Overclocking is the practice of running a computer’s hardware, specifically the CPU and GPU, at a higher clock rate than it was designed to run.
The clock rate is a measure of the speed at which a computer’s processor can execute instructions, and it is usually measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). By increasing the clock rate of the processor, it can be made to run faster and perform more operations per second, which can lead to improved performance in certain tasks.
Overclocking is usually done to improve the performance of a computer, particularly for gaming or other resource-intensive tasks. It can be a way to get more performance out of hardware that is already in a system, without having to purchase new hardware.
However, overclocking also comes with some risks, such as increased power consumption and the potential for hardware failure. It is important to carefully research and understand the risks and limitations of overclocking before attempting it, and to have the necessary tools and knowledge to do it safely. Overclocking may not always provide a significant performance boost, and it can be time-consuming and potentially costly to set up and maintain.
The procedure for overclocking a processor depends on a number of factors. The first and most commonly applicable step is to reset your computer’s bus speed. Resetting the bus speed may require resetting jumpers inside your computer, although, in systems with SoftMenu BIOS, the bus speed can be set through your system setup interface.
Factors that favor your ability to successfully overclock include having a well-designed motherboard with a fast enough bus and having a fan or other cooling device that will keep your system cool enough.
Overclocking is not without risk because when taken to extremes the process can make the system unstable. Most device warranties are voided if an issue is caused by overclocking.
