Does the i7 920 make sense to overclock?
Does the i7 920 make sense to overclock?
Hello,
My setup includes:
i7 920
Asrock x58 Xtreme MoBo
3x2GB Corsair @533 DDR3 triple channel
Radeon HD 5870 GPU
Seasonic 600W PSU
Recently I've found myself uncertain about whether to upgrade my PC or wait longer to save money and buy a complete system with extra parts. The main focus has been on upgrading the GPU and optimizing the CPU. I'm considering the R9 380x.
I'm seeking your opinion since I'm unsure if overclocking the i7 920 is beneficial and could still cause a bottleneck for the GPU. I'd also need an additional $35 for an aftermarket cooler on top of that cost.
What are your thoughts? Would it function well if I slightly reduced the i7 920's clock speed?
If you own the I7 920 now in stock, it’s worth considering an overclock. Upgrading it to 4 GHz and replacing the outdated GPU would restore a solid gaming setup. However, ensure you install a suitable CPU cooler—CPUs tend to overheat during overclocking. Keep in mind there are two versions of the I7 920 CO and DO; CO usually requires higher voltage and doesn’t reach as high a clock speed as DO. I’m certain the DO version can exceed 4 GHz.
If you’re planning to work with a used GTX 970 or 980, note that these models are less power-hungry than the R390X and still perform comparably. For AMD GPUs, look for an RX470—similar to the GTX 900 series GPUs in efficiency.
These were the configurations I used at 4 GHz on my I7 920 before switching to the I7 980X. Here are the links:
http://peecee.dk/uploads/042016/20160415_190754.jpg
http://peecee.dk/uploads/042016/20160415_190903.jpg
http://peecee.dk/uploads/022017/3dmark_f...kord_1.jpg
http://peecee.dk/uploads/022017/3Dmark_F....7_GHz.jpg
Now with an I7 980X, you also have the chance to upgrade to a 6-core LGA 1366 CPU if you’re after a budget CPU upgrade.
If you own the I7 920 at the moment, it’s worth considering an overclock. Upgrading it to 4 GHz would make it a solid gaming setup again, especially with a new GPU. However, ensure you install a good CPU cooler—those CPUs tend to get hot during overclocking. Keep in mind there are two versions of the I7 920 CO and DO. CO usually requires higher voltage and doesn’t reach as high a clock as DO. I’m aware that DO models can exceed 4 GHz.
If you’re planning to work with a used GTX 970 or 980, they’re less power-hungry than the R390X and still perform well. For AMD GPUs, look for an RX470—those use less power compared to the GTX 900 series.
I’ve used these settings on my I7 920 before switching to an I7 980X. Here are the links:
http://peecee.dk/uploads/042016/20160415_190754.jpg
http://peecee.dk/uploads/042016/20160415_190903.jpg
http://peecee.dk/uploads/022017/3dmark_f...kord_1.jpg
http://peecee.dk/uploads/022017/3Dmark_F....7_GHz.jpg
With an I7 980X, you also have the chance to upgrade to a 6-core LGA 1366 CPU if you’re looking for a budget-friendly boost.
Thank you for your help. I’ll review the other two GPUs mentioned and stick with the i7 for now due to budget constraints.
If you own the I7 920 at a discounted price, it’s worth considering an overclock. Upgrading to a 4 GHz speed and replacing the outdated GPU would restore a solid gaming setup. However, ensure you install a suitable CPU cooler—CPUs tend to overheat during overclocking. Keep in mind there are two versions of the I7 920 CO and DO; CO usually requires higher voltage and doesn’t reach as high speeds as DO. I’m aware that DO models can exceed 4 GHz.
If you’re planning to work with a used GTX 970 or 980, they consume less power compared to a R390X and perform similarly. For AMD enthusiasts, the RX470 is a better choice since it uses less energy.
These were the configurations I used for a 4 GHz clock on my I7 920 before switching to an I7 980X. Here are the links:
- http://peecee.dk/uploads/042016/20160415_190754.jpg
- http://peecee.dk/uploads/042016/20160415_190903.jpg
- http://peecee.dk/uploads/022017/3dmark_f...kord_1.jpg
- http://peecee.dk/uploads/022017/3Dmark_F....7_GHz.jpg
With an I7 980X, you also have the chance to upgrade to a 6-core LGA 1366 CPU for a more affordable CPU upgrade.
Thank you for your help. I’ll review the other two GPUs mentioned. I’m on a tight budget and think an i7 will be enough for now.
You’re welcome.