The E8500 is probably one of the best chips for overclocking you can possibly get. Uh, a conservative estimate? 3.9ghz maybe. My processor is 2.4ghz at stock speeds, but I'm running it at a 33% overclock at 3.2ghz, at stock voltage, on a cooler that keeps the temperatures well below what it was at stock speeds on the stock cooler while being quieter. 3.9ghz should be possible on stock cooling although it will be pushing it temperature wise. A good cheap cooler is the Coolermaster 212+, and also Xigmatek SD1283 variations (get the ones WITH a blackplate though), both should be able to get that processor over 4ghz.
But before you really start overclocking. You should learn the basics of overclocking a Core 2 Duo, and then ask yourself some of these questions:
Does my motherboard support overclocking?
What is the maximum front side bus speed that I can run it at?
How fast memory do I have?
And learn how to install heatsinks.
If you set something to a setting your computer doesn't like then it will not complete POST (power on self test), and then all you have to do is reset CMOS which takes about 30 seconds, which resets all BIOS settings.
Also, when you do overclock, you should know what you're doing otherwise you'll get lots of blue screens, crashes, may have to reset CMOS a few times... (and if you're really stupid you could fry something)... things like that happen if your computer doesn't like overclocking for some reason.
Just some figures:
My CPU puts out 95 watt of heat at stock speeds. The E8500 puts out 65 watt.
My load temperature at stock speeds and stock cooling was 70. At 3.2ghz with the Xigmatek SD1283 Balder is 55 degrees.
Stock cooling on the E8500 is far worse than the Q6600.
You should be able to get massive gains... I think it's definitely worth it, just make sure you know what you're doing.
Last edited by Slotback on Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:19 am, edited 1 time in total.