Yes, it's possible but depends on your hardware and usage.
Yes, it's possible but depends on your hardware and usage.
I have a 650 W power supply from EVGA, a Ryzen 5 3600 with the standard Wraith Stealth cooler, and a 1660 Super OC from gigabyte. I’m not sure if they consume much power, but I also have three case fans with only red lights and an M.2 SSD. I don’t have any optical drives or any other hidden power usage I’m aware of. I’m wondering if it’s safe to push the overclock. My main worry is the heat from the stock cooler. I plan to use either the automatic Ryzen overclocking tool or the 1usmus utility shown in a recent video. I’m fairly tech-savvy, but how likely am I to encounter issues—software or hardware? Will the default fan be sufficient?
I'm not sure if the 1usmus tool is available for us yet—it might still be in closed beta. In the meantime, consider buying an aftermarket cooler. Even a Hyper 212 or a Chinese copy will get you further than the wraith stealth. Keep in mind that Ryzen performs best when running below 65-75°C (it won't be harmed until it reaches 95°C), whereas Intel can handle 80-90°C without issue. Your PSU should be fine.
Wattage-wise, it's definitely sufficient. I just want to confirm the unit. Wattage and efficiency aren't the model details—what's the specific unit? Brand isn't important here. Which model are you referring to? Regarding cooling, you might consider overclocking and see how it performs, though the built-in cooler for the 3600 isn't ideal. Ryzen options don't offer much room for overclocking or PBO activation, so prioritizing memory overclocking tends to be more effective.
It depends on your goals. If you're not aiming for maximum performance, overclocking might not be necessary. Running a stress test shows you can push the processor to around 70.45 at high settings, but whether that's worth it varies by use case.
If you're okay with the stock cooler's noise level, then an aftermarket one won't significantly improve your gaming experience. It won't instantly boost performance—maybe a slight increase in clock speeds due to Ryzen's frequency handling, but the gains will be small and not reliable.