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Cheap Overclockable pairing

Cheap Overclockable pairing

Q
Q_tron_NL
Junior Member
5
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM
#1
Hi,
I’m interested in trying CPU overclocking for the first time. I’m a bit worried about damaging my equipment since my current setup isn’t unlocked. To avoid risks, I’d prefer to buy a budget CPU and motherboard combo that I can experiment with safely without much concern if something goes wrong.

I don’t plan to use the system for anything serious; instead, I want to run benchmarks to verify the effect, so the impact on performance isn’t too significant.

Could anyone recommend some more affordable overclockable CPUs available second-hand, and motherboards that support overclocking as standard, at a low price?

Thanks,
Q
Q_tron_NL
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM #1

Hi,
I’m interested in trying CPU overclocking for the first time. I’m a bit worried about damaging my equipment since my current setup isn’t unlocked. To avoid risks, I’d prefer to buy a budget CPU and motherboard combo that I can experiment with safely without much concern if something goes wrong.

I don’t plan to use the system for anything serious; instead, I want to run benchmarks to verify the effect, so the impact on performance isn’t too significant.

Could anyone recommend some more affordable overclockable CPUs available second-hand, and motherboards that support overclocking as standard, at a low price?

Thanks,

B
B3NP
Member
172
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM
#2
Spending 100 on outdated gear might not fit a modern setup. Here’s an alternative approach:
PCPartPicker part list
/
Price breakdown by merchant
CPU:
AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
($109.13 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$169.12
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker 2017-09-28 21:24 EDT-0400
If you managed it, you could assemble a solid system from this
Also, consider upgrading your RAM—this part is more complex than the CPU.
B
B3NP
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM #2

Spending 100 on outdated gear might not fit a modern setup. Here’s an alternative approach:
PCPartPicker part list
/
Price breakdown by merchant
CPU:
AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
($109.13 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$169.12
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker 2017-09-28 21:24 EDT-0400
If you managed it, you could assemble a solid system from this
Also, consider upgrading your RAM—this part is more complex than the CPU.

K
kadjac
Junior Member
18
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM
#3
I've always enjoyed experimenting with the G3258. These and the 1150 socket motherboards can often be found on eBay at a low price.
K
kadjac
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM #3

I've always enjoyed experimenting with the G3258. These and the 1150 socket motherboards can often be found on eBay at a low price.

L
luxrox
Member
227
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM
#4
It's possible to find items as cheap as 100$, though I suggest pairing it with a cooler.
L
luxrox
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM #4

It's possible to find items as cheap as 100$, though I suggest pairing it with a cooler.

M
MastaTiik
Junior Member
3
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM
#5
Spending 100 on outdated gear might not fit a modern setup. Here’s an alternative approach:
PCPartPicker part list
/
Price breakdown by merchant
CPU:
AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
($109.13 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$169.12
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker 2017-09-28 21:24 EDT-0400
If you managed it, you could assemble a solid system from this
Also, consider upgrading your RAM—this part is more complex than the CPU.
M
MastaTiik
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM #5

Spending 100 on outdated gear might not fit a modern setup. Here’s an alternative approach:
PCPartPicker part list
/
Price breakdown by merchant
CPU:
AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
($109.13 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$169.12
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker 2017-09-28 21:24 EDT-0400
If you managed it, you could assemble a solid system from this
Also, consider upgrading your RAM—this part is more complex than the CPU.

M
mqmdqm_gamer
Junior Member
1
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM
#6
most motherboards include safety features to prevent excessive changes. asus offers excellent protection options on their boards. the tools available let you understand how to begin and when to stop. if you prefer this path, it’s a good idea.
M
mqmdqm_gamer
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM #6

most motherboards include safety features to prevent excessive changes. asus offers excellent protection options on their boards. the tools available let you understand how to begin and when to stop. if you prefer this path, it’s a good idea.

O
OverlordCoby
Member
169
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM
#7
vapour :
Spend 100 on dead technology? May not be applied to new system. Try this:
PCPartPicker part list
/
Price breakdown by merchant
CPU:
AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
($109.13 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$169.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-28 21:24 EDT-0400
If you succeeded, you can actually build a good rig based on this
BTW, you will need to OC ram as well, that is trickier than CPU.
Ryzen processors aren't a very good introduction to overclocking. Their headroom is limiting and can be quite difficult to achieve anything worthwhile. For a first timer wanting to learn about overclocking, and not get frustrated, I'd suggest a cheap Intel.
Which is why I suggested the G3258.....they're loads of fun to overclock. I had one setup at the same time I had my 6950X running. They're a ton of fun.
If, in the end game, money is an issue, then building something you can also use as a daily driver wouldn't be a bad idea though.
O
OverlordCoby
02-15-2025, 01:44 PM #7

vapour :
Spend 100 on dead technology? May not be applied to new system. Try this:
PCPartPicker part list
/
Price breakdown by merchant
CPU:
AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
($109.13 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$169.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-28 21:24 EDT-0400
If you succeeded, you can actually build a good rig based on this
BTW, you will need to OC ram as well, that is trickier than CPU.
Ryzen processors aren't a very good introduction to overclocking. Their headroom is limiting and can be quite difficult to achieve anything worthwhile. For a first timer wanting to learn about overclocking, and not get frustrated, I'd suggest a cheap Intel.
Which is why I suggested the G3258.....they're loads of fun to overclock. I had one setup at the same time I had my 6950X running. They're a ton of fun.
If, in the end game, money is an issue, then building something you can also use as a daily driver wouldn't be a bad idea though.