Originally Posted by
DakarM
i've yet to find any one reliable source that is able to push 4.0ghz reliably. as in install an os, run games, apps (not bench marks). the only one that I saw was where they tested 4 different ones (to figure out if the new stepping helped) and even they were running a big ass heatsink/fan combo. but it's your money
The 9650 seems to easily reach 4Ghz. It's when you try to go beyond that that you start needing insane cooling or water.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...php?t=17944284
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...Language=en-us
http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/...-question.html
With water cooling, you can get beyond the 4.0Ghz mark though. This guy hit 4.25 stable:
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...d.php?t=313902
There's people pushing the 9550 to 4Ghz on air even.
Example:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...php?t=17926830
I have been looking in to the 9650 for some time now. And seeing as it's now only $50 more than what I paid for my 6600, I don't see it as much risk.