Hi guys. I just got a gaming PC, or at least the parts (my first build; I spent a long time researching parts).

Well, my uncle visited from California (I live in Georgia), and he's awesome with computers, so he helped me put it together. My CPU is an Intel i7 2600K (3.4GHz), and I'm using the stock cooler. I bought a really nice cooler (I wanted to overclock it to at least 4GHz. Can't remember what it's called right now, but it's a massive, great cooler).

Well, my uncle said overclocking is a bad idea, and that I had no use for the other cooler as the one that came with the processor was fine. He's better with computers than me, so I just let him go ahead.

But, after I've modded Oblivion a good bit, I've noticed some performance drops and I thought my processor may be getting hot (for reference, http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=haf+932&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6879772031607111923&sa=X&ei=8sIwTuWVGI-jtgexstmICQ&ved=0CEIQ8wIwAQ. Great ventilation.). However, after doing some research, a lot of people have told me that the stock cooler is crappy and I should really put in the other one on such a high-end processor to protect my investment.

I was thinking about opening up my PC and putting in the other cooler, but I'm a little nervous as I only watched him put it together (helping when I could). The other cooler I bought has instructions and whatnot, I'm just scared that I may damage something if I try to change coolers (which would obviously get me in a TON of trouble; this computer was very expensive).

I did check my temps, and if I remember correctly they were around 30-35 when just browsing the web (the lowest I saw in any core was 29, highest was maybe 37?). Is that ok?

Any advice guys? I don't know what to do.

I think performance drops in Oblivion are normal, since it's not a very well optimized game. Even if overclocking was as bad as your uncle thought, it's still a good idea to use a better cooler than the stock one.

I certainly know that. My question was more "Should I risk doing it even though I've only watched before?"

Yep. Just make sure that you only touch what needs to be touched and you should be fine. Also, make sure that you don't shock anything with static electricity that may or may not be built up within your very being.

Also, the i7 was a bit overkill, I think. The i5 is better in the power-to-cost ratio.

I mean, I built my entire first computer by myself with no help whatsoever. Well, I did Google a lot of stuff, but still I'm sure you'll be fine.

whether or not you should risk it depends on how hot your CPU gets under stress and whether the idle temperature is acceptable to you

You can stress test it with something like Prime95 to max out CPU usage. Run it for a good 30 minutes or so, if your temperature is in the high 80s you should consider it. If it's in the high 90s, you should probably do it, and if it's in the 100s DO IT NOW!

I spent MONTHS researching everything about it. I just went for the i7 because... well I don't really know.

What is the best way to avoid static? And is removing a processor (I think I have to to put in my other fan) hard?

Oh no no no, there is no need to remove the processor. The fan just snaps into place on top of the CPU. I believe that your new cooler should come with some thermal paste.

Is that just a program I can download?

And if it's under 85 I'm fine?

I'm just going to say that I doubt replacing the CPU cooler will be necessary, but there really sin't any reason not to either. Unless you feel that you really really don't want to risk it.

Just busted out the box, and it's http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118054.

It does have a backplate that I think has to go behind the processor.



And I only thought I needed to as I thought my Oblivion performance drops could be caused by the processor getting too hot.

Yeah install the cooler.

Be sure the machine is unplugged and find a source of ground like the metal casing of a desk lamp (often grounded through the electrical system) to touch as to discharge any possible static.

There are plenty of tutorials to be found on the net to help you with the install if your that nervous about the job.

Overclocking can be dangerous to the system.

Then why do so many people do it?

It can be dangerous if done incorrectly or if done without the proper cooling. But if done right then there's nothing to worry about.

How exactly do you "do it incorrectly"?

Because it's not really as dangerous as novices make it out to be. It's perfectly acceptable if you are careful with how you do it (ie, don't jump straight to 4 GHz or you WILL fry something.) The new generation of i5s and i7s actually come with a certain degree of automatic overclocking built into them (much to the annoyance of old school overclockers.)

edit: ninja'd


Don't jump straight to 4 GHz, or you will fry something. You need to raise the clock speed by tiny increments, patiently test it to make sure it's stable, increase voltages by tiny fractions to compensate for the increased power draw, then repeat until you hit the limit. Each chip will be different, so it has to be done manually and quite carefully - which is exactly why chip manufacturers don't bother, and test huge batches in bulk and slap them into categories with large margins of error.

Would that be the turbo boost feature? And how exactly do you control how high you go?


Anyways, I'm not sure about this cooler. I looked at the instructions, and they were pretty confusing.

I wasn't able to find a video of someone installing this cooler either.

If you OC it more than the processor or the cooling system can handle, it can easily cause permanent damage to the processor.

Hmm not dangerous but if this person did jump to 4ghz and you had not said something. There would be one less cpu in the world!

Yes, but I'm not sure on the details (I only have a 1st generation i7 myself.) But from the brief look I had at the new architecture, it seems the new i5s and i7s draw a lot less power than the previous generation, making them much friendlier to overclock. I read in some places that even the stock cooler was pretty good - although that's not a claim I would personally trust implicitly for every machine, given all that expensive hardware.


What cooler is it?


True, but there would also be one wiser computer user.

1. For a non-overclocked system the stock cooler is fine. It was designed to be fine. There is no need for a non-stock cooler. Now a non-stock cooler will be 'better' than a stock one.

2. As for overclocking... With your processor, you really don't need to overclock. Almost every game is GPU limited anyways. For reference, my Core 2 Duo @ 2.7Ghz doesn't really affect my PC's performance in anything other than Dwarf Fortress and Minecraft (Radeon 5850 GPU).

3. If you have to ask about overclocking here, chances are that you don't need to do it.

4. When receiving free technical support from someone (especially a family member) it is important to take their advice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118054

Oooh, I have that exact cooler, as it happens. And yes, it's very fiddly to put on (and even more fiddly to get off.) Let's just say I hope I never have to replace it, because the headache is just not worth it.

Depending on your motherboard or case, you would probably need to remove your entire motherboard to access the underside to attach the thrice-damned backplate that the cooler comes with. Not recommended unless you really know what you're doing - but other coolers out there should be simpler (I'm sure someone could suggest a few.) I just particularly like the design of this cooler, as it gives a nice through-flow of air in my rig. But really, that backplate seriously dampens my enthusiasm for it.

In any case, with the rig you have you should be able to run any game for the foreseeable future, and overclocking would only be overkill depending on your graphics card - there's no point in having a faster CPU, if there's nothing for the CPU to be faster for! Most single graphics cards will not demand enough to warrant overclocking if you already have an i7 2600k.

Thanks. I'll just stick with stock.


Btw, my graphics card is an EVGA GTX 570.

On a side note, I think that having Qarl's Texture Pack III is overpowering my graphics card.

If I get the redimized version, can I just install redimized over the normal version? I've noticed some faints lines running left to right on my screen (they're flickering up and down as well) whenever the screen is a light gray color (like right now on this typing surface). Could that be caused my overpowering my GPU, or should my GPU be able to handle it?

Even thought it's not necessary to use an aftermarket HS/F (Heat Sink/Fan) I suggest using it if your're comfortable with installing it. I have a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ on my Core i5 2500k (Haven't overclocked it) and it idles at a nice 29^oC and when gaming only jumps up into the 40's. However if you don't feel comfortable installing it without any help then don't do it.

EDIT: Get the redimized version it's a lot less taxing on your GPU. I have a Radeon HD 6950 from Sapphire and it destroys oblivion with QTP 3 installed (~55-60fps). You should be able to install it over the other one since it would just overwrite the older bigger files.