should i Overclock i5 4690k

[w01fdr4g0n]

Should i overclock my i5 4690k CPU and does it really improve gaming? i have a gigabyte gaming 7 mobo and a corsair h100i cpu cooler this is my first build i have overclocked the GPU on previous pcs but not the CPU my graphics card is a gtx 970 just in case anyone needs that info games i play gta 5, dragon age, and ESO

 

[NBSN]

You don't need to overclock it. You won't see enough of a performance boost, even in CPU intensive games, to really warrant the overclock. Even if you could get a 5% extra performance out of it, 5% increase to the average fps of a game that is already average 50 is not going to be a huge deal.

You don't have a bottleneck with your current setup either.

And don't forget that you will shorten the lifespan of your component by overclocking. Sure, the lifespan is already longer than you will even need the system and overclocking will still let the CPU have more than enough life...but it is still something to think about. Especially if you accidentally did it wrong or accident happened somehow.

With that being said, you seem to have plenty of cooling for overclocking, and it is something that you could always try and compare the results to non overclocking the CPU to really determine if it worth it to you.

 

[Kiril1512]

You don't need to overclock it. You won't see enough of a performance boost, even in CPU intensive games, to really warrant the overclock. Even if you could get a 5% extra performance out of it, 5% increase to the average fps of a game that is already average 50 is not going to be a huge deal.

You don't have a bottleneck with your current setup either.

And don't forget that you will shorten the lifespan of your component by overclocking. Sure, the lifespan is already longer than you will even need the system and overclocking will still let the CPU have more than enough life...but it is still something to think about. Especially if you accidentally did it wrong or accident happened somehow.

With that being said, you seem to have plenty of cooling for overclocking, and it is something that you could always try and compare the results to non overclocking the CPU to really determine if it worth it to you.

agree!

 

[gerr]

You don't NEED to OC, but the quesiton is do you WANT to? Like the others have said, taking your CPU to somewhere between 4.0Ghz to 4.6Ghz will only give you a minor bump in FPS, so that alone doesn't warrant the OC. However, you already have a top level CPU cooler, so if you don't OC, you will have wasted a lot of money on a CPU cooling solution.

I suggest doing the OC, but go for a moderate one where the temps are nice and you don't need to raise the vCore much, if any, as it's the raise in vCore that shortens the CPU life. Taking your CPU to 4.2Ghz is still a 20% OC, but is considered by many to be a conservative goal.

You have the supporting hardware, why not OC at least some?

 

[NBSN]

However, you already have a top level CPU cooler, so if you don't OC, you will have wasted a lot of money on a CPU cooling solution.

Definitely disagree with this statement. Having a good CPU cooler, even if not overclocking, is great and shows two things about the person. That they actually care about their system running cooler temps and that they may want to try overclocking later on (if they have an overclockable CPU that is).

It is better to go with too much than too little. Look at each aspect of a computer and try and apply that same style of statement.

"However, you already have a top level CPU cooler, so if you don't OC, you will have wasted a lot of money on a CPU cooling solution."
If someone will only need about 500 GB of hard drive space right now, should they get a 500 GB or 1 TB hard drive? Well, they may want to put a few programs on there later on, so go for the 1 TB.

The same thing regarding a motherboard, should it only support 2 RAM module at a max of 8 GB, or should it support at least 16 GB of RAM? Well, to better be prepared for the future, I would suggest it to support 16 GB. But applying that same statement it would seem like it was a waste of money unless you are using 16 GB for sure.

Apply it to a PSU and you get the same thing once again. Why get a 650 watt PSU with plenty of connectors if you only need a 500 watt PSU with one six pin and one 6+2 pin connector? Well, because the system only really needs around 430 watts and either an additional GPU may be added later which would need that extra wattage or they may want to upgrade to a Titan X.

 

[gerr]

Wow, I must have hit a nerve with NBSN as he went on a major tangent that really doesn't apply here. Comparing a better CPU cooler to extra HDD space.../facepalm

And by the way, I always replace all my Intel stock coolers with better coolers, but if I am not planning on overclocking, a $25 CPU cooler is more than enough. So ya, I consider it a waste of $75 when you spend $100+ on a CPU cooler designed for extreme overclocking, but then don't OC. However, if that's what the OP wants, that's their choice. Now if they bought that CPU cooler with the intention of overclocking at a later point, I am OK with that.

 

[NBSN]

Sorry gerr. Not mad or anything, just pointing out that everything is up to the user themselves as you know and the same argument can be said for every part.

It can be compared (while it is apples to oranges) the thing that you seem to be pointing out is the price of what is purchased vs the price of the minimum needed. So, if I bought 10 oranges and I may eat all 10, but don't know for sure...that is a waste. But your argument is that it is fine to buy 10 apples if I only really need 5 right now and I could always buy more later too.

Just pointing that out.