Question How much can a Ryzen 5 2600x be overclocked

You'd probably be better off with an X470 mobo, but if you're determined to overclock your 2600X on a B450M, try one of the web guides:-
https://thetechnoninja.com/technology/how-to-overclock-ryzen-5-2600x/

In particular, I'd draw your attention to this section (if you want your 2600X to survive overclocking).

Ryzen 2600X VDDCR Core Volts

This is the overclocking part, and the same voltage can be used to overclock the 2600 and 2600x. Make sure to save voltage for everyday use. In this case, the online consensus is 1.38V for the voltage of the CPU. This was 1.40 V, but some Reddit users commented on their processors’ degradation with voltages greater than 1.38 V. Higher voltages can be used for short-term use with proper cooling for comparative analysis and records.


TLDR don't exceed 1.38V.

You might get a stable all-core overclock of 4.0GHz at something approaching 1.30V, but that's where i'd stop. Get it badly wrong and it's "magic smoke" time. Your CPU goes 'phut' and never works again.

An overclock of 4.0GHz is only an 11% increase over stock 3.6GHz for the 2600X and you might not notice the difference. In ideal circumstances with the right mobo and golden sample CPU, you might reach 4.2GHz, which is a 16.7% increase.

I left my 2600X at stock settings, apart from an XMP 3000MT/s overclock on the RAM.

For significantly more processing power, you really need a better processor:-
https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/u8uyao/upgrade_advice_2600x_to_5700x5800x3d5900x/
 
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You'd probably be better off with an X470 mobo, but if you're determined to overclock your 2600X on a B450M, try one of the web guides:-
https://thetechnoninja.com/technology/how-to-overclock-ryzen-5-2600x/

In particular, I'd draw your attention to this section (if you want your 2600X to survive overclocking).

Ryzen 2600X VDDCR Core Volts

This is the overclocking part, and the same voltage can be used to overclock the 2600 and 2600x. Make sure to save voltage for everyday use. In this case, the online consensus is 1.38V for the voltage of the CPU. This was 1.40 V, but some Reddit users commented on their processors’ degradation with voltages greater than 1.38 V. Higher voltages can be used for short-term use with proper cooling for comparative analysis and records.


TLDR don't exceed 1.38V.

You might get a stable all-core overclock of 4.0GHz at something approaching 1.30V, but that's where i'd stop. Get it badly wrong and it's "magic smoke" time. Your CPU goes 'phut' and never works again.

An overclock of 4.0GHz is only an 11% increase over stock 3.6GHz for the 2600X and you might not notice the difference. In ideal circumstances with the right mobo and golden sample CPU, you might reach 4.2GHz, which is a 16.7% increase.

I left my 2600X at stock settings, apart from an XMP 3000MT/s overclock on the RAM.

For significantly more processing power, you really need a better processor:-
https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/u8uyao/upgrade_advice_2600x_to_5700x5800x3d5900x/
Thank you, Sadly I already bought all the parts so I won't switch but all the info you gave me is very helpful
 
As a previous owner 1.35v is safest voltage going over it isn't worth it.
I'm super cautious and restrict my 2600X to around 1.25V. I get a mild overclock, but nothing spectacular. I don't overclock my 3800X and 7950X.

I ran an Athlon II X4 620 with a high overclock, but after 6 years, electromigration set in and I was forced to reduce the frequency. Still it was good while it lasted.

If you bought your 2600X second-hand, you have no idea if it was abused by previous owners. If they were running it at 1.35V+, some of its "nine lives" might have been used up.

If the 2600X is brand new in a sealed manufacturer's box and it really is "unused", you have more freedom to experiment with high voltages.

How high you push the voltage depends on how long you want to keep the CPU. You can run it at 1.40V+ for a few months and let it die in a blaze of glory. Or you can reduce the voltage and accept lower speeds. The choice is yours.
 
I'm super cautious and restrict my 2600X to around 1.25V. I get a mild overclock, but nothing spectacular. I don't overclock my 3800X and 7950X.

I ran an Athlon II X4 620 with a high overclock, but after 6 years, electromigration set in and I was forced to reduce the frequency. Still it was good while it lasted.

If you bought your 2600X second-hand, you have no idea if it was abused by previous owners. If they were running it at 1.35V+, some of its "nine lives" might have been used up.

If the 2600X is brand new in a sealed manufacturer's box and it really is "unused", you have more freedom to experiment with high voltages.

How high you push the voltage depends on how long you want to keep the CPU. You can run it at 1.40V+ for a few months and let it die in a blaze of glory. Or you can reduce the voltage and accept lower speeds. The choice is yours.

Mines was bought new and had it on a restricted power plan for alot of it's life and I then kept it at constant 1.3v and 1.35 at max never went beyond that and it's still kicking fine.