with a 120mm fan.

Look for a twin tower cooler that will fit.
Most will be more effective than a simple small tower.
If you have ram with tall heat spreaders, check for clearance.

Here is one that may work for you with RGB

https://www.amazon.com/DEEPCOOL-Neptwin-RGB-Twin-Tower-Compatible/dp/B0788GFRHF
 
Apr 21, 2019
12
1
15
The specs for the corsair spec 02 say a cooler height of 157mm.
The hyper212 evo spec says it is 159mm high.
I have to assume one or the other is off since the 212 fits now.
The MA410m spec is 167mm needed so it probably will not fit.

The 212 is a single tower design with a 120mm fan.

Look for a twin tower cooler that will fit.
Most will be more effective than a simple small tower.
If you have ram with tall heat spreaders, check for clearance.

Here is one that may work for you with RGB

https://www.amazon.com/DEEPCOOL-Neptwin-RGB-Twin-Tower-Compatible/dp/B0788GFRHF
Is this the best cooler for my CPU and Case? Isn't the Noctua NH D-15s better, or whats the difference with twin tower and single? Since I know NH D-15 is a single tower.
 
Unfortunately, the NH-D15s is 160mm high.
It is an outstanding cooler, but unless you can verify that the height is ok, pass.
Possibly the side bulge is sufficient for 160mm and the corsair spec is not accurate.
The D15 is also a twin tower but is 165mm.
Both perform equally well but the D15s has better ram and gpu clearance.
The difference between single and twin tower is analogous to the difference between a 140mm and 280mm aio radiator.
There is more radiator surface with the twin tower or the 280mm radiator.
 
Apr 21, 2019
12
1
15
Unfortunately, the NH-D15s is 160mm high.
It is an outstanding cooler, but unless you can verify that the height is ok, pass.
Possibly the side bulge is sufficient for 160mm and the corsair spec is not accurate.
The D15 is also a twin tower but is 165mm.
Both perform equally well but the D15s has better ram and gpu clearance.
The difference between single and twin tower is analogous to the difference between a 140mm and 280mm aio radiator.
There is more radiator surface with the twin tower or the 280mm radiator.
So the cooler you recommended is the best cooler for my CPU/Case?
 
So the cooler you recommended is the best cooler for my CPU/Case?
I do not think I have a good recommendation for you without knowing exactly how much room you have and if your ram is extra tall.
Since I think you already have a hyper212 that fits, I would go ahead and see how you do with it.
Just monitor your temperatures as you overclock.
The 9600K is a beast, even at stock so take whatever oc your chip gives you and be happy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jdebugger