The term 'overclocking' comes up a lot when talking about PCs, but if you're a newbie, you may not know exactly what it means.
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The term refers to pushing your computer components harder and faster than the manufacturer designed them to go.
The initial pitch is seductive: Buy a slower, lower-cost CPU; juice up the clock speed; and presto! You have a cheap, high-end processor. Of course, it's not that simple. Overclocking can certainly speed up your system (and save you some cash in the process), but only if you do it right.
We're going to talk about some of the basics of overclocking - what it really is, some of the basic maths behind overclocking and how you might push your own system a little harder and faster. The goal here is to get better, stable performance for your money. After all, it doesn't matter how fast your computer runs if you have to wait for it to reboot from a crash every 10 minutes.
Though overclocking is a complex topic, we'll to keep the discussion here as simple as possible. We won't go into great detail on voltage changes or power issues, or examine the intricacies of memory timing.
We will, however, talk about core CPU multipliers and memory clocks, and how the two relate to each other. Memory and CPUs are intricately interconnected, and simply pumping up the speed of one or the other may not yield the performance improvements you want to achieve.
What is overclocking?
Simply put, overclocking means setting your CPU and memory to run at speeds higher than their official speed grade. Almost all processors ship with a speed rating. For example, an Intel Core i7 860 runs at 2.80GHz out of the box. Overclocking a Core i7 860 means pushing it to a clock speed higher than 2.80GHz. This article will focus primarily on CPU overclocking to illustrate the core concepts (pun intended).
Processors don't instantly melt when you overclock them because a modern CPU's speed rating specifies the speed at which every processor in the same manufacturing batch can run - a number that's likely to be considerably lower than the maximum speed that your specific processor is capable of.
In general, CPU yields are so good these days that the nominal speed grade locked into a chip may be far lower than the speed that the chip is capable of running a computer at. In other words, since the statistical distribution in the manufacturing process is skewed toward better-quality chips, odds are that your processor is better than its rated speed.
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Comments
Cyteck said: If there really were such massive benefits to over clocking a CPU it would be far far more common than it is it would be a much higher profile phenomena Fact is its NOT amp secondly the fact is over clocking is actually highly technical even with systems were it can be implemented amp its difficult to get just right
Cyteck said: Over clocking a computers CPU can also sometimes result in the machine having odd amp unexpected symptoms which unless you are a computer expert you just would understand or know why the system was behaving this way Over clocking a CPU can result in software that behaves oddly to hard disks not reading amp writing correctly and even odd memory handling issues There is no telling if your machines operating system will be able to handle a different clock speed no knowing how the OSs manager manager or kernel executive will handle all the threads amp process requiresetcetc Over clocking has a direct amp highly unknown knock on effect on all the OS functions IMO over clocking DONT GO THERE
Mike J said: Cyteck I agree Overclocking used to void warranties back when it was actually needed Why anyone other than a dedicated deranged gamer would need additional speed with current CPUs I cant imagine Add some RAM if you want to do something
Cyteck said: Personally I think over clocking your computers CPU is asking for trouble Why YES of course the chip makers always build into the processor some level of tolerance as far as clock speed is concerned But just as with a car engine amp driving most of us drive our cars between 0 and 70mph from driving on local roads at 30-40mph to motorway speeds between 65-85mph Over clocking a CPU is like driving your car constantly at 85-90mph the engine whilst it is capable of performing at these speeds pays a price is sheer wear amp tear Meaning you will hammer the engine to bits and its far far more likely to got wrong as parts fail more quickly The average family car is not designed to be a formula 1 racing car nor be driven at F1 speeds Enough said I think Personally I wouldnt ever over clock my CPU its a waste of time for any possible benefit