Can I overclock my Cpu?

[dude807]

If so, how much do you think i could overclock it safely?
Here are the specs

Processor: AMD FX 4100 Black Edition 4 GHz Am3+CPU
8MB L2 Cache, 4MB L3 Cache
Graphics card: AMD Radeon HD 7850 Graphics Card
Eyefinity, DirectX11 Support
1X HDMI, 2X DVi, 2X Display port Available
15% Overclock Available if desired
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0GB/s3.5
32Mb Cache
Operating System: Windows 7
RAM: Skill Ripjaws X Series 12gb 240-Pin DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 128000) Desktop Memory
CAS 9 Latency
Equipped with Advanced Aluminum Heat-Dispersing Shield
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2P AM3+ AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

The heatsink is the one that came with the processor.

 

[Pinhedd]

It is usually inadvisable to overclock a processor while using an OEM heatsink to cool it. You certainly can, but you should get an aftermarket cooler first.

 

[Buzz247]

+1 to above

In addition this board is known for overheating VRM. You need GOOD airflow on heatsink by cpu socket.

 

[nathanr504]

I have the same cpu, with the stock cooler it did fine at 4 ghz but I could hit that with out bumping up the voltage. I'm at 4.7 now with voltage up and it required a much larger cooler. I went with the xigmatec dark night. I think I'm at 1.408 volts an 4.7 ghz an during games it gets to about 70 c although my apartment living room is 80 f so that doesn't help. Also, adjust your temperature offsets to +20 c. That is what core temp says anyhow. HWmonitor shows my cpu temp 10 c cooler, so who knows.

 

[nathanr504]

also, don't attempt much of a voltage bump with the stock cooler. I tried and temperature exponentially rose until it hit 85c and I shut down. Get yourself a decent cooler and make sure it has decent air intake an exhaust and just go until its unstable. As long as your below 1.5v you'll be fine. Use the multiplier first. I've found mine to be a pretty hardy. also, I've been able to push mine to 5ghz but that is going to require water cooling, so spend the $100 on water cooling and save yourself $50 your going to spend on a good air cooler.

 

[nathanr504]

shit, and I added a 60mm fan to my NB heatsink, you need to watch that temp too. And if you water cool, you really do need to add this fan to keep airflow across it. A lot of people forget about that when water cooling. The rest of the mobo needs some air flow.