Only the OC CPU is allowed to reach a specific limit...
Only the OC CPU is allowed to reach a specific limit...
If I installed a AIO water cooler on my Q9650... would it really help push it overclock further? I think the idea is just to lower the temperature. That could work only if the CPU is actually being limited by heat. For example, at 90°C or higher for an Intel processor, cooling it down to 60-65°C wouldn't improve performance. The issue wasn't the temperature itself.
The Q9650 usually performs well above 4.0, but not every unit might reach even 3.6 when new. This chip is nearly 9 years old, making a significant jump to over 3.6 unlikely, likely because of the board rather than the CPU itself. Checking reviews shows the board had overclocking issues at launch due to poor voltage regulation and its budget nature. Expecting impressive results now could be unrealistic. Are you concerned about losing SATA controllers during overclocking? Are you trying to increase the voltage or let the PCI-X bus handle your overclock? The latter might interfere with the controllers, but if it's fluctuating it could go undetected. RAM is the best option for improvement. Two GB is insufficient even for BF4; adding two more would be beneficial, particularly if you're using a single stick without dual channel benefits. An 8GB RAM setup works well—something like the Q6600 has proven capable of running Ghost Recon Wildlands smoothly with 8GB. That said, the Q6600 previously maintained around 3.8 throughout the day and now struggling to hit 3.0 is challenging for it.
Razamatraz:
The Q9650 usually exceeds 4.0, though not all of them might even reach that when brand new. Being a chip from over nine years ago, achieving more than 3.6 at the moment could be out of reach, likely because of the board rather than the CPU itself. Reviewing the board's feedback shows it had overclocking issues right from the start (poor voltage regulation and a budget build), so expecting strong results now might be unrealistic. Are you noticing that SATA controllers disappear when you overclock? Are you trying to increase the voltage directly or letting the PCI-X bus clocks adjust with your overclock? The latter could interfere with the controllers, but if it's fluctuating it might go unnoticed.
RAM is the best option for a boost. Just 2 GB won't cut it even for BF4, and adding another 2 would make a big difference—especially if you're currently using just one stick without dual-channel benefits. If you can get 8 GB, that's ideal. A Q6600 is still holding up well, having run Ghost Recon Wildlands smoothly after installing 8GB, though it previously struggled to maintain 3.8 consistently and now hits 3.0 is challenging.
I could install another stick for 4GB (it supports up to 4GB), but the RAM slot itself isn't a problem—it's just that it hasn't worked reliably for years now.
As for voltages, I don’t usually adjust them—computers handle it, though I’ve tried several attempts without success.