Unable to OC 9850 BE

danthrax

Member
Hey all,

Looking for some advice. I have an AMD Phenom x 4 9850 Black Edition which comes stock clocked at 2.5Ghz.

I bought my PC prebuilt from HP and have added several upgrades to it including a new GPU and PSU. For my next step I would like to OC the CPU to around 3.0Ghz. However there is nothing in the BIOS that allows me to overclock anything.

Now I know that sometimes prebuilt computers do not give you that option to OC anything by controlling what settings are available in the BIOS. However, being that the processor is a black edition (at least according to CPU-Z) doesn't that mean it is unlocked and therefore I can overclock it? Am I completely screwed because it is an HP computer and the BIOS settings are limited? I've also heard there are ways to "hack" the BIOS to regain control of certain settings. Anyways, any advice on my issue is greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.
 
Despite the CPU being a BE edition chip you will have no access to the features in the BIOS to over-clock it.

The only way to unleash it's potential is to get a new motherboard.

Then you can OC to your hearts content.
 
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The Phenom I's were not good overclockers at all. I suggest just saving for a whole new build and sell the one you have now.
 
The Phenom I's were not good overclockers at all. I suggest just saving for a whole new build and sell the one you have now.

I have been considering this as well. Do you think it'd be a good idea to just get a new case + mobo + CPU + better RAM? I'm happy with the 5770 and the other components I have. It'll take me a while to save for an entirely new build...
 
I have been considering this as well. Do you think it'd be a good idea to just get a new case + mobo + CPU + better RAM? I'm happy with the 5770 and the other components I have. It'll take me a while to save for an entirely new build...

Well, you COULD just get an AM2+ motherboard now....and you could upgrade to an AM3 cpu on it eventually and even then still retain your DDR2 memory.

Looks like the board you have is a micro ATX, so we'll go with that again. I recommend this board here-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157177


And then this CPU when you get the money-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

Huge upgrade from what you have now. If you overclock your 9850, just watch your temps because the Phenom I's get toasty easily. In fact, you may want to consider and aftermarket heat sink. Just a real simple one that still uses the stock AM2/3 mounting tabs but cools really well for the price-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125
 
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