Overclocking for heavy computational simulations

[joe1111]

I need a PC for heavy computational simulations (c++, sql) but want to avoid the Xeon price tag. I need to use it for development (3 or 4 monitors) and run multiple simulations at a time for several hours. Preferably I want to overclock it.

Case COOLERMASTER SILEO 500 QUIET MID TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-950 (3.06GHz) 4.8GTs/8MB Cache
Motherboard ASUS® P6X58D-E: DDR3, USB 3.0, SATA 6.0GB/s, 3-Way SLI
Memory (RAM) 12GB KINGSTON HYPER-X TRI-DDR3 1600MHz, X.M.P (3 x 2GB KIT)
Graphics Card + 2nd Graphics Card I USE MY OWN 2x NVIDIA NVS 295
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 120GB OCZ VERTEX 2 SATA II 2.5" SSD (upto 285MB/sR | 275MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk 1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
RAID NONE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
2nd DVD/BLU-RAY Drive NONE
Power Supply & Case Cooling CORSAIR 650W PSU (TX650) 80+ ULTRA QUIET (£76)
Processor Cooling COOLIT ECO A.L.C (ADVANCED LIQUID COOLER) (£59)


Question: Do you have any experience with overclocking for extended periods of time? would the system be suitable? Is cooling over the top?
Is 650W PSU sufficient?
Would you suggest a full tower case (I try to save space)?

Many thanks

 

[Gorman]

Hello, The machine is good, the PSU is about right.

The thing is i would not recommend overclocking for a machine which is intended to be a number cruncher. Overclocking the CPU can introduce errors which may not be enough to crash an OS or a game but would have consequences for stability.

I have had stable overclock for periods of six months at a time, but i would still not recommend it for a number cruncher.

 

[Gishank]

First note - Overclocking voids the warranty on that paticular part, perhaps you may be better off choosing and configuring an overclocked system so PCSpecialist do it for you and you keep your warranty?

Second note -

Third note: The CPU cooler is a tad OTT, but should be good for overclocking needs.


EDIT;
Misread, thought it said GTX, i'll go sit in a corner..

 

[PCS]

Overclocking only voids your warranty if it results in the PC failing as a result. You can order overclocked systems pre-configured on our website and your warranty would not be void with these.