Should i reverse overclock CPU?

[JeppeSchultz]

Hi

I'm considering buying a used PC which has an overclocked CPU. Considering it already works, do i run a risk buying this? Will it stop working faster, and how much? Can i reverse overclock it to increase durability?

Thanks

 

[BSOD BSTD]

its difficult to say, it depends on how far it has been overclocked, and for how long, and the working temps of the CPU.

Yes, an overclocked CPU will technically have a shorter lifespan, but if we're talking for example a lifespan of 8 years reduced to 7 (I pulled those figures out of a hat), I'd rather have the better performance. After 4/5 years you will more than likely want to upgrade the CPU anyway.

If you want to, you can easily remove the overclock by going into BIOS and resetting the settings. This will give you more life on the CPU.

My advice (although I haven't seen the PC), leave the overclock on, run some stress tests when you get it and post the max temp on this forum and we'll let you know if it is running too hot.

Also when you get it, really good idea to remove the cooler and thermal paste and reapply some new paste. This may give you more life on the CPU than removing the overclock!

EDIT: also if you buy it make sure that 'cool and quiet' is selected in BIOS (if its not already). This reduces the speed of the CPU when not at load and gives it a longer lifespan.

 

[migronesien]

OCing a CPU is usually nothing that damages the CPU if it's no CRAZY high OC. It will let's say like die after 10 years instead of 12 years for example.
So nothing you should worry about. But if you're still not 100% sure then you can easily reverse any OC done to any component.

If it got an aftermarket cooler, then you can let the CPU be OCd if you like a bit more power.

 

[10tacle]

It's going to be very difficult to know how much damage is done on that CPU without testing it. And long term, overclocking does wear it out faster than if it was stock. The higher the overclock and voltage and heat, the more wear will be on it. Over time, a stable overclock will require slightly ever more increased voltage to keep stable. This gets exponential with higher overclocks (above 10%).

There are two ways to test it: run a program like OCCT at the overclock speed and note the voltage it's at, and restore the CPU to stock speed (should be a simple BIOS "restore to default" option). Then compare the voltages with what others report in similar configurations.

 

[Xtergo]

The opposite of overclocking is under clocking and it can be done the same way some one oced it, look which processor you own and get info on its stock voltages and stock clockspeed for intel ark change the voltage and oc ratio to the one that is stock or the easiest way is to go in bios and do a reset to factory default settings tada

But it depends on how much it has been oced if you dont need allot of oc and think stock is fine than sure its better to down clock to stock speeds you cant say much about reliability on second hand stuff.

 

[JeppeSchultz]

Thanks for the answers so i don't really run a risk here; if i buy it, and tests shows it to be a "bad overclock" (forgive me, i'm not experienced in this area), i can always easily reverse it.

 

[BSOD BSTD]

Thanks for the answers so i don't really run a risk here; if i buy it, and tests shows it to be a "bad overclock" (forgive me, i'm not experienced in this area), i can always easily reverse it.

There's always a risk if you're buying second hand unfortunately. Is there a return period (14 days or something) where you can send it back if needed? If that's the case then you can run some tests when you get it (this forum will help you) and check that its working ok.

But yes you are right in that it would take 2 minutes to reset to original settings.

Out of interest, what is the spec, and how much are they selling it for?

 

[JeppeSchultz]

I'm going to take a look at it, let it boot up, and he's promised me to have BF4 installed so i can see how it fares in that before buying it. No returning though.

This is the computer:

http://www.dba.dk/selvbyg-intel-i5-ultra-gamer/id-1019591377/?IsPrivate=True&PostId=d33124cf-1acc-42b1-b4c3-1f1e25ed29e4

Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler
Cpu: intel I5 4.3 Ghz Overclocked.
Motherboard: Asus Pro (not sure)
Gfx: 280X Toxic
Ram: 2 x 4 Gb Ddr3 1600mhz
Hdd; 1 x 2000GB 7200 Rpm
Psu: 700 Watt
Kabinet Cosair

GPU and motherboard are cirka 1 year old, PSU is brand new. Everything else is around 2 years old.

Price is 4000 DKK~584.98usd

 

[RobCrezz]

Doesnt say specifically what i5, but a 4.3Ghz overclock is fairly mild for 2ng Gen onwards, so likely to be ok.

 

[Xtergo]

ask him what motherboard and what gen processor he has

 

[JeppeSchultz]

I've asked him:
CPU: i5-2500k
Motherboard: asus p8p67 usb 3.0

 

[RobCrezz]

I've asked him:
CPU: i5-2500k
Motherboard: asus p8p67 usb 3.0

Thats a good cpu and 4.3ghz is a low overclock for that cpu, so shouldnt be a problem. Mines been overclocked since new in 2011 and still going strong at 4.7Ghz