The weakest link..

[jmhoman3]

Im here for some advice, Id like to overclock my computer but I want to get rid of the weakest link before I do so.

CPU: Amd Phenom II 940 x4
GFX: XFX 4850 512MB
Ram: 2x2 Gigabytes of Gskill pc6400 800mhz
Mobo: M3a78-Pro ASUS
PSU: 670 Watt


Now, here is my problem, on the video card the levels come stock at 600/1100 I believe. If I try to get a little more oomph out of my card, my computer will freeze during game and Ill have to reboot.

Also, how well does the 940 OC? Should I buy an aftermarket cooler for it?

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The veteran posters here usually recommend a third party cpu heatsink to improve cooling. Here's a link to a web site with information about cpu heatsinks you might find interesting:

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

 

[jmhoman3]

Ok, I will check that out.

How about hardware? How is my setup? Should I replace my video card? I am getting a 27.5 " monitor here in a month, will my card handle it or shall I get something newer?

Hows my mobo?

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Do you overclock your system?
Do you plan to use two or more video cards in your system?

 

[jmhoman3]

Ill most likely use 1, but 2 if I feel lucky.

I want to do some wc'in.

 

[soundefx]

The 4850 is a good card but I think that at that res., you might run out of VRAM with only 512.
I would recommend a 4870 or 4890 1Gig or a GTX 275 or higher 1Gig card.

Check out toms and other charts to compare how different cards at certain res handle the games you like to play.

 

[ulysses35]

any specs on make of the PSU ? not all PSU's actually deliver their quote wattage

 

[jmhoman3]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035

Thats the PSU Im using.
I know my mobo is getting old, would replacing that help me at all?
I want to get 3.5/3.6 out of my CPU

 

[ShtBrix]

Get rid of that PSU.
A low watt Corsair, Antec Earthwatts, Seasonic, PCP&C would run that easily. Get a 600-700 Watt iif you want to CF.

 

[jmhoman3]

Is that a bad CPU?

 

[jmhoman3]

PSU*

 

[obsidian86]

the cpu is fine its that pos raidmax thats bad

 

[jmhoman3]

Would that cause my pc to crash when I am trying to OC?