Uhm, what?
I'm running my Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4GHz stock) constantly at 3.0GHz without any problems/crashes/instability issues. It idles around 33 degrees Celsius (~31 degrees Celsius stock) and reaches 50 degrees under pressure (45 degrees stock). 50 degrees Celsius does not in any way hurt your CPU or shorten its lifespan. Also, I am running this setup with the original Intel cooler. As soon as I get a new cooler (Scythe Ninja Plus) I'm going for 3.4GHz or 3.6GHz, since I've tried it for short bursts and both the CPU and memory sticks (Corsair XMS) are good for it, but the temperature went above what I find acceptable.
Now, try to convince me that this somehow hurts my system "in the end".
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...it ain't necessarily the temps that shorten a CPU's lifespan through OCin'...yer stressin' the CPU above an' beyond what it ws designed fer (although, with the Conroe, it was designed fer a bit o' OCin', so it shouldna make much dofference in the end)...peoples tend ta fergit or overlook it, but I's'd be more worried 'bout me mobo than 'bout that Conroe if'n yer seriously lookin' at takin' her ta a 1+GHz OC...ya gots ta remember that, e'en if'n the piece o' hardware was designed to accept a bit o' OCin', it still adds added stress and temps ta it, an', whether it makes any real difference in how long she lasts, it will shorten the lifespan o' it, if'n only by a bit...I knows right now that me X2 4800+ that I has OCed ta 2.808GHz, temps 34C idle an' 52C load, has jus' had her lifespan shortened, e'en if only by a miniscule amount...
...WHO LUVS YA, BABY!!...