I've built the last 3 PC's I've owned, but this time around I put together a machine that should be pretty good for overclocking. I've been reading articles here and there about overclocking, but was wondering if there's an "Overclocking 101" guide. I'd like to overclock my CPU, GPUs, and RAM.
Is there anything I need to pay particular attention to with the GPUs, since they're SLI'ed? Or is it the same as OCing one card, just need to do it for each card individually?
Is there more to OCing RAM than just enabling XMP and how do I enable XMP? Can more performance be teased out of the RAM while maintaining stability beyond the XMP profiles? Also, pcpartpicker has a compatibility note relating to the RAM: The G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum. Is this something that could affect my ability to reach 2400?
Unrelated to OCing RAM, but the RAM I purchased is blue, and the other components seem to lend themselves to more of a red/black build. Can the RAM be painted, or are there aftermarket heatsinks or other accessories to alter the color, while not negatively affecting cooling/performance?
Here's my system:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Kotetsu 79.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($106.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($165.05 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($94.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($131.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($9.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L4S-10AB-GP 60.9 CFM 140mm Fan ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L4S-10AB-GP 60.9 CFM 140mm Fan ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH232H 23.0" Monitor
Monitor: Acer K272HULbmiidp 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($329.99 @ Micro Center)
Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse Wired Laser Mouse ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: SteelSeries Elite Prism 7.1 Channel Headset ($154.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $2781.54
Is there anything I need to pay particular attention to with the GPUs, since they're SLI'ed? Or is it the same as OCing one card, just need to do it for each card individually?
Is there more to OCing RAM than just enabling XMP and how do I enable XMP? Can more performance be teased out of the RAM while maintaining stability beyond the XMP profiles? Also, pcpartpicker has a compatibility note relating to the RAM: The G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum. Is this something that could affect my ability to reach 2400?
Unrelated to OCing RAM, but the RAM I purchased is blue, and the other components seem to lend themselves to more of a red/black build. Can the RAM be painted, or are there aftermarket heatsinks or other accessories to alter the color, while not negatively affecting cooling/performance?
Here's my system:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Kotetsu 79.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($106.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($165.05 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($94.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($131.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($9.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L4S-10AB-GP 60.9 CFM 140mm Fan ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L4S-10AB-GP 60.9 CFM 140mm Fan ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH232H 23.0" Monitor
Monitor: Acer K272HULbmiidp 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($329.99 @ Micro Center)
Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Mouse: Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse Wired Laser Mouse ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: SteelSeries Elite Prism 7.1 Channel Headset ($154.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $2781.54