Should you overclock your CPU

What is overclocking?

If you’re unacquainted overclocking, it’s the method of setting your CPU multiplier higher therefore the chip accelerates and increases your PC’s overall performance. For serious users, it’s a standard thanks to amplify performance. However, overclocking has its share of risks, especially for newcomers.

Overclocking typically involves the first processor, though you'll also overclock a discrete GPU for a lift in graphics processing. There’s nobody rule out how briskly you'll speed up a processor, but every overclocking project produces different results. that creates your decision to overclock rather difficult.

Overclocking: does one need it?

Overclocking are often time-consuming and expensive, especially if you've got little experience tinkering with PC components. additionally to changing your multiplier, you'll got to alter voltage settings, fan rotation speeds, and other important, fragile fundamentals.

So once you really get right down to it, does one got to overclock?

Overclocked processors are often related to gaming, but here’s a reality check: Speeding up your CPU might not do much to enhance your gaming experience. It helps particularly demanding programs run faster, certainly, but you almost certainly won’t notice an equivalent effect in today’s PC games. Why? Because the GPU simply does most of the work.

In games, the CPU typically deals with player input, AI, calculations — essentially everything that’s not visual. However, CPUs can take a bigger , more stressful load in MMORPGs because it handles additional players, their actions, and their conversations.


That said, overclocking the CPU results in better performance in advanced 3D-imaging programs, professional video editing apps, and similar software for complex work projects. For smoother action and better graphics, overclocking your dedicated graphics card may be a more reliable solution. Still, if your machine is new enough to run the newest PC games, its CPU and GPU could also be sufficient without diving into the overclocking waters.

Of course, what percentage people overclock because they actually need to? Relatively few.

Most people overclock their PCs just because they will . Afterward, they boast about their glorious man-over-machine achievement. It’s how to tinker together with your computer and obtain more from it employing a few simple tools. That appeals to tons of do-it-yourself system builders who would rather start with a lower-cost, lower-speed processor and amplify it themselves.

However, this also invites a serious problem common to all or any overclocks – overuse. You can’t give your computer steroids without drawbacks. An overclocked processor consumes more energy, produces more heat, and eventually wears out more quickly. Overclocking may cost you extra money within the end of the day .

Even more, overclocking will void any warranties your CPU may have. does one want to require that chance?

How much faster are we talking?

How fast does one want? Multipliers are easy to line , but processors also are easy to fry – there’s a give and take.

A small overclock, say a tenth boost, isn’t difficult to implement. It won’t put an important strain on your processor, but the consequences could also be underwhelming. Adding several hundred megahertz to your system, against this , is common and avoids the zone for many PCs.

But increasing your CPU’s speed by 1GHz may be a whole other ballgame that needs extra cooling and maybe new power units. It’s possible but not advisable for casual upgraders.

What do I need?

What kind of overclocking does one want to try? How in-depth are you willing to go? Here are some important tools so you'll judge the work level for yourself.

The right computer or CPU: you ought to invest during a CPU — like one among Intel’s K-series processors — that supports overclocking. An overclock-friendly motherboard is additionally important, so don’t pass the processor alone. the most recent mod-friendly CPUs and motherboards often accompany software that replaces a number of the tools listed below. Finally, if you’re buying a pre-built PC, check the system specs before assuming it supports overclocking.
Grab a second computer: You’ll want another computer to use while stress-testing and just in case something goes wrong.
Data display software: Programs like CPU-Z allow you to glance at the clock speed, see the voltage usage, and other important tracking factors. Downloading one among these tools will make the project much easier while tinkering.
Stress test software: you want to stress-test to make sure your overclocked processor is stable and safe. Prime95, LinX, and AIDA64 can help, though some overclockers like better to run quite one program and compare the results. Applications like RealTemp also are useful for tracking processor temperatures.
A heat sink/coolant unit: For serious overclocking, you’ll need a far better cooling system installed inside your PC. which will be a bigger processor heatsink and extra case fans.

How long will it take

Most importantly, the overclocking process depends on what proportion time you're willing to spend to try to to it correctly. you'll do a fast and janky overclock procedure just by downloading the proper software and changing a couple of settings. However, this might cause tons more trouble than it’s worth.

A proper and safe overclock requires research beforehand. you'll even got to order additional parts, like a much bigger cooler.

After the right prep work, start implementing basic tests, download the proper assay , and make CPU alterations – these are all relatively quick steps which can only take an hour. Running the strain test, which you ought to do after every alteration, should take a couple of hours because it monitors temperature and activity for stability. That’s a reasonably full afternoon, assuming everything goes perfectly and you recognize what you’re doing every step of the way.

If your computer overheats, crashes, or fails to perform needless to say , you want to make adjustments and run the strain test again. If you would like to put in a cooling system or conductor , append overtime .

Overall, the method can often take several days of tinkering to urge it good , which can be too long for you to realize an off-the-cuff boost in CPU speed. On the opposite hand, if you're a hobbyist, spending a few of weekends on an overclocking project may sound like fun.

Final word: To clock or not

While overclocking is simpler than ever before, and not particularly risky, it does require an honest little bit of knowledge and many of patience. But it’s not a particular science. Every result's a touch different supported materials, skill, and therefore the hardware available .

If you'll handle the element of uncertainty, the required tests for stabilization, and tinkering with the foremost elemental parts of your computer, overclocking is well within your grasp. If you can’t afford accidentally frying your CPU, the proper overclocking tools, or a willingness to dive deep into hardware management, overclocking isn’t for you.

In either case, you shouldn’t expect overclocks to rework your typical computing experience. apart from bragging rights, the most reason to pursue overclocking is to enhance the performance of applications that lean heavily on computing speed. You won’t see the foremost benefit if you never use such software.

Finally, if you would like to require the overclock plunge, follow our step-by-step guide, the way to Overclock Your CPU.