just done 1st overclock,2.4ghz to 2.46! just being cautious!
i believe my board is meant to be terrible for overclocking!
so here's the story so far
raised my vdimm to 1.9v (max on M2N-E 1.95v) loosened timings to 5-5-5-18 still at 400mhz
upped FSB to 205 x12 multiplier
idle temps 35 idle & 45 load
CPU 2.46ghz & Ram 410mhz
according to cpu-z my vcore is 1.2
what would the next step be?
up FSB again? increase vcore? reduce Ram speed? increase ram to 1.95v?
total noob here guys, so cautious advice appreciated

Got my 4600+ upto 2.64ghz with a core voltage upped to 1.344 with no probs at all, temps are fine but i do have a very good case which is extremely good at cooling. If i were you i would just keep nudging up the bus speed by 2 each time and see if its stable. When it starts to become unstable knock the voltage up to the next scale and see if it smooths out.

I would do the same...the key that many forget is not the proper bus speed but the proper voltage as well...I would even consider 1.45v to 1.5v for a good cpu overclock but take it slow and try alittle at a time.

I remember reading about how voltage kills chips, even if they are properly cooled, is this something I should worry about or does this only happen with extremely high voltage?

Well all voltage kills, thats why CPUs die eventully, but if it is properly cooled, it should be fine for the amount of time that you plan on owning it. So im guessing you will probably use it for 2-3 years and that will be it, and at 1.4 volts you shouldnt have any problems, but once you get above the 1.5 range you should be thinking a little bit closer about what it is your doing, 1.5 1.55 volts can be very dangerous if your CPU is not probably cooled, so a 9500 should allow you to be around 1.45 ish with out too much worry, but stay under 55C if u can, and if u dont know how to watch CPU temp, use core temp, its good and reads directly off the CPU.

the next step i would say is drop the HT link, then drop RAM to DDR667 and then up your FSB. i also wouldn't go by the voltage on cpu-z my m2n-sli deluxe does the same thing when i know it is set to 1.4v