Intel Core i5 655K: Overclocking Made Easy… And Affordable!

Conclusion

Only a few months back, Intel’s unlocked CPUs were being sold for US$ 999. Things have changed quite dramatically since then. By releasing the Core i5 655K, Intel aims at the bigger crowd in the mainstream segment. The idea isn’t entirely new, actually. If you happened to came across a sample, the Pentium E6500K (LGA 775) was Intel’s first attempt to bring unlocked multiplier beyond their usual premium market.

Intel Core i5 655K currently sells for around US$ 216. From a technical point of view, it’s nearly identical with the 40-bucks-cheaper Core i5 650. They both share every feature, except for the unlocked multiplier, which is the Core i5 655K’s main selling point. Running at stock speed, it’s nothing special. Increase the multiplier, and you’ll begin to realize the true potential of this little clocker. With our 12 cm, 4400 RPM, super-noisy fan, we successfully increased the clockspeed up to a blazing 4,5 GHz by simply modifying the multiplier value and… of course, adding some more voltage to maintain stability. And it pays off too. We noted significant performance improvements in most of our tests.

So, exactly what kind of a computer user this processor is best for? When we thought about that, the first thing that came across our mind is overclocker-on-a-budget. An unlocked intel processor for less than 220 dollars certainly sounds appealing to almost any overclocker, especially those who cannot afford Intel’s US$ 900 + flagships. The unlocked multiplier adds a whole new overclocking flexibility for seasoned clockers as well.

But then again, not everyone is too eager to push their systems to the limit and bust a motherboard or two in the process, so we think the Core i5 655K is also suitable for gaming purposes. Do you want extra frames without all the complications? Your hope is granted. Casual users who want an easy start into the overclocking world can also incorporate this overclocking-friendly processor in their systems. Thanks to its unlocked multiplier, overclocking the Core i5 655K is as easy as counting 1-2-3.

Original article by: Gatot Tri Yuwono
Translated by: Oik Yusuf